TBR Football

Tottenham Hotspur will be eager to get back to winning ways on their return to Premier League action this weekend.

With the final international break of 2024 finally out of the way, Spurs can fully focus on getting their up-and-down campaign fully on track.

Tottenham have shown they can comprehensively beat anyone on their day, but they have also been prone to some shock defeats.

One criticism that has been levied towards Ange Postecoglou is regarding his insistence in playing a high line, which has led to opponents catching Spurs out at times.

For instance, Ian Wright recently lamented Tottenham’s loss to Ipswich.

He said: “When they are in a good run and you think they can put more results together, they throw a performance like this out there.”

Wright, along with Roy Keane, Paul Scholes, Gary Neville and Jill Scott, spoke about Tottenham in the latest episode of The Overlap.

Keane defended Postecoglou as he shared what he noticed about the Tottenham manager while he was still at Celtic.

Roy Keane says Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou was already uncompromising about his style of play while at Celtic

Keane suggested that Spurs would – or should – have known what to expect from Postecoglou with regards to his style of play.

The former Celtic midfielder said Postecoglou made it clear in his pre-match and post-match interviews at Parkhead that he had no plans to ever change his style.

“If you look at the manager, yeah of course you have to be flexible and change ways of playing,” began Keane. “But his way of playing has got him to the Spurs job.

“You look at his CV, if you look at when he was up at Celtic, obviously winning the games most weeks…

“When they played European games, when they played some big teams, I saw his interviews and he said ‘I’m not changing’.

“And that was then when they’re playing really good teams, so that’s it, that’s part of his strength – maybe a bit of a weakness.”

Scholes then asked Keane whether he thought Postecoglou should change his style now he’s in the Premier League, to which the Irishman replied: “I suppose so, yeah.”

What Postecoglou said about his style of play when Celtic faced Real Madrid

Even when faced against the mighty Real Madrid in the 2022/23 Champions League campaign, Postecoglou made it clear he was not going to change his style of play.

“There’s no point playing football a certain way,” he told reporters ahead of Celtic’s home game against Los Blancos in September 2022.

“But when you get an opportunity to measure it against the very best, you shy away from it and kind of go: ‘You know what, let’s just try and limit any sort of damage.’

“That’s not really a test because you don’t know. You could go out there and limit the damage and you might get a win playing a different way, but have you really tested yourself? I don’t think you have.

“When I say test ourselves, that’s what I mean, we go out there being the football team we have been to this point. Then you have got a real measure of where we are at.

“If we are short of where we need to be, then we go back, dust ourselves off and get a bit closer next time.

“I have always taken these games as an opportunity to really stamp your own identity on a game and see where it takes you.”

Celtic lost 3-0 to Real Madrid at Parkhead before falling to a 5-1 defeat at the Bernabeu in November.

After 11 games played, both Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United are separated by two places and two points in the Premier League.

Ange Postecoglou and Eddie Howe have similar aspirations of taking Tottenham and Newcastle back to the Champions League, perhaps eyeing fourth spot.

Neither club will want to stop there, both have big ambitions for the future, but a regular spot in Europe’s top competition would certainly provide a crucial platform for success.

Of course, it’s been a long time since either club won a trophy of any significance, two sides with expectant fan bases who have tasted success in the past.

Spurs last won the 2008 League Cup, whilst Newcastle haven’t lifted a trophy since the 1955 FA Cup final, unless you count winning the Championship.

Alan Shearer thinks Tottenham and Newcastle should be chasing a trophy

That being said, when speaking on the ‘Rest is Football’ podcast, Alan Shearer responded to a fan questioning why both clubs mentioned don’t chase cup competitions more intently.

It was proposed that Tottenham and Newcastle could rid some unwanted baggage by winning a trophy – something that doesn’t seem to be at the top of their priorities.

Shearer responded: “No I agree, totally agree. I do find it frustrating at times.

“I understand it to a certain degree from the manager’s point of view, because he’s got to keep all of his squad happy and finish higher in the league, which is then more beneficial to the chairman and the football club, which is a huge bonus as well.

“So I understand all those things, but I’m of the same opinion of that, particularly teams like Tottenham and Newcastle, who could really do with a trophy.”

What has Eddie Howe said about winning a trophy at Newcastle?

Postecoglou’s comments about winning silverware at Tottenham in his second season are pretty famous by this point.

But Howe has also spoken about his desire to win a trophy for Newcastle, even if some perceive that his approach to domestic cup competitions doesn’t suggest so.

Speaking in October when he was being linked with the England job, Howe stated his determination to make history at St James’ Park.

Howe said: “I genuinely think about Newcastle and trying to lift a trophy here would be my goal and I immerse myself with what I’m in currently. So no other thoughts [of leaving for the England job] have entered my head.”

Tottenham are searching for fresh investment, Daniel Levy confirmed in April. Former Newcastle United and Man City takeover broker Amanda Staveley has emerged as the surprised frontrunner.

Staveley left Newcastle after just shy of three years as a director and minority shareholder in the summer alongside husband and business partner Mehrdad Ghodoussi.

The 51-year-old financier has since been linked with investing in Spurs via her PCP Capital Partners vehicle, having raised a reported £500m for a new football project.

Staveley has also explored AS Monaco as a possible alternative to Tottenham, whose enterprise value is among the biggest in world football.

But she is not the only high-profile name to have been linked with Spurs in recent years – and it has been known in the football finance industry for some time that Daniel Levy is courting investment.

Former Man United takeover suitor Sheikh Jassim has reportedly expressed interest in Tottenham, as has Jay-Z’s Roc Nation agency, while Todd Boehly explored the club before landing on Chelsea.

Levy has engaged the Rothschild Bank and is believed to value his prize asset at £3.75bn, so the pool of groups or individuals capable of pulling of a deal – in the form of a full or partial takeover – is limited.

But in many ways, Spurs are the perfect, readymade investment project.

Their cost control might be a source of frustration for fans and perhaps Ange Postecoglou, whose side are now the same number as points from the bottom of the league as they are from the top.

But their modest wage bill means a new investor would have the PSR headroom to turn on the afterburners.

Equally, the club’s commercial department is hailed as one of the best in football. And yes, that praise extends to the somewhat controversial ‘remastered brand identity’ revealed this week.

TBR Football understands that a number of groups have conducted due diligence on Spurs besides Staveley, with the club’s brand, sponsorship, merchandise and events strategy the biggest draw.

Previously, sports and entertainment empire Liberty Media were reported to have been interested in the North London club.

And the Colorado-headquartered company have now mapped out a central aspect in their sports investment strategy going forward.

Liberty Media’s plans revealed as Amanda Staveley still Tottenham frontrunner

Liberty Media have an existing relationship with Spurs through the club’s 15-year commercial deal with Formula One, which has seen a karting track installed at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Liberty were later linked with an equity investment in the club, with CEO Greg Maffei later saying there wasn’t a Premier League club the group hadn’t considered.

That landmark commercial partnership with Spurs was one of dozens that Liberty have struck in their role as 100 per cent owners of F1, which they bought for less than £3bn in 2017.

Now, the motorsport franchise is worth closer to £16bn, according to most appraisals.

There had been reports that Liberty were ready to cash in on F1, with Newcastle United owners and Amanda Staveley allies the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) the frontrunners to take over.

However, Maffei, who it was announced this week will step down as Liberty CEO, has, as quoted by Motorsport Week, said: “Look, I don’t think there’s any plan to sell it.

“It’s got a great future, but, you know, I suspect the Board of Liberty will be appropriate stewards of the shareholder capital.

“The business is very well positioned, right? [We have] grown the global partnership since 2019.

“We’ve compounded sponsorship at 16%. We’ve compounded all the revenue streams at something like 12%.

“It’s really been a hallmark of what sports wants to be, growing fan interest through things like ‘Drive to Survive,’ growing sponsorship, growing high-end experiences.

“[It is] sort of a model everyone else is a little bit trying to follow.”

Their continued stewardship of F1 makes it less likely that they will develop their interest in Spurs, whether as part of a standalone bid or potentially as part of Amanda Staveley’s consortium.

Full or minority Spurs takeover? What Daniel Levy has said so far

At this stage, it seems overwhelmingly unlikely that Levy and ENIC are ready to up sticks in N17 entirely.

Speaking to TBR Football earlier this year, Liverpool University football finance lecturer Kieran Maguire said that it is probably the case that Levy will only leave Spurs after they win a trophy.

And even then, the current regime likely think there is more upside to be achieved given that commercial and matchday income is soaring every year and there is still milage in TV revenue.

Spurs have just been given license by the council to double the number of non-football events they hold at the stadium, which represents an enormous revenue opportunity.

Then the NFL are increasing the number of games in their International Series, and there is a possibility that Spurs could even host the Super Bowl. It is a long-held ambition of Levy’s, after all.

Staveley’s investment therefore – more accurately the investment she is brokering on behalf of a consortium – would almost certainly be on a minority basis.

That way, the current owners get to realise some of the value of their investment at an enormous return while still maintaining majority control.

The motivations behind minority investment are not entirely clear, especially if the deal does not guarantee you sufficient voting rights to be involved in operation decisions.

That is what Crystal Palace’s John Textor, who is the club’s largest individual shareholder and yet essentially subordinate to Steve Paris at Selhurst Park, has found to his frustration.

There is a saying within certain football investment circles – minority investment in a club is basically a very expensive season ticket.

Tottenham Hotspur are doing relatively well at the moment and are very much in the race for the UEFA Champions League places.

Spurs may be 10th in the Premier League table right now, but they are only three points off the final UEFA Champions League spot.

Just like Nottingham Forest, Newcastle United and Aston Villa, Tottenham will fancy their chances of ending up in the top four this season.

One player who is unlikely to be part of Spurs’ quest for the Premier League top four this season is Sergio Reguilon.

Reguilon has been completely frozen out by Ange Postecoglou at Tottenham.

The 27-year-old Spanish left-back has not played a single competitive match for Spurs this season.

Tottenham Hotspur left-back Sergio Reguilon has Sevilla option

Reguilon, who had loan spells at Manchester United and Brentford last season, is under contract at Tottenham until the summer of 2025.

According to Vamos mi Sevilla, Sevilla are interested in signing the former Real Madrid left-back in the January transfer window.

The report in the Spanish news outlet has claimed that Sevilla have already made contact with Reguilon.

The left-back could either join Sevilla on loan in January or move to the Spanish club after terminating his contract with Tottenham.

Sergio Reguilon’s time at Tottenham Hotspur in numbers

Much was expected of Reguilon when he joined Tottenham in the summer of 2020.

The Spanish left-back did start his spell at Spurs well, but things fizzled out for him.

Reguilon ended up having loan spells at Atletico Madrid, Manchester United and Brentford in recent years.

The left-back has made a total of 67 appearances for Spurs. The Spaniard has scored two goals and given eight assists in those games.

Tottenham Hotspur have a number of good players on their books.

While Tottenham are not among the clubs challenging for the Premier League title, the North London outfit do have quality players such as Cristian Romero, James Maddison and Micky van de Ven.

Another well-known and well-regarded player at Spurs is Son Heung-min.

The South Korea international forward has been on the books of Tottenham since the summer of 2015 when he joined from Bayer Leverkusen.

Son, rated highly by Manchester City and England star Jack Grealish, cost £22 million in transfer fees, and there is no doubt that he has proved to be a bargain for Spurs.

The 32-year-old has made 311 appearances in the Premier League so far in his career. The forward has scored 123 goals and given 65 assists in those games.

Jamie O’Hara gives his verdict on Tottenham Hotspur forward Son Heung-min

Former Tottenham player Jamie O’Hara rates Son highly and believes that he is a club legend.

However, the talkSPORT pundit does not think that Son is world class anymore. O’Hara believes that Micky van de Ven is world class.

O’Hara said: “He (Son) was. He is not world class now. I think he has been a world-class player. He is not world class anymore.

“Listen, I am not disrespecting the guy. He is a legend, I love him. And when he plays, he makes us better, but he is not world class.”

Son Heung-min could leave Tottenham Hotspur in 2025

Son remains an important player in the Tottenham team and is a regular in the starting lineup.

The 32-year-old forward has scored three goals and given three assists in eight Premier League matches so far this season.

However, there is a chance that this could be Son’s last season at Tottenham.

Earlier this month, TBR reported that Saudi Pro League clubs are interested in signing Son in the summer of 2025.

Tottenham Hotspur have a number of talented and promising young players, and one of them is Brennan Johnson.

Johnson is only 23 now and has a lot of potential. The Wales international forward has already established himself as an important player for Tottenham.

The youngster joined Spurs from Nottingham Forest in the summer of 2023.

Johnson scored five goals and gave 10 assists in 23 Premier League starts for Spurs last season.

So far this campaign, the forward has scored four goals in 10 Premier League starts and has scored two goals and provided one assist in four UEFA Europa League games for Tottenham. Johnson has impressed Glenn Hoddle among other pundits.

Johnson, who deleted his social media profiles in October, cost over £45 million in transfer fees. That is a lot of money, but the 23-year-old is starting to show why Tottenham paid that much for him.

Jamie O’Hara sends message to Tottenham Hotspur forward Brennan Johnson

However, Jamie O’Hara wants more from Johnson. The former Tottenham player and talkSPORT pundit has urged the 23-year-old to do more with the ball when he has it at his feet.

O’Hara said about Johnson on talkSPORT: “He is frustrating, Brennan Johnson, isn’t he? I watch him for Spurs all the time.

“Quick, he has got a flurry of goals for Spurs, but it’s still moments in them games where I am like, ah, give me more, you know, like make something happen.

“When he gets the ball, he stands behind players, but fair play to him, his goals record for Spurs has been unbelievable this season, but I still feel like there’s more you need to get out of him.”

What Brennan Johnson is working on in training to get better

Not many players are finished articles at the age of 23, and Johnson is no different.

The former Forest youngster is aware that he needs to work on his game, and he actually has been trying to better himself in training with Ryan Mason.

Johnson told Football.London in October: “I’ve been working with the coaches here and especially with ‘Mase’.

“He’s been doing a lot of work with me on picking up positions, the different types of finishes, what kind of part of the foot I’m hitting with and also dribbling and then shooting, so a lot of thanks must go to him because he’s been helping me a lot with that.”

Tottenham Hotspur may not be in a position to challenge for the Premier League title, but they do have some very good players.

Son Heung-min is one of the best forwards in the Premier League, while Cristian Romero is a star defender for Tottenham.

Tottenham star James Maddison is one of the best playmakers around, while Dejan Kulusevski is growing and developing under Ange Postecoglou.

Another Spurs player who is among the best in the Premier League is Micky van de Ven.

Van de Ven is 23 now and has been able to make an immediate impact on the Tottenham team since he moved to the North London club in the summer of 2023.

Noted for his pace, Van de Ven is also a very capable centre-back who can fill in at left-back.

Jamie O’Hara rates the Tottenham defender highly. The former Spurs player and talkSPORT pundit believes that he is world class.

O’Hara said that during a conversation with Dean Saunders on talkSPORT on Saturday, adding that Van de Ven would walk straight into the Manchester City starting lineup.

Former Liverpool player Saunders, though, does not think that the Netherlands international can be considered world class yet.

Tottenham Hotspur defender Micky van de Ven described as ‘world class’

Jamie O’Hara: “I think Van de Ven is a world-class player.”

Dean Saunders: “Van de Ven? He has had one season playing in the high line. World class? Van de Ven?”

Jamie O’Hara: “Van de Ven is world class.”

Dean Saunders: “He ain’t getting in Manchester City’s team. He is not getting in Liverpool’s.”

Jamie O’Hara: “What are you talking about? He would walk straight into Manchester City’s team. He walks into it.”

Dean Saunders: “No chance.”

Jamie O’Hara: “He walks into any team.”

Dean Saunders: “He needs to show for a couple of years yet that he can keep playing in the Premier League at that level without making mistakes. No mistakes. Top players don’t make mistakes.”

Jamie O’Hara: “Of course, they do.”

Dean Saunders: “Van Dijk hardly makes a mistake. He does now and again, but not as many as others. And that’s why he is Van Dijk. Konate doesn’t make that many mistakes. Man City’s centre-backs.”

What Ange Postecoglou thinks about Micky van de Ven

Van de Ven has established himself as one of the first names on the Tottenham teamsheet when he is fit and available.

The defender has scored three goals, given two goals and kept six clean sheets in 35 appearances in the Premier League so far in his career.

Spurs head coach Ange Postecoglou rates him highly and believes that the 23-year-old will continue to grow and develop.

Postecoglou said about Van de Ven on Football.london in October: “With Micky, fair to say he developed late but very quickly. Because I think even at Volendam, there was a period when they were unsure about him.

“You could tell once physically he grew and the kind of player he was, his journey went very quickly at Volendam and the year he had in the Bundesliga he adjusted really well.

“For us last year he was outstanding in his first year in the Premier League. Obviously, he had an injury which set him back a little bit but he’s growing all the time, maturing and I think he will become more of an influence at national team level.”

Chelsea have made a really productive start to life under newly-appointed manager Enzo Maresca.

Maresca has been able to implement a possession-based approach at Chelsea and their big-money acquisitions are starting to gel.

The West Londoners reside in third place and look well-placed to return to the Champions League come the end of the season.

Though, there’s still plenty of room for improvement and if they’re to become title challengers, their defence needs addressing.

With that said, it’s just come to light that they’re leading Tottenham Hotspur in the race to sign a highly-rated defender.

Chelsea lead Tottenham in race to sign Jonathan Tah

According to CaughtOffside, Chelsea are leading the race to sign Bayer Leverkusen centre-back Jonathan Tah.

The West Londoners have already entered talks to sign Tah, who is out of contract at the end of the season.

Tottenham, Manchester United, Newcastle, Bayern Munich and Real Madrid are also keeping tabs on his situation as they eye a free transfer.

But it’s Chelsea who’s interest is the most advanced and they’re making him one of their top targets to bolster Maresca’s ranks.

Tah keen to explore opportunities

Tah is considered ‘one of the world’s best defenders’, so if Chelsea were to land his signature, it’d be a real coup, especially given the competition.

It’s thought that whilst he’s happy at Leverkusen and hasn’t made a final decision on his future, he’s keen to explore new opportunities.

Tottenham Hotspur have a good defensive unit.

When everyone is fit and available, Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven are the two main centre-backs for Tottenham.

Another good option for head coach Ange Postecoglou is Radu Dragusin, who has been linked with a move away from Tottenham.

Ben Davies is also part of the Tottenham squad, but the Wales international is a peripheral figure in the team.

Blessed with the ability to play as a centre-back or as a left-back, Davies has played just 29 minutes in the Premier League so far this season.

The 31-year-old has turned out four times in the UEFA Europa League and has made one start and one substitute appearance in the League Cup for Spurs so far this campaign.

Davies, who could have left Tottenham in September, is not a regular for Spurs, but he is a key player for Wales and was in action for his national team on Saturday evening.

National media reacts to Tottenham Hotspur defender Ben Davies’s performance for Wales vs Turkey

Wales played out a goalless draw with Turkey away from home at RHG Enertürk Enerji Stadyumu in UEFA Nations League – League B – Group 4.

Davies started in defence alongside Joe Rodon, and the Wales national media was impressed with the display produced by the 31-year-old.

While rating him 8 out of 10, WalesOnline described Davies as the “Star man” and noted: “Read the Turkish attack beautifully at times. Felt like he was in the way of everything that came his way.”

Davies took one shot which was not on target, had a pass accuracy of 86.2%, took 72 touches, attempted two dribbles, and made four tackles and one interception.

What Son Heung-min thinks of Tottenham Hotspur teammate Ben Davies

Davies has been on the books of Tottenham since 2014 and has been a reliable figure for the North London club over the years.

Tottenham forward Son Heung-min is a huge fan of Davies and has raved about him in the past.

Son said about on Davies and their friendship on Tottenham’s official website: “I’ve been at clubs where I’ve been close to players, but Ben has been really special, next level. I would say he’s my family member, someone I can really trust.

“On the pitch, Ben is so consistent, never complains, works so hard, and plays for the team.

“He’s a consummate professional, a player everyone can look up to. Whenever he’s had to step up, he’s always shined and helped the team in lots of different circumstances.

“That’s his skill. He’s always there for the team, a team player and always there for the club.”

Tottenham Hotspur fans have been granted a break from Premier League action with the final international window of the season.

As is becoming a ritual for Tottenham, the Lilywhites tasted defeat in their final game before the international break with a disappointing loss to Ipswich Town.

Ange Postecoglou’s side have a lot to work on when they return to action but face an away trip to Manchester City in their next outing.

Spurs are also suffering from some significant injuries with Micky van de Ven sidelined and now Cristian Romero suffering an injury blow.

Options at the back are being stretched ahead of a busy festive schedule with Radu Dragusin also currently on international duty.

Radu Dragusin impressed during Romania draw

Dragusin was in action on Friday night for Romania who played 90 minutes before the game against Kosovo was abandoned.

Dragusin has struggled of late at Tottenham with his agents recent comments about a move to Real Madrid looking slightly premature.

But the Romanian is needed with Tottenham’s current injury issues at the back and he showed his is capable of some fine displays during his international duty.

Postecoglou hailed Dragusin against Manchester City but some of his more recent showings have left a lot to be desired.

This comes with a potential return to Italy being on the cards as Dragusin has received interest from Napoli ahead of January.

Dragusin proving he can be a Tottenham starter

Although it has to be remembered Dragusin was coming up against much lesser opposition to what he’ll face in the Premier League, this should act as a real confidence boost.

Spurs need to tread carefully with their defensive options as Romero is receiving interest from Real Madrid ahead of the summer transfer window.

Dragusin’s need to find a higher level of performance in the Premier League over the coming months could be crucial to his future.

If Tottenham are to sell Romero then they are going to need someone to replace him in the starting XI and now is an opportunity for Dragusin to prove his worth.