TBR Football

Tottenham Hotspur’s start to the season has not exactly gone to plan and there are already some concerns around the club.

Ange Postecoglou’s side are suffering from a great deal of inconsistency at the moment with one win followed by a defeat in the Premier League.

Losing to Crystal Palace and Ipswich Town has seen frustration grow around Tottenham, with James Maddison being criticised for his recent performances.

But Tottenham are set to receive a big blow over the coming weeks with Rodrigo Bentancur will be handed a seven-game ban by the FA.

Postecoglou recently praised Betancur with the Uruguayan finally finding his form again after some serious injury issues.

Archie Gray set for Tottenham midfield opportunity

After making the move to north London from Leeds United in the summer, it has been far from an easy ride for Archie Gray.

The youngster enjoyed a seriously encouraging pre-season with the Lilywhites which saw Postecoglou praise Gray during Tottenham’s tour of Asia.

However, that has not exactly translated into game time with Gray yet to start a game in the Premier League for Tottenham.

This has even led to speculation surrounding a potential January loan move away from Spurs for Gray with a number of clubs interested.

But there is a strong feeling inside the club that Gray has impressed in Tottenham training which could now see him handed a bigger role in midfield.

Gray could be Tottenham’s ideal Rodrigo Bentancur replacement

It has been extremely difficult to judge Gray in a Spurs shirt this season with the youngster playing in his less natural position at right-back.

It is only in a 17-minute display against Everton where the Englishman played in central midfield.

Given Gray’s lack of minutes in a Spurs shirt this season, it is easier to look back on his 2023/24 campaign for Leeds to compare against Bentancur’s displays.

Of course, Bentancur is going to be a big miss with the experienced figure head now picking up form in the starting XI.

However, he will be available to play in Europa League games which will mean his spot in the Premier League could be up for grabs.

Yves Bissouma has frustrated Postecoglou this season which could well open the door for Gray to make his first start in the Premier League.

But it is unlikely to come in their upcoming game, which sees Tottenham make the trip to Manchester City after the international break.

Tottenham Hotspur’s poor start to the new campaign could well already have them eyeing the January transfer market.

Ange Postecoglou has seen his side get off to an extremely inconsistent start to the season with Tottenham slumped in 10th spot of the table.

It is not the start which any Tottenham fan would have hoped for with the Lilywhites also suffering from a number of injury issues.

For summer signing Archie Gray it has not been an easy start at Tottenham with the youngster struggling for game time.

But there is another youngster who was signed in the summer who is yet to arrive in north London with a sudden change to his plans emerging over recent hours.

Tottenham request Yang Min-hyeok to join up early

According to Sports ChoSun, Tottenham have now requested Yang Min-hyeok begins his time in north London earlier than originally planned.

The South Korean winger was signed in the summer but remained at his former club Gangwon FC until the end of their domestic campaign.

However, despite being set to join up with Tottenham in January, there is now a belief that Spurs want the Korean in at Hotspur Way next month.

Yang has already expressed his excitement to play alongside James Maddison after playing against Tottenham in the summer during pre-season.

After around two weeks of rest after the K League wraps up at the end of the month, Yang will get his wish as he is then set to join his new club.

The youngster put on a real show with Postecoglou left furious with his defence for not tackling Yang who danced his way through the side.

Yang Min-hyeok could be Heung-min Son’s successor

Tottenham are no longer offering Heung-min Son a new contract with the Lilywhites now looking set to only trigger his 12-month extension.

The change of heart is believed to have left the South Korean captain in shock but does show that Spurs are perhaps looking in a new direction.

And that could well be with Son’s compatriot with Yang offering a very similar style of play as to what Son does.

Jamie Redknapp criticised Son just a couple of weeks ago and it does feel as if the 32-year-old is now suffering from more regular injuries.

It looks as if a changing of the guard is set to happen over the coming year or so in north London.

Tottenham Hotspur haven’t made the best start to the Premier League season.

Tottenham have won five, drawn one and lost five of their opening 11 games which leaves them in 11th place.

So clearly, there’s plenty of improvements to make if they’re to return to the illustrious Champions League.

Some fans have even called for Ange Postecoglou to be sacked as they’re growing increasingly frustrated with the Australian head coach.

Even members of the media are starting to find his post-match interviews challenging as he’s often quite spiky.

With that said, talkSPORT pundit Sam Matterface has now shared an interesting theory on why he comes across as so confrontational in the media.

Ange Postecoglou is purposefully being serious in the media

Speaking on talkSPORT’s Premier League All Access podcast, host Sam Matterface revealed that Ange Postecoglou is purposefully acting really serious in the media.

“What I’ve been told is, is that he’s so desperate not to be seen as sort of an Australian caricature.

“He doesn’t want to be Jesse Marsch 2, he doesn’t want people to throw the sort of Australian Ted Lasso thing at him.

“So he tries to sort of not be the playful, happy character and tries to be serious, that’s what I’ve been told.

“It doesn’t come across very well. And Mark Scott of Match of the Day has had two rather difficult exchanges with him in a couple of weeks. I know Crook and I have both had interesting exchanges with him as well over the last year.”

Postecoglou’s media antics aren’t a good look

Postecoglou’s attempt not to be characterized in the same bracket as Marsch is actually doing more harm than good.

In fact, many are starting to label the 59-year-old as arrogant and it’s only creating a negative storm around the club.

So, he should ditch the persona and be himself in interviews, after all, it wasn’t so long ago that he was the darling of the media.

When Daniel Levy announced that Tottenham were seeking fresh investment earlier this year, many fans had visions of a Manchester City or Newcastle United-style takeover.

Spurs chairman Levy, who owns just under 30 per cent of the club’s equity, used deliberately vague language in the statement which accompanied their accounts earlier this year.

“To capitalise on our long-term potential, to continue to invest in the teams and undertake future capital projects, the Club requires a significant increase in its equity base,” the 62-year-old wrote.

“The Board and its advisors, Rothschild & Co, are in discussions with prospective investors. Any recommended investment proposal would require the support of the Club’s shareholders.”

It has since emerged that Spurs are seeking minority investment rather than a full takeover in order to fund the construction of a hotel at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and investing in the transfer market.

For the section of Tottenham fans who have grown weary of what they see as ENIC’s commercially-orientated approach to running the club, that might not be the most thrilling prospect.

Speaking to TBR Football earlier this year, football finance expert Kieran Maguire predicted that Levy is unlikely to relinquish any control over Spurs on an operation basis as part of a minority sale.

But Amanda Staveley’s reported interest in Tottenham has piqued the interest of fans and commentators, who have suggested that the financier is unlikely to want a role at the club that isn’t hands-on.

Staveley, incidentally, is believed to be engineering her next move in football with a view to a full takeover further down the line, whether in North London or elsewhere.

That has fuelled speculation that ENIC and Levy might be exploring a long-term exit strategy after over two decades in N17.

They have had offers before – that much is known.

Indeed, TBR Football has spoken to sources that have conducted due diligence on behalf of at least one group who have previously contacted the club about a potential deal.

In recent years, six names have been linked with a full takeover of Tottenham.

And in the latest news that has shaken the sports investment industry, one of those parties has just announced a major change in the boardroom.

Liberty Media: Spurs takeover suitors

Liberty Media are the most valuable sport empire in the world with around £20bn worth of assets under management.

The jewel in their crown is Formula One.

The NASDAQ-listed investment company finalised its takeover of Formula One in 2017 in a deal that valued the institution at around £4bn.

Analysis varies, but seven years later the consensus is that F1 is now worth at least £13bn.

Liberty Media’s marketing strategy has been the main driver of that remarkable growth.

The Drive to Survive Netflix series in particular was a masterstroke that other sports leagues and clubs, including Spurs, have tried to emulate.

Another facet of their marketing strategy has been forging connections with other sports.

In February 2023, Tottenham announced that they had struck a 15-year deal with F1 for a first-of-its-kind karting track to be installed at their state-of-the-art stadium.

Later that year, it was reliably reported that Liberty Media might be interested in buying the club outright, although other reports at the time suggested that was not on the cards.

Daniel Levy’s presence at the Bahrain Grand Prix in March further fanned the flames of speculation, however.

F1 owners announce new CEO: Tottenham’s next owner?

Greg Maffei, Liberty Media CEO for over 20 years, has gone on record saying that his company has explored taking over a Premier League club.

“You mention the Premier League teams; there isn’t an asset we haven’t looked at,” the former Microsoft CFO told the Walker Webcast in June last year.

“That doesn’t mean we’ve been ready to buy them all but we look at everything because we do think sports in general is attractive.”

Now, Liberty Media’s mergers and acquisitions strategy could be set to evolve after they announced that Maffei will be stepping down at the end of 2024.

Liberty have named John Malone, whose background is more media than sports focused, as his successor.

The latest on Amanda Staveley’s Spurs investment plan

While investors like Liberty Media could theoretically be lurking in the shadows, Amanda Staveley’s interest in Spurs is a matter of public record.

It’s easy to see why the former Newcastle United and Man City takeover broker is looking at the club.

Spurs have reached a new financial plane since they moved into the new stadium in 2019, with commercial and matchday income soaring.

In the last financial year, Tottenham’s revenue was £550m, behind only Liverpool. That was the fourth highest in the Premier League and eighth worldwide.

Reportedly, Staveley has also explored investing in AS Monaco, who would be available for a full takeover at a much lower price point than Spurs.

There have been very few updates on the 51-year-old’s objectives since the story first broke earlier this year, although she has restructured a number of her sports investment companies.

Staveley is known to have held talks with the NFL, an organisation with whom, like F1, Spurs have close links.

If she was to invest in the club, however, it would almost certainly be via a consortium as opposed to her own personal wealth.

In March, she was reportedly close to bankruptcy following defeat in a legal case with a former business partner, Greek shipping tycoon Victor Restis.

Things are not exactly going to plan for Tottenham Hotspur currently in the Premier League.

Ange Postecoglou is currently unable to guide his side towards any form of consistency with one win followed up by a defeat.

Tottenham were left with egg on their face on the weekend as they provided Ipswich Town their first win of the season after Postecoglou heavily rotated midweek against Galatasaray.

Having gone two goals down inside the opening 45 minutes, Rodrigo Bentancur was able to half the deficit but Spurs were unable to take any points from the game.

Bentancur has been in fine form for Tottenham of late having grown into Postecoglou’s starting XI.

But there could be some frustrating news headed the Uruguayan’s way over the coming weeks which he needs to be aware of.

Rodrigo Bentancur could be set for Tottenham ban

Postecoglou has been delighted with Bentancur’s displays over recent weeks, however, Tottenham could be forced to be without the midfielder for some time.

The 27-year-old is under investigation from the FA over an off-field incident over the summer, but Alasdair Gold has raised one further concern.

“That’s the way around it [potential ban], of course, is to play Bissouma in the Premier League and Bentancur in the Europa League,” he said.

“You just know it’s going to come at a time when the Europa League games stop, but there is actually also another thing to keep an eye on he’s also on four yellow cards now so one more yellow card and you can be adding another game on any potential ban.”

David Pleat has praised Bentancur having noticed the Uruguayan become more of a holding midfielder since his return from his lengthy injury issues.

Tottenham should eye Johnny Cardoso deal in January

According to TBR Football’s Graeme Bailey, Tottenham are expected to sign Johnny Cardoso next summer with an agreement in place with Real Betis.

However, the prospect of a ban for Bentancur could put Tottenham’s midfield under serious stress over the coming months.

Bentancur’s absence would mean Yves Bissouma would likely pick up some regular minutes as the holding midfielder.

But Bissouma has not exactly impressed Postecoglou since he was appointed and is already on his last warning with the Australian.

With an agreement in place between Betis and Spurs, perhaps the Lilywhites should look at bringing this deal forward.

Premier League giants Tottenham Hotspur are interested in Leicester City loanee Facundo Buonanotte but Brighton and Hove Albion insist they have no plans to sell the Argentine at this stage.

After being loaned out by Fabian Hurzeler’s Brighton side in search of more regular senior football, the talented playmaker has been one of the brightest sparks during Steve Cooper’s first few months at Leicester City.

Facundo Buonanotte, with three, is The Foxes’ second highest goalscorer behind the evergreen Jamie Vardy.

And TBR understands that his performances have attracted attention from some of the major clubs from across the continent. Tottenham Hotspur have been alerted, alongside German giants RB Leipzig and Borussia Dortmund plus Serie A champions Inter Milan.

But, as things stand, Brighton have insisted that there is currently no way they would consider selling with Buonanotte earmarked to play a role at The Amex once he returns to the South Coast.

Tottenham eye Brighton’s Leicester City loanee Facundo Buonanotte

Brighton agreed a deal to sign Buonanotte from Rosario Central in his native Argentina back in 2022.

The 19-year-old had earned comparisons with the nation’s favourite son back home in South America, with former Rosario boss and Premier League icon Carlos Tevez glowing in his his praise for the diminutive schemer.

“I watch football and it’s been a long time since I’ve seen someone play who gives me as much pleasure as Buonanotte,” former Man United and Man City striker Tevez said at the time.

“When he brakes and accelerates, he reminds me of [Lionel] Messi. He is at a very high level.”

The Seagulls paid just £6 million to bring Buonanotte to England, per Sussex Live. Two years on, it would take a colossal fee to even convince Brighton to sit down at the table.

Tottenham’s interest, however, is testament to the way the teenager has settled into life at Leicester. As summer signing Bilal El Khannouss struggles to make his mark at Leicester, Buonanotte has blossomed as Cooper’s go-to creator in the final third.

And, as Tottenham slumped to a shock home defeat by Ipswich Town on Sunday, Ange Postecoglou’s team looked like one crying out for a footballer capable of picking up the ball between the lines.

That is often a role James Maddison is tasked with fulfilling at Spurs. But with the England international again falling off the boil following a bright start to the season, questions are starting to be asked about whether Tottenham should be pursuing a potential replacement.

It felt telling that, with Spurs desperate for a goal against Ipswich, Postecoglou opted only to bring Maddison off the bench with 84 minutes played.

“Something seems to go wrong [with Maddison]. It happened a little bit in his Leicester days,” Wimbledon legend Robbie Earle said on The Two Robbies Podcast. “There’s moments when in big games you never saw him.

“Now, the problem with James Maddison – and he’s such a technically gifted player – is that if he’s not making goals, scoring goals or dominating the game for you, there isn’t an awful lot else.

“And in modern day football [you cannot carry passengers].”

Tottenham Hotspur could well find themselves in the market to improve their midfield over the coming transfer windows.

Ange Postecoglou’s side have pulled themselves back among the mix for the top four after their victory on the weekend over Aston Villa.

But there has been an issue for Tottenham in midfield with Postecoglou making regular changes to his three-man selection.

James Maddison has come under criticism this season with the midfielder being reduced to the bench on the weekend against Villa.

However, the Australian does seem to be struggling to nail down his best starting midfield with regular changes often seen around the half-time mark in games.

And there is now one Tottenham transfer target who is looking towards a potential move to the Premier League in the summer.

Tottenham target Angel Gomes who wants Premier League move

According to GiveMeSport, Tottenham are showing a considerable interest in Lille midfielder Angel Gomes ahead of next summer.

Aston Villa and Manchester United are also showing interest in Gomes as his contract with the French side comes closer to its conclusion.

One issue which the likes of Tottenham may well face is Gomes’ wage demands with the midfielder set to become a free agent over the summer.

Yves Bissouma is on his last warning at Tottenham following some off-field issues over the summer which frustrated Postecoglou.

However, one midfielder who is coming into his own is Pape Matar Sarr who’s really impressing Postecoglou with his incredible work ethic.

But in Gomes, Tottenham could add a real pass master to their squad with Nottingham Forest’s Anthony Elanga previously hailing Gomes as ‘amazing’.

Tottenham could also sign Johnny Cardoso in the summer

There is an expectation Tottenham will sign Real Betis midfielder Johnny Cardoso next year after their agreement reached this summer.

Spurs will have to pay in the region of £20m to land the American midfielder who they have first refusal on when Betis look to sell him.

Tottenham Hotspur are riding the high of what has been a much improved week following their defeat against Crystal Palace.

Ange Postecoglou’s have bounced back with consecutive wins across the Carabao Cup and Premier League against Manchester City and Aston Villa.

There have been some considerable injury issues for Tottenham to deal with already having only just gone into November.

Heung-min Son has been one of those players to suffer from injury already this season with the South Korean withdrawn after 55 minutes on the weekend.

After Son was left frustrated with being substituted against Villa on Sunday, the Spurs captain has been handed with more controversial news by the club.

TBR Football understands that Tottenham have told Son’s people that they are no plans for talks over a new deal.

Tottenham not ready to hand Heung-min Son new contract

Tottenham have now told Son’s camp that there are now no plans to hold talks over a potential new contract with the South Korean winger.

It is believed the Tottenham captain’s camp have been left shocked by the decision to perform a dramatic U-turn on the 32-year-old’s proposed new deal.

Tottenham had held contract talks with Son and his camp with al parties aligned when it came to inking a new deal.

Sources have told TBR the north London side are ready to trigger the extra year in Son’s current deal which is set to expire in the summer.

Son has already admitted he’ll give everything to Tottenham having now nearly been at the club for a decade.

Heung-min Son more important to Tottenham than ever

Despite turning 32-years-old, Son is still showing his quality at Tottenham having returned three goals and three assists in the league.

Brennan Johnson has hailed Son as a huge inspiration for him and regularly looks for advice from the South Korean.

Even in his return from injury, Son was able to provide a moment of brilliance to drag Tottenham back into the game on the weekend.

Tottenham have been quoted £50m for Jamie Gittens who is being eyed as a potential long-term replacement for Son which shows the cost involved in replacing the winger.

Given Spurs aren’t handing out a new deal to Son – as things stand – this could suggest Mikey Moore is doing enough behind the scenes to impress the chiefs in north London.

Tottenham Hotspur have enjoyed a decent season so far for the most part and the foundations are there to enjoy a fruitful campaign.

With the January transfer window now just two months away, clubs like Spurs are likely to be stepping up their pre-market preparations.

And further down the line, there is also scope to earmark targets for the summer window, based on how they have been doing so far this term.

Now, according to GiveMeSport, Tottenham have been making regular scouting trips to see an £8million talent who has been compared to Gareth Bale.

Tottenham regularly scouting Dario Osorio

The player in question is Dario Osorio, who has been shining for Danish club FC Midtjylland.

According to GMS, Tottenham have been sending members of their recruitment department on regular scouting missions to run the rule over the 20-year-old.

Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou and technical director Johan Lange have reportedly been securing detailed reports as they contemplate whether Osorio is capable of making an impact in the Premier League.

GMS sources have said that a January move for Osorio is not on the cards, which means Tottenham will need to remain patient in search of fresh competition for Brennan Johnson.

However, there may be an opportunity to pounce for the Chile international at the end of the season if he continues showing signs of development at Midtjylland, added the report.

Who is Tottenham target Dario Osorio?

Osorio is a 20-year-old professional footballer who currently plies his trade for FC Midtjylland as a right-winger and plays for Chile at international level.

He was born on 24 January 2004 and began his career at Universidad de Chile before moving to Europe in August 2023.

Osorio has made 44 competitive appearances for Midtjylland, registering 11 goals and three assists in all competitions.

In 2023, former Universidad de Chile teammate Johnny Herrera compared Osorio to Bale, one of Spurs’ best players of the 21st century.

“I think that when he stands out more is when he plays like Gareth Bale,” Herrera told Todos Somos Tecnicos. “He’s half a Gareth Bale lookalike.”

Emmanuel Ojeda, another former Universidad team-mate, told Radio Agricultura: “He is a very good player. A gem.

“Does he have similarities with [Angel] Di Maria? I hadn’t thought about it but yes.

“I know his [Di Maria’s] story. If Dario gets psyched up, he can [follow in Di Maria’s footsteps]. He has all the conditions.”

Tottenham Hotspur spent around £125m over the summer transfer window with more than half of that spent on Dominic Solanke.

However, Ange Postecoglou is struggling to extract the best out of his Tottenham side in the Premier League with four losses already to their name.

The Lilywhites handed Crystal Palace with their first win in the league on Sunday in what was a hugely underwhelming performance.

Postecoglou is already eyeing up January signings with a winger capable of playing on either flank of real interest to Tottenham.

But it may not just be players coming in through the doors at Hotspur Way in January with one player, specifically, potentially set for interest to arrive in the winter market.

Tottenham expecting January loan interest in Archie Gray

According to GiveMeSport, Tottenham are braced for clubs to show their interest in signing Archie Gray on loan for the rest of the term.

Gray joined Tottenham for £40m over the summer from Leeds United but has failed to make much of an impression in the Premier League.

Intermediaries are already warning Tottenham that interested clubs are preparing their approaches ahead of the January window.

It is claimed Gray was hoping to land in north London and make a much bigger impact than what he actually has done so far.

Ange Postecoglou has been really impressed by Gray

Although Gray has only featured as a substitute in the Premier League, he has still impressed his manager since landing over the summer.

Postecoglou hailed Gray as ‘incredible’ following his start in the Europa League against Qarabag at right-back.

But Gray did arrive at Spurs as a natural midfielder but Postecoglou is yet to start the 18-year-old in the middle.

This comes amid Yves Bissouma’s struggles at Tottenham of late and Postecoglou’s inability to maintain a regular midfield three.