Raised during the Gerry Francis era, these lads are now too old for any more 'character building'. Spurs blog with emphasis on the stars of tomorrow, today #COYS
Lilywhite Rose can exclusively reveal next year’s Academy intake in full. 15 players will be making the step up to the U18s, with a number of talented England youth internationals hoping to follow in the footsteps of Alfie Devine, Nile John and Dane Scarlett by making their first team debuts.
A left back, Andiyapan is a Welsh youth international and was recently called up by the U16s for games against England and Northern Ireland. He was formerly with Arsenal, but made the switch to Hotspur Way a number of years ago.
Pele Arganese-McDermott signing for Spurs
Pele Arganese-McDermott
Spurs beat off interest from Chelsea and Liverpool to sign Arganese-McDermott from Luton. He is a natural centre-back, but can slot in elsewhere if required.
Tom Bloxham
Bloxham is an England youth international who plays an attacking midfielder. He really made people sit up and take notice with this worldie earlier this year:
Bryan-Waugh is a centre-back and an England youth international. He is rapid too, winning the Essex Schools Junior Boys 200m in 2019.
Jamie Donley
Jamie Donley in full flight
You wait for years for Harry Kane’s potential successor then three come along at once. Troy Parrott and Dane Scarlett have been making waves, but Jamie Donley has the talent to match.
Prolific at U16 level, the England youth international made the step up to the U18s in Scarlett’s place, scoring on his debut aged just 15. He finished 2020/21 with 5 goals in 13 games and will lead the line next season. He features in our ‘Dream Team – 2030/31‘.
Alfie Dorrington making a tackle (#5)
Alfie Dorrington
A commanding centre back, Alfie Dorrington has a very bright future ahead of him. Dorrington is an England youth international (and former England U15s captain) and was recently called up to the England U17s training camp.
Despite there being a host of promising young goalkeepers at Hotspur Way, it is thought that Luca Gunter might be the pick of the lot. The England youth international is very highly thought of and signed a three year scholarship with Spurs last season aged just 15.
Billy Heaps
Another England youth international in this year’s intake. A midfielder, Heaps moved to Hotspur Way from Stevenage in 2019.
Rio Kyerematen
Kyerematen made his debut for the U18s in April despite being just 15 years old. The promising midfielder has also been called up by England at youth level.
Jahziah Linton
Despite previously starting out as a forward, Linton has recently been switched to left-back and is expected he will challenge William Andiyapan for a starting spot next season.
Max McKnight
McKnight is predominantly a right-back – he is physically strong and unafraid to get forward and see alot of the ball. Here is his personal highlights reel from a match against Saturn in 2019:
Axel Piesold
A diminutive central midfielder who is technically good, distributing the ball calmly and dictating the tempo of the game. A personal highlight reel from the 2019 game against Saturn here:
A speedy winger, Williams faces less competition for places than others in this intake and will be hopeful of decent game time next season to showcase his talents.
Other Spurs U16s Hakeem Sandah and Shannon Brown have joined Huddersfield and QPR, respectively, while Jediah Bombo has been released. We wish them all the best in their future careers.
Following the sacking of Portuguese manager Jose Mourinho nearly two months ago, Tottenham Hotspur have been without an official manager. Ryan Mason was presented with chance to take over on an interim basis until the end of the season, becoming the youngest manager to manage a Premier League side in its near 30 year history, but this was always meant to be a temporary arrangement.
Spurs have failed on numerous occasions to replace Mourinho, with a variety of reasons undermining the appoinment of his successor. Attempts were believed to have been made for the likes of Julien Naglesmann, Erik Ten Hag, Antonio Conte and, of course, Mauricio Pochettino. It is also thought that Julen Lopetegui also passed at the change to manage the club – in this article, I will talk about how he could have been the perfect replacement for Mourinho.
Lopetegui, manager of Spanish side Sevilla, has had a successful spell at the La Liga side since being appointed in 2019. The Spaniard lifted the Europa League trophy in 2019/2020 – his first season at the club – and he spearheaded Sevilla’s push for La Liga title this season. Though that challenge faded over the closing matches, finishing 4th and qualifying for the Champions League with the highest points total in the club’s history was still a significant achievement. The overwhelming financial might of domestic rivals Barcelona, Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid will always make it difficult to overhaul Spain’s ‘Big Three’.
Julen Lopetegui took over at Sevilla after a disappointing season, with the club finishing 6th in La Liga. However, the Spaniard took full advantage of Europa League qualification, leading ‘Los Nervionenses‘ to a record 6th Europa League title in 2019/20. Sevilla also finished 4th in La Liga – with just goal difference separating them from Atletico Madrid in 3rd – guaranteeing them a place in the following season’s Champions League. Lopetegui achieved another 4th place finish and guided the team out of the Champions League group stages this season, underlining the progress he has made.
Spurs, on the other hand, massively underachieved under Jose Mourinho. Under Mauricio Pochettino, the London club consistently gained Champions League football via a high finish in the Premier League, but are set for another season away from Europe’s elite competition after his sacking.
After years of underinvestment in the squad, Daniel Levy backed Mourinho in last summer’s transfer window, but only Pierre-Emile Højbjerg could be described as an unqualified success. Lopetegui has shown that he can work on a modest budget while getting the best out his players. Jules Koundé, for example, has developed into one of Europe’s most promising young defenders under Lopetegui’s guidance. In short, Lopetegui was backed by Sevilla’s board to bring in the right players to fit his tactics and complement the existing squad and it proved to be successful. He could have had similar success at Tottenham with the help of Fabio Paratici.
Lopetegui’s style of football would also bring welcome relief after a year and a half of Mourinho. A tactically astute, possession based, high energy approach is much more in keeping with Spurs’ set-up under Pochettino, and his use of wing-backs and a false nine would suit players like Sergio Reguilón (who played under Lopetegui at Sevilla) and Harry Kane.
However, the move to bring him to Spurs was ended in another failure. Several sources have reported that the Spaniard rejected Tottenham due to family reasons. Other sources report that he made it clear he wanted to stay at Sevilla as he is settled and would prefer not to relocate. Who would blame him? The project he has built at Sevilla is incredible and what is happening right now at Tottenham is something that most top level managers have shown little desire to become part of.
Paulo Fonseca looks like he will be appointed as the next Spurs manager, and I hope he brings the success we crave, but I can’t help but think that Tottenham will regret not prising Lopetegui away from sunny Spain.
With a week to go until the final squad announcement, Gareth Southgate has released a provisional Euro 2020 squad of 33 players which will be trimmed to 26. The current crop of talent at Southgate’s disposal is likely to excite England fans. However, with an abundance of attacking flair in the likes of Phil Foden, Jadon Sancho, Mason Mount, Jack Grealish, Marcus Rashford and Raheem Sterling, the question begs as to who the man in the waistcoat will choose to play alongside England captain Harry Kane. Or alternatively, who he decides to drop in order to accommodate the more reticent talents of Kalvin Phillips and James Ward-Prowse.
Danny Rose and Harry Kane celebrate Eric Dier’s decisive penalty against Columbia.
Tottenham fans will have noticed the scarcity of players picked from their club, with Kane being the sole representative of the Lilywhites. This is unlikely to shock those who have followed the performances of other England hopefuls currently playing in N17. This couldn’t be more contrasting to the 2018 World Cup Squad in which Southgate named Danny Rose, Dele Alli, Kieran Trippier and Eric Dier alongside Kane; making Spurs the most represented club in the squad.
With La Liga champion Kieran Trippier making the current squad, the obvious stagnation in the performances of Dele, Dier and Rose compared to the improvements in rival players is particularly noteworthy.
Danny Rose
A player who made five appearances for England in the World Cup finals just two years ago, Rose’s recent decline has seen him exiled to train with youth teams at Hotspur Way. After failing to gain the trust of Jose Mourinho, the left-back has played just two Premier League 2 matches, as well as zero first-team appearances in over a year.
Rose in action for Tottenham Under 23s.
After scenes on Amazon’s ‘All or Nothing’ documentary showed Rose clashing with Mourinho concerning his lack of playing time, as well as wishfully asking Daniel Levy about interest from Italian giants AC Milan, it was clear that Rose would be phased out of the club.
Still only 30-years-old, Rose will no doubt attract a number of suitors at the lower end of the Premier League as his contract ends this summer. Having once been widely considered an elite European left-back, Rose’s fall off can be closely correlated with that of Spurs themselves.
Eric Dier
Dier has always given his all for Spurs.
Right-back, centre-back, central midfielder: Eric Dier has plied his trade in each position, whilst seemingly mastering none. Dier’s form in the latter stages of the Premier League campaign has left a lot to be desired. With countless calamitous errors and a lack of quality on the ball, it is a mystery how the 27-year-old has managed to cement himself into both Mourinho’s and Mason’s first choice teams.
Dier was a bit-part player at the 2018 World Cup, but did however provide one of the most memorable moments when he slotted the winning penalty in the Round of 16 versus Columbia. The man ended years of penalty shoot-out dread and now finds himself exiled from a Euro’s squad in just a two-year spell.
With Football.London reporting Spurs’ interest in numerous centre-back options this summer, Dier’s days in North London may well be coming to an abrupt end.
Dele Alli
In perhaps the most shocking decline of recent Premier League years, Dele is under threat of becoming a ‘streets won’t forget’ baller.
It is becoming increasingly easy to forget the player who won back-to-back Premier League Young Player of the Year awards in 2015/16 and 2016/17. The extravagance has is still apparent in Dele’s play, but poor ball retention and the tendency to let games drift him by seem to have become all too regular an occurrence.
Much like Rose, Dele’s relationship with previous boss Mourinho was somewhat fragmented. Is it time to cash in on the 25-year-old, or does he still hold an important future at Tottenham?
Will Dele be sold to make space for new attackers this summer?
Time to move on?
If Spurs are serious about being a Champions League level club that can challenge on all fronts, it is essential that the quality of the squad reflects these ambitions in the upcoming campaign. In my opinion, this would mean selling players who are no longer at an International level of quality, and clearly Winks, Dier and Rose fall into this category.
‘That Tottenham Group‘, a Facebook group established in October last year, is one of the fastest growing Spurs fan forums having attracted over 1,700 members in just four months. Jack talks to its founder, Michael Cook, about TTG, his role as a steward at the Tottenham Hotspur stadium, and his predictions for the rest of the season.
What inspired you to establish ‘That Tottenham Group’?
I was joined to one Facebook THFC group for a while and used to see updates now and again. The updates were not really up to date and news that I was seeing had already escalated. This got me thinking about starting my own group. I wanted to start a group that was present, relevant and still provides a platform for Spurs fans to freely express themselves. The group name came from what I used to call the group I followed in conversation. I used to say to my wife “you know that Tottenham group on Facebook?”…I imagine loads of people call the groups the same thing! That Tottenham Group.
Despite launching only in October, you’ve already got over 1,700 members. Why do you think it has been so successful?
I really believe TTG has been gathering pace very quickly due to the concept. I think TTG is very different to other Facebook groups. My vision and plan were to create a group that is a blend of Instagram and Twitter but still with a Facebook theme. I create all my own graphics and visuals to give this an eye-catching edge like Instagram, up to date news as it happens like Twitter,but still connecting to members and building relationships like Facebook. The visuals and branding I have created have given TTG its own identity is very recognisable in a crowded news feed – almost like a brand in a way.
What are your ambitions for TTG? I am fully aware this is a brand-new group and we have long way to go! There are one or two very stong THFC groups already established on Facebook but I really feel we can be there with them given time. The TTG members we have already joined have been fantastic in helping me and the other admins grow the group. I am very appreciative of their time spent to interact and give TTG its heartbeat. My long-term target is to have enough members to fill the TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR STADIUM. So far, we fill 2.73% of it. I would love to achieve >62,000 members! As I said we are different and unique so I am sure we will achieve it.
In normal times, you’re a steward at the ground. How much have you missed live football?
Working for THFC is an absolute privilege. I am a boyhood fan and have been a fan now over 30 years. I am a local lad from Enfield and have such great memories of White hart Lane as a lad growing up. (Tough in the 90’s supporting Spurs as you all know). My grandad, mum and dad were all stewards’ years ago at the old ground so I have followed suit.
To be part of the team at THFC playing at Wembley and then helping the club transition to the new stadium by securing safety permits from the council and be a huge part of the new stadium test events was an honour for me. I really could not have been part of the club at a better time. Now we are in probably the best stadium in football is amazing.
“I also featured for 1.8 seconds on the Amazon ‘All or Nothing’ documentary last year. I was holding the door for Jose Mourinho as he made his way to the press conference. Absolutely over the moon with that!”
I really enjoy working on a match day. I work in the media sections so the press tribune on the west stand and also within the auditorium for post-match press conferences. I really do feel lucky. I also featured for 1.8 seconds on the Amazon ‘All or Nothing’ documentary last year. I was holding the door for Jose Mourinho as he made his way to the press conference. Absolutely over the moon with that!
Due to Covid we are now working at limited events to ensure all stewards have the chance to participate. My last game working was West Brom in the 2-0 win in February so haven’t been away that long at all. The behind closed doors games are very different, I feel this has and will continue to effect players on the pitch.
It must be pretty difficult sometimes to do your job as a steward and not spend your whole time watching the game? Are there any games that really stick in your memory?
Yes, this is difficult – especially when you have 62,000 fans singing and driving the team on. Boring but true answer – we have a job to do no matter how big of a fan we are. People’s safety is at risk and we must stay focused on the task at hand as a steward. Of course, there are times when you catch a bit of the game or a superb goal from Sonny or Kane and you have a little fist pump discreetly… but we do have a job to do and I really enjoy it.
Games I have worked at that stick in my memory:
Barcelona – Wembley – 80,000+ fans – lost but what an atmosphere. Kane cut back and finish caused mayhem in the stands!
Crystal Palace – first ever official match at the new stadium. Sonny scoring the first ever goal and the winner.
Man City – Champions League, Quarter Final, first leg. WOW! I will never forget the sound from the south stand as he kept the ball in play and drove home to put us 1-0 up. Great night.
Bayern Munich – lost 7-2 – Pochettino in charge. I will never forget that match. When you’re working you cannot leave at full time and cry – you have to stay and face all the aftermath of away fans rubbing it in.
Arsenal – limited 2,000 fans attended last December. Sonny scores an absolute banger! The last game to date with fans in attendance in a 2-0 WIN! COYS!
Do you ever cop much stick as a steward?
Boring answer again, I work in the press and media area for written and internet journalists so don’t really work alongside the fans. That being said we still remain vigilant as the fans are close by. In my experience I have not copped any stick or abuse which is great. Any altercations or incidents towards other fans, players or staff that is not acceptable are acted on and resolved in the correct manner.
What have been your thoughts on Jose Mourinho this season?
I backed the decision to bring in Jose as he is a winner. He has achieved so much in the game. We needed this type of manager. He has to be given time for me. I still believe he has a few players that Pochettino failed with at the end of his tenure and trying to get something out of them. Jose needs at least another two transfer windows to make his stamp in this squad.
We are in the latter stages of Europa League, the Carabao Cup final and still in the hunt for a European finish in the league. If I was offered this after the opening day defeat to Everton I would have snapped your arm off for it. Yes, he makes a few mistakes and he does play the low block but to be fair he has been very shackled due to our defensive mistakes, however, we have also scored a good number of goals this term.
The most recent win over Burnley was fantastic. We play like that we will win football matches. Jose has created a new version of Kane, a beast of a midfielder now in Tanguy Ndombele and also getting form out of Dele and Gareth Bale. I honestly feel Jose will deliver long awaited silverware to Tottenham Hotspur.
In my role at the club, I have seen Jose and spoken to him in person. He comes across a really caring and approachable guy with the team, staff and media professionals.
Is Bale back?
BALE IS BACK! He was very good in the second half at West Ham, decent in the win over Wolfsberger and superb in the win against Burnley. He is notching goals and assists and playing with a smile and a swagger. I am over the moon he is back with us and hope he has a huge impact on the last 15/16 games remaining this season. Bale could really be the difference in winning or losing a cup final. He has the ability to turn a game as well all know. Buzzing to see Bale linking up with Son, Kane and Dele. What a front three or four that is!!!
Player and signing of the season so far? Where do we need to strengthen in the summer?
My player AND signing of the season is Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg. The captain without the armband, our midfield general and puts a shift in every game. The Spurs Viking! I really do feel we cannot replace him if he was to get injured. He’s looked very tired in the past week or two due to the fact he is so important to us. A proper signing that one and an absolute snip for the fee paid.
Harry Kane, Sonny and Ndombele have also been magnificent so far this term and deserve all the plaudits they are currently receiving. Kane and Sonny are irreplaceable as I am sure most Spurs fans would agree. The obvious need is a CB. We have to strengthen the back line ready for next season and Jose will almost certainly do that before we kick off the new campaign. In the summer I feel we need to bring in a new goalkeeper to be the eventual replacement for Hugo Lloris. Nick Pope is the most likely fit for Spurs.
Predictions for the rest of the season? Where will we finish? Will we win any trophies?
Okay – don’t ask me why – but I think Spurs will lift the League Cup this season. We seem to have something extra against a very good Man City in the big games. I feel Jose will set up to be dangerous but calculated at Wembley.
With the draw in the Europa League against Dinamo Zagreb there is no reason why we can’t progress. Tough competition to predict that one. Jose knows how to win it so we have a chance.
I feel Spurs, given the resurgence of Bale and Dele along with a returning Giovani Lo Celso, can have a real crack at hunting down the top four. West Ham and Leicester City are there to be caught and we certainly have the players to do it with favourable remaining fixtures.
COME ON YOU SPURS!!!
Jack was talking to Michael Cook, founder of ‘That Tottenham Group‘. You can find the group here.
Harry Kane came off the bench against Everton to score his 209th goal for Tottenham, the second highest in the club’s history. He is now only behind the legendary Jimmy Greaves who remains some way out in front with 266 goals.
Kane had returned from injury at the weekend to inspire Spurs to a 2-0 win over West Brom. His goal had drawn him level with the great Bobby Smith, with both reaching the 208 landmark after 317 appearances.
The full list is as follows:
17=. Billy Minter (1908-1919) – 101 goals in 263 appearances
Billy Minter was the first player to reach 100 goals for Spurs and was our record scorer until he overtaken by Jimmy Dimmock in 1930. Minter has short spells with Norwich City, Woolwich Arsenal and Reading before joining Spurs in 1908. His goals helped Spurs first gain promotion from the Second Division, then secure top flight status over the following season.
Minter served during the First World War and was wounded during the fighting in France. He returned to the club after the war, but retired in 1920 after scoring 101 goals in 263 games. A Spurs stalwart, he was appointed as a manager of the club, as well as serving as a coach, scout and assistant secretary, a role which he held until his passing in 1940.
17=. Johnny Morrison (1933-1939) – 101 goals in 154 appearances
A lethal striker who would have surely scored far more had it been for the outbreak of war, Johnny Morrison scored 101 goals in just 154 games.
After a few years of non-league football Morrison joined Spurs in 1931, but had a spell with Northfleet United, Spurs’ nursery club, before making the step up a couple of years later.
Morrison was particularly prolific between 1935-38, scoring 28, 35 and 35 goals in three consecutive seasons. As previously mentioned, his career was cut short in 1939 by the Second World War.
16. Son Heung-min (2015- present) – 102 goals in 261 appearances
Unquestionably one of the best players in England, if not the world, Sonny’s hundredth goal for Spurs came in 253 games. Now on 102, he has also chipped in with 57 assists. He’s formed a lethal partnership with Harry Kane, with the duo set to break the Premier League record for goal combinations imminently.
He is nearing 100 caps for his country and will surely go down as a modern-day great.
15. Bert Bliss (1912-1922) – 104 goals in 215 appearances
As with Johnny Morrison, Bert Bliss was another dangerous striker with a scoring ratio of nearly a goal every two games.
Although Bliss was another whose career was interrupted by the First World War, he returned to the club with success, winning the FA Cup in 1921 and an England cap just a few weeks before. He left the club the following year after scoring 104 goals in 215 appearances, before retiring in 1926.
‘One of the most conscientious of players and pretty nearly the hardest shooting forward in football, his surprise efforts flashing into the net before the danger is even realised.’
‘An English Football Internationalists’ Who’s Who‘ by Douglas Lamming
14. Glenn Hoddle (1975-1987) – 110 goals in 490 appearances
Unquestionably one of the greatest players in Tottenham’s history, Glenn Hoddle played nearly 500 games for the club over 12 years, scoring 110 goals. He had everything – unbelievable passing and shooting ability, plus a touch and balance which few before or since have possessed. Perhaps underappreciated during his time, he gained a little over 50 caps for England.
He won two FA Cups and the UEFA Cup with Spurs, before moving to Monaco in 1987 where he won the French league title. He moved back to England in 1991 as a player-manager with Swindon, a role he then took up with Chelsea a couple of years later. He lead England at the 1998 World Cup and also managed Southampton.
Hoddle later returned to Tottenham as a manager in 2001 but wasn’t able to bring success back to the club and was sacked a couple of years later. One final managerial spell with Wolves followed but left in 2006 and has been a television pundit since.
13. Jimmy Dimmock (1919-1931) – 112 goals in 438 appearances
Having served as a gunner in the First World War, Jimmy Dimmock joined Tottenham in 1919 and would go on to play for the club for more than a decade. He is best known for his winning goal in the FA Cup Final against Wolves in 1921 despite sustaining an injury earlier in the game. He was Spurs’ record goal scorer for a time with 112 goals and, after playing 438 games, remains 9th on the club’s all time appearance list.
Dimmock, 90 years after leaving the club, is still the only player in Spurs’ history to play 400 league games and score 100 league goals. He also remains the younger player to appear in an FA Cup Final, at 20 years and 139 days.
He won 3 caps for England, his first being just a few weeks before that FA Cup final, becoming the then youngest Spurs player to play for England.
12. Les Bennett (1946-1954) – 117 goals in 294 appearances
Another who joined Spurs after serving his country, Les Bennett had spent much of the Second World War with the Devon Regiment in Burma, India and Egypt. Born in Wood Green, Bennett had originally signed for the club in 1939, but was called up before he could make an appearance. Aged 28, he finally turned out in Lilywhite in 1946.
Bennett made up for lost time, his goals helping Tottenham to a Second Division title in 1949-50 and He was a key figure in Arthur Rowe’s ‘push and run’ team that won the First Division in 1950-51. Bennett followed that success up that with a career best total of 20 league goals in 1951-52 as Spurs finished as runners up.
After 117 goals in 294 appearances, Bennett moved onto West Ham in 1954 before further spells with Clacton and Romford until his retirement in 1960.
Still only 22, Keane was gaining a reputation as a journeyman player after spells with Wolves, Coventry, Inter Milan and Leeds before joining Tottenham in 2002. However, save for one short spell with Liverpool, and short loan spells with Celtic and West Ham, Keane remained with Tottenham for the best part of a decade, making over 300 appearances and scoring 122 goals, and winning the League Cup in 2008.
Keane often deputised for Ledley King as captain and formed a brilliant partnership with Dimitar Berbatov as the club entered a new era with regular European football. He was the first Spurs player to score double figures in the Premier League in six consecutive seasons and also won Player of the Year three times during his Tottenham career.
He moved the MLS with LA Galaxy in 2011 where he stayed until 2016. He had one final a single season in the Indian Super League after which he retired with 325 goals in 737 games, an outstanding career.
His 146 caps and 68 goals are both Irish records, having made his debut as a 17 year old in 1998 before his final international appearance in 2016.
Since his retirement in 2018, Keane has had coaching spells with Republic of Ireland and Middlesborough.
Oh Teddy, Teddy! After joining from Nottingham Forest in 1992, Sheringham made an instant impact, winning the Premiership’s Golden Boot in its inaugural season. He scored just under 100 goals in five seasons with his brilliant strike partnership with Jurgen Klinsmann being a particular highlight.
He left Tottenham to go to Manchester United in 1997 where he won…a fair bit…before returning in 2001. He helped the club to the League Cup Final in 2002, but left the following year after a total of 124 goals in 277 appearances for Spurs.
Spells with Portsmouth, West Ham and Colchester followed before retiring at the age of 42. He holds the record as the oldest outfield player to appear in a Premier League match (40 years and 272 days), the oldest player to score in a Premier League match (40 years and 268 days) and the oldest player to score a Premier League hat-trick (37 years and 146 days). He also won 51 England caps scoring 11 goals.
9. Alan Gilzean (1964-1974) – 133 goals in 439 appearances
Alan Gilzean joined Tottenham in 1964, after a prolific spell with Dundee where he scored 169 goals in just 190 games.
Although he adapted his game with Spurs, he remained highly successful, forming effective partnerships with Jimmy Greaves and Martin Chivers until his retirement in 1974.
Gilzean became known as the ‘King of White Hart Lane’, winning the FA Cup, the League Cup twice and the UEFA Cup, as well as scoring 133 goals – his 439 appearances for Tottenham is 8th on the all-time list. He also won 22 caps for Scotland, scoring 12 goals.
8. Len Duquemin (1947-1957) – 134 goals in 307 appearances
Joining Spurs in 1946, having spent the war on Guernsey under German occupation. Along with Les Bennett, Duquemin was a member of Arthur Rowe’s ‘push and run’ side which won the Second Division in 1949-50 before following that up with Spurs’ first First Division title the following season.
Duquemin was known as a hard worker and, while not considered as skilful as some other members of Rowe’s team, his goalscoring record of 134 goals in 307 games would be the envy of many other strikers.
After leaving Tottenham in 1957, Duquemin had spells with non-league clubs before retiring in 1962.
7. George Hunt (1930-1937) – 138 goals in 198 appearances
George Hunt joined Tottenham in 1930 from Chesterfield and spent seven seasons with the club, scoring prolifically.
Between 1931-1934, he was the club’s top scorer for three consecutive seasons, helping the club gain promotion to the First Division in 1932-33 with 32 goals. Overall, despite making less than 200 appearances, Hunt scored 138 goals. During his time with Spurs he won three England caps, scoring on his debut against Scotland in front of a then world record crowd of 136,259.
In 1937, Hunt became the first player to move from Spurs to Arsenal since Woolwich’s move and name change, before moving onto Bolton and Sheffield Wednesday where he retired in 1948.
A natural-born goalscorer, Jermain Defoe scored 143 goals in 363 appearances over two spells with Tottenham. Signing for the club in 2004 from West Ham, Defoe was named the club’s player of the season in his first year.
However, Defoe faced stiff competition for a consistent starting place in the team, in particular when the the partnership between Berbatov and Keane was at its best, and he moved to Portsmouth in 2007. However, after rejoining Tottenham a year and a half later, Defoe scored regularly and became Spurs’ highest scorer in Europe before Harry Kane moved past him.
He left for the MLS in 2014, joining Toronto, but was back in the Premier League before too long for spells with Sunderland and Bournemouth. At the age of 38, Defoe is in the final years of his career, but is scoring regularly in the Scottish Premiership with Rangers and has now scored more than 300 career goals, including 20 for England.
5. Cliff Jones (1958-1968) – 159 goals in 378 appearances
Quite simply one of the finest players ever produced by the UK, Cliff Jones was the original Welsh wing wizard. Electric pace and an eye for goal made him a nightmare to defend against.
Starting with his hometown club of Swansea, Jones moved to Tottenham in 1958 where he would stay for the next decade, scoring 159 goals in 378 games. A crucial member of Bill Nicholson’s double-winning side of 1960-61, Jones would also win two more FA Cups and the European Cup Winners Cup in 1963. Juventus offered a then world-record sum £125,000 to lure him away from the Lane but were unsuccessful.
At international level he scored 16 goals in 59 games for Wales, helping the side the the quarter finals of the 1958 World Cup, before falling to eventual winners Brazil.
Jones eventually did move away from the Lane in 1968, winding down his career with Fulham, King’s Lynn and Bedford before hanging up his boots in 1971.
A Spurs legend.
4. Martin Chivers (1968-1976) – 174 goals in 367 appearances
Martin Chivers started his career with Southampton and he quickly gained a reputation as a prolific goalscorer, with 106 goals in 190 appearances. As a result, Spurs signed him for a British record fee of £125,000 in 1968.
With the already established Jimmy Greaves and Alan Gilzean at the club, Chivers initially struggled to break into the side, but after Greaves’ transfer to West Ham in 1970. From there Chivers became a mainstay, scoring regularly and helping Spurs to two League Cup wins and a UEFA Cup in 1972. He held the record as Spurs’ leading goalscorer for nearly 40 years until Jermain Defoe overtook him in 2013.
Chivers also won his first England cap while with Spurs, going onto score 13 goals in 24 appearances.
After moving to Swiss club Servette in Swizterland in 1976, Chivers had further spells with other clubs including Norwich and Brighton, before retiring in 1983.
3. Bobby Smith (1955-1964) – 208 goals in 317 appearances
Bobby Smith started off at Chelsea, but we won’t hold that against him, especially given his goalscoring exploits in Lilywhite.
Joining Spurs in 1955, it would be the double-winning season in 1960-61 where Smith would earn his place in the club’s history books. He was Spurs’ top scorer that season, with 33 goals in 43 games, including the first goal in the FA Cup final win, a feat he would repeat in the 1962 win. He also won the European Cup Winners Cup in 1963.
In total, he would score 208 goals against 39 different clubs, a tally which included 11 hat-tricks. He was the First Division’s top goalscorer in the 1957-58 season and became the club’s leading league goalscorer in 1960, a record he held until Jimmy Greaves passed him in 1968. While with Spurs he won 15 England caps, scoring at a rate of almost a goal a game – 13.
Smith left Spurs in 1964, joining Brighton and retired in 1967 after a spell with Hastings.
2. Harry Kane (2011-present) – 209 goals in 318 appearances
What can I say that hasn’t already been said before? Tottenham’s talisman. The Premier League’s premier striker. Up there with the world’s best.
What will frighten other clubs is that he has taken his all-round game to another level this season, that a shift to a deeper role hasn’t diminished his goalscoring returns but has increased the number of assists and influence around the pitch.
Now entering his peak years, and with more than 200 goals in a little more than 300 games for Spurs, who knows how many goals he will end up with. But, if he stays at the club for the next few years and stays injury-free, it will be a question of when, not if, he becomes Spurs’ all-time record goalscorer.
With 32 goals in 51 games, the England record may well be in his sights too.
1. Jimmy Greaves (1961-1970) – 266 goals in 379 appearances
Jimmy Greaves is the greatest goalscorer England has ever produced.
Greaves famously signed for Tottenham from AC Milan for £99,999 with Bill Nicholson reluctant to burden Greaves with the pressure on becoming the country’s first £100,000 player. Certainly, Greaves seemed to have felt no pressure at all, with his 266 goals – including 15 hat-tricks, still standing as club records after more than half a century.
During his time with Tottenham, Greaves won two FA Cups and the European Cup Winners Cup, but missed out the double winning season of 1960-61 having arrived in the following December. A number of title challenges ensued over the next decade, but a runners up medal in 1962-63 was the closest Greaves got to an English league title win. He famously missed out on the 1966 World Cup Final win after being injured in the group stages. Originally, only the starting XI in the Final were given medals and it wasn’t until 2009 until Greaves was belatedly given his medal.
Greaves was later transferred to West Ham as a part-exchange for Martin Peters in 1970, but retired the following year. He did return to football in 1975 and played lower league football for a further five years before his final retirement in 1980.
As well as being the greatest Spurs goalscorer, he is the best this country has seen full stop. He’s the highest goalscorer in the history of English top-flight football with 357 goals and finished as the league’s top goalscorer on six occasions, more than anyone else. He’s also England’s fourth highest goalscorer with 44 goals, including a record six hat-tricks, despite playing just 57 games.
Greaves was finally awarded an MBE in the 2021 Honours List.
Harry Kane returned from injury to inspire Spurs to a 2-0 win over West Brom. His 208th goal for Tottenham drew him level with the great Bobby Smith, becoming the joint 2nd highest goalscorer in the club’s history – both reaching the milestone after 317 appearances. The legendary Jimmy Greaves remains some way out in front, with 266 goals.
Meanwhile, Son Heung-min’s 102nd goal for the club moves him past Billy Minter and Johnny Morrison into 16th place. Cliff Jones, who celebrates his 86th birthday today, is in 5th place with 159 goals in 378 games.
The full list is as follows:
17=. Billy Minter (1908-1919) – 101 goals in 263 appearances
Billy Minter was the first player to reach 100 goals for Spurs and was our record scorer until he overtaken by Jimmy Dimmock in 1930. Minter has short spells with Norwich City, Woolwich Arsenal and Reading before joining Spurs in 1908. His goals helped Spurs first gain promotion from the Second Division, then secure top flight status over the following season.
Minter served during the First World War and was wounded during the fighting in France. He returned to the club after the war, but retired in 1920 after scoring 101 goals in 263 games. A Spurs stalwart, he was appointed as a manager of the club, as well as serving as a coach, scout and assistant secretary, a role which he held until his passing in 1940.
17=. Johnny Morrison (1933-1939) – 101 goals in 154 appearances
A lethal striker who would have surely scored far more had it been for the outbreak of war, Johnny Morrison scored 101 goals in just 154 games.
After a few years of non-league football Morrison joined Spurs in 1931, but had a spell with Northfleet United, Spurs’ nursery club, before making the step up a couple of years later.
Morrison was particularly prolific between 1935-38, scoring 28, 35 and 35 goals in three consecutive seasons. As previously mentioned, his career was cut short in 1939 by the Second World War.
16. Son Heung-min (2015- present) – 102 goals in 261 appearances
Unquestionably one of the best players in England, if not the world, Sonny’s hundredth goal for Spurs came in 253 games. Now on 102, he has also chipped in with 57 assists. He’s formed a lethal partnership with Harry Kane, with the duo set to break the Premier League record for goal combinations imminently.
He is nearing 100 caps for his country and will surely go down as a modern-day great.
15. Bert Bliss (1912-1922) – 104 goals in 215 appearances
As with Johnny Morrison, Bert Bliss was another dangerous striker with a scoring ratio of nearly a goal every two games.
Although Bliss was another whose career was interrupted by the First World War, he returned to the club with success, winning the FA Cup in 1921 and an England cap just a few weeks before. He left the club the following year after scoring 104 goals in 215 appearances, before retiring in 1926.
‘One of the most conscientious of players and pretty nearly the hardest shooting forward in football, his surprise efforts flashing into the net before the danger is even realised.’
‘An English Football Internationalists’ Who’s Who‘ by Douglas Lamming
14. Glenn Hoddle (1975-1987) – 110 goals in 490 appearances
Unquestionably one of the greatest players in Tottenham’s history, Glenn Hoddle played nearly 500 games for the club over 12 years, scoring 110 goals. He had everything – unbelievable passing and shooting ability, plus a touch and balance which few before or since have possessed. Perhaps underappreciated during his time, he gained a little over 50 caps for England.
He won two FA Cups and the UEFA Cup with Spurs, before moving to Monaco in 1987 where he won the French league title. He moved back to England in 1991 as a player-manager with Swindon, a role he then took up with Chelsea a couple of years later. He lead England at the 1998 World Cup and also managed Southampton.
Hoddle later returned to Tottenham as a manager in 2001 but wasn’t able to bring success back to the club and was sacked a couple of years later. One final managerial spell with Wolves followed but left in 2006 and has been a television pundit since.
13. Jimmy Dimmock (1919-1931) – 112 goals in 438 appearances
Having served as a gunner in the First World War, Jimmy Dimmock joined Tottenham in 1919 and would go on to play for the club for more than a decade. He is best known for his winning goal in the FA Cup Final against Wolves in 1921 despite sustaining an injury earlier in the game. He was Spurs’ record goal scorer for a time with 112 goals and, after playing 438 games, remains 9th on the club’s all time appearance list.
Dimmock, 90 years after leaving the club, is still the only player in Spurs’ history to play 400 league games and score 100 league goals. He also remains the younger player to appear in an FA Cup Final, at 20 years and 139 days.
He won 3 caps for England, his first being just a few weeks before that FA Cup final, becoming the then youngest Spurs player to play for England.
12. Les Bennett (1946-1954) – 117 goals in 294 appearances
Another who joined Spurs after serving his country, Les Bennett had spent much of the Second World War with the Devon Regiment in Burma, India and Egypt. Born in Wood Green, Bennett had originally signed for the club in 1939, but was called up before he could make an appearance. Aged 28, he finally turned out in Lilywhite in 1946.
Bennett made up for lost time, his goals helping Tottenham to a Second Division title in 1949-50 and He was a key figure in Arthur Rowe’s ‘push and run’ team that won the First Division in 1950-51. Bennett followed that success up that with a career best total of 20 league goals in 1951-52 as Spurs finished as runners up.
After 117 goals in 294 appearances, Bennett moved onto West Ham in 1954 before further spells with Clacton and Romford until his retirement in 1960.
Still only 22, Keane was gaining a reputation as a journeyman player after spells with Wolves, Coventry, Inter Milan and Leeds before joining Tottenham in 2002. However, save for one short spell with Liverpool, and short loan spells with Celtic and West Ham, Keane remained with Tottenham for the best part of a decade, making over 300 appearances and scoring 122 goals, and winning the League Cup in 2008.
Keane often deputised for Ledley King as captain and formed a brilliant partnership with Dimitar Berbatov as the club entered a new era with regular European football. He was the first Spurs player to score double figures in the Premier League in six consecutive seasons and also won Player of the Year three times during his Tottenham career.
He moved the MLS with LA Galaxy in 2011 where he stayed until 2016. He had one final a single season in the Indian Super League after which he retired with 325 goals in 737 games, an outstanding career.
His 146 caps and 68 goals are both Irish records, having made his debut as a 17 year old in 1998 before his final international appearance in 2016.
Since his retirement in 2018, Keane has had coaching spells with Republic of Ireland and Middlesborough.
Oh Teddy, Teddy! After joining from Nottingham Forest in 1992, Sheringham made an instant impact, winning the Premiership’s Golden Boot in its inaugural season. He scored just under 100 goals in five seasons with his brilliant strike partnership with Jurgen Klinsmann being a particular highlight.
He left Tottenham to go to Manchester United in 1997 where he won…a fair bit…before returning in 2001. He helped the club to the League Cup Final in 2002, but left the following year after a total of 124 goals in 277 appearances for Spurs.
Spells with Portsmouth, West Ham and Colchester followed before retiring at the age of 42. He holds the record as the oldest outfield player to appear in a Premier League match (40 years and 272 days), the oldest player to score in a Premier League match (40 years and 268 days) and the oldest player to score a Premier League hat-trick (37 years and 146 days). He also won 51 England caps scoring 11 goals.
9. Alan Gilzean (1964-1974) – 133 goals in 439 appearances
Alan Gilzean joined Tottenham in 1964, after a prolific spell with Dundee where he scored 169 goals in just 190 games.
Although he adapted his game with Spurs, he remained highly successful, forming effective partnerships with Jimmy Greaves and Martin Chivers until his retirement in 1974.
Gilzean became known as the ‘King of White Hart Lane’, winning the FA Cup, the League Cup twice and the UEFA Cup, as well as scoring 133 goals – his 439 appearances for Tottenham is 8th on the all-time list. He also won 22 caps for Scotland, scoring 12 goals.
8. Len Duquemin (1947-1957) – 134 goals in 307 appearances
Joining Spurs in 1946, having spent the war on Guernsey under German occupation. Along with Les Bennett, Duquemin was a member of Arthur Rowe’s ‘push and run’ side which won the Second Division in 1949-50 before following that up with Spurs’ first First Division title the following season.
Duquemin was known as a hard worker and, while not considered as skilful as some other members of Rowe’s team, his goalscoring record of 134 goals in 307 games would be the envy of many other strikers.
After leaving Tottenham in 1957, Duquemin had spells with non-league clubs before retiring in 1962.
7. George Hunt (1930-1937) – 138 goals in 198 appearances
George Hunt joined Tottenham in 1930 from Chesterfield and spent seven seasons with the club, scoring prolifically.
Between 1931-1934, he was the club’s top scorer for three consecutive seasons, helping the club gain promotion to the First Division in 1932-33 with 32 goals. Overall, despite making less than 200 appearances, Hunt scored 138 goals. During his time with Spurs he won three England caps, scoring on his debut against Scotland in front of a then world record crowd of 136,259.
In 1937, Hunt became the first player to move from Spurs to Arsenal since Woolwich’s move and name change, before moving onto Bolton and Sheffield Wednesday where he retired in 1948.
A natural-born goalscorer, Jermain Defoe scored 143 goals in 363 appearances over two spells with Tottenham. Signing for the club in 2004 from West Ham, Defoe was named the club’s player of the season in his first year.
However, Defoe faced stiff competition for a consistent starting place in the team, in particular when the the partnership between Berbatov and Keane was at its best, and he moved to Portsmouth in 2007. However, after rejoining Tottenham a year and a half later, Defoe scored regularly and became Spurs’ highest scorer in Europe before Harry Kane moved past him.
He left for the MLS in 2014, joining Toronto, but was back in the Premier League before too long for spells with Sunderland and Bournemouth. At the age of 38, Defoe is in the final years of his career, but is scoring regularly in the Scottish Premiership with Rangers and has now scored more than 300 career goals, including 20 for England.
5. Cliff Jones (1958-1968) – 159 goals in 378 appearances
Quite simply one of the finest players ever produced by the UK, Cliff Jones was the original Welsh wing wizard. Electric pace and an eye for goal made him a nightmare to defend against.
Starting with his hometown club of Swansea, Jones moved to Tottenham in 1958 where he would stay for the next decade, scoring 159 goals in 378 games. A crucial member of Bill Nicholson’s double-winning side of 1960-61, Jones would also win two more FA Cups and the European Cup Winners Cup in 1963. Juventus offered a then world-record sum £125,000 to lure him away from the Lane but were unsuccessful.
At international level he scored 16 goals in 59 games for Wales, helping the side the the quarter finals of the 1958 World Cup, before falling to eventual winners Brazil.
Jones eventually did move away from the Lane in 1968, winding down his career with Fulham, King’s Lynn and Bedford before hanging up his boots in 1971.
A Spurs legend.
4. Martin Chivers (1968-1976) – 174 goals in 367 appearances
Martin Chivers started his career with Southampton and he quickly gained a reputation as a prolific goalscorer, with 106 goals in 190 appearances. As a result, Spurs signed him for a British record fee of £125,000 in 1968.
With the already established Jimmy Greaves and Alan Gilzean at the club, Chivers initially struggled to break into the side, but after Greaves’ transfer to West Ham in 1970. From there Chivers became a mainstay, scoring regularly and helping Spurs to two League Cup wins and a UEFA Cup in 1972. He held the record as Spurs’ leading goalscorer for nearly 40 years until Jermain Defoe overtook him in 2013.
Chivers also won his first England cap while with Spurs, going onto score 13 goals in 24 appearances.
After moving to Swiss club Servette in Swizterland in 1976, Chivers had further spells with other clubs including Norwich and Brighton, before retiring in 1983.
2=. Harry Kane (2011-present) – 208 goals in 317 appearances
What can I say that hasn’t already been said before? Tottenham’s talisman. The Premier League’s premier striker. Up there with the world’s best.
What will frighten other clubs is that he has taken his all-round game to another level this season, that a shift to a deeper role hasn’t diminished his goalscoring returns but has increased the number of assists and influence around the pitch.
Now entering his peak years, and with more than 200 goals in a little more than 300 games for Spurs, who knows how many goals he will end up with. But, if he stays at the club for the next few years and stays injury-free, it will be a question of when, not if, he becomes Spurs’ all-time record goalscorer.
With 32 goals in 51 games, the England record may well be in his sights too.
2=. Bobby Smith (1955-1964) – 208 goals in 317 appearances
Bobby Smith started off at Chelsea, but we won’t hold that against him, especially given his goalscoring exploits in Lilywhite.
Joining Spurs in 1955, it would be the double-winning season in 1960-61 where Smith would earn his place in the club’s history books. He was Spurs’ top scorer that season, with 33 goals in 43 games, including the first goal in the FA Cup final win, a feat he would repeat in the 1962 win. He also won the European Cup Winners Cup in 1963.
In total, he would score 208 goals against 39 different clubs, a tally which included 11 hat-tricks. He was the First Division’s top goalscorer in the 1957-58 season and became the club’s leading league goalscorer in 1960, a record he held until Jimmy Greaves passed him in 1968. While with Spurs he won 15 England caps, scoring at a rate of almost a goal a game – 13.
Smith left Spurs in 1964, joining Brighton and retired in 1967 after a spell with Hastings.
1. Jimmy Greaves (1961-1970) – 266 goals in 379 appearances
Jimmy Greaves is the greatest goalscorer England has ever produced.
Greaves famously signed for Tottenham from AC Milan for £99,999 with Bill Nicholson reluctant to burden Greaves with the pressure on becoming the country’s first £100,000 player. Certainly, Greaves seemed to have felt no pressure at all, with his 266 goals – including 15 hat-tricks, still standing as club records after more than half a century.
During his time with Tottenham, Greaves won two FA Cups and the European Cup Winners Cup, but missed out the double winning season of 1960-61 having arrived in the following December. A number of title challenges ensued over the next decade, but a runners up medal in 1962-63 was the closest Greaves got to an English league title win. He famously missed out on the 1966 World Cup Final win after being injured in the group stages. Originally, only the starting XI in the Final were given medals and it wasn’t until 2009 until Greaves was belatedly given his medal.
Greaves was later transferred to West Ham as a part-exchange for Martin Peters in 1970, but retired the following year. He did return to football in 1975 and played lower league football for a further five years before his final retirement in 1980.
As well as being the greatest Spurs goalscorer, he is the best this country has seen full stop. He’s the highest goalscorer in the history of English top-flight football with 357 goals and finished as the league’s top goalscorer on six occasions, more than anyone else. He’s also England’s fourth highest goalscorer with 44 goals, including a record six hat-tricks, despite playing just 57 games.
Greaves was finally awarded an MBE in the 2021 Honours List.
Spurs host Chelsea on Thursday night in what is set to be a fiery London derby at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, with both sides looking to get their Premier League seasons back on track.
Tanguy Ndombele has been confirmed fit to play and Serge Aurier will be back in the squad after being left out of the squad in the loss against Brighton on Sunday. Spurs will be without Harry Kane, Dele Alli, Sergio Reguilon and Giovani Lo Celso who Jose Mourinho confirmed today was likely to be out for “a month or something”.
However, it’s not all doom and gloom for Spurs with Harry Kane, Dele Alli and Sergio Reguilon all looking to be ready for the game against Manchester City next weekend. Mourinho shared some details from his conversation with Dele where they were able to find “common ground”, something that will come as welcome news to all Spurs fans.
With the creativity of Dele and Kane potentially back into the setup in the next week or so, it’s fair to say that things are certainly looking up for Spurs after some disappointing results recently.
Mourinho also confirmed in his press conference that Ndombele would be able to play as an out and out midfielder alongside Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg due to his fitness improving. Subsequently, that has now opened up the possibility of Spurs having Dele or Lo Celso slotting in at number 10 in front of Hojbjerg and Ndombele.
Chelsea are set to welcome N’Golo Kante back into their squad after his recovery from a hamstring injury, whilst Kurt Zouma and Kai Havertz are doubtful for Thomas Tuchel’s side ahead of the derby.
Spurs will need to be wary of the width utilised by Tuchel who has played wing-backs in both of his games as Chelsea boss so far, with Callum Hudson Odoi and Marcos Alonso looking most likely to start. Mourinho will have to nullify this threat if he wants to control the game after being vulnerable down both sides against Brighton on Sunday.
While Spurs only have two wins in their last nine Premier League matches, Chelsea aren’t much better with three wins in their last ten. However, since the appointment of Tuchel they have picked up four points from a possible six and haven’t conceded a goal.
Spurs haven’t beaten Chelsea in the league since November 2018, where Heung-Min Son scored a superb solo goal after picking the ball just past the halfway line.
Both games between the two clubs have ended in draws, one in the League Cup where Spurs won on penalties – with Mourinho getting one over on his former Chelsea stalwart, Frank Lampard – while the game in the league finished 0-0. At the time, this was a top of table clash and the game saw Joe Rodon make his full Spurs debut.
A win would keep Tottenham above Chelsea in the table with both sides currently sitting on 33 points – they could go into tomorrow’s match nine points off the top four if results don’t go their way. A loss for Spurs could potentially see them slip down to 9th in the table.
Andre Marriner will referee the derby, whilst Stuart Attwell will be overseeing VAR duties from Stockley Park.
The key to any effective transfer policy for any club is to identify problem areas and have creative and pragmatic solutions to said problems. When it comes to Tottenham, this philosophy is not only imperative, but rather mandatory.
So instead of this article being the usual ‘click bait’ about how ‘Spurs can sign Messi’, it will instead focus on transfers that would not only improve the team, but could solve the issues around non-Home Grown player limits.
Before we begin talking about potential incoming players, a mini review of the season so far. Despite an explosive start, Spurs have been on the end of some disastrous results as of late, with the partnership of Son Heung-min and Harry Kane losing its early venom as Jose Mourinho edges further and further into a style mired in defensive pragmatism.
In saying that, all of the blame cannot be shouldered solely by Mourinho, with individual errors plaguing the Spurs back line this season. This has led to the Lilywhites dropping ten points from winning positions already, double that of any other club in the Premier League. This is an issue that coaching alone cannot resolve.
It is a problem that Mourinho and the club’s hierarchy is well aware of and they looked to ameliorate this last summer with various attempts to pry Milan Škriniar away from Inter, but the asking price was simply too high.
However, with Davinson Sanchez still unable to find any consistency after three years in North London and with Japhet Tanganga and Joe Rodon still in the infancy of Tottenham careers, the club may well look to revive a deal for Škriniar in the summer as Mourinho looks to find another missing piece to his Tottenham puzzle. But Škriniar’s the asking price unlikely to have come down, Daniel Levy may have to look for a cheaper option.
My pick would be Marseille ‘s Croatian central defender Duje Ćaleta-Car. At just twenty-four years old he is still yet to hit his peak, but is still experienced enough to start week in, week out. Standing at 6ft 3 inch he certainly fits the mould of a physically imposing defender which Mourinho tends to favour. But he is not just a big brute who will smash it into Row Z at a moment’s opportunity – he is a very accomplished passer of the ball. This season the Croatian has also managed to win a staggering 70% of his aerial duels, a talent that could certainly come in handy for set pieces.
When it comes to the financial outlay, French football has deep financial issues and, even though Marseille is not as detrimentally affected as other teams, Spurs will not need to make silly offer to prise him away. Unfortunately, Tottenham will have to probably shift a non-Home Grown player to get this deal over the line, a task that is a lot easier said than done. The possible outgoings to facilitate this transfer would be a combination of Villarreal taking up the option to sign Juan Foyth and the sale of Davinson Sanchez, neither of which are certainties.
The next problem area is in attacking midfield. Tanguy Ndombele’s emergence as one of the best midfielders in the league is one of a few positive for Spurs fans. The Frenchman has been key member of the Tottenham attacking unit, looking rejuvenated this season and producing moments of pure brilliance, most notably against Sheffield United when he scored an audacious chip with his back to goal to secure three points. And let us not forget the game against Southampton when he pirouetted beautifully to beat the press of two oncoming midfielders and found a defence splitting pass to Son Heung-min who promptly slotted away.
However, despite Ndombele’s electric displays, he and Harry Kane have had to shoulder far too much of the creative burden. Giovani Lo Celso’s stop-start season and the mysterious treatment of Dele Alli hasn’t helped, but this it is still a key problem Spurs need to address in the summer window.
Marcus Edwards could be the answer. Edwards was a highly touted talent during the Mauricio Pochettino era, with the former Spurs coach even once likened him to Lionel Messi. Since leaving for Portuguese side Vitoria S.C in 2019, the twenty-two-year-old has gained a reputation as a dynamic ball carrier with the ability to play on either wing or behind the striker.
He has bags of technical ability and is not too bad with a defence splitting through ball either. Last season, Edwards managed seven league goals and five assists with an additional two goals in the Europa League. Tottenham would have to pay a relatively small fee to resign a player with great potential, as well as much needed creative invention in addition to help solving the growing foreign player issue. The outgoings to facilitate this transfer would likely be either Erik Lamela or Lucas Moura, both of whom are struggling for regular playing time.
The last transfer suggestion has been rumoured for some time. The position is central midfielder, and the player is Marcel Sabitzer. The twenty-six-year-old is a versatile and important cog in Julian Nagelsmann’s RB Leipzig machine, playing numerous roles including right wing, false nine and defensive midfield. Sabitzer’s technical ability, defensive awareness, passing range and athleticism make him the perfect partner for Tottenham’s midfield general Pierre-Emile Højbjerg, with both capable of line breaking passing. Additionally, he already plays under a coach dubbed “Mini Mourinho”, so it may be a quick transition period for Sabitzer if he makes the move to North London. His adaptability in playing in multiple positions and in a variety of systems is surely something that would interest Mourinho.
I believe Tottenham have a fantastic squad, but we lack balance. We must remember we are in a transitional period under Mourinho, but, with a few of the right signings, there is no telling what the club could achieve.
With the January transfer window now just over halfway through, James Hicks looks at the different ways that Spurs could line up by the start of February, including a few familiar faces as well as new signings.
Keeping The Faith
Although results haven’t been going the way that fans would’ve liked them to recently, this team is 4th for most goals scored in the Premier League, 3rd for least conceded, and the 2nd least conceded from open play behind Manchester City.
Against Sheffield United on Sunday, Steven Bergwijn showed signs of promise to be able to become the third attacker that Tottenham so desperately need to perform alongside Harry Kane and Heung-Min Son and help the team with goal contributions.
Tanguy Ndombele scored a outrageous chip over Aaron Ramsdale at Bramall Lane and is looking fitter than ever, completing 90 minutes of football against the Blades and slowly showing signs of progression with his fitness which I’m sure every Spurs fan is loving to see his improvement and adaption recently.
WHAT. A. FINISH! 😍
From a tight angle Tanguy Ndombele has lifted it over Ramsdale and dropped it right in the bottom corner, with the outside of his foot. Stunning.
The defence is always a major talking point of the Spurs line-up no matter who’s playing and I would argue that this is our most experienced back four, Sergio Reguilon and Serge Aurier give us the width and pace we need in the full-back positions. Toby Alderweireld and Eric Dier have been Jose’s trusted partnership this year and their record from open play speaks for itself, conceding the joint least goals from open play, but as everyone knows, set pieces are a huge problem, an issue perhaps which could be solved with the next line up.
2. The Midfield Trio
This was the line-up Spurs fans were most looking forward to after the close of the summer transfer window with a little twist.
In this scenario, Marcel Sabitzer would join the front three in replacement of Steven Bergwijn, with the Austrian – who has a year and a half left on his contract at RB Leipzig – finally making the move having been linked with Spurs on and off for some time.
He would be a great addition to the squad and would provide a player who is extremely versatile where he can play whether it be just off the strikers in the 10 role, out wide either side of a front three or even central midfield. Sabitzer is flexible and can help with goal contributions from anywhere on the field with the 26-year-old producing 17 goal contributions in 32 games in the Bundesliga last season.
It is more likely, however, that Spurs and Levy will attempt to sign Sabitzer in the summer due to his contract situation, replicating what happened with Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg negotiations due to his lack of contract, where Spurs ended up with what is looking like a bargain in the Dane.
Another attraction of this team is the midfield three everyone couldn’t wait to watch play together this season in Giovani Lo Celso, Ndombele and Hojbjerg. The trio have only started together once all season, against LASK in the Europa League where it never really gelled, however with Ndombele fitness now ever increasing hopefully when Lo Celso returns from injury we’ll be able to see these three together in action, a spectacle many Spurs were extremely looking forward to.
In defence I’ve partnered Joe Rodon next to Dier after his impressive performance in his second league start against Sheffield United, in his brief cameos in a back four this season he has been really impressive and arguably deserves a chance at a long run in the team, with Jose Mourinho evidently undecided on who he is going to partner alongside Dier in a back four.
Joe Rodon vs. Sheffield United:
◉ Most recoveries (9) ◉ Most clearances (4) ◉ Most aerials won (4) ◉ Most interceptions (2)
Mourinho first debuted Spurs playing three/five at the back against Wolves, where again Spurs conceded from a set piece, however against Sheffield United it look much more assured and controlled posing the question whether it’s worth playing that formation?
Keeping the same front three – which I would say is the best – and a midfield pivot of Ndombele and Hojbjerg, would help to provide the foundations which this team is built on.
Both Reguilon and Doherty were bought over the summer from Sevilla and Wolves respectively, however we have hardly seen either of them play in a position that they thrive in so much as a wing-back. They both offer great pace and crossing ability for one of the forward three to get their head on, especially Reguilon as seen against Fulham.
Last season Doherty had 12 goal contributions in 50 games for Wolves, while Reguilon had eight contributions in 38 games, at the moment Spurs’ highest goal contributor apart from Son and Kane is Ndombele on four, this is something that Jose needs to find the answer to and quick.
By playing this formation it would give Doherty and Reguilon much more license to get forward without having to worry as much about their defensive duties, instead helping Spurs when they go forward, this could help produce many more goal scoring opportunities with crosses and runs from both wing backs.
With the three centre-backs, it would be fair to say Rodon has more than earnt his chance in defence, here he would be alongside Dier and Japhet Tanganga, Tanganga has severely struggled for game time this season due to a back injury he suffered earlier in the season. However with him now slowly progressing back into the set-up and his superb performances last year he also warrants a chance at centre-back especially with all of Jose’s chopping and changing he has been doing recently at centre-half.
4. The Return of DESK
Is the return of DESK a possibility for Mourinho and Tottenham? Christian Eriksen has been heavily linked back with a move back to White Hart Lane after failing to impress at Inter Milan since his transfer last January.
Dele Alli has suffered a similar dip in form since last season, but is still putting up decent numbers when being put in the team with four goal contributions in twelve matches. What Dele needs is a sustained period in the first XI where he tries to rediscover his form with the full support of his manager and he’ll get back to his best.
Dele, Eriksen, Son and Kane, if both Dele and Eriksen were able to rediscover their form this front four would be formidable and could possibly resolve Tottenham’s reliance on solely Son and Kane to provide goals.
Alderweireld partners Dier in defence in this team, both of whom are accustomed to each other by now having played together for nearly 6 years, many of which have been spent alongside one another at the heart of Spurs’ defence.
Would the return of Dele and Eriksen help to improve Spurs’ creativity moving forward?
I was delighted to join this week’s Last Word On Spurs with Ricky Sacks, Lee McQueen and Richard Cracknell as we reflected on Spurs’ 3-1 win over Sheffield United.
We spoke about Harry Kane’s ever-reliable supply of goals, another magical display from Tanguy Ndombele and our signing of the season, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg.
We also covered Spurs Women, the January transfer window and had a look ahead to the upcoming FA Cup tie against Wycombe Wanderers.
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