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The pending departure of Heung-min Son to LAFC is one that will leave a huge hole in the final third for Tottenham Hotspur, with the South Korean one of the best attackers in the club’s history.

He’s racked up over 450 appearances during his decade at the Lilywhites, scoring 173 times, with 11 of which coming during the 2024/25 campaign, helping the club end their 17-year wait for a trophy.

There’s no denying that at 33, it’s the right time for a move, but such a departure will leave Thomas Frank and the hierarchy with a huge task to replace his constant attacking threat.

Further additions will need to be made between now and the end of the transfer window to ensure the new boss has all the options he needs at his disposal to be competitive in the Premier League.

Daniel Levy has already commenced work to potentially make top-level additions, especially if the latest updates coming out of North London come to fruition.

The latest on Spurs’ hunt for new attackers this summer

Over recent days, Leicester City star Bilal El Khannouss has emerged as a potential option for Spurs this summer, with his £22m relegation release clause becoming active.

It was confirmed that the Lilywhites hierarchy are preparing an official approach to land the Moroccan, who registered six combined goals and assists last campaign.

However, he’s not the only forward-thinking player currently in their sights, with Real Madrid star Rodrygo another player they’re chasing, according to Spanish outlet Cadena SER.

They claim that Frank’s side have prepared a €60m (£52m) bid to land the Brazilian forward this summer, potentially being the perfect replacement for the outgoing Son.

It also states that the 24-year-old is hoping for a Premier League move during the current window, after being told he’s free to depart the LaLiga giants ahead of the 2025/26 campaign.

Why Spurs’ £52m target would be Frank’s answer to Mbappé

Kylian Mbappé has cemented himself as one of Europe’s leading talismen over the last couple of years – undoubtedly being a player every fan wishes played for their side.

The Frenchman burst onto the scene as a baby-faced teenager at Monaco back in 2017, before a huge move to PSG that secured his place as one of Europe’s elite.

He registered a staggering 256 goals in his 308 outings for the Parisians over an eight-year period, breaking the record for the most goals scored by a player in the club’s history.

However, he would depart the Ligue 1 side on a free transfer last summer, joining European giants Real Madrid – a move which has seen him continue his excellent talents in front of goal.

The 26-year-old found the net 44 times in his 59 outings across all competitions throughout 2024/25, having a debut campaign to remember at the Santiago Bernabéu.

A player of his calibre would cost a pretty penny in today’s market, but Spurs could be about to land a player of his level – that’s if they complete a deal for Rodrygo this summer.

The Brazilian has been labelled as a similar player to Mbappé by FBref, managing to outperform his teammate in numerous key areas during the most recent season in LaLiga.

Rodrygo, who’s been labelled “world-class” by analyst Ben Mattinson, registered more progressive passes and carries per 90, handing Frank the attacking threat he craves upon Son’s departure.

He also managed to complete more key passes and more passes into the final third per 90, able to allow fellow new addition Mohammed Kudus to also hit the ground running in North London.

Rodrygo’s dominance over his teammate is further reflected in his higher pass completion rate, whilst completing more crosses per 90, showcasing his impeccable nouse for creating chances in attacking areas.

He certainly won’t be a cheap addition for Spurs this summer, but the Brazilian has showcased that he has the ability to provide a real threat for the club within the final third.

If he can transfer such a skill-set over to England ahead of 2025/26, he could become the club’s main man in their ambitions of being successful in the Premier League in the near future.

Perfect Maddison replacement: Spurs preparing bid for "sensational" talent

Tottenham Hotspur have wasted no time in making a move for a player to replace James Maddison.

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By
Ethan Lamb

Aug 5, 2025

Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca looked as if he had gone public with his desire to sign a new centre-back this summer after Levi Colwill’s injury, amid their ongoing attempts to bring in both Man United winger Alejandro Garnacho and RB Leipzig’s Xavi Simons.

Colwill will miss the majority of 2025/2026 after tearing his ACL, leaving Maresca with precious few options for his backline, and the Italian stated last week that the club need more names in that area.

However, in his press conference prior to Chelsea’s clash with West Ham at the London Stadium, Maresca has now gone back on that message, claiming it was lost in translation, and they’re looking at finding an internal solution.

Benoit Badiashile is still injured and will remain out until September, but it is worth noting that members of the Chelsea coaching staff are backing him as a reliable option behind-the-scenes.

Renato Veiga has just sealed a £26 million move to Villarreal, so he can no longer be called upon, while Axel Disasi is believed to be attracting serious interest from Bournemouth.

According to journalist Sebastian Staszewski, they were considering a defensive rising star earlier in the window, but talks have hit a “standstill”.

Chelsea pause talks for Motor Lublin defender Bright Ede

As per the reporter, Chelsea have “paused talks” for Motor Lublin defender Bright Ede, after previously being interested, and this has handed Man United a chance to swoop in and get the teenager instead.

The £7 million defender would come in among BlueCo’s pool of promising young talents, but if Chelsea were to sign a centre-back before the deadline, they arguably need a more proven asset, despite lots of praise for Ede from certain sectors.

Roberto De Zerbi has threatened Mason Greenwood and his Marseille squad after seeing them claim a notable Classique victory over arch-rivals Paris Saint-Germain. A battling win in a rearranged fixture at Stade Velodrome underlined the title credentials of De Zerbi’s side, but he has pointed out that said win will count for little if it does not set a standard for the rest of the season.

• Marseille held their own against Real Madrid

  Marseille finished as Ligue 1 runners-up in 2024-25, booking them return tickets to the Champions League. They held their own for long periods in a European opener with Real Madrid at Santiago Bernabeu, with USMNT star Tim Weah firing them in front before going on to suffer an agonising 2-1 defeat against 10 men.

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  Fought off PSG following storm delay

  De Zerbi’s team were able to get over the line in their latest outing, with Nayef Aguerd netting the only goal of the game inside five minutes against PSG – in a match that was delayed by 24 hours due to stormy weather conditions in southern France.

• Are Marseille Ligue 1 title contenders?

  De Zerbi showed plenty of passion in that contest, as he was shown a late red card for arguing with the match officials, and wants to see his players prove that they are capable of challenging for a domestic crown.

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  De Zerbi's warning to Greenwood & Co

  De Zerbi told reporters of the need to build on victory over PSG, who were without Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembele: “This victory should not give anything more to the team. The defeat in Madrid brought us a lot, made us realise that we have strong players. The squad is strong, we know that, but Friday will be even more important than tonight's match. I have already threatened the players, they know it. If we beat Paris and then tap dance against Strasbourg, it means we are not a great team.”

Bayern Munich legend Manuel Neuer has been hailed as one of the world's top three goalkeepers by his national team successor, Oliver Baumann. The Hoffenheim star, who is currently Germany's No.1, dismissed talk of a national team return for Neuer but praised the 39-year-old's enduring 'world-class' standard and down-to-earth personality.

• Neuer still going strong for Bayern Munich

  Baumann has hailed Neuer as one of the top three goalkeepers in world football, asserting that the Bayern legend continues to set the standard for the position. Speaking in an interview with , Baumann, who has stepped in as Germany's current number one, praised the Bayern captain's enduring quality and character. Despite his retirement from international duty, Neuer’s club career shows no signs of slowing down. 

  According to Bild, the veteran goalkeeper is now strongly considering extending his Bayern Munich contract beyond its current expiry date in June 2026. The decision reportedly rests entirely with the club captain, who remains a vital player under Vincent Kompany, having already kept three clean sheets in eight matches this season. While Neuer continuing would buy Bayern valuable time in their search for a long-term successor, it underscores his remarkable longevity and enduring importance to the Bavarian giants.

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  What Baumann said about Neuer's 'world-class' status

  When asked if the Bayern captain is the best goalkeeper in the world again, Baumann offered high praise for his compatriot. "He might clash with one or two others, like Thibaut Courtois. But he definitely sets the standard; Manuel is one of the top three goalkeepers in the world," Baumann stated. He also complimented Neuer's personality, adding: "We have a very good relationship. I really appreciate how he's remained so human and down-to-earth as a world-class goalkeeper. Manu is above it all, both personally and athletically."

• Baumann dismisses talk of Neuer's national team return

  With Germany's established number one, Marc-Andre ter Stegen, currently sidelined with injury, some speculation had emerged about a potential return for Neuer ahead of the World Cup. Baumann, who has earned six caps for his country, quickly shut down the suggestions. 

  "Are there so many calls? I didn't perceive them as that loud. And he himself denied it – so the matter is settled," the Hoffenheim keeper said. "For me, there's only one relevant question in this regard: What do the coaches think?"

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• Germany's goalkeeping situation and Baumann's ambition

  Baumann's recent performances have seen him rewarded with the starting spot for Germany, an opportunity the 35-year-old is relishing after a long wait for his international debut. While he has enjoyed the experience and would "like to win more international caps," he affirmed his commitment to the team's success and promised to support Ter Stegen upon his return to fitness. He stressed his team-first mentality would prevent any public rivalries, stating that a vocal campaign like the one Jens Lehmann waged against Oliver Kahn in 2006 "would certainly not be Baumann-like."

Looking to end the transfer window with a flourish of arrivals, Aston Villa have now reportedly agreed a deal to sign a midfield talent with a medical already scheduled to take place.

Who Aston Villa could sign before the deadline

Deadline day is just around the corner and, as such, the frantic search for late reinforcements has officially commenced. Aston Villa, part of that search, still have plenty of work to do and have reportedly launched an opening offer worth as much as £47m to sign Lucas Paqueta from West Ham United.

The Hammers have so far been adamant that the Brazilian is not for sale, however, and their reluctance to negotiate a loan with an obligation to buy may stand in the way of Paqueta’s late move to Villa Park.

Whilst PSR is still limiting their transfer activity, late sales could yet take place to free up some funds for the likes of Paqueta. Emiliano Martinez, for example, is still being linked with a move away from the club, as has been the case all summer long, and Manchester United could yet make a late attempt to secure his signature.

The Red Devils are primarily focused on signing Senne Lammens, but Villa themselves have also asked about the Royal Antwerp goalkeeper and could set off a Martinez domino effect by hijacking United’s move at the death.

Meanwhile, as that saga threatens to unfold, Villa have at least reportedly agreed a late deal to sign a midfield talent for Unai Emery.

Aston Villa set to sign Fletcher Boyd

According to Pete O’Rourke of Football Insider, Aston Villa have now agreed a deal to sign Fletcher Boyd from Aberdeen. The 17-year-old attacking midfielder is reportedly scheduled to undergo a medical at the club on Sunday before officially completing his move from the Scottish club.

One for the future, Boyd’s opportunities are likely to come with Villa’s youth sides rather than straight into Emery’s thinking. The pathway to the first-team is certainly one that he’ll have his eye on, however, having already experienced senior football at Aberdeen.

Better than Asensio: Aston Villa ready to move for "explosive" £50m star

While Marco Asensio may return to Villa Park, Aston Villa are also planning a move to sign an “explosive” Premier League star…

By
Ben Gray

Aug 30, 2025

After scoring on his debut for Aberdeen at just 16 years old last year, Boyd received impressive praise from former interim boss Peter Levin, who told reporters: “Just to get his debut is amazing but to score… wow, he will never forget that.

“The fans were unbelievable and for them to sing ‘Fletcher Boyd, he’s one of our own’ is a fairytale for him. Fletcher has been brilliant this season for the under-18s and they won the league the other day. He has contributed to more than 30 goals in the 18s and has just turned 16.”

Zinedine Zidane has revealed he has rewatched Real Madrid’s 2017 Champions League final against Juventus more than six times, describing the performance as “perfection.” The French legend called it the pinnacle of his managerial career, praising the team’s dominance in what was their second of three European successes under the Frenchman.

• Zidane reflects on his finest Real Madrid triumph

  Zidane, who won three consecutive Champions League titles with Madrid as manager, singled out the 2016-17 final against Juventus as his standout moment. Los Blancos dominated the clash, with Cristiano Ronaldo, Casemiro and Marco Asensio all scoring as Madrid ran out 4-1 victors. The Frenchman emphasised the brilliance of his team’s second-half display, repeatedly describing it as the ultimate example of football excellence.

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  Zidane praises Madrid’s 2017 Champions League display

  The 1998 World Cup winner, appearing at the Festival Dello Sport organized by , reflected on his most memorable moments in football. He singled out Madrid’s 2017 Champions League final against Juventus as the pinnacle of his managerial career.

  "The best moment of my career after the World Cup? Our second Champions League against Juventus. The way we played that second half… it was truly spectacular. I've watched it four, five, six times… and I've always said: 'This is football.' Perfection."

• Zidane’s legacy and future prospects in coaching

  Since stepping away from Madrid following his second stint in 2021, Zidane has remained a highly sought-after figure in football. Reports link him to Chelsea, Manchester United and the Saudi Pro League, with speculation also mounting about the French national team job. His remarkable track record and calm leadership style continue to make him a sought-after figure in global football.

  The 53-year-old recently claimed his ultimate dream is to manage the French national team: "I will definitely return to coaching. Me at Juventus? I don't know why it didn't happen. I always have him in my heart because he gave me so much. In the future, I don't know, one of my goals is to coach the French national team. We'll see."

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  Next chapter could see Zidane return to the sidelines

  Zidane has confirmed he plans to return to coaching, with one of his long-term ambitions being to manage France, but top European clubs will be holding onto some hope that they can tempt the 1998 Ballon d’Or winner.

Rangers’ attacking options at Ibrox look very different now compared to just a few weeks ago.

All of last season’s top three scorers have departed this summer, with Václav Černý not returning following his loan spell, while Hamza Igamane departed for £10.4m, before Cyriel Dessers was sold for £3.5m on deadline day.

To replace them, wingers Djeidi Gassama and Oliver Antman have both arrived at Rangers while, in terms of centre-forwards, striker Bojan Miovski has come in from Girona for £2.6m, thrown in for his debut against Celtic last weekend.

Then, on deadline day, with Dessers Athens-bound, the new 49ers ownership group sanctioned one of the most expensive signings in the club’s history, but would they simply have been better off keeping a “rapid” forward?

Youssef Chermiti's move to Rangers

Last Monday, Rangers signed Youssef Chermiti from Everton in an £8m deal that could rise to £10m with performance-based add-ons.

This makes him Rangers’ most-expensive signing of the post-liquidation era, smashing Ryan Kent’s record, behind only Tore André Flo’s £12m move to Ibrox from Chelsea in 2000.

Well, the 21-year-old’s career on Merseyside does not leap off the page as someone who warrants a record-breaking transfer fee.

Chermiti began his career at Sporting CP, scoring three goals in 22 senior appearances for the Lisbon-based club, but this was enough to convince Everton to pay £11.5m to secure his signature in August 2023.

Well, fair to say this did not prove to be a shrewd investment, given that Chermiti did not score a single goal in 24 appearances for the Toffees, albeit these totalled just 295 minutes, with 22 of them as a substitute, of which 16 were cameos of ten minutes or fewer, in his defence.

Thus, it very much remains to be seen if Chermiti will be a success in Glasgow or not, making him a very expensive gamble.

So, would Rangers simply have been better off keeping hold of their “rapid” forward, rather than selling him for £4m?

Rangers' forgotten forward

Four years ago, Rangers signed forward Fashion Sakala on a free transfer, arriving from Oostende after his contract had expired at the Belgian club.

During two seasons in Glasgow, the Zambian international certainly made his mark, bagging 24 goals for Rangers, registering nine and then 12 during his two Premiership campaigns.

Speaking on Sportscene following Rangers’ 4-1 victory over Hibernian at Easter Road in March 2023, in which Sakala scored and bagged two assists, Steven Thomson praised his “immense” performance, while Leanne Crichton labelled him “rapid”.

Then, somewhat out of the blue, Sakala joined Saudi Pro League side Al-Fayha for a reported fee of £4m and, well, he hasn’t stopped scoring since then.

During his first season with the Orange, he bagged 19 Saudi Pro League goals, a tally only bettered by Cristiano Ronaldo and Aleksandar Mitrović, as the table below documents.

As the table documents, Sakala was outstanding during his debut season in Saudi Arabia, ranking third for goals, shots and shots on target, completing the joint-most dribbles alongside Allan Saint-Maximin.

Last season, his form did dip, bagging only eight times in the Saudi Pro League, but this still means he has accumulated 30 goals across all competitions during two seasons with Al-Fayha, registering an assist against Al-Fateh on the opening day of this season.

During the same time frame, new signing Chermiti has scored, well, zero goals, having bagged just three in his entire senior career.

Thus, all available evidence suggests that the Zambian would certainly be more of a sure-fire thing in attack, rather than the recently arrived, expensively recruited Portuguese U21 international.

Rangers have found the new Cerny in £2m star who Martin thinks is "exciting"

Václav Černý was always going to be a difficult player for Rangers to replace, but could their “exciting” £2.2m signing actually prove to be better?

By
Ben Gray

Sep 8, 2025

The USMNT boss has a roster emerging that he can trust, with several playing their way into – or out of – World Cup contention

COMMERCE CITY, Colo. – Even as he raved about the performance of some of his U.S. men's national team stars, Mauricio Pochettino continued to offer caveats. Yes, some players shined in this camp. No, that wouldn't guarantee them anything in the future. 

"It's open," Pochettino said Tuesday night. "It's open for every single USA player that is playing here or outside of this country. I think we need to feel that possibility."

Pochettino does genuinely mean that. He is assessing all options, particularly now that the team is in a better place than it was earlier this year. The focus is no longer on which players are committed and passionate, but rather the players that fit into the system and the players that will, ultimately, make this team better on the road to and during the 2026 World Cup.

Several made their cases during this international break, which began with a 1-1 draw with Ecuador last weekend and concluded with a 2-1 win over Australia on Tuesday night. Both performances were, by and large, strong. Both were huge improvements on what we saw even last window. And both offer a glimpse into the style and substance the USMNT could play with next summer.

Pochettino is assembling his pieces. There seems to be a group emerging that he can trust, with several playing their way into – or perhaps out of – that group over the last few days. 

"Not only do you need good players, but you also need good teammates, good people, people that put the interest of the national team above their own interests," Pochettino said. "That's is important to see: the behavior in situations when you're not playing well. We take notes and then, of course, we'll see when we decide the roster."

Who stood out? Whose stock rose, and whose fell? GOAL takes a look.

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  Stock up: Tanner Tessmann

  For months, there’s been a defensive midfielder-sized hole next to Tyler Adams. Who would fill it? Would Johnny Cardoso step up? Couldn Weston McKennie slot in? What about Yunus Musah? At the moment, the player seemingly best equipped to play next to Adams is actually Tanner Tessmann.

  Tessmann didn’t do anything flashy this camp, although he did have one ridiculous pass at the end of the Australia game. He, generally, won’t be asked to do anything flashy. What Pochettino wants from that spot is someone who can hold space while Adams roams and destroys. He also wants someone who can play the ball forward in ways that Adams can’t. 

  In that sense, Tessmann seems like a perfect fit. His defensive awareness has improved massively and he’s always had the athleticism and skill on the ball required for the position. Because of that, he’s in a good spot right now. 

  "The goal is for the U.S. to win the World Cup," he told GOAL last week. "It's not about me winning the World Cup. When you win, your country wins the World Cup. Whatever I can do to make that happen, I'm going to do it. That's my No. 1. So, even when I'm left off, it's personally disappointing, but when I see the guys go out there and play well, I love seeing that. I just want to be available, be healthy and be there controlling what I can control.

  "At the end of the day, the decision is up to other people. They select the team, and I trust their decision. At the end of the day, it's about America winning the World Cup, not me winning the World Cup."

  Much can change over the next few months, something Pochettino has said time and time again. At the moment, though, Tessmann seems like the best answer to a question that’s been on the minds of USMNT fans for some time.

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  Stock down: Cameron Carter-Vickers

  Throughout camp, Pochettino did his rotating. Much like previous camps, Pochettino wanted a look at different things but he also wanted to manage the altitude that impacted everyone in that second game outside of Denver. Despite all that, we never saw Cameron Carter-Vickers – and that means that the Celtic star missed a chance. 

  We haven’t seen Carter-Vickers since that messy Nations League window in March, and Celtic’s European elimination in the early weeks of this season will do him no favors. This seemed a good camp for him to get into the team and prove he can play in a back three, something he generally doesn’t do on the club level.

  Instead, Chris Richards and Miles Robinson started twice with Tim Ream and Mark McKenzie handing off the spot beside them. That leaves Carter-Vickers staring down the reality of the depth chart.

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  Stock up: Haji Wright

  Of the USMNT's strikers, none are in better form than Haji Wright. He showcased that on Tuesday, as he ensured that that form carried over on his cross-Atlantic trip.

  Handed his first USMNT start in a year, Wright made the most of his opportunity. After missing much of the Gold Cup due to injury, Wright responded with both goals in the 2-1 win over Australia. The first was the finish of a striker in-form as the Coventry City star blasted a shot into a place where no goalkeeper could stop it.

  The second was a bit of finesse: a curled effort that was preceded by a dribble that saw Wright totally breeze past his defender. It was a statement game from a player that has been making a lot of statements on the club level, where he currently leads the English Championship in goals. Wright now has 11 goals and his last 11 games for club and country.

  "I think I have to just continue to perform", Wright said after the game. "If I just shut off now, my chances will probably diminish. I'm happy it happened, but can I try to build off that now?"

  He'll have to do that. Folarin Balogun and Ricardo Pepi are seemingly penciled in as the top two options, with the former asserting himself as the No. 1 with his own goal this window and Pepi still bouncing back from injury. Wright seems to be the one just behind.

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  Stock down: Josh Sargent

  Speaking of other strikers in the pool, it feels unfair to pick on a guy that wasn't in camp. But such is the reality of Sargent's current situation. Everyone knows the scenario: Sargent scores boatloads for his club, but hasn't scored for his country since 2019. It's a problem, one that could have and should have been solved by now.

  It hasn't, though, and while Sargent has been unable to change that trend, others have popped in with goals. This camp it was Balogun and Wright. Over the summer, it was Patrick Agyemang. At the moment, it seems like all four of those guys are ahead of the Norwich City star.

  Now the big question is how – or if – Sargent can fix it. Scoring goals at Norwich is great, and he's proven he can do that for years. The big question will remain if he can do it for the USMNT. With only two international windows remaining before the World Cup and a need to see more from the four strikers ahead of him, there may not be a chance for Sargent to change perceptions.

  Because of that, it's getting tougher to see a scenario for Sargent to push his way into the World Cup picture. Strikers, however, are tricky, as one run of form either way can change a roster. That said, Sargent's runs of form tend to come in the wrong shirt as his USMNT struggles seemingly continue to haunt him.

After taking the reins during the summer, new boss Thomas Frank will want to bring added success to Tottenham Hotspur after the Europa League triumph last season.

The Dane has key Premier League experience, spending four years in charge at Brentford after getting the Bees promoted back in the 2020/21 campaign.

However, his appointment is undoubtedly the next step in his career, but his tactical knowledge could see him be a huge hit with the Lilywhites faithful in the years ahead.

The 51-year-old has already made an immediate impact in the role, winning two of his three outings in England’s top-flight – one of which was against Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City.

Despite his impressive start to life at the club, Frank will undoubtedly be wishing that he had one former player to rely upon in his hunt for trophies in North London.

Gareth Bale’s time at Tottenham Hotspur

After arriving from Southampton as a 17-year-old, Gareth Bale originally moved to Spurs as a left-back, but that quickly changed during his time in North London.

His trajectory changed massively after transitioning into a more attacking role, with his hat-trick in the Champions League meeting with Inter Milan at the San Siro back in 2010 certainly aiding his claim for a forward-minded position.

In the following campaign, the Welsh international registered 26 combined goals and assists – catching the eye of various sides across Europe, but staying put to continue his impressive development.

The former Saints youngster became settled in a right-wing position, with such a move helping him achieve the best season of his career for goal contributions in 2012/13.

Bale scored 26 times that year, subsequently becoming known for his trademark cut-in off the right-hand side before finding the top corner – which made him one of Europe’s hottest properties.

Real Madrid would win the race for his signature that summer, moving to the LaLiga side for a reported £85m fee – a then world-record fee, overtaking the money forked out for Cristiano Ronaldo a few years prior.

The Spurs star who could be Frank’s own Bale

Whilst Bale was a player who endured huge levels of success at Spurs, his time at the club wasn’t all plain sailing – he nearly departed the Lilywhites back in the summer of 2009.

It was previously reported that Nottingham Forest made a £2m bid for the Welshman, with the hierarchy even accepting the offer to allow him to depart after just a couple of years in North London.

Whilst a deal appeared close at one stage, the player himself, in the end, had a change of heart, deciding to stay and fight for his place in the first-team rather than starting afresh.

The decision proved to be a blessing in disguise for the club and the player himself, with no one anticipating such a rise at the time of his proposed move to the City Ground.

Such a situation has reoccurred over the last couple of years, with full-back Djed Spence a player who looked almost certain to leave the Lilywhites at one point.

The 25-year-old joined the club back in the summer of 2022, arriving in a £20m deal from Middlesbrough – even though manager Antonio Conte was against the signing at the time.

He only made six appearances for the first-team, before three unsuccessful loan spells at Rennes, Leeds United and Genoa – with the latter having an option to buy at the end of the 2023/24 campaign.

However, the immense injury crisis last season handed the right-back the opportunity to impress – one that he took with both hands – subsequently going on to make 35 appearances across all competitions in 2024/25.

Spence, who’s been labelled “sensational” by one analyst, has played in every minute of Frank’s tenure to date – earning himself a maiden England call-up during the recent international break.

No supporter could’ve predicted such a rise given his lack of action in previous seasons, but it’s safe to say the Englishman now looks a bargain and a player who will play a huge part in any success during the Dane’s tenure.

Should he continue on his current trajectory, there’s no reason why the defender can’t be a part of the 2026 World Cup squad – not to mention further impressing in North London.

His situation is extremely similar to that of Bale, with the Lilywhites once again having another huge talent on their hands, which could see another massive payday in the years ahead.

Frank's new Wissa: Spurs striker sold for just £12m is now outscoring Kane

Tottenham Hotspur made a huge mistake in allowing one youngster to depart the club.

By
Ethan Lamb

Sep 12, 2025

Leeds United have not been good enough at the top end of the pitch since they earned promotion back to the Premier League by winning the Championship.

The Whites have made club history by failing to score a single goal from open play in any of the first four matches of the league campaign, with their only strike coming from the penalty spot against Everton.

Lukas Nmecha’s spot kick sealed all three points for the Championship champions on the opening day of the season, but they have failed to score in three matches since then.

Leeds reportedly had a bid in for Fulham winger Harry Wilson on deadline day, and felt they matched his valuation, only for the Cottagers to pull out of a deal at the last minute.

This meant that the Whites ended the window with Noah Okafor as the only attacking signing brought in for a transfer fee, alongside free transfers for Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Nmecha.

The lack of business done in the attacking positions has left Daniel Farke with a clutch of players who have previously shown that they are not up to the task in the Premier League, including Dan James and Wilfried Gnonto.

Why Leeds are struggling to score goals this season

Speaking to Beren Cross after the 1-0 loss to Fulham in the Premier League on Saturday, Farke challenged his attackers to prove people wrong.

The German boss said: “James, Harrison, Aaronson with us when we were relegated and they were called hopeless. They still have a point to prove these judgments are not right. We have this type of offensive players and I’m looking forward to improving them, but we shouldn’t expect miracles.”

Publicly admitting that critics described your players as “hopeless” and that the club have failed to replace them since that 2022/23 campaign is an interesting decision by Farke, and one that, hopefully, spurs the players on to prove people wrong.

But the fact that they have kept those three players, along with Gnonto, as their wide options alongside new signing Okafor, is part of the reason why the penalty from Nmecha in the clip above is the only goal they have scored in the top-flight.

James and Gnonto started the season as the first-choice wing pairing, after Manor Solomon returned to Tottenham Hotspur, and they have not done anywhere near enough at the top end of the pitch.

As you can see in the table above, both players have struggled badly in possession so far this season, with no shots on target or ‘big chances’ created between them after four matches.

This comes after James and Gnonto combined for four goals in 48 appearances in the Premier League for Fulham and Leeds respectively in the 2022/23 campaign, per Sofascore.

Relying on players who have previously struggled in the top-flight, instead of bringing in quality replacements, is why the Whites are now struggling so badly in the Premier League this season.

Unfortunately, the West Yorkshire outfit sold a player last year who would solve a lot of the team’s current problems in the final third, as Georginio Rutter has proven himself in the top-flight with Brighton.

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Leeds sold the France U21 international to the Premier League side for a whopping fee of £40m after the 2023/24 campaign, which was a terrific fee for the club. You cannot blame them for cashing in because it was a release clause in his contract.

However, the Whites, even after winning promotion to the Premier League and having a summer transfer window to recruit more talent, have failed to replace the quality that he provided at the top end of the pitch.

Why Georginio Rutter would solve Leeds United's attacking issues

The left-footed star is a mercurial and versatile attacking talent who would be a difference-maker for Leeds in their current condition, because they lack quality in the final third.

Rutter, who can play centrally or out wide, proved his quality in the Premier League during his first season at Brighton, as he scored eight goals and provided five assists in all competitions, per Sofascore.

As you can see in the table above, the French magician delivered 11 goals and ‘big chances’ created combined in just 19 starts for his current club in the top-flight last term.

He scored as many goals in the Premier League last season as Aaronson, James, and Gnonto managed in their last full seasons in the division combined, which illustrates the kind of goal threat that he can offer.

The left-footed forward’s form in the 2023/24 Championship campaign for Leeds also shows that he has far more to offer to the team than Gnonto and James as a creative force.

Per Sofascore, Rutter created a staggering 22 ‘big chances’ and racked up 10.52 xA in 45 appearances in the 2023/24 season. Last term, Gnonto created ten ‘big chances’ and 3.74 xA and James created 16 ‘big chances’ and 8.66 xA in the Championship for Leeds.

These statistics suggest that the £40m-rated star can also create high-quality chances at the top end of the pitch for his teammates more frequently than Gnonto and James.

Rutter, who talent scout Jacek Kulig claimed has “blistering” pace, would be a big upgrade on Farke’s current attacking options because of his ability to score and create goals more effectively than the likes of Gnonto, James, and Aaronson.

Of course, it was not a mistake by Leeds to sell the attacker last year, because there was a release clause in his contract, but it now seems like they could use a player with his quality to solve the team’s attacking issues in the Premier League this season.

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