Frank has signed the new Defoe for Spurs but he's becoming a big mistake

And so Tottenham Hotspur put the brakes on their campaign for the third time this season, having played out a frenzied draw with Manchester United in the Premier League.

And so Tottenham sit fifth in the standings, 18 points from 11 matches and eight points behind table-topping rivals Arsenal. Thomas Frank will be frustrated with the manner of this side’s dropped points last weekend, Matthijs de Ligt nodding home right before the final whistle after Richarlison had struck moments before and wheeled away in topless celebration.

How to dissect the details of Spurs’ season? Improvements have been made since Frank replaced Ange Postecoglou after that Europa League triumph last season, a strange repulsion between the continental elation and the sour taste of a 17th-place finish in the Premier League.

But Tottenham lack confidence and coherence and quality in the final third. To dare is to do. Are Tottenham doing enough? That is one of the biggest contentions of the campaign so far, and Frank simply has to find a formula to his side’s offensive struggles as the season heads into the wintry midpoint.

How Frank can fix Spurs' attacking problems

Tottenham have found a way to secure a greater number of points under Frank than they typically managed under his predecessor. However, more goals and created chances are needed if the Londoners are to hit the heights anticipated.

But this is a long-term project, and overnight success was never going to be on the cards. What Frank can do, though, is consider ditching Richarlison, even though the Brazilian scored with a deft header against United at the weekend.

We would be remiss not to acknowledge the cameo of Mathys Tel at the weekend, too. The young striker spun and scored after replacing Xavi Simons off the bench. It started the comeback that ultimately didn’t cement itself, but demonstrated the potential of a versatile forward whose talents could yet be fashioned into something special and suitable for life at the peak of the Premier League.

Dominic Solanke continues to languish in the infirmary, a frustration that has undoubtedly had an adverse effect on Frank’s start at the helm. Had the former Bournemouth striker been fit and in the form of his previous chapter across these past few months, Tottenham would have had a focal outlet from which to channel creativity.

It’s been an issue for the strikers, though, and there’s one man in particular whose campaign has been sent into a spin, even though some have acknowledged he has a bit of Jermaine Defoe about him.

Spurs' "Defoe-esque" star is becoming a big problem

Defoe was a proper Premier League striker. Something of a journeyman, he was always prolific and scored 143 goals across 363 matches in a Lilywhite shirt.

Jermaine Defoe – Career Stats by Club

Club

Apps

Goals (assists)

Tottenham

363

143 (31)

West Ham

104

40 (4)

Sunderland

100

37 (3)

Rangers

74

32 (10)

Bournemouth

64

23 (2)

Portsmouth

36

18 (5)

Toronto

21

12 (3)

Data via Transfermarkt

Quick feet, attacking smarts and a natural-born instinct in front of goal made him a force to be reckoned with.

And now, some feel Spurs have found a similar profile in Randal Kolo Muani. Indeed, presenter Ben Bowman hailed Kolo Muani for his “Defoe-esque” attacking play after the weekend match.

In August, Kolo Muani joined Tottenham on loan from Paris Saint-Germain, but he has struggled for fitness across his opening months in England, left waiting until midway through October for his Premier League debut, and has yet to score or assist in four matches since.

Disaster has struck once again, with the 26-year-old having fractured his jaw during the draw against the Red Devils. Now he is set to see a specialist to ascertain the severity of the setback.

Given the nature of Spurs’ attacking problems, with the injuries, yet again, piling up, it’s fair to say that Kolo Muani is presenting quite the conundrum to Frank’s desk, with this being a “strong, fast and powerful” centre-forward, as said by one analyst, endowed with all he needs to succeed in the Premier League, yet one whose time in England may be short-lived and unsuccessful on the grass.

His time in the French capital was somewhat turbulent, having failed to nail down his presence after transferring from Eintracht Frankfurt in 2023 for a whopping £76m fee. However, a short loan spell with Juventus last season led to ten goals and three assists from only 22 appearances.

Linking this back to the aforementioned Tel, Kolo Muani’s second injury of his Spurs stint could provide the Frenchman with the chance to nail down a regular starting berth.

Couple that with Solanke’s much-anticipated return and the wonders that could work on creating a more solid and dynamic attacking spread, Kolo Muani may be a striker on borrowed time as he struggles to acclimatise before the end of the season, when he will surely close the door on his loan stay down N17 without a sharp upswing in fortunes that look unlikely to materialise at this stage.

Tottenham have some issues, to be sure, but they have also shown themselves to have what it takes to make incremental improvements this season and beyond.

With Kolo Muani now sidelined once again, however, Frank’s scope at number nine has been narrowed. How big a blow will this prove to be? Whatever the verdict, the Les Bleus star is becoming a problem for the London-based outfit.

Spurs flop who's been "swallowed in the PL" must be dropped for Odobert

Thomas Frank can unleash Wilson Odobert by ruthlessly dropping this Spurs flop.

2 ByDan Emery Nov 10, 2025

Man Utd have their own version of Semenyo & he's Amorim's "best player"

A mixed start – and recent injury – for Benjamin Sesko may have put a dampener on things, although it’s hard not to be impressed by Manchester United’s summer recruitment, with it finally looking as if the Red Devils have invested wisely in the transfer market.

It is also worth pondering just how Ruben Amorim’s side might have looked if things had panned out differently at the start of the window, with United notably chasing Ipswich Town’s Liam Delap, after wrapping up a £62.5m deal for Matheus Cunha.

The England striker – fresh off scoring 12 times at Portman Road in the Premier League – was an attractive target due to his £30m release clause, although despite lengthy negotiations, he ultimately opted for Chelsea and Champions League football instead.

There is a sense that perhaps United have had the last laugh with regard to the ex-Manchester City man, with Delap yet to score for the Blues this season, although frustration might still linger over the failure to prise Antoine Semenyo from Bournemouth.

Ahead of ultimately forking out for Sesko, there were suggestions that the Old Trafford side were leading the race for the Ghanaian, amid the prospect of a potential £70m switch.

Frustratingly, the 25-year-old stayed put on the south coast, and is now flourishing again under Andoni Iraola, sparking hope that a renewed approach from Amorim and co could be in store in the New Year.

Latest on Antoine Semenyo's future

There was a sense over the summer that Amorim and co could put together a completely new-look, Premier League-proven forward line, with Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo potentially set to be joined by Semenyo as the attacking spearhead.

Sesko, ultimately, was recruited instead, although with the Slovenian scoring just twice since his arrival from RB Leipzig, a further forward still appears a necessity, hence potentially turning to Semenyo again in 2026.

The former Bristol City man – who can operate all across the frontline, as well as at wing-back – remains a worthy option amid what has been a stunning season so far in 2025/26, having registered nine goals and assists in just 11 league games.

Arguably the “best winger in the country”, in the view of pundit Chris Waddle, Semenyo is again likely to turn heads in January, with The Athletic’s David Ornstein revealing on Monday that there will be a release clause to activate in the player’s contract in that winter window.

Previously valued at £70m, the in-demand speedster will now cost ‘just’ £65m in January for a specific time period, with that figure then set to reduce again next summer.

As per the report, both United and Tottenham Hotspur are named as the clubs who ‘coveted’ him in the most recent window, although the likes of Manchester City and Liverpool are now also in the equation.

As already suggested, Semenyo’s red-hot form has certainly warranted such admiring glances, although back at Old Trafford, Amorim already has a similar figure to shout about.

Man Utd's own version of Semenyo

It has been remarkable to witness Semenyo’s rise under Iraola in recent times, having previously scored just 21 times in 125 games during his stint at Ashton Gate, as well as enduring a goalless seven-game spell at Sunderland in League One.

In 90 games working with the Basque boss, however, the £65m man has already chalked up 40 goals and assists, as per Transfermarkt, with his devastating brilliance best seen on the opening weekend against Liverpool, having run almost the full length of Anfield before lashing home in that 4-2 defeat.

He does look unstoppable right now, although the same can be said of the aforementioned Mbeumo, with Amorim and INEOS perhaps thanking their lucky stars that the Cameroonian decided to join them over the summer, after initially missing out on Delap.

Protracted negotiations with Brentford did ensure it was something of a waiting game to see if the 26-year-old would actually make the switch from west London, although since arriving in the door, the clinical left-footer has hardly put a foot wrong.

Indeed, since netting his first goal for the club away at Grimsby Town, Mbeumo has gone on to score five times in just 11 Premier League games – just one shy of Semenyo’s record – while also chipping in with a solitary assist thus far.

Fresh off the back of a standout 20-goal season with the Bees, the one-time Troyes starlet has already cemented himself as arguably United’s “best player”, in the words of Wayne Rooney, amid his rampant start to 2025/26.

Like Semenyo, the £71m man can operate on either flank or in a false nine role, having even interchanged nicely with Amad at wing-back of late, with the pair striking up a fruitful partnership down that right-hand side.

Games (starts)

11 (11)

11(11)

Goals

6

5

Big chances missed

5

3

Goal conversion

26%

19%

Assists

3

1

Big chances created

0

3

Key passes*

1.0

1.7

Pass accuracy*

77%

80%

Successful dribbles*

1.9

0.8

That likeness to the Bournemouth talisman in a positional sense is also backed up by their likeness in a statistical and stylistic sense, with the pair deemed to be similar players among those in their position in Europe’s top five leagues, as per FBref.

Two of the most in-form forwards in the Premier League right now, you would be splitting hairs to decide who is the better player between Semenyo and Mbeumo, with the two men so decisive for their respective sides.

In an ideal world, they might even be lining up together at some stage in 2026, although even if Semenyo doesn’t end up in Manchester, at least United have Mbeumo to hang their hat on these days.

The new Ronaldo: Man Utd preparing British-record bid for £200m superstar

Manchester United are looking to make further attacking investments after this summer’s spending.

2 ByAngus Sinclair Nov 17, 2025

"بي بي سي" تكشف تطورات موقف سلوت من الرحيل عن ليفربول

كشفت تقارير صحفية موقف الهولندي آرني سلوت، المدير الفني للفريق الأول لكرة القدم بنادي ليفربول، من الرحيل بعد النتائج السيئة التي تحدث للريدز خلال الموسم الحالي.

وكانت آخر مباراة لفريق ليفربول أمام نوتيننجهام فورست مساء أمس، السبت، انتهت بهزيمة الريدز بثلاثية نظيفة على ملعب “آنفيلد”.

ولم يقدم ليفربول أي أداء قوي هذا الموسم باستثناء مباراة ريال مدريد والتي فاز بها بهدف نظيف من ركلة ثابتة وضعها ماك أليستر برأسه في المرمى.

وخرج ليفربول من بطولة كأس رابطة الأندية المحترفة “كاراباو” أمام كريستال بالاس والتي تعتبر أول بطولة يخرج منها الريدز في الموسم.

وبسبب تلك النتائج السيئة التي عانى منها الريدز، أصبح الحديث عن استمرار سلوت في قيادة ليفربول كثيرًا وخاصةً بعد الميركاتو الكبير الذي قدمه النادي بإبرام صفقات تقدر حوالي 500 مليون يورو.

اقرأ أيضًا | إقالة سلوت تضع إدارة ليفربول في ورطة كبرى

وبحسب “بي بي سي”، لا يمكن لأحد أن يزعم أن مهمة سلوت في خطر مباشر، فقد نال الكثير من التقدير في عامه الأول بعد خلافته لكلوب، لكن المدرب الهولندي يواجه بالفعل ضغوطًا هائلة.

يحتاج سلوت إلى تحسين دفاع فريقه، واستعادة قوته الهجومية، وعليه اتخاذ القرارات الصحيحة، فهو من جميع النواحي المدرب الذي فاز ببطولة الدوري الإنجليزي خلفًا ليورجن كلوب.

وأفادت أن إدارة ليفربول لا تزال ترى أن سلوت قادر على إنقاذ الموسم والقرار الأسوأ هو إقالته في الوقت الحالي.

ويحتل ليفربول المركز الـ11 في جدول ترتيب الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز برصيد 18 نقطة بعد تحقيق 6 فوز وخسارة مثلهم.

Brazil player ratings vs Tunisia: Estevao Willian can't stop scoring but Lucas Paqueta skies decisive penalty as Carlo Ancelotti's side held to disappointing draw

Brazil will have to do better next summer if they are to end a wait of 24 years for a World Cup trophy after they were held to a 1-1 draw by a disciplined Tunisia in Lille on Tuesday night. A first half goal from Hazem Mastouri threatened to put the Eagles of Carthage on course for a famous win, albeit in a friendly, but Chelsea prodigy Estevao Willian levelled things up not long before the interval.

A well-supported Tunisia on French soil managed to stifle and frustrate Brazil through the opening quarter of the game and then took the lead in clinical fashion when Mastouri finished from close-range. But an element of fortune got the Selecao back into it just before half-time, a penalty confidently converted by Estevao following a VAR check on what appeared to be a soft handball.

Brazil struggled to create that much of note throughout the second half, largely shooting off target despite racking up more than 20 attempts over the course of the game. A second penalty came as Tunisia too casually tried to play their way out of pressure in their own box, resulting in substitute Vitor Roque being dragged down. But Lucas Paqueta blazed the spot-kick over the bar.

18-year-old Estevao almost had the final say, striking the base of the post with the last kick of the game in stoppage time, but 1-1 was how it finished.

GOAL rates Brazil's players from Stade Pierre-Mauroy…

  • AFP

    Goalkeeper & Defence

    Bento (5/10):

    A more aggressive response to Tunisia's breakthrough might have made it harder for Mastouri to finish by closing the angle much quicker.

    Wesley (5/10):

    Booked inside the opening 10 minutes. Otherwise struggled to make an impact going forward.

    Marquinhos (7/10):

    Hardly misplaced a pass all night and was equal to what Tunisia in limited attacks threw at him.

    Eder Militao (6/10):

    Played an hour before being withdrawn with injury. Was OK apart from that.

    Caio Henrique (7/10):

    A polished defensive performance and a better attacking outlet than his counterpart on the right.

  • Advertisement

  • AFP

    Midfield

    Estevao Willian (8/10):

    Had to wait a long time while being berated by a hostile and largely partisan crowd to take his penalty, but kept his cool exceptionally well to continue an incredible start to his international career. It's five goals in six international appearances so far this season. The only Brazil player who looked very lively.

    Bruno Guimaraes (6/10):

    Got into the right areas but could have done more with the possession he had.

    Casemiro (7/10):

    Saw plenty of the ball in the middle of the pitch and able to use that to create chances with passes forward. Defensively unchallenged.

    Rodrygo (6/10):

    A few positive moments here and there but a frustrating night overall.

  • AFP

    Attack

    Matheus Cunha (5/10):

    Limited impact until being withdran at half-time, just 21 touches of the ball.

    Vinicius Junior (6/10):

    Didn't really do that much to challenge Tunisia, before decent pressing contributed to winning the second penalty.

  • ENJOYED THIS STORY?

    Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

  • AFP

    Subs & Manager

    Danilo (5/10):

    Had to do very little defending after replacing Wesley at half-time. Made little difference.

    Vitor Roque (6/10):

    Won the penalty that Paqueta missed, which will be frustrating.

    Fabricio Bruno (6/10):

    A solid centre-back replacement an hour in.

    Fabinho (5/10):

    Only 22 touches of the ball in half an hour on the pitch. Lacked impact.

    Lucas Paqueta (5/10):

    Had the chance to win the game for his country and fluffed his lines.

    Luiz Henrique (N/A):

    The last of six permitted substitutes towards the end.

    Carlo Ancelotti (6/10):

    Comes away fro this international window with plenty of questions to answer.

Counties reject plan to cut Championship fixtures

PCA refuses to rule out strike action amid concerns player welfare is being disregarded

Vithushan Ehantharajah24-Sep-2025 • Updated on 25-Sep-2025

Oliver Hannon-Dalby says “players’ voice must be heard”•Getty Images

The Rothesay County Championship will remain a 14-match competition next season after counties rejected a proposal to cut the number first-class games to 13.The decision to retain the existing structure, with 10 and eight teams in Division One and Two respectively, came after the alternative option failed to receive the two-thirds majority backing from the 18 Professional County Cricket Clubs (PCCs) required for change. Voting opened on Friday and concluded on Tuesday, prior to the final round of the 2025 campaign.The conclusion comes at the end of a county-led review into the domestic structure which the England and Wales Cricket Broad (ECB) announced on the eve of the Championship season. Several parties within the game, namely the Professional Cricketers’ Association (PCA), felt the schedule was asking too much of players, and urged counties to reassess a packed fixture list.Speaking to the BBC on Thursday, PCA chief executive Daryl Mitchell refused to rule out the possibility of strike action*, although he said it was not something the players’ union “would look to encourage” at this stage.”We will be led by the players,” he said. “The WhatsApp group last night was pretty animated and there were some high emotions.”We are a union. I don’t think any union would rule out the possibility of strike action if their members wanted it. We are completely at the behest of our members on that. We will have those conversations if they are deemed necessary by the player reps and our members.”I don’t think that’s where we’d like to get to. It would have a negative impact on the counties and a negative impact on the game, and that’s not something we’re seeking to do.”It’s not something that has been discussed in great detail. It’s also something that is very easy to say and more difficult to execute because there are implications. Players not being paid is one, the amount of members that would need to vote is another. At this stage I don’t think it’s something we would look to encourage.”In an earlier vote in July, counties agreed to cut the Vitality Blast men’s competition to a 12-match group stage (currently 14), moving to three regional groups of six teams each. However, the PCA have lamented the lack of meaningful change, believing their concerns about player welfare have not been heeded.”Unfortunately, the decision-makers have failed to ensure our premiere red-ball competition remains a standout in world cricket by evolving,” Mitchell said in a statement released by the PCA. “Not just to meet the needs of modern professionals, but to provide a product that captures the imagination for all.”Players appreciate the small tweak to the Vitality Blast schedule, however, we are yet to see a fixture list. At the very least, we expect to see a significant reduction in back-to-back fixtures.”With the continuation of a 14-game Championship season, an indicative schedule for 2026 we have seen suggests there will be two games in nine days following The Hundred, this cannot be acceptable. We now need to ensure the best possible schedule can be created in a structure that remains not fit for purpose.”PCA chair and Warwickshire seamer Oliver Hannon-Dalby added: “The players’ voice must be heard and while we recognise scheduling concerns go well beyond county cricket with a cluttered international calendar and similar issues in other sports, we cannot relent in our ambition to create minimum standards to allow for a safer schedule.”This week’s second, final, vote featured a 13-match County Championship proposal which would have split the 18-clubs into a top tier “Championship” of 12 teams divided into two conferences. The top three of each conference would then be pooled to compete for the title, with the bottom six determining the two sides relegated to a “Championship Two” made up of the remaining six counties. That option also included increasing the One-Day Cup to 10 group-stage matches.The retention of the existing structure does at least mean players, staff and supporters know what is at stake in the final round of the season, which began on Wednesday.Yorkshire, Durham and Hampshire are fighting against joining Worcestershire, whose relegation from Division One was confirmed last week. Leicestershire and Glamorgan have already secured promotion from Division Two.*September 25, 1.30pm BST – This story was updated with Mitchell’s comments

Very Excited Pitcher Incites Brawl Which Ends College Baseball Game After 11 Innings

The Spring Hill College Badgers hosted the Mobile Rams for a single college baseball game on Wednesday. With a three-game series against Moorehouse coming up this weekend for the Badgers and a trip to Blue Mountain University on tap for the Rams, both teams may be down a couple players as Wednesday's game ended with a brawl.

Isidro Jimenez was on the hill for Mobile in the bottom of the 11th with two outs and two runners on when he got Badgers shortstop Seth Williams to pop the ball up behind home plate. With the score tied 5-5 they were headed to the 12th as catcher Clint Smith made the catch to end the inning, Except Jimenez celebrated by screaming a lot in the direction of Williams, who did not appreciate it.

Williams and Jimenez got in each other's faces and teammates came sprinting in from both dugouts and chaos erupted.

The announcer said there were "pure haymakers being thrown" and immediately suggested the game was going to be called. According to the local news report on Wednesday night, the game is now under review by the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. On the team websites the result simply says, "SUSPENDED."

Juan Soto Had Positive Response to Mets Debut Despite Game-Ending Strikeout

Juan Soto's debut game with the New York Mets concluded in unceremonious fashion as Soto struck out to end the game and fall to the Houston Astros.

The Astros held a 3-0 lead for much of the game before Francisco Lindor hit a sacrifice fly in the ninth inning to bring the score to 3-1. With two outs, runners on first and third base and the game on the line, Soto came up to the plate against Astros closer Josh Hader. Hader pitched three balls to start the plate appearance, but then struck out Soto, sealing the Astros win and Mets loss.

"I was expecting to win the game, definitely is not how we wanted. They're a really good team over there," Soto said after the game. "For me, it was a good experience. These guys are amazing. We've been having a good time since spring training, so we've just got to bring that all the way."

Soto finished his first Mets game 1-for-3 with two walks. The ninth inning strikeout was far from what him and the team hoped after he was signed to a record $765 million deal in free agency this offseason, but he should have plenty of other opportunities this season to come up clutch in the final inning.

Getting a win in his debut with the Mets would have been nice, but it's far from a concern. The Mets started last season by losing their first five games and went on to make the National League Championship Series.

"Brilliant" Everton target asks to leave Celtic as Friedkin enter £15m race

Everton have now reportedly joined the race to sign Daizen Maeda in the January transfer window after the Japan international made his exit stance clear to Celtic.

The Toffees’ search for a striker is beginning to become an open secret ahead of the winte window. Neither Beto nor Thierno Barry have hit the heights that those in Merseyside were expecting, with the latter yet to even score a goal this season, and they are now reportedly on the hunt for an extra reinforcement.

Everton hatch striker plan as Moyes moves for star with 18 goals this season

The Toffees’ strikers have struggled to convert and they now have a clinical star in their sights.

By
Sean Markus Clifford

Nov 9, 2025

On that front, a number of names have already been mentioned as potential options. including Ivan Toney and Manchester United’s Joshua Zirkzee. There is a belief that the former will have to complete a return to Europe if he wants to earn a place in Thomas Tuchel’s England squad for the 2026 World Cup. Whether that will see Everton make their move remains to be seen, however.

Zirkzee would also be an interesting choice. The Dutchman has lost his place at Man United ever since the arrivals of Bryan Mbeumo, Matheus Cunha and Benjamin Sesko and now needs a similar revival to the one that Jack Grealish is currently enjoying.

Whether he’d solve their goalscoring problems is another question, though. The forward is more of a false nine than an out-and-out goalscorer, which suggests that he wouldn’t solve David Moyes’ current issue.

The Toffees may not necessarily turn to Premier League experience in 2026 either, with Maeda now also an option.

Everton join race to sign Maeda

As reported by TeamTalk, The Friedkin Group and Everton are now racing to sign Maeda after he told Celtic that he wants to leave the club in 2026. The forward was denied a move in the summer, much to his frustration, but has now told the Bhoys that he’s ready to complete an exit away from Glasgow.

Sending the Premier League on high alert, Everton, Brentford, Leeds United, Wolverhampton Wanderers and West Ham United have all reportedly formed the early race to secure Maeda’s signature, which is available for just £15m.

Although the versatile forward has struggled for goals so far this season – scoring just four goals in 17 games – it’s worth taking Celtic’s own struggles into accout and looking back to just how impressive Maeda was last season.

The 28-year-old scored 33 goals in all competitions last time out and eared justified praised from former manager Brendan Rodgers, who said: “If you are a young player coming through and want to give your honesty to the game, work, intensity and everything.

“No cheating, no nothing – even away at St Mirren, the penalty we got last week he tried to stay on his feet – he’s so honest to the game. Natural isn’t it? He’s been absolutely brilliant.”

Everton now exploring James Ward-Prowse move with Janaury exit expected

Concern for South Africa as Bavuma suffers calf strain

Captain suffers another in-match injury as batting collapses in his absence

Firdose Moonda07-Sep-2025Temba Bavuma has suffered a left calf strain in the field in the third ODI against England and will only bat if required. The severity of the injury is yet to be determined but the niggle may cause some alarm bells for South African cricket. There are five weeks until they begin their World Test Championship title defence in Pakistan.This is Bavuma’s second in-match injury this year, after he strained his hamstring early in his innings during the World Test Championship final in June. On that occasion, he continued batting and made 66 in a match-winning 147 run third-wicket partnership with Aiden Markram. However, he missed South Africa’s Tests in ZImbabwe in July as he recovered from the injury.”It is a little bit sore now. I will know properly when I get home,” Bavuma said, when asked about the seriousness of his injury.Bavuma returned to action in the ODI series against Australia last month, where he played two of the three matches as his workload was managed. That was due to continue in this series but Bavuma has started all three matches. He is not part of the T20 squad and will next be in action in the Tests in mid-October.The latest setback will also be a concern for Bavuma as he looks to build towards the 2027 home ODI World Cup, where he hopes to lead South Africa. Bavuma will be 37 at the time of the tournament and, given his history of injury, may not be fit enough to play through the event. Bavuma had a hamstring injury at the 2023 World Cup and again in Tests against India later that year. He also has a long-standing elbow injury and bats with heavy strapping.In his absence, South Africa collapsed to 72 all out and a record 342-run loss in the third ODI, with Wiaan Mulder – Bavuma’s replacement at No.3 – falling for a duck.

Tottenham poised to call upon "best prospect from the academy" after Kolo Muani injury

Tottenham manager Thomas Frank hauled Randal Kolo Muani off midway through their 2-2 draw with Man United in the Premier League last weekend, and it has since been revealed that the summer signing injured his jaw against the Red Devils.

It then emerged that the problem was actually worse than first feared (Fabrice Hawkins), even forcing Kolo Muani to drop out of France’s World Cup qualifiers against Ukraine and Azerbaijan this month with Lens forward Florian Thauvin replacing him.

This, of course, sparked worry among the Lilywhites fanbase — but reports have since indicated that, while he could be set for a spell out, the striker doesn’t require surgery in what is a real boost for Frank.

Kolo Muani, who was signed from PSG on a straight loan as one of ex-chairman Daniel Levy’s final recruits for Spurs, missed five games with a dead leg soon after his arrival at N17 and had only just returned to full fitness.

Dejan Kulusevski

Knee

29/11/2025

James Maddison

ACL

01/06/2026

Radu Dragusin

Knee

22/11/2025

Ben Davies

Thigh

23/11/2025

Kota Takai

Ankle/Foot

23/11/2025

Mohammed Kudus

Knock

23/11/2025

Randal Kolo Muani

Jaw

23/11/2025

Yves Bissouma

Ankle/Foot

23/11/2025

Lucas Bergvall

Concussion

23/11/2025

Dominic Solanke

Ankle

23/11/2025

Archie Gray

Calf/Shin/Heel

23/11/2025

Cristian Romero

Other

23/11/2025

via Premier Injuries

The 26-year-old was starting to impress as well, with Frank calling Kolo Muani “such a handful” up front for Tottenham against FC Copenhagen in the Champions League — a match where he really should’ve scored a brace — but the forward did manage to set up Wilson Odobert after a brilliant piece of skill to bring the ball down from a lofty height.

Still waiting on his first goal for the north Londoners, Kolo Muani’s return to the treatment table is a sore one to take for the player especially, and it remains to be seen how long he’ll be out for.

The former Juventus and Eintracht Frankfurt star could be forced to wear a mask to protect his jaw upon his return to the field, but if that comes too soon for the North London derby on November 23, The Athletic reports that Frank could call upon a young star to fill Kolo Muani’s void.

Tottenham poised to hand Dane Scarlett chance after Randal Kolo Muani injury

As per the reliable news outlet, Tottenham could hand Scarlett minutes in light of Kolo Muani’s injury, with the 21-year-old having just returned from a groin problem himself.

Scarlett, despite proving himself useful during the club’s injury crisis under Ange Postecoglou last season, has played just 10 minutes in the first-team this campaign and yet to make a single Premier League appearance for Frank.

The Englishman was linked with a late summer exit from Spurs as the youngster, who was once likened to Marcus Rashford by José Mourinho, attempts to kickstart his senior career.

Now, The Athletic claim that Scarlett could be handed a chance to impress for Tottenham after Kolo Muani’s latest issue, and given the complaints surrounding Richarlison, it is an opportunity the forward will be eager to grasp with both hands.

It feels like Scarlett has been patiently waiting for a major breakthrough in the team for years, but time is running out to live up to the hype as his contract also expires in under two years.

Game
Register
Service
Bonus