Changing styles and systems has been a common thread at Tottenham Hotspur in recent times.
From the fluid football of Mauricio Pochettino to the win-at-all-costs pragmatism of Jose Mourinho. From the gung-ho, all-action style of Ange Postecoglou, to the more conservative, measured approach of Thomas Frank.
The latter man is currently trying to steady the ship again following a turbulent and chaotic ‘second season’ under Postecoglou, although there is a sense that the Dane needs to take the handbrake off, even with the Lilywhites currently residing in fifth in the Premier League table.
With 11 games played, the north Londoners have collected 18 points, scoring 19 goals and shipping just ten. Two years earlier, for comparison, Postecoglou’s first 11 league games yielded 26 points, having scored 23 goals and conceded 13.
Of course, that rampant start wasn’t maintained, although the enigmatic Aussie swiftly got supporters onside. As was evident amid the jeers at his substitutions in the recent 2-2 draw with Manchester United, Frank is yet to do just that.
Patience is required, however, with further investment likely to be needed, not least in the forward ranks. How about Antoine Semenyo, anyone?
Latest on Tottenham's interest in Semenyo
Frank is still fine-tuning his frontline, in the absence of Dominic Solanke, having unleashed 14 different attacking combinations in just 18 games this season, while never using the same one more than twice, as noted by the Daily Mail.
Ex-West Ham United man Mohammed Kudus has perhaps been the brightest spark off the right, with six goals and assists already in 2025/26, although a solution still needs to be found on the opposite side, following Son Heung-min’s emotional summer exit.
Enter, Semenyo, with the “best winger in the country” – as hailed by Spurs great Chris Waddle – reportedly among the targets that Spurs are considering heading into 2026, having previously been in the mix for his signature, alongside Man United, over the summer.
As reported this week by The Athletic’s David Ornstein, the north London side are still among the clubs keen on signing the Ghanaian, with the 25-year-old having a £65m release clause that comes into effect for a specific time period in January.
Previously valued at closer to £70m, it looks as if Bournemouth are now almost powerless to prevent their star man from leaving in the near future, with that £65m figure set to reduce even further over the summer.
With nine goals and assists in 11 league outings this term, unsurprisingly, Semenyo has also caught the attention of clubs such as Liverpool and Manchester City, with it yet to be seen whether Spurs can nudge ahead in that intriguing battle for his services.
Should they miss out on the ex-Bristol City man, all is not lost, however, with Frank and co already having an internal solution to unleash in the near future.
Spurs' answer to Antoine Semenyo
As already stated, after trialling the likes of Wilson Odobert, Richarlison and Xavi Simons off the left flank, a true permanent successor to Son on that side still needs to be found, with the South Korean moving on after netting 173 goals in 454 games in all competitions for the club.
Semenyo, for what it’s worth, would be a dream solution, with his breathtaking ability having been evident in the recent win over Fulham, as he tore down the left flank before somehow converting from an acute angle.
With Liverpool and City in the mix, however, there may well be a bigger fish, with Spurs instead needing to look elsewhere to find Son’s true heir in that wide role.
Thankfully, in the form of his compatriot Yang Min-Hyeok, the north Londoners may already have just that, with the teenage winger described as “like Son Heung-min” by journalist Jason Lee, who tipped him to be “Korea’s next superstar”.
While yet to actually feature for his parent club, Yang has shown more than just flashes of his quality out on loan in 2025, first starring during a six-month stint at Queens Park Rangers, where he scored twice and registered one assist in 14 games.
Games (starts)
38 (37)
Goals
12
Big chances missed
5
Assists
5
Big chances created
8
Key passes*
0.9
Pass accuracy*
78%
Successful dribbles*
0.9
Fouls won*
0.8
Back in the Championship again this season, now with Portsmouth, the 19-year-old has again chalked up three goal involvements from ten games across all fronts, enjoying a particularly fruitful October amid an initial slow start to life on the south coast.
Currently travailing the EFL, like Semenyo did in the past with Bristol, Newport County and Sunderland, the early signs are certainly promising for Yang, having been “on fire” for Pompey in the view of talent scout Jacek Kulig.
Not just blessed with blistering pace, what also sets Yang apart – much like Semenyo and Son – is his two-footedness. Indeed, both of his goals for QPR came with his left, while both of his efforts for Pompey have come with his right.
The former Gangwon gem – who scored 12 times in 38 senior games at his former club – looks destined to be a fixture of Frank’s first-team heading into next season, with Spurs able to save themselves millions by not signing another winger to block his pathway and development.
With fellow teenager Mikey Moore – currently out on loan at Rangers – also in the equation, that left-hand side looks to be in safe hands. Semenyo might well not be needed.
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