Building a successful football club is about more than just signing big-name players from other teams. A crucial part of the puzzle, and one that often goes unnoticed, is looking after the talent you already have.
It’s about rewarding players who perform, securing the core of your team for the long term, and making sure your most promising young stars see their future at the club.
Right now, Tottenham Hotspur appears to be excelling in this area, creating a positive and stable environment under the guidance of manager Thomas Frank and CEO Vinai Venkatesham.
This strategy operates on two parallel tracks: securing the first-team stars who drive the team on matchdays, and nurturing the next generation coming through the academy.
On the youth side, the club has been particularly busy. The latest player to commit his future is Luca Williams-Barnett, a highly-rated teenage attacking midfielder who recently made his senior debut.
He follows a string of other promising youngsters like Tynan Thompson and Callum Olusesi who have signed new contracts this year. This is a clear signal that Tottenham is serious about building from within and creating a pathway for homegrown talent to reach the first team.
However, the most significant moves have been in the senior squad, where the club has acted decisively to ward off interest from some of Europe’s biggest clubs.
Defender Cristian Romero, a rock at the back, was repeatedly linked with a move to Atletico Madrid over the summer.
Instead of a transfer saga, the outcome was a new contract for the Argentine, a major boost for Frank and a statement of intent from the club.
The focus is now on his defensive partner, the incredibly quick Micky van de Ven. With reported interest from clubs like Real Madrid and Chelsea, Tottenham is reportedly prepared to significantly increase his wages to secure his long-term future, a smart move given his importance to the team.
The commitment to stability has now extended to the heart of the midfield with the official confirmation of a new long-term contract for Rodrigo Bentancur.
This deal is especially important because the Uruguayan’s previous contract was set to expire in 2026, which would have put the club in a vulnerable position. The new agreement removes that uncertainty and reflects his vital role in Thomas Frank’s plans.
Bentancur’s journey at Tottenham has been a story of resilience. After working his way back from a serious injury, he has re-established himself as a fundamental piece of the puzzle.
This season, he has formed what many insiders are calling a “stellar partnership” with summer signing Joao Palhinha.
This duo provides the balance in midfield that every successful team needs; a blend of tenacity, intelligence, and ball-winning ability that allows the more attacking players to flourish.
The manager has been very clear about his admiration for the player. Frank has publicly praised Bentancur not just for his quality on the pitch, but for his professionalism and attitude in training.
It was this high regard that led Frank and CEO Vinai Venkatesham to quickly agree that securing Bentancur’s future was a top priority for the club. Their unified approach has now paid off, with the player putting pen to paper on a new deal.
Bentancur’s contributions are easy to see. He is the kind of midfielder who does the essential, often unglamorous work that wins football matches.
Last season, he averaged more interceptions per game than any other Tottenham player, a statistic that highlights his reading of the game and his ability to break up opposition attacks.
The table below illustrates some of Micky van de Ven’s standout performances this season, showing the level of quality Tottenham is building around in their defensive unit:
| Match | Rating |
|---|---|
| West Ham 0-3 Tottenham | 8.08/10 |
| Tottenham 3-0 Burnley | 7.44/10 |
| Man City 0-2 Tottenham | 6.76/10 |
| Tottenham 1-1 Wolves | 6.72/10 |
| Tottenham 0-1 Bournemouth | 6.58/10 |
For manager Thomas Frank, this new contract is a source of great satisfaction. He now has his preferred midfield anchor tied down for the foreseeable future.
In a statement, Frank said he was “extremely happy” that Bentancur will remain at the club, emphasizing how pivotal he will be in the years to come.
This wave of new contracts does more than just keep good players at the club. It builds a culture. It shows everyone, from the first-team stars to the academy kids, that hard work and commitment are recognized and rewarded.
It creates a sense of stability and shared purpose, which is the perfect foundation for a team with serious ambitions. By securing its present and investing in its future, Tottenham is building something special, one signature at a time.
