Tottenham Hotspur’s 2025–26 season has been a mix of frustration, inconsistency, and flashes of promise under Thomas Frank. The club hoped the Danish manager could stabilise the team after a difficult campaign last year under Ange Postecoglou, but results so far have left supporters unsure of what direction the team is truly heading in.
Their recent run of form highlights the struggle, especially the 5-3 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League, which came straight after a heavy 4-1 loss to Arsenal in the North London derby. It was a painful reminder of how far the team still has to go if they want to compete with the very best.
Tottenham chose Frank to replace Postecoglou after the Australian was dismissed despite his Europa League triumph. A 17th-place Premier League finish was simply impossible for the club’s owners to ignore, even with the success in Europe.
This season, after 12 matches, Spurs sit on 18 points with five wins, three draws and four defeats. It is not disastrous, but it is not the level the fans expect, and the team’s inconsistency makes every match feel unpredictable.
Even their home form has lacked confidence, and supporters are desperate for a performance that brings back a sense of pride and belief at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
With the season taking shape and the January transfer window approaching, it is clear that Tottenham must address several issues within the squad if they want to push forward and avoid slipping further behind the Premier League’s top sides.
Using a simulation from Football Manager 2026, one of the most realistic and detailed football management tools available, an interesting picture has emerged of what Tottenham’s winter business might look like if the predictions from the game were to come true.
The simulation suggests that Spurs will be fairly active in the market. The most notable incoming deal predicted is a £13 million transfer for Omar El Hilali from Espanyol.
The 22-year-old Moroccan right-back has spent his entire career with the Spanish club and has developed into a strong, reliable defender. If this signing were to happen, he would be the most expensive January arrival for Spurs, and he would offer competition and energy on the right flank an area where the team has sometimes lacked depth.
Another player expected to join is Mathías Olivera from Napoli. The Uruguayan full-back brings top-level experience from Serie A and would give Frank another option in a position where Tottenham have struggled with injuries and inconsistency.
Meanwhile, young Irish forward Mason Melia is predicted to be brought in from St Patrick’s Athletic for around £2 million. Melia is just 18 years old and already part of the Republic of Ireland Under-21 setup, but he is clearly a signing for the future rather than someone expected to make an immediate impact.
Interestingly, the predicted incomings do not include a major attacking signing something many Spurs fans would find disappointing. Tottenham have lacked a regular goal scorer since Harry Kane’s departure, and the team’s struggles in front of goal have been a recurring theme this season.
Supporters will hope the real-life January window delivers a more ambitious approach than the simulation suggests.
On the outgoing side, the biggest surprise from the Football Manager prediction is the loan departure of Djed Spence to Manchester United. This is unexpected because Spence has become an important figure for Spurs over the past year and has played in almost every Premier League match this season.
His pace, defending, and energy on the right side have made him a reliable contributor, and losing him even temporarily would not be well received by the fans. United do need defensive reinforcements, and Spence would be a smart signing for them, but Tottenham would be taking a major risk letting him go.
Another notable predicted exit is Ben Davies, who reportedly joins Juventus for £10 million in the simulation. Davies has been a long-serving and dependable player for Tottenham, capable of filling multiple roles across the defence.
A move to Italy would be a big change for him, and while Spurs might see financial value in the deal, his experience and calmness would be missed in the dressing room.
Several young players are also expected to leave on loan to gain valuable match experience. Tyrell Ashcroft moves to Tranmere Rovers, Callum Olusesi joins Grimsby Town, and goalkeeper Brandon Austin heads to Bournemouth.
These moves are more about development than major squad changes, giving the younger talent a chance to grow.
While Football Manager provides an interesting prediction, it remains only a simulation. Still, the message is clear: Tottenham must use the January window wisely.
The team needs reinforcements, especially a dependable goal-scorer, stronger defensive depth, and players who can add consistency to Frank’s unpredictable squad. Supporters will be hoping the real January business delivers solutions that push the team forward, not surprises that leave more questions than answers.
