Tottenham Hotspur’s recruitment team is continuing to make moves with a long-term vision in mind, as the club aims to bring in another reliable goalscorer who can contribute immediately while also being an investment for the future.
Among their targets is Aghehowa, a young and talented forward who has impressed several European scouts with his potential and versatility.
Reports from Spain suggest that the player himself would be open to a move to England, believing he is ready to test himself in the Premier League. While Porto are reluctant to lose him, they have made it clear that they would consider offers that meet their financial expectations.
Though Tottenham have not been specifically mentioned in the latest report from Fichajes, the player’s desire to move to England could make the north London club an ideal destination given their ongoing search for attacking reinforcements.
Behind Tottenham’s strategic transfer activity lies a detailed and structured scouting network led by Rob Mackenzie, the club’s Head of Scouting.
Mackenzie recently offered a fascinating insight into how Spurs identify, assess, and recruit talent under the leadership of head coach Thomas Frank and technical director Johan Lange.
Speaking to Training Ground Guru, Mackenzie explained that his team of 10 scouts and analysts are responsible for finding and recommending players from international youth levels all the way to senior professionals.
His department operates with both a global and local focus, using data-driven analysis alongside live match scouting to ensure Tottenham can identify top talent before their competitors.
Mackenzie shared that Tottenham’s scouting setup includes experienced scouts based in different regions, such as Joao Ferreira in Portugal, Giuseppe Di Credico in Italy, and Max Legath in Germany.
These regional scouts are responsible for monitoring their domestic competitions while also keeping tabs on promising players across Europe.
Mackenzie emphasized that the modern world of football scouting allows for greater flexibility, explaining that travel logistics are easier than ever, which means Tottenham’s focus is now on the quality of the scout rather than their geographic location.
In addition to the regional scouts, the club has key figures such as Alex Fraser, the Chief Scout, and Seb Taghizadek working domestically, along with Mackenzie himself, who remains actively involved in live scouting to personally assess players being recommended for signing.
Complementing the on-ground team is a group of recruitment analysts who specialize in video analysis, data interpretation, and player profiling.
These analysts play a key role in shaping Tottenham’s understanding of a player’s performance and long-term potential.
The department is further supported by Jamie Bryan, who manages travel and meeting logistics, ensuring that first impressions during player visits are handled professionally.
Meanwhile, Joe Bucknall, the Lead Scouting Insights Analyst, provides in-depth data and objective insight to give the team a complete picture of each target’s performance metrics and growth potential.
One of the most defining features of Tottenham’s recruitment process under Thomas Frank is the emphasis on character. Mackenzie revealed that Frank insists on bringing in players who are confident yet humble, disciplined, and respectful a philosophy often referred to as the manager’s “no d**kheads” policy.
This means that beyond technical ability, the player’s personality, work ethic, and professionalism are just as important in determining whether they fit into the club’s culture.
Mackenzie acknowledged that evaluating personality can be challenging since opinions differ from person to person. What one scout may perceive as arrogance could be viewed by another as confidence.
Therefore, Tottenham’s recruitment team strives to gather multiple perspectives from former teammates, coaches, and staff members before making a final judgment on a player’s character.
This attention to detail in both data and human analysis is what has allowed Tottenham to find value in less traditional markets.
The emergence of players like Yang Min-hyeok, currently shining on loan at Portsmouth, and the successful integration of young talents such as Lucas Bergvall and Pape Sarr are strong examples of how the system is working.
Tottenham’s recruitment under Thomas Frank and Rob Mackenzie is clearly guided by a long-term vision balancing immediate needs with smart, character-driven investments in youth.
Whether it’s securing an emerging striker like Aghehowa or unearthing the next hidden gem in Asia or South America, Spurs are building a scouting structure designed not just to buy players, but to shape the club’s future.
