It would be far too easy to say Tottenham Hotspur’s 2025/26 season is already slipping away, but Thomas Frank knows the truth is far more uncomfortable. What happens in January could define everything. Spurs are still alive in multiple competitions, yet the margins are tightening fast, and poor decisions now could leave the club drifting once again.
The mood around north London has been uneasy. Tottenham remain stuck in the lower half of the Premier League table, and recent performances have done little to lift belief. Hosting Aston Villa in the FA Cup offers a brief distraction, but league form cannot be ignored. Two wins from 12 league matches is not the standard expected, and the problems are no longer isolated incidents. They are patterns.
A youthful squad gives hope for the future, but football does not pause while players mature. Results are needed now. The lack of control, creativity, and authority in midfield has been one of the biggest reasons Spurs have struggled to impose themselves on matches. Injuries have not helped, but they cannot be used as a shield forever.
The situation worsened when Rodrigo Bentancur picked up what looks like a serious hamstring injury. His absence removes one of the few midfielders capable of setting tempo and linking play with purpose. Without him, Spurs have often looked flat, predictable, and short of ideas. That reality has forced ENIC into action.
Reports from Brazil suggest Tottenham have now submitted a bid worth around €30 million for West Ham United midfielder Lucas Paquetá. Flamengo would love to bring him back to South America, but Spurs have entered the picture with real intent.
Paquetá is said to be unhappy at West Ham, where the team’s struggles and relegation fears have taken their toll. Convincing him to move across London will not be simple, but Tottenham believe the opportunity could be too good to ignore.
At 28, Paquetá is entering his prime. While his numbers this season may not jump off the page, context matters. He has still performed well in a side that has often looked disjointed and short on confidence. His vision, energy, and technical quality remain clear, and he has long carried the reputation of being a player who can change games with a single moment.
What makes this move especially interesting is how directly it affects James Maddison. Injuries have disrupted Maddison’s time at Spurs, and a knee problem suffered in pre-season threatens to keep him sidelined for most, if not all, of the campaign. Even when he returns, finding rhythm and sharpness will take time. Football rarely waits, and Paquetá would arrive ready to contribute immediately.
Both players operate in similar spaces, thrive between the lines, and combine flair with bite. They are creators, but not passengers. They press, tackle, and fight for possession. In short, Paquetá would not just cover for Maddison. He would compete with him.
Below is a simple comparison of their recent Premier League output, highlighting just how close their profiles really are:
| Stat (per game) | James Maddison | Lucas Paquetá |
|---|---|---|
| Matches (starts) | 31 (21) | 18 (18) |
| Goals | 9 | 4 |
| Assists | 7 | 1 |
| Shots (on target) | 1.3 (0.5) | 1.3 (0.6) |
| Touches | 51.1 | 63.4 |
| Accurate passes | 32.1 (87%) | 33.8 (77%) |
| Key passes | 1.3 | 1.3 |
| Big chances created | 6 | 6 |
| Successful dribbles | 1.1 | 0.9 |
| Ball recoveries | 2.5 | 4.4 |
| Tackles + interceptions | 1.4 | 2.6 |
| Duels won | 4.3 | 6.8 |
The numbers show two midfielders cut from a similar cloth, but Paquetá offers more physical output and defensive bite. That balance could be exactly what Frank is looking for as he tries to stabilise Tottenham’s midfield.
On top of that, Paquetá’s underlying data paints the picture of a complete modern midfielder. He ranks highly for progressive passing, defensive actions, and aerial duels across Europe. That blend of creativity and intensity fits neatly into Frank’s footballing philosophy, where midfielders must work as hard without the ball as they do with it.
Yes, the move would upset West Ham fans, just as Mohammed Kudus’ switch last summer raised eyebrows. But elite clubs make tough decisions, and sentiment rarely wins trophies. At £150,000 per week, Paquetá would arrive with expectation, but also with the authority Spurs have lacked in the centre of the pitch.
If this deal happens, it could quietly signal the beginning of the end for Maddison’s guaranteed place when fit. Tottenham need competition, not comfort. And right now, Paquetá looks like the kind of signing who could change the mood, sharpen standards, and finally give Spurs a midfield capable of matching their ambition.
