Spurs already have a young talent coming out of it with Dowman

Roberto De Zerbi wants Joao Palhinha to stay at Tottenham Hotspur beyond the 2025/26 campaign.

It is understood, of course, that Palhinha has been among the Italian coach's best performers in recent weeks, a commanding midfielder who allows creativity and expansion from those around him.

Palhinha is 30-years-old, but knows the Premier League like the back of his hand, and the youthful nature of the relegation-threatened Tottenham side suggests his experience could prove vital in righting the ship next year, if Spurs avoid relegation.

It's not just experience that Tottenham need, but creativity too. Creativity in football has been decidedly lacking all season, and while De Zerbi has guided the Lilywhites back into the win column, Xavi Simons' ACL injury has complicated the battle against relegation.

What happens next re Xavi Simons

Simons has struggled throughout the season, but his goal against Brighton last month was proof that this is a talented player who can still develop into a Premier League star.

However, his presence will be felt deeply in the next few weeks, even as balance is restored. No Spurs player has created more chances or assisted more goals this year than the Dutchman, who can play out wide or as a number ten.

Conor Gallagher was written off as a flop a few weeks ago, but he's back in action under new management, his style of every act shining through as he's bolstered by a strong pair of liars.

He gets the job done in his team-mates' absence, but Tottenham need a difference-maker, and De Zerbi may need to call the shots.

The Spurs already have a replacement for Simons

Tottenham are stabilizing, but still suffer from a clear lack of brilliance in attacking areas. De Zerbi's new midfielder is active, but the ace card in front of them could prove the difference in fighting back.

Simons won't play a role for some time, but given the large number of absentees from the London squad, perhaps it's time to give Tynan Thompson a shot in the Premier League.

Hailed as part of Tottenham's “special generation” of young talent by scout Jack Kulig, Thompson has been named in Spurs' most thrashed squad over the past few months, although he is yet to play for the first team.

Nevertheless, this is a classy and fleet-footed midfielder who has the potential to compete with the likes of Max Dowman and Rio Ngumoha; He proved this by scoring seven goals and providing two assists in just seven games in the UEFA Youth League this season.

16-year-old Dowman has been the talk of the town this season, impressing for title-challenging Arsenal, but Thompson just needs a chance to show his pace and integrity to put his name on the map.

Palhinha and Bentancur and Gallagher combined for Tottenham, starting a new life in their build-up game, but Thompson can bring pace and direction out wide, especially as Dominic Solanke has returned to the medical room, drawing Richarlison at the front of the ship.

Thompson, who is only 18 years old, was tipped by journalist Alasdair Gold as a possible option for the Londoners in their game against Aston Villa, that emphatic victory, and while he did not make the bench, George Sessions of PA Media went on to report and suggested that Thompson is a smart choice to replace Simons.

The young and inexperienced, yes. However, Thompson is the real deal, and while he will be a bit of a wildcard, perhaps a touch of surprise and verve can help lift Tottenham to the top of the table, safely.