Summary

Your views on January transfers and the Premier League

  1. Goodbye!published at 17:00 GMT 15 January

    And that, my friend, is that.

    Thanks so much for joining us today.

    The two top lines from this afternoon are Thomas Frank confirming Tottenham striker Richarlison has been ruled out for up to seven weeks with hamstring injury.

    And Leeds have also signed Facundo Buonanotte on loan from Brighton.

    Plenty of other managers also spoke on Wednesday. West Ham boss Nuno Espirito Santo said his team "can't afford mistakes" in the transfer window.

    And Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola said his team "need to add more players".

  2. Recap of Frank's news conferencepublished at 16:56 GMT 15 January

    Tottenham v West Ham (Sat, 15:00 GMT)

    If you missed Thomas Frank’s press conference earlier, here’s a full recap of what the Tottenham head coach had to say ahead of Saturday’s London derby with West Ham, covering team news, transfer plans, pressure on himself and his thoughts on Nuno Espirito Santo.

    • Frank insisted he is blocking out outside noise and pressure, saying he is focused only on “what I can affect”, adding that Spurs must remain calm and continue doing the “right things” to turn performances into results.
    • On Conor Gallagher, Frank hailed the midfielder as a “top signing”, praising the club’s ownership for moving quickly to secure him and highlighting his leadership, pressing ability, experience and goal threat as “exactly what we need”.
    • On the appointment of John Heitinga, Frank said he was a “standout candidate”, praising his playing career, coaching background at Ajax and Premier League experience with West Ham and Liverpool, describing him as a “top football person”.
    • Frank confirmed Spurs remain active in the transfer market, but any signing must improve the squad both in the short and long term, rather than being a temporary fix.
  3. Buonanotte’s numbers from Chelsea spellpublished at 16:55 GMT 15 January

    Karan Vinod
    BBC Sport Journalist

    Buonanotte in action for ChelseaImage source, Getty Images

    Earlier Leeds confirmed the signing of Facundo Buonanotte on loan from Brighton. Buonanotte had been on loan at Chelsea and leaves the Blues having made seven starts across all competitions, scoring one goal and registering two assists during his loan spell.

    Most of his starts came in the Carabao Cup, with his Premier League involvement more limited. Excluding the Carabao Cup matches, Buonanotte still impressed creatively, averaging 2.6 chances created per 90 minutes.

    Leeds will hope that output translates into consistent influence as he looks for regular starts during the second half of the season.

  4. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 16:52 GMT 15 January

    Click the 'Get Involved' button at the top of this page

    Doesn’t matter who you support, anyone looking at Frank's home record knows you can ask for patience at any club but that record rings alarms bells!!

    Jack

  5. 'Frank was very relaxed but aware of the scrutiny around him'published at 16:47 GMT 15 January

    Tottenham v West Ham (Sat, 15:00 GMT)

    George Cummins
    At Tottenham Hotspur's news conference

    Thomas Frank was very relaxed as he held a late news conference this afternoon.

    The signing of Conor Gallagher has no doubt put a bounce in his step but the manager is aware of the scrutiny around him.

    The results over recent weeks haven't been good enough and fans will protest against the senior management of the club on Saturday.

    Saturday is a huge game for Frank, against struggling London rivals West Ham.

    A win for his side will release some of the pressure that is building but - given the way he spoke today - he senses good things are round the corner for his Tottenham side despite the injuries.

  6. Gallagher's England aspirations not part of conversationpublished at 16:44 GMT 15 January

    Tottenham v West Ham (Sat, 15:00 GMT)

    Tottenham Hotspur

    Finally, Tottenham Hotspur boss Thomas Frank was asked if returning to the England squad for the World Cup was a factor behind Conor Gallagher's decision to join the club: "To be fair, we didn't speak about that. He didn't mention it. I didn't mention it.

    "I can imagine it's a very important thing for him but for me it was all about Tottenham and what he can add to us in the short and long-term. What is the plan, what is the vision."

  7. 'We are in the market to see if we can improve the squad'published at 16:41 GMT 15 January

    Tottenham v West Ham (Sat, 15:00 GMT)

    Tottenham Hotspur

    Tottenham Hotspur boss Thomas Frank on whether the club will have to dip into the transfer market due to injuries in the forward areas: "It is what it is. We have to deal with what we have. We are in the market as I said many times to see if we can improve the squad but it has to be something that improves the squad short and long-term. It can't just be for the next four months."

  8. 'Heitinga was a standout candidate'published at 16:37 GMT 15 January

    Tottenham v West Ham (Sat, 15:00 GMT)

    Tottenham Hotspur

    Tottenham Hotspur boss Thomas Frank on the appointment of John Heitinga: "It was a process we did together. Johan [Lange], Fabio [Paratici] and I were the main drivers. He was a standout candidate. He has had a top playing career but I also liked how he did after that in the academy of Ajax and on top of that had two good experiences in the Premier League with West Ham and Liverpool.

    "I have met him a few times before and all the character references - he is a top guy, a top football person."

  9. 'I only focus on what I can affect'published at 16:34 GMT 15 January

    Tottenham v West Ham (Sat, 15:00 GMT)

    Tottenham Hotspur

    Thomas FrankImage source, Getty Images

    Tottenham Hotspur boss Thomas Frank on how it feels to be under pressure: "For me, I only focus on what I can affect. There is a lot of noise. I know because I've been told and I'm not stupid, we want more good results but I focus on what I can see is actually working and we have to do more of that.

    "I know we need to focus on being calm and doing the right thing. If we do that, keep doing the right thing, hopefully because we do more right things - then things will turn."

  10. 'Nuno deserves respect for what he has done in the Premier League'published at 16:31 GMT 15 January

    Tottenham v West Ham (Sat, 15:00 GMT)

    Tottenham Hotspur

    Tottenham Hotspur boss Thomas Frank was asked about Nuno Espirito Santo's struggles at West Ham: "I think Nuno deserves a lot of respect for everything he has done in the Premier League. He has had huge success especially at Nottingham Forest and Wolves. He is a top coach and has shown it many times.

    "Every challenge is difficult but Saturday is about us and coming out with positives."

  11. 'I think Gallagher can see the exciting potential in this club'published at 16:28 GMT 15 January

    Tottenham v West Ham (Sat, 15:00 GMT)

    Tottenham Hotspur

    More from Tottenham Hotspur boss Thomas Frank on Conor Gallagher and why he believes the midfielder chose Spurs: "One thing is the Premier League and the second thing is the project and opportunity here. The role he can get in the team.

    "I think first and foremost as a player that can help the team with his abilities and the character he is as well. I think he can see the very exciting potential in this club."

  12. 'It is a big derby but it is all about us'published at 16:25 GMT 15 January

    Tottenham v West Ham (Sat, 15:00 GMT)

    Tottenham Hotspur

    Tottenham Hotspur boss Thomas Frank was asked about the significance of Saturday's game: "I am happy to take that [the pressure], - it is all about how we can get the players out there full of confidence to be brave.

    "Of course it's a big London derby but it is all about us. Hopefully we can add the first half against Sunderland and the second half against Aston Villa. If we can do that, put a top performance out there, we can win the game."

    On whether he needs people to trust him to turn the fortunes of the club around: "Yes. I am very aware how the football world works. I know that we haven't got enough of the results we want. I can see the small steps we are constantly doing and I refer to the last six games as more positive performances - not perfect.

    "There is a culture that is getting a little bit stronger and in football, sometimes momentum can change just like that. I can see small signs. The culture. The training. Thursday was very intense and focussed. We are working very hard on the offensive part of our game. It is the offensive we need to do better and that is what we are working hard on."

  13. 'Gallagher is exactly what we need'published at 16:22 GMT 15 January

    Tottenham v West Ham (Sat, 15:00 GMT)

    Tottenham Hotspur

    Gallagher in action for MadridImage source, Getty Images

    Tottenham Hotspur boss Thomas Frank on the signing of Conor Gallagher: "I think it is a top signing. I can't praise the ownership enough for doing it and getting it over the line quick.

    "I think what he brings in terms of ability first and foremost is, he is a very good player with great experience in the Premier League and La Liga. He has captained two teams so that character, leadership and experience - plus he's still young with plenty of development to reach but coming in at a good level.

    "His pressing abilities, directness, scoring goals but also being able to find good positions on the pitch is exactly what we need."

  14. Richarlison out but Bergvall and Bissouma availablepublished at 16:20 GMT 15 January

    Tottenham v West Ham (Sat, 15:00 GMT)

    Tottenham Hotspur

    Richarlison walking off injured with Tottenham's medical staffImage source, Getty Images

    Tottenham Hotspur boss Thomas Frank on team news: "Richarlison unfortunately got a hamstring injury that will keep him out for up to seven weeks.

    "Lucas [Bergvall] could be available for Sunday and [Yves] Bissouma is back and available as well.

    "Both Destiny [Udogie] and Dom [Solanke] will both be involved and available but are closer to playing more minutes."

  15. Postpublished at 16:18 GMT 15 January

    Richarlison was forced off in the first half of Tottenham's FA Cup loss against Aston Villa on Saturday with a hamstring problem.

    The forward is Tottenham's top scorer with eight goals in 31 appearances for Spurs this season.

  16. Richarlison out for up to seven weekspublished at 16:16 GMT 15 January
    Breaking

    Tottenham Hotspur

    Tottenham boss Thomas Frank has just started his news conference and has said striker Richarlison will be out with a hamstring injury for up to seven weeks.

  17. Leeds finally get their manpublished at 16:15 GMT 15 January

    Karan Vinod
    BBC Sport Journalist

    Buonanotte in action for ChelseaImage source, Getty Images

    Leeds United have completed the signing of Facundo Buonanotte on loan from Brighton, with the Argentine midfielder returning to Elland Road after a move that collapsed in the summer transfer window.

    The 21-year-old had joined Chelsea on loan earlier this season, but that spell has now been cut short to allow him to make the switch to Leeds as Daniel Farke looks to add creativity in the final third.

    The Argentine’s versatility and technical ability will be seen as a good fit for Farke’s system, especially after changing to a back three formation, and Leeds hope the move can provide added attacking impetus during the second half of the season in their push for Premier League survival.

  18. Tottenham no longer cheating xGpublished at 16:12 GMT 15 January

    Tottenham v West Ham (Sat, 15:00 GMT)

    Chris Collinson
    BBC football statistician

    Two examples of why teams can only cheat their xG for so long are Tottenham Hotspur and Leeds United this season.

    Early results misleadingly suggested that Thomas Frank's team were strong Champions League contenders and Daniel Farke's side were in for a long, tough struggle.

    But Tottenham's xG was far worse than their points tally implied, while Leeds' was much better.

    As the season has gone on, their results (the black line below) have steadily been pulled like a magnet by their xG (the yellow line) and are now more reflective of how they've actually been playing this season.

    A graphic showing xG and actual goals scored over the course of the season for Leeds United and Tottenham Hotspur
  19. Postpublished at 16:11 GMT 15 January

    On the flipside though, xG suggests Tottenham are improving....

  20. Tottenham's upcoming fixturespublished at 16:07 GMT 15 January

    Tottenham Hotspur

    If Thomas Frank is feeling the pressure, the upcoming fixtures won't bring any comfort for the Spurs boss.

    On paper, the next month or so could not look much more difficult.

    Tottenham's next eight fixtures:

    • West Ham (h)
    • Borussia Dortmund (h) - Champions League
    • Burnley (a)
    • Eintracht Frankfurt (a) - Champions League
    • Man City (h)
    • Man Utd (a)
    • Newcastle (h)
    • Arsenal (h)