/https://sportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net/uploads/2025/08/imago1058285017-1-6898f073486b5161749514.jpg "Spurs receive super boost for Super Cup as key PSG - Sports Mole")
Tottenham Hotspur have been handed a boost for Wednesday's UEFA Super Cup clash with Paris Saint-Germain, as Joao Neves has reportedly been suspended for the match.
The 20-year-old formed one of Europe's more fearsome midfield trios alongside Fabian Ruiz and Vitinha last season, playing a fundamental role in PSG's Champions League triumph and also impressing at the Club World Cup.
Neves scored twice in a 4-0 last-16 win over Inter Miami, before also providing an assist for Desire Doue in his side's 2-0 quarter-final triumph over Bayern Munich en route to the showpiece.
However, the midfielder's final ended in particular humiliation, as he received a straight red card in the 85th minute of the 3-0 defeat to Chelsea for violent conduct, having pulled Marc Cucurella by the hair.
According to RMC Sport, Neves has now been handed a two-match cross-competition ban for his actions, meaning that he will sit out Wednesday's showdown with Spurs in Udine.
Neves 'banned' for Spurs Super Cup clash after Chelsea red card
The former Benfica phenom will also be unavailable for Les Parisiens' Ligue 1 opener against Nantes next Sunday, although his ban may have a silver lining for PSG.
Owing to their deep run at the Club World Cup, the reigning French and European champions delayed their players' holidays and only resumed full training on August 6, and Neves will now follow an adapted programme until his ban is lifted.
Furthermore, head coach Luis Enrique is not short of options to replace Neves in midfield, and the PSG boss will be expected to draft 19-year-old starlet Warren Zaire-Emery into the side in his place.
Carlos Soler, Senny Mayulu and Renato Sanches are also alternative options to Neves in midfield, and PSG's only other absentee is fringe defender Nordi Mukiele, who is recovering from a calf issue.
Do Tottenham have a chance of beating PSG?
While Neves's ban is hardly ideal for Les Parisiens, with an alternative as accomplished as Zaire-Emery in the ranks, Enrique and co should not be losing sleep over this suspension.
In contrast, Tottenham could go into the Super Cup without as many as eight infirm troops, most notably ACL victim James Maddison and fellow creator Dejan Kulusevski, who is still managing his own knee problem.
Unless Spurs can bring in a new number 10 in the next 48 hours, they will go into the Super Cup without a natural creator, and Thomas Frank is also sweating over the fitness of Dominic Solanke and his ankle injury.
A 4-0 friendly thrashing at the hands of Bayern Munich on Thursday exposed Spurs' limitations in all areas of the pitch, and there is no question that they are sporting the underdogs tag for the Super Cup.
However, few expected Chelsea to slaughter Enrique's men in the manner that they did during the Club World Cup, so the Europa League winners cannot be totally discounted, even if the odds are heavily stacked against them.
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