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Ange Postecoglou issues Richarlison and Destiny Udogie Tottenham injury update ahead of friendly

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Ange Postecoglou has confirmed that Richarlison and Destiny Udogie "aren't quite ready to play" just yet as Tottenham prepare to face Vissel Kobe on Saturday. Having secured wins in their opening summer friendlies against Hearts and QPR, the Lilywhites are now in Tokyo as part of their pre-season tour of Japan and South Korea.

Neither Richarlison nor Udogie have featured for Spurs just yet this summer as they both work their way back to fitness from injury. Richarlison missed the final few games of the 2023/24 campaign due to a calf issue, with Udogie undergoing surgery to his left quadriceps in late April.

Both key players in the Tottenham team, Postecoglou will be hoping to have the duo available as soon as possible as the team prepare for their Premier League opener against Leicester City. One player who could possibly be set to feature against Vissel Kobe in Tokyo's National Stadium is Ben Davies.

Like Richarlison, the Welshman did not play for Spurs in the final few weeks of last campaign due to a calf injury. Not in a position to feature at either Hearts or QPR, Davies, who this week completed a decade at the club, has returned to training and that could potentially lead to game time as a result.

"Yeah the guys who kind of participated in the games so far, plus Ben Davies has trained this week," said Postecoglou in his pre-match press conference when asked about the latest on the injury front. "So out of the travelling party I think it's just Richy and Destiny who aren't quite ready to play but everyone else is fit."

Postecoglou and his coaching staff are certainly working the players hard in Tokyo ahead of the new season. The squad found that out after taking part in a double session at their base not long after landing in the country.

"Nothing is really different from home to be honest, it’s just (about) constant improvement in our football," said the 58-year-old. "Obviously when you’re away from your home environment the training conditions are different and it’s all about adaption to that and not allowing it to affect our training levels and exposing the guys to different things.

"The boys are improving all the time and this time of year its about making sure we don’t miss a day or an opportunity to get ready for the start of the season, because you know that once the season starts, especially with us being back in Europe, there’ll be a heavy games program. For us as coaches this time of the year is really valuable so the last thing you want to do is come into a different environment and change your approach because of something not familiar to us.

"The first day we got here, literally off the flight, we had a double session and pushed the boys hard and they were excellent and they’ve really embraced the challenge of it."

Listen to the latest episode of Gold & Guest Talk Tottenham. Click here for in depth Spurs chat on your preferred podcast platform.

Ange Postecoglou reveals Tottenham transfer stance and drops hint on fourth summer signing

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Ange Postecoglou has insisted that Tottenham's intended targets at the start of the transfer window have not changed. A very quiet start to the summer transfer market with Euro 2024 and the Copa America certainly having an impact on player movement, supporters of all clubs will be hoping that transfer deals start to ramp up with the Premier League season now only three weeks away.

Tottenham have strengthened ahead of the new term with Lucas Bergvall linking up with the squad this summer after completing his move from Djurgarden in February, Timo Werner re-signing on a season-long loan and Archie Gray completing a big-money move from Leeds United. Spurs are on course to add to their numbers with the addition of South Korean youngster Yang Min-hyuk from K League side Gangwon FC.

The 18-year-old winger has made a huge impression in his home country and he will remain with his current team before arriving in north London in January 2025. Tottenham still have plenty more to do in the transfer market this summer as Postecoglou looks to have his team competing at the top of the Premier League table and also see them go far in cup competitions.

Currently out in Tokyo, Japan on the club's pre-season tour, the Australian was asked about transfers by football.london and he highlighted the importance of remaining patient and not moving away from their intended targets.

"At this time of year it’s pretty hard for supporters because they don’t have all the information and it’s fair to say there’s plenty of misinformation out there," he said in his pre-match press conference ahead of the Vissel Kobe friendly. "We’re working hard to bring players in and it’s a process that you sometimes have to be patient with.

"But in terms of what we set out to do, that’s still the plan and you have to stay disciplined with that. Sometimes the timings don’t work out and it doesn’t happen as quickly as you want and you don’t get them (players) in at the right time but I think it’s really important you stay disciplined and not run off and chase other things.

"So, what we started with at the start of summer are still there, and I wouldn’t want to put timelines on it. A lot of that is out of our control and we just need to be patient. From where I sit at the moment we’re still in that phase where what we identified is still what we’re after."

Quizzed on the imminent signing of Yang from Gangwon FC, Postecoglou said: "I'm well aware of the quality of the K League. When I was at Celtic we were looking to bring over a couple of Korean players.

"They have made a fantastic impact across Europe, none bigger than our Sonny. He's an outstanding individual. So yes, we'll be looking far and wide for players. As you said [when it comes to Yang], it's difficult for me to discuss (grins)."

Listen to the latest episode of Gold & Guest Talk Tottenham. Click here for in depth Spurs chat on your preferred podcast platform.

Postecoglou and Maddison press conference LIVE

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Ange Postecoglou and James Maddison are holding a press conference on Friday ahead of Tottenham's pre-season friendly against Vissel Kobe in Tokyo.

The Spurs boss and the German attacker are speaking to reporters within the Tokyo National Stadium where the game will be held on Saturday evening (11am UK time). Postecoglou is set to face more questions about transfers with the club closing in on signing highly-rated South Korean teenager Yang Min-hyuk from Gangwon ahead of a January move.

The Australian will also be quizzed on what new senior players for the present could be coming through the door in the coming days or weeks and he will also be asked for the latest updates on injuries within the club and whether the likes of Destiny Udogie and Richarlison are ready to play this weekend or will have to wait until the games against Team K League or Bayern Munich in South Korea next week.

Maddison will be asked about his second campaign and Tottenham, missing out on England's Euros squad and his hopes for the coming season.

Our Spurs reporter Alasdair Gold is in Tokyo and is among those putting the questions to Postecoglou and Werner ahead of the pre-season match. Scroll down for his latest updates from the press conference at the national stadium.

The reason Tottenham believe they have found the next Son Heung

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Tottenham believe they could have another star on their hands in Yang Min-hyuk as they dip into the transfer market for a teenager South Korean fans and the club hope will become the next Son Heung-min.

Spurs have already had two 18-year-old new arrivals worth almost £50m between them arrive at the club this summer in Archie Gray and Lucas Bergvall. Now another will put pen to paper as the club look set to sign Yang from K League side Gangwon in a deal which will see the winger officially arrive in the January transfer window, a couple of months after the end of the Korean league season.

In the latest episode of their podcast Gold & Guest Talk Tottenham, our Spurs correspondents Alasdair Gold and Rob Guest discussed the transfer with Alasdair out in Tokyo to follow the north London club's pre-season tour to Japan and South Korea. Friend of the show and Korean football expert Sungmo Lee delivered his opinion on Yang, which the duo spoke about in the latest episode.

"Yang Min-hyuk is the best young player in the K League right now, and most significantly, he's still a high school student," said Sungmo. "His talent was so exceptional so his club Gangwon proposed the professional contract to a high school student which was the first ever case in K League's history.

"He showed great performances in K League this season, winning the 'young player of the month' award three times in a row from April to June. He is a great dribbler but also possesses great finishing skills which makes Korean fans hope that he can become the next Son Heung-min, especially if he joins the same club with Son in Tottenham."

You can listen to more about Yang in the latest episode of the show as well as what Spurs have been up to in Tokyo so far by heading right here for the podcast or you can watch the show recorded live on YouTube by going right here.

Listen to the latest episode of Gold & Guest Talk Tottenham. Click here for in depth Spurs chat on your preferred podcast platform.

The reason Tottenham believe they have found the next Son Heung

Submitted by daniel on
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Tottenham believe they could have another star on their hands in Yang Min-hyuk as they dip into the transfer market for a teenager South Korean fans and the club hope will become the next Son Heung-min.

Spurs have already had two 18-year-old new arrivals worth almost £50m between them arrive at the club this summer in Archie Gray and Lucas Bergvall. Now another will put pen to paper as the club look set to sign Yang from K League side Gangwon in a deal which will see the winger officially arrive in the January transfer window, a couple of months after the end of the Korean league season.

In the latest episode of their podcast Gold & Guest Talk Tottenham, our Spurs correspondents Alasdair Gold and Rob Guest discussed the transfer with Alasdair out in Tokyo to follow the north London club's pre-season tour to Japan and South Korea. Friend of the show and Korean football expert Sungmo Lee delivered his opinion on Yang, which the duo spoke about in the latest episode.

"Yang Min-hyuk is the best young player in the K League right now, and most significantly, he's still a high school student," said Sungmo. "His talent was so exceptional so his club Gangwon proposed the professional contract to a high school student which was the first ever case in K League's history.

"He showed great performances in K League this season, winning the 'young player of the month' award three times in a row from April to June. He is a great dribbler but also possesses great finishing skills which makes Korean fans hope that he can become the next Son Heung-min, especially if he joins the same club with Son in Tottenham."

You can listen to more about Yang in the latest episode of the show as well as what Spurs have been up to in Tokyo so far by heading right here for the podcast or you can watch the show recorded live on YouTube by going right here.

Listen to the latest episode of Gold & Guest Talk Tottenham. Click here for in depth Spurs chat on your preferred podcast platform.

Ange Postecoglou's strongest Tottenham team vs Vissel Kobe

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Tottenham's first game of their pre-season tour of Japan and South Korea comes on Saturday when they face Vissel Kobe in Tokyo. Arriving in Japan earlier this week, Ange Postecoglou's men take on the reigning J.League champions at the National Stadium in Tokyo.

The Lilywhites have already started off their summer friendlies in fine form, firstly registering a 5-1 win away at Hearts before defeating Championship side QPR 2-0 last weekend. Saturday's match against Vissel Kobe will certainly be a test for Tottenham as the Japanese club are already more than halfway through their league season.

An opportunity for Tottenham players to step up their fitness with the new Premier League campaign edging ever closer, Postecoglou could possibly decide to give his players more than the 45 minutes they have received in each game so far. Spurs do have a total of 31 players as part of their pre-season tour, with Guglielmo Vicario, Ben Davies, Destiny Udogie and Richarlison all included again after not featuring at either Hearts or QPR.

The team's first two games have been worthwhile exercises and Postecoglou will have taken an awful lot from both. Archie Gray and Lucas Bergvall have been huge positives after impressing in the side so soon after their transfers to the club, with young players such as Alfie Devine, Mikey Moore and Will Lankshear really taking their opportunities with both hands.

Postecoglou has certainly gone strong in both games so far as he has started a number of first-team regulars from the first whistle. It could very much be the same once again on Saturday when Tottenham play Vissel Kobe.

Ange Postecoglou's strongest Tottenham team vs Vissel Kobe

Submitted by daniel on
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Tottenham's first game of their pre-season tour of Japan and South Korea comes on Saturday when they face Vissel Kobe in Tokyo. Arriving in Japan earlier this week, Ange Postecoglou's men take on the reigning J.League champions at the National Stadium in Tokyo.

The Lilywhites have already started off their summer friendlies in fine form, firstly registering a 5-1 win away at Hearts before defeating Championship side QPR 2-0 last weekend. Saturday's match against Vissel Kobe will certainly be a test for Tottenham as the Japanese club are already more than halfway through their league season.

An opportunity for Tottenham players to step up their fitness with the new Premier League campaign edging ever closer, Postecoglou could possibly decide to give his players more than the 45 minutes they have received in each game so far. Spurs do have a total of 31 players as part of their pre-season tour, with Guglielmo Vicario, Ben Davies, Destiny Udogie and Richarlison all included again after not featuring at either Hearts or QPR.

The team's first two games have been worthwhile exercises and Postecoglou will have taken an awful lot from both. Archie Gray and Lucas Bergvall have been huge positives after impressing in the side so soon after their transfers to the club, with young players such as Alfie Devine, Mikey Moore and Will Lankshear really taking their opportunities with both hands.

Postecoglou has certainly gone strong in both games so far as he has started a number of first-team regulars from the first whistle. It could very much be the same once again on Saturday when Tottenham play Vissel Kobe.

The four transfers on Tottenham's priority list for Ange Postecoglou after Yang Min

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Tottenham fans will be hoping that the club can really step things up in the transfer market over the coming weeks as they prepare for the 2024/25 campaign. Spurs' Premier League opener against Leicester City is now just over three weeks away and the game at the King Power Stadium will be here before you know it.

Adding Lucas Bergvall, Archie Gray and Timo Werner to the squad for the new term, Spurs are also closing in on the addition of South Korean youngster Yang Min-hyuk from K League side Gangwon FC. Once the player has completed the formalities of his transfer to Tottenham, he will remain with his current team before arriving in north London in January 2025.

Very much planning for the years ahead under Ange Postecoglou with Yang set to join fellow teenagers Bergvall and Gray in the capital, Tottenham still have moves to make for the here and now as they aim to compete towards the top of the Premier League. football.london takes a look below at four deals that need to be on the club's priority list before the transfer window closes for business at 11pm on Friday, August 30.

New striker

A new striker needs to be at the top of Tottenham's transfer list with the new Premier League season drawing ever closer. Still to replace Harry Kane following his Spurs exit last August, the Lilywhites need to bring in a proven goalscorer if they are to kick on even further under Postecoglou.

Richarlison has been linked with a move to Saudi Arabia, meaning Tottenham would need to bring in two new strikers if the Brazilian was to head elsewhere before the summer transfer deadline. Prolific goalscorers are hard to come by and Tottenham will no doubt have to shell out big money to get their man.

New centre-back

Tottenham's current lack of centre-backs in their pre-season campaign has very much highlighted the need to strengthen the position as soon as possible. Without Cristian Romero, Micky van de Ven and Radu Dragusin at present due to their participation in the international tournaments this summer, Ashley Phillips is Spurs' only recognised centre-back as things stand.

However, Postecoglou has elected to keep Phillips on the bench from the start of Tottenham's first two summer friendlies so far and has instead started midfielders Gray and Oliver Skipp as centre-backs. Spurs do have further alternative centre-back options in Emerson Royal and Ben Davies but they are full-backs by trade.

As a loan move would probably be more beneficial to Phillips next season in terms of his development, signing a new centre-back in the current transfer market is a priority for Tottenham.

Full-back cover

Some further cover in the full-back areas could also be required before the summer is out. Whereas previously it looked like a new right-back was needed in the transfer market for Tottenham, the club may in fact be well stocked there if Djed Spence is to remain at Spurs.

Looking guaranteed to depart after spending the past 18 months out on loan, Spence has impressed in pre-season so far and could well play his way into Postecoglou's thinking on a permanent basis. There is also further cover at right-back in Gray, with Emerson another option there if he is to stay in N17 rather than head to AC Milan or another club.

Instead, left-back could now be the position to look at. Spurs have already parted with Ryan Sessegnon this summer and it looks like Sergio Reguilon will also be on the move after he was not named as part of the squad for the tour of Japan and South Korea.

Davies has this week celebrated ten years at the club but it's hard to see him remaining in the years ahead at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium as Postecoglou plans for the future. An alternative option for Destiny Udogie would be a shrewd move in the transfer market.

Possible further attacking option

A further attacking option at some point in the transfer window certainly wouldn't hurt Tottenham. Making some key moves in Postecoglou's three transfer windows as Spurs boss, now it's about adding some real quality to the ranks in order to help the club compete for top honours on a regular basis.

Linked with Eberechi Eze of Crystal Palace this summer, the England international would help elevate Tottenham's attack to the very next level due to what he can offer in the final third. Tottenham really could mean business in 2024/25 if they make a statement signing.

Listen to the latest episode of Gold & Guest Talk Tottenham. Click here for in depth Spurs chat on your preferred podcast platform.

hyuk could have two dream Tottenham shirt numbers to choose from once transfer finalised

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Tottenham are very much planning for the years ahead if their transfer business this summer is anything to go by. Seeing Lucas Bergvall link up with the Spurs squad for the first time in July after initially joining from Djurgarden at the beginning of February, the Lilywhites then lured Archie Gray to the club from Leeds United in a big-money move earlier this month.

The 18-year-old earned rave reviews after breaking into Daniel Farke's Leeds team in the 2023/24 campaign and he has so far received plenty of plaudits in his first two friendly appearances for Tottenham. That isn't the end of the club's transfer business when it comes to bringing talented youngsters to N17, though.

Highly-rated South Korean starlet Yang Min-hyuk is on course to join Gray and Bergvall at Tottenham with the club closing in on the signing of the 18-year-old. Yang has really made a name for himself in the K League this season with Gangwon FC, scoring seven goals and adding three assists in 24 appearances from his position on the wing.

Once the player has completed the formalities of his transfer to Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, he will remain with Gangwon before arriving in north London in January 2025 a couple of months after the K League season has come to a close. Yang will certainly give Ange Postecoglou options in the years ahead as he is capable of playing on either wing. Predominantly right-footed, the Gwangju-born player initially started the 2024 season on the left flank before reverting to the other side of the pitch in the middle of May.

The goals have flowed for Yang since switching to the right, with the player hitting a double in a 4-0 home triumph over Jeju United last Saturday. Potentially someone who could follow in the footsteps of Son Heung-min for club and country in the years ahead, the teen sensation may have quite the future in the game if he continues to progress at his current rate.

As has been the case with Bergvall and Gray since their moves to the club, there will undoubtedly be a number of Tottenham fans who will want to get Yang's name on the back of their Spurs shirt. The South Korean can in fact inherit his current Gangwon squad number once he has made the move to north London as it has been vacant at Tottenham since Jack Clarke's departure in 2022.

Since breaking into Gangwon's first team, Yang has played with the No.47 on his back. The youngster is in fact a big fan of Phil Foden, who wears the same number for Manchester City.

Speaking to football.london, South Korean football expert Sungmo Lee said: "His favourite football player is Phil Foden at Manchester City. He is using same back number with Foden as well - 47 - although that's not to say he's using it because of him. There are other reasons.

"He did however once say 'I want to be a player like Foden who has great skills but is also great at helping his teammates'."

A regular on the international stage for South Korea's Under-17s, Yang is his country's No.11 after donning the number in each of the past three seasons. There's a possibility that number could even be available at Tottenham by the time he links up with the squad in January as Bryan Gil, who has been linked with a move to Girona, is likely to head out the exit door this summer.

Tottenham fans could potentially get their first glimpse of Yang on the club's pre-season tour of South Korea as they take on Team K League on Wednesday, July 31. Yang is in the Team K League squad and he will be intent on making a big impression against his future employers when they come up against each other at the Seoul World Cup Stadium.

Listen to the latest episode of Gold & Guest Talk Tottenham. Click here for in depth Spurs chat on your preferred podcast platform.

hyuk, his Tottenham transfer and why he loves Phil Foden

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Tottenham are set to seal a deal to bring in Yang Min-hyuk from Gangwon and football.london got South Korean football expert Sungmo Lee to give us the lowdown on the teenager.

Spurs are set to seal a deal which will see the 18-year-old winger arrive in January, a couple of months after the K League season has come to a close. He only turned 18 in April but two months earlier had made his K League debut for Gangwon, grabbing an assist against Jeju United before scoring in his next game against Gwangju, making him the youngest K League scorer since 2013.

Despite his age, Yang has started every match this season in the league for Gangwon, scoring seven goals and laying on three assists in his 24 appearances.

We asked South Korean football expert Sungmo Lee to tell us exactly what kind of player Spurs will get in the teenager.

"Yang Min-hyuk is the best young player in the K League right now, and most significantly, he's still a high school student," he told football.london. "His talent was so exceptional so his club Gangwon proposed the professional contract to a high school student which was the first ever case in K League's history.

"He showed great performances in K League this season, winning the 'young player of the month' award three times in a row from April to June. He is a great dribbler but also possesses great finishing skills which makes Korean fans hope that he can become the next Son Heung-min, especially if he joins the same club with Son in Tottenham."

The Korean teenager, who is in the Team K League squad to face Spurs in Seoul next week during their pre-season tour, has a favourite player who currently plies their trade in the Premier League.

"His favourite football player is Phil Foden at Manchester City," said Lee. "He is using same back number with Foden as well - 47 - although that's not to say he's using it because of him. There are other reasons. He did however once say 'I want to be a player like Foden who has great skills but is also great at helping his teammates'."

Tottenham will be hoping they have a gem on their hands in the tricky young winger and if he can go anywhere near to succeeding their 32-year-old captain Son eventually then he'll have been worth every penny.

Listen to the latest episode of Gold & Guest Talk Tottenham. Click here for in depth Spurs chat on your preferred podcast platform.