Football.London

Rio Ferdinand has taken a swipe at Gareth Southgate for the way his England team played with Harry Kane in it during Euro 2024. Kane was one again far from his best in the final against Spain on Sunday night.

Kane did walk away with the joint Golden Boot after his three goals for the Three Lions, but he did not look his normal self throughout the entirety of the tournament.

For England's captain and talisman it is irregular to be taken off the pitch in a big game, but that happened in each of the quarter-final, the semi-final and the final on Sunday too.

He has earned criticism from many quarters for coming deep far too regularly, but he has also, in many matches not had runners around him, which he needs to thrive.

And Ferdinand made one critical comment about how England failed to play to his strengths saying: "When he's been at his best he's had two flying wingers either side of him at Spurs and at Bayern Munich and teams that play the ball forward and have runners that are a threat in behind".

Ferdinand said: "You need to play your players in their best possible positions that suit them and benefit them. I'll give you examples of two players. Kane I think he's played in a position after scoring 40-something goals for Bayern [Munich] this season and he's played in this team in a way that doesn't suit him.

"We can talk about how good or bad he's played, but you need to play to people's strengths and if you switch that over to [Marc] Cucurella, who was ridiculed by his own supporters at Chelsea, who comes here and is arguably the best left-back in the tournament because he was played to his strengths and he was given pictures that suited his game."

Harry Kane equalled a record in being awarded the Golden Boot at Euros 2024, even if that will be of little consolation after England's defeat to Spain in the final.

England fought back to level Nico Williams' second half goal with substitute Cole Palmer's low strike from outside the box. However, in the final five minutes, Mikel Oyarzabal popped up in the box with the winning goal for Spain to leave Gareth Southgate's men as the losing finalists in consecutive European Championships.

Bayern Munich striker Kane struggled on the night. He had just 13 touches of the ball, only five of his 10 passes reached their target and his one shot was blocked. The England captain was taken off on the hour mark and replaced by Ollie Watkins and Kane can have little complaints after a difficult 60 minutes.

The skipper wanted the big prize but he will have to make do with the Golden Boot. With just three goals in the tournament, the 30-year-old still ended up with the top scorer award as UEFA decided it would be shared. So in this case it's a six-way tie for the prize so Kane will be awarded it with Dani Olmo, Cody Gakpo, Georges Mikautadze, Jamal Musiala and Ivan Schranz.

For Kane to have his name on it means that he has also equalled a record as he joins the legendary German striker Gerd Muller, who previously was the only player to have finished as the top scorer at a World Cup and a European Championship. However, the late Muller won both competitions and that is something that Kane has thus far been unable to do.

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It is yet more heartbreak for England on the international stage. The Three Lions lost out in the Euro 2024 final to Spain, losing 2-1 late on in Berlin.

There was hope an optimism heading into the final - England's first on foreign soil and their second straight European Championships final. But just llike against Italy at Euro 2020, it was defeat for Gareth Southgate's side.

After a goalless first half, Spain went in front early in the second half when Nico Williams swept home a brilliant attacking move. They could have had a quick second too, but Dani Olmo dragged a shot wide.

Southgate needed to change things and Harry Kane and Kobbie Mainoo were taken off for Ollie Watkins and Cole Palmer, just like in the smi-final. And the changes worked.

Chelsea man Palmer curled a lovely effort in with his left foot following a cutback by Jude Bellingham and his delight was unconfined. However, England's joy was not to last.

Four minutes from time Mikel Oyarzabal got on the end of a Marc Cucurella cross to break England hearts. The Three LIons had a couple of late chances, with Unai Simon saving well from Declan Rice's header before Marc Guehi's follow-up was cleared off the line.

It was devastation for England's players on the pitch after the final whistle, with players slumping to the ground. But Tottenham legend and England captain Harry Kane showed his true colours by going around his teammates and trying to pick them up.

One in particular was a special moment, as Kane could be seend crouched down with Bellingham, giving him a hug and talking into his ear for a good amount of time. After that Berllingham, just 21 years old, showed his true colours by taking his skipper's advice and getting around his more senior teammates and trying to pick them up himself.

Kane said after the game: "Losing in a final is as tough as it gets. We're all hurting."

Rodrigo Bentancur has handed Ange Postecoglou and Tottenham a boost by returning to the field to play 90 minutes in Uruguay's Copa America encounter against Canada. A starter in his country's semi-final clash against Colombia on Wednesday evening, the Spurs midfielder would only be on the pitch for 34 minutes following a collision with teammate Mathias Olivera.

The pair collided with each other as they both slid in to win possession off Colombia's Jhon Arias, with Bentancur taking the brunt of the impact as he appeared to take a blow to his right leg and subsequently remained on the ground. Despite managing to play on for a further ten minutes, the midfielder, who was clearly in some discomfort, signalled to head coach Marcelo Bielsa that he had to come off and he could be seen on the bench in tears once he had taken his place in the dugout.

Amid question marks over Bentancur's injury and potential time on the sidelines following his early exit, the 27-year-old helped Uruguay win their third-place play-off game against Canada on Saturday evening. Bentancur was named in the starting XI by Bielsa and he was on hand to give his country the lead after only eight minutes with a smart finish from close range.

After Sebastian Caceres had knocked Federico Valverde's corner into his path, the Tottenham ace swivelled on the ball before firing it high into the roof of the net. The game would eventually go to penalties after Luis Suarez's goal in second-half stoppage time had cancelled out strikes from Ismael Kone and Jonathan David.

Uruguay prevailed on penalties 4-3, with Bentancur confidently finding the top corner with his spot kick as they secured third place at the 2024 Copa America. The fact that the ex-Juventus man came through the 90 minutes unscathed will have come as a huge boost to Postecoglou and Tottenham given those immediate concerns following his early substitution in Wednesday's defeat against Colombia.

Bentancur has been named as one of 11 Uruguay players CONMEBOL are investigating with video evidence following the ugly scenes that followed the Colombia game after trouble broke out in the stands. Amid claims from the Uruguayan players that their families were being caught up near out of control supporters from the two countries, some of the Uruguay squad, including Liverpool's Darwin Nunez, jumped into the stands amid the trouble.

Down on the pitch, footage appeared to show Bentancur hurl a bottle from the touchline into the crowd, which seemed to fly near a female Uruguayan fan and strike the forehead of Uruguay fitness coach Santiago Ferro who had climbed up into the stands. A second video then appeared to show Bentancur throwing another object into the crowd before the midfielder was ushered away by staff members.

Uruguayan journalist Rodrigo Romano reported on Friday: "Around 8pm, AUF received the documents that have the 11 names of the players who participated in the final episodes for CONMEBOL. The documents contain the names, number in the competition and the cause attributed to them for the purposes of dealing with the sanctions to be determined.

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The 11 players are Jose Maria Gimenez, Sebastian Caceres, Ronald Araujo, Rodrigo Bentancur, Facundo Pellistri, Mathias Olivera, Matias Vina, Brain Rodriguez, Darwin Nunez, Emiliano Martinez, Santiago Mele. Each of the players' names is accompanied by film evidence and the reason for which a disciplinary file is opened.

"The AUF will have until next Wednesday (July 17) to present their defences in writing. After that day, a period will begin for CONMEBOL to study and resolve whether or not to sanction each of the aforementioned players. There are no preventive sanctions, so these players are fit to play on Saturday against Canada.

"The corresponding penalties must be served in the 2026 Qualifiers matches, starting next September when, during the resumption, Uruguay will host Paraguay and then visit Venezuela. There may also be a financial fine if deemed appropriate."

Now that Bentancur's time at the 2024 Copa America has come to a close, the midfielder will go on his summer break before linking up with the rest of the Tottenham squad later in pre-season. Spurs begin their 2024/25 Premier League campaign with an away clash against Leicester City on Monday, August 19.

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Tottenham and Everton's agreement over a potential new deal for Dele Alli at the Toffees would include future payments for the north London club, football.london understands.

Reports on Saturday suggested that Everton had struck an agreement with Spurs that meant they would not be required to pay the London outfit a fee if Alli were to sign a deal for the Merseyside club. The 28-year-old joined Everton in January 2022 in a deal in which the finances were backloaded rather than up front, based on appearances.

As part of that original agreement, Tottenham would have been due a fee if Alli agreed a new contract with the Toffees. The midfielder is currently out of contract but has resumed light training with Everton, who are expected to give him a chance to impress in pre-season and potentially earn a new deal.

Alli played 269 times for Spurs, scoring 67 goals and laying on 58 assists, but made just 13 appearances for Everton before being loaned to Besiktas. He has not played a competitive match since February 2023 due to a hip injury and then a groin issue. Last summer, after opening up about mental health problems, he had hoped to return to action only for an injury setback to delay that.

Now Alli is nearing a return and has been receiving treatment at Everton despite his contract ending last month while taking part in light training sessions.

The Toffees have come to an agreement with Spurs which means there would not be any immediate payment should they agree a new deal with the midfielder. However, football.london understands that there would be additional payments due to Tottenham based on certain objectives being met as well as a sell-on clause should Alli late move on from Everton.

The hope is that the player can return to the level he was before, when he was one of the Premier League's brightest young talents and if he does that then both he, Everton and Tottenham would see the benefits.

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Troy Parrott has sent a heartfelt message to Tottenham fans after leaving the club on a permanent transfer. The Republic of Ireland international sealed his exit with a move to AZ Alkmaar having spent the last season on loan in the Eredivisie with Excelsior.

There was interest from a number of clubs around Europe following his 17-goal season in the Netherlands last year, with the 22-year-old finally confirming an €8million (£6.7million) transfer on Saturday afternoon. Parrott will wear the No.9 shirt at AZ.

Spurs included a 20% sell-on clause in the move, meaning they will be in line for another fee if and when Parrott moves on from AZ. Alternatively, should they wish to bring him back to north London, the clause means they could expect a discount on a full-price move.

As a youngster, Parrott had been thought of as perhaps the best finisher at the club, but he only went on to make four first-team appearances for the club despite his promising youth career, which has in turn brought about 23 appearances and five goals for the Republic of Ireland national team.

Upon sealing his exit, the striker took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to pen a message to Spurs fans and the club.

Parrott tweeted: "Thank you @SpursOfficial," with the following message.

"After an amazing seven years full of memories and experiences, it's time for me to take the next step in my career.

"I wanted to come on here to express my gratitude to the incredible players and staff members I have worked with, I've made friends for life.

"Finally, a massive thank you to the fans that have and continue to support me through my journey - Spurs will always be in my heart."

Parrott also spoke to AZ's official club website about his move, describing it as the "perfect step" for his career after leaving Tottenham.

"Before I signed here, I heard a lot of good things about AZ and I spoke to Kenzo Goudmijn, among others, who I became friends with when I played with him,” Parrott said.

"I think AZ is the perfect club for me to take the next steps in my development. I will take the useful experience from last year with me. It helps me that I already played in the Netherlands last season and am therefore used to the competition and life here.

"In short, I am very happy to be here and can't wait to meet the supporters in the stadium."

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

Troy Parrott has sent a heartfelt message to Tottenham fans after leaving the club on a permanent transfer. The Republic of Ireland international sealed his exit with a move to AZ Alkmaar having spent the last season on loan in the Eredivisie with Excelsior.

There was interest from a number of clubs around Europe following his 17-goal season in the Netherlands last year, with the 22-year-old finally confirming an €8million (£6.7million) transfer on Saturday afternoon. Parrott will wear the No.9 shirt at AZ.

Spurs included a 20% sell-on clause in the move, meaning they will be in line for another fee if and when Parrott moves on from AZ. Alternatively, should they wish to bring him back to north London, the clause means they could expect a discount on a full-price move.

As a youngster, Parrott had been thought of as perhaps the best finisher at the club, but he only went on to make four first-team appearances for the club despite his promising youth career, which has in turn brought about 23 appearances and five goals for the Republic of Ireland national team.

Upon sealing his exit, the striker took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to pen a message to Spurs fans and the club.

Parrott tweeted: "Thank you @SpursOfficial," with the following message.

"After an amazing seven years full of memories and experiences, it's time for me to take the next step in my career.

"I wanted to come on here to express my gratitude to the incredible players and staff members I have worked with, I've made friends for life.

"Finally, a massive thank you to the fans that have and continue to support me through my journey - Spurs will always be in my heart."

Parrott also spoke to AZ's official club website about his move, describing it as the "perfect step" for his career after leaving Tottenham.

"Before I signed here, I heard a lot of good things about AZ and I spoke to Kenzo Goudmijn, among others, who I became friends with when I played with him,” Parrott said.

"I think AZ is the perfect club for me to take the next steps in my development. I will take the useful experience from last year with me. It helps me that I already played in the Netherlands last season and am therefore used to the competition and life here.

"In short, I am very happy to be here and can't wait to meet the supporters in the stadium."

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

Ange Postecoglou gave a run-out to most of his Tottenham players for the first time in pre-season in a goal-heavy behind-closed-doors friendly against Cambridge United.

Spurs invited United, who finished 18th in League One last season and started their own pre-season work almost a week before the Tottenham players. The match kicked off at the Premier League club's Hotspur Way training complex in Enfield at midday with plenty of players getting varying amounts of minutes.

New signings Archie Gray and Lucas Bergvall made their first appearances in a Tottenham shirt, while Timo Werner, returning for an extended loan period next season also played as Postecoglou used a different team in each half against the Football League visitors.

Gray, who has been catching the eye this week in training, is believed to have played at right-back for Tottenham in the first half, with Bergvall playing as a creative presence in the midfield. In the first half the score is understood to have been 5-0 at the interval to the home side with suggestions that Brennan Johnson hit a hat-trick and Son Heung-min was in blistering form with a brace of goals.

The lack of defensive options for Postecoglou with Cristian Romero in the Copa America final and Micky van de Ven and Radu Dragusin having only recently ended their time at the Euros meant plenty of reshuffling, with youngsters used as well and players getting minutes out of position.

Spurs attacking midfielder Jamie Donley is believed to have done a fine job in filling as a left-back, while the highly-rated centre-back Jun'ai Byfield, who only turned 16 in March but has been impressing many within the academy and playing up the age levels, also got a chance to play in front of Postecoglou.

It has been suggested that among the other youngsters used, who included Tyrese Hall, George Abbott and Luca Gunter, 16-year-old Mikey Moore popped up with a goal in the second half for Spurs while Werner forced an own goal from Cambridge, who got on the scoresheet themselves later in the second half. Manor Solomon also got his first minutes of 2024 during the encounter following his knee issues last season.

While Djed Spence and Sergio Reguilon have been training with the group during the week, it is unclear whether the duo, who are not currently in Postecoglou's plans for the coming season. played any part in the match.

Next Postecoglou's team travel to Scotland to play Hearts in an official friendly fixture on Wednesday (July 17) before returning to take on QPR at Loftus Road on Saturday July 20. A couple of days later they fly out to Japan and South Korea for their summer tour, with matches against Vissel Kobe, a K-League All Star team and Bayern Munich before returning to N17 to face Bayern at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on August 10.

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

Tottenham Hotspur U21s are in action at Enfield Town on Saturday in the first official club friendly of the summer.

While the first team are taking on Cambridge United in a behind-closed-doors training game at Hotspur Way on Saturday afternoon, Spurs' U21s are heading just over two miles down the road to take on newly-promoted National League South side Enfield Town in an official game in front of the fans at the Queen Elizabeth II Stadium.

The likes of Mikey Moore, Jamie Donley and Tyrese Hall are expected to be with Ange Postecoglou's first team across the other side of Enfield, but there will still be plenty of talent on display wearing the new Spurs shirts for the first time for Wayne Burnett's U21s side. The development side are coming off the back of a big season in which they finished top of Premier League 2 and then won the play-offs with a victory over Sunderland at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Striker Will Lankshear netted 32 goals across the season, was named Premier League 2 Player of the Year and was then handed a bumper new five-year contract by Tottenham on Friday. The 19-year-old forward is expected to be involved against Enfield on Saturday afternoon.

Our Spurs correspondent Alasdair Gold is at the match at Enfield. Scroll down for his live updates from the encounter in our live blog.

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

Tottenham Hotspur U21s are in action at Enfield Town on Saturday in the first official club friendly of the summer.

While the first team are taking on Cambridge United in a behind-closed-doors training game at Hotspur Way on Saturday afternoon, Spurs' U21s are heading just over two miles down the road to take on newly-promoted National League South side Enfield Town in an official game in front of the fans at the Queen Elizabeth II Stadium.

The likes of Mikey Moore, Jamie Donley and Tyrese Hall are expected to be with Ange Postecoglou's first team across the other side of Enfield, but there will still be plenty of talent on display wearing the new Spurs shirts for the first time for Wayne Burnett's U21s side. The development side are coming off the back of a big season in which they finished top of Premier League 2 and then won the play-offs with a victory over Sunderland at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Striker Will Lankshear netted 32 goals across the season, was named Premier League 2 Player of the Year and was then handed a bumper new five-year contract by Tottenham on Friday. The 19-year-old forward is expected to be involved against Enfield on Saturday afternoon.

Our Spurs correspondent Alasdair Gold is at the match at Enfield. Scroll down for his live updates from the encounter in our live blog.

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