football.london

The new Tottenham Hotspur head coach has been explaining the style of football he will bring to the north London club

Roberto De Zerbi has very specific tasks he will ask of Dominic Solanke and Richarlison as the strikers in his Tottenham team this season.

The Italian has signed a five-year deal with the north London club but his immediate task is keeping Spurs in the Premier League. There are seven games remaining of their season and if West Ham beat Wolves at home on Friday night then De Zerbi will begin his tenure with his team in the bottom three.

Tottenham make the trip to Sunderland on Sunday and the 46-year-old will have to pick up his new players quickly and get his methods across if they are to finally win a Premier League match in 2026.

De Zerbi has previously said that when he see the ball up in the air it "hurts my heart" because as a former attacking midfielder he prefers it to be played on the deck. He brings a high energy, attacking brand of football with each player key to the overall system working as a unit and one of the key roles is the central forward.

In a Sky Sports interview with Glenn Murray during his time as Brighton head coach he spoke extensively about building up from the back and using six players to bait the press but also what he expected of his strikers and how he likes to adapt to his players' strengths.

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"I love playing with different solutions depending on the different characteristics of the players, because on the pitch they're the ones who have to play and they have to find the solutions. You can't move the player with a [computer game] joystick," he said.

Of his front three and the man in the middle, he said: "If we want to control the game we need the number nine to be smart, intelligent to understand when he has to play, when he has to attack the space and when he has to open the space [behind] for Mitoma for example or to open this other space [in front of the box].

"If you play for Brighton, you have to work for the players first of all. Then for sure we can't forget our style. We can't forget the quality of the play if we want to compete with the big teams.

"In this [system] there is myself. There is my history, there is my character. There is my madness, no? Everything."

The talented youngster Tottenham signed in early 2025 has finally made his debut for the north London club and instantly caught the eye

It took Mason Melia just three minutes to score his first Tottenham goal after finally pulling on the club's shirt to make his debut 14 months after signing.

The 18-year-old striker was considered one of the biggest young talents in Irish football when Spurs grabbed him ahead of other top Premier League and European clubs from St Patrick's Athletic in February last year for an initial £1.6million - a record transfer for the League of Ireland - with future add-ons that could double that figure.

Despite his age, Melia has already played 98 senior matches, including Europa League games, and been directly involved in 33 goals, scoring 25 himself and recording eight assists. He penned a Spurs contract until 2031, but was not allowed by EU law to make the move to the Premier League club until he turned 18, which meant he had to wait until January this year to complete the switch.

However, the Irish teenager then arrived in north London with a back injury that he had been playing with at St Pats in the final months of their season and when he recovered from that, he picked up a chest infection that further delayed his start date.

football.london reported last week that Melia was back in training and finally ready to get his first minutes in a Spurs shirt in the U21s match against West Ham on Saturday.

Not only did the Republic of Ireland U21 international get on the pitch in the 67th minute but it took him just three minutes after coming off the bench to race into the box and put the finishing touch on to Calum Logan's low cross.

That brought Tottenham back to 2-2 after fellow January arrival James Wilson's early goal had been ruled out by strikes by Joshua Ajala and Daniel Cummings. An own goal from West Ham's Callum Leacock sealed the points for the hosts in the 78th minute.

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"Obviously, I'm buzzing to be back on the pitch, mainly. It's been a long six months. I'm happy to get the goal and win the game," Melia said in his club interview after the game. "It's a nice feeling to get used to, but that's my job at the end of the day, so I'm happy to be back doing that.

"I did [have an impact on the comeback], to be fair, I think the lads done really well to grind in really. Look, it was a tough slog game but you get the 3-2 result and it's a good win. It was a scrappy game, but it's a London derby, they're going to be like that. It's going to be tough. I thought the lads dug in well, did very well to get the goals back."

After that back injury and check infection, Melia believes the rest and recovery has ensured he is in prime physical condition following so many games as a youngster.

"I've never felt better in my body," he said. "To be honest, they've looked after me really well, the physios, everyone in there, so I'm feeling really good in myself and I've settled in well. So, excited to be back."

The young Irishman was backed during the game at Hotspur Way by a healthy contingent of family and friends who had travelled to the Tottenham training ground to watch his long-awaited debut.

"A good few of them have [come], I've a big family, so a good few of them came over. My parents, my missus...yeah, I'm buzzing to have them here as well, it makes it more special," he said.

"It's been a long time coming. I'm really proud to make my debut and have it happen finally, I thought it was never going to happen! I'm buzzing to be here and get started."

Cristian Romero's father has lifted the lid on a release clause in the Tottenham captain's contract, with just weeks to go in the season

The father of Cristian Romero has claimed that the Tottenham Hotspur skipper has a 'very high release clause' in his existing deal with the north London club.

The Argentine defender has been the subject of transfer speculation this summer amid Spurs' continued difficulties in the Premier League.

Roberto De Zerbi will take charge of his first match at the helm when Spurs face Sunderland next weekend, fully aware that points are desperately needed to drag the club away from the relegation places.

Spurs sit 17th in the top flight, just a single point ahead of West Ham United, who occupy the final relegation spot.

Romero — who captains the side — has featured in 31 appearances across all competitions, contributing six goals and four assists throughout that period.

Despite his importance to the squad, he has been sidelined for a number of Premier League fixtures through injury and has been touted with a departure should the club drop out of the top flight this summer.

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"He has two more years on his contract with Tottenham and a very high release clause," Victor Romero disclosed in a recent interview. "The English club isn't going to let him go for free; it's between $50-70m [£37.8m-£53m].

"For me, they'll want to recover what they invested."

Spanish giants Atletico Madrid are understood to be amongst those monitoring the situation, with manager Diego Simeone reportedly a keen admirer of the 27-year-old international.

Romero has also been linked with a sensational return to his boyhood club Club Atletico Belgrano, with his father 'hoping' the speculation proves accurate as a supporter of the Argentine side.

Victor was questioned about a potential move back to Argentina and responded: "It's a bombshell that keeps getting bigger. I hope it's true.

"As a Belgrano fan and father, what more could I want? But I don't know anything.

"Cuti isn't one to make statements, that's why it surprises me. I don't know anything, but in football, anything can happen.

"Today, you might be thinking about being close to your family, and tomorrow, they put together a team to win the championship, and everything changes. I don't want to lie."

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Liverpool have been sent a clear transfer message ahead of the summer and their defensive problems amid their interest in Tottenham's Micky van de Ven

Liverpool have been brutally advised against signing Tottenham defender Micky van de Ven. Arne Slot's side are expected to strengthen in defence this summer with Ibrahima Konate out of contract and Virgil van Dijk turning 35 in a few months.

A deal has been pre-agreed for Jeremy Jacquet to join from Rennes ahead of the 2026/27 season but further additions at the back are still expected. Van de Ven has been strongly linked to an Anfield switch but Liverpool have been warned against bringing him in by former forward Dean Saunders.

He told aceodds.com: “When speaking about Micky van de Ven, he is lightning quick, but I have played against defenders like him. I have played against the quickest centre backs in the world, but it was never a problem for me. Being a top defender is all about your brain.

“It doesn't matter being quick if you don't have the brain. It helps you recover from mistakes, but you shouldn't make those mistakes to start.

“We also saw the situation where he ignored Thomas Frank. I didn't like that situation. Yes, he is playing for a team who are struggling and keep selling their best players, but you can't behave like that.”

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It has been a disastrous season for Tottenham and Van de Ven with relegation a real possibility as they sit one point above the bottom three having not won a Premier League game in 2026.

Interim head coach Igor Tudor, who has since departed the club, managed just one point from his five league games in charge with that coming against Liverpool earlier this month.

That stalemate came during a six-game run where Liverpool won just twice with their defeats coming against Wolves, Galatasaray and Brighton. The latter was a particularly disappointing one with it leaving the champions at risk of missing out on a top-five finish.

They do currently occupy the final Champions League qualification spot but are seemingly in a battle with Chelsea, Everton and Brentford.

However, Liverpool beating two of the teams that they lost to recently has seen them in the quarter-finals of both the FA Cup and Champions League.

Knockout ties in those competitions are up first for Liverpool following the conclusion of the March international break with trips to Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain on the horizon.

Current Manchester City star Omar Marmoush was linked with a number of Premier League stars before he made his move to the Etihad Stadium

Ex-Tottenham star Mido urged his former club to sign Omar Marmoush before he joined Manchester City in 2025. Both teams face off in the Premier League on Sunday, with the Egyptian expected to be part of the away side for this crucial clash.

However, the forward has been linked with a move to north London in recent weeks despite spending just a year in Manchester. Pep Guardiola added to his attack in January with the £64million signing of Antoine Semenyo from Bournemouth.

This acquisition has cast uncertainty on Marmoush's future at the club, with Semenyo scoring three goals and assisting once in four appearances so far for City. Fenerbahce have also been linked, with Turkish publication Sabah reporting that the Super Lig club are prepared to offer £26m for the attacker.

However, it is understood that Marmoush would prefer to remain in the Premier League, putting Tottenham at the top of the list of interested clubs . Ex-Spurs star Mido, who spent time on loan at the club before joining permanently in 2006, seemed to be ahead of the curve as he encouraged former chairman Daniel Levy to sign the Egyptian before he moved to Manchester.

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Speaking on OnTime Sports, the fellow Egyptian claimed he had told Levy to sign Liverpool's Mohamed Salah when he was at Basel, and also to secure the signature of Marmoush. He said: "I sent a text message via phone to Daniel Levy, the chairman of Tottenham, with whom I have a good relationship, to sign Mohamed Salah while he was playing in Basel.

"And I told him that it was necessary to sign Salah because he will be one of the best players in the world. The Tottenham chairman replied that he would follow up on the player, and I think he now regrets not signing him.

"A year and a half ago, I sent the same message to Daniel Levy, and told him to follow Omar Marmoush, and that he will be one of the best players in the world, but I do not think the club moved to include him."

Mido's words foreshadowed a Premier League transfer for Marmoush, but to a different club. The 26-year-old joined Guardiola's side from Eintracht Frankfurt last January for £59m, playing a part in City's push to the end of the season and an FA Cup final against Crystal Palace.

Since joining, the attacker has scored 10 goals and assisted four times in all competitions, making 42 total appearances for the club. Now, he could be on the move again in January with north London his potential destination.

Spurs face competition from Aston Villa as they aim to bolster their forward line before the transfer window closes. However, Besiktas boss Sergen Yalcin confirmed on Monday that Tammy Abraham will be expected to join Villa in the coming days to add to their striking options.

The Lilywhites have secured the signings of Conor Gallagher from Atletico Madrid and left-back Souza from Santos. More goal scorers are required for Thomas Frank's side, though, with Dominic Solanke their only recognised centre-forward due to Richarlison's injury.

Tottenham can seal a top-eight Champions League finish if they are to beat Eintracht Frankfurt in Germany on Wednesday evening

Tottenham have potentially been dealt both good and bad news ahead of their final Champions League group phase clash against Eintracht Frankfurt. Spurs head to Germany later this afternoon but they trained at Hotspur Way on Tuesday morning.

Joao Palhinha, who narrowly missed Saturday's 2-2 Premier League draw at Burnley, was pictured out on the grass.

That is a boost for under-fire boss Thomas Frank as both Conor Gallagher and Yves Bissouma are not registered to play in the Champions League.

The Portuguese loanee has now featured since picking up a knock during the 2-1 FA Cup defeat to Aston Villa earlier this month.

However, centre-back Micky van de Ven was absent, sparking fears he could well miss the contest after netting the opener last weekend at Turf Moor.

Pedro Porro wasn't spotted either after coming off at half-time against Burnley.

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Spurs are yet to confirm the reason behind the Dutchman's absence, though Frank is set to address the media in Frankfurt later today when there will be clarity on Van de Ven's availability.

The 24-year-old missed last week's 2-0 win over Borussia Dortmund through suspension after picking up his third Champions League yellow card against Slavia Prague.

He did not train ahead of facing Dortmund but there is now seemingly a chance he won't play or travel to Germany.

Gallagher did train and so did Mathys Tel, who was recently removed from the club's Champions League squad following Dominic Solanke's return to fitness.

Solanke was on the grass too after starting his second successive match against Burnley.

Tottenham can secure a top-eight finish with victory over crisis-hit Eintracht, who they beat 1-0 away from home in the Europa League quarter-finals last season.

Van de Ven starred in that particular match, nullifying Liverpool forward Hugo Ekitike. Frankfurt are currently 33rd from a possible 36 in the Champions League standings and recently sacked boss Dino Toppmoller.

The Bundesliga club are now closing in on the appointment of a new manager with U21 coach Dennis Schmitt currently operating as their caretaker boss. Eintracht were beaten 3-1 at home on Saturday by Germany's in-form team Hoffenheim.

Meanwhile, Frank is clinging onto his job following more unrest in the away end at Turf Moor on Saturday when supporters again called for him head.

Much like last season, Spurs' European form has been incomparable to their results in the Premier League where they're now nervously hovering in 14th place.

Former Tottenham chairman Lord Sugar has branded the current squad 'useless' and declared that the 'whole bloody team should be fired' when discussing their performances this season.

Lord Sugar has delivered his assessment of the Tottenham Hotspur campaign so far this season - and suggests he would treat the players in the same manner as candidates on his programme The Apprentice. Sugar served as majority owner and chairman of the club between 1991 and 2001, before disposing of his remaining stake in 2007.

Nevertheless, he continues to support Spurs and follows their fixtures on television even whilst residing in Florida for portions of the year. Lord Sugar was questioned about their season following their defeat to Aston Villa in the FA Cup and inconsistent Premier League performances that have placed manager Thomas Frank under scrutiny.

When asked whether Frank should be 'fired' like someone on his BBC programme, Lord Sugar responded: "I have no comment really about that poor sod. I mean, I think the whole bloody team should be fired.

"They're useless. Bloody useless. And, you know, they're getting close to the relegation zone. And it'd be interesting to see what the new management [ownership] is going to do. Because, as you know, Daniel Levy has left.

"So it's now in the hands of Joe Lewis, who's a multi billionaire, and he needs to start throwing some money, some real money at it to get the top players. And if he throws more money at it, they'll do well, I guess.

"Seems to be the only way that all these clubs do, is buy players for £100million each, or something."

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Lord Sugar discussed Spurs with The Mirror at the official launch of The Apprentice anniversary series. The programme marks 20 years on air this year.

He has penned a deal that will keep the business reality show broadcasting for a further three years as it commemorates its 20th milestone.

When questioned whether the programme keeps him feeling youthful, Sugar remarked: "Part of the contract is the BBC has got to provide me with an electronic Zimmer frame! I mean, three years takes me to about 82, I suppose, the time I'm finished, but I'll carry on as long as the BBC want me to and I will know personally when it's time for me to kind of hang up my finger, if you know what I mean.

"As the footballers say, they hang up their boots, hang up my finger or something. I'm happy about it. I'm a very fit person."

The 20th series of The Apprentice debuts later this week featuring an expanded group of 20 fresh candidates eager to impress Lord Sugar and secure his £250,000 investment. It begins dramatically as the participants - including Lord Sugar himself - travel for a task in Hong Kong.

However, Lord Sugar acknowledged the opening episode encounters difficulties. He stated: "Having spent a fortune flying 20 people out to Hong Kong, not to mention 20 production people and myself, yeah it was disappointing."

He revealed the candidates received a dressing down from him 'in technicolour' but this was cut from the episode with a watered-down version broadcast instead. The BBC programme will also witness the candidates tackling a range of demanding challenges including producing a children's book, presenting live television sales, and organising a corporate retreat on the Red Sea in El Gouna, Egypt.

Adviser Baroness Brady remarks: "They're full of energy. They weren't very nervous. Some are a bit overconfident. There's a real mix of personalities.

"Everyone always asks me, do you know who the winner is when they walk into the boardroom? And of course we don't, because we don't know what they're capable of just yet. That comes out in the process.

"It's such a great show, it's such an honour and a privilege to be involved. I've always said I'll be doing it as long as Alan's doing it. Not more, not less. So it's really great to be a part of it. It's a great show. I think it's incredible to think we've reached the 20th series. That's a real milestone for any television show.

Brady continued: "And I think it speaks volumes about the strength of The Apprentice as a format and as a brand, two decades on, it's still entertaining, it's still competitive, and actually it's still as relevant as ever. And I think the show's evolved with the times. The business world has changed massively since series one, and the show has changed with it, we've got more entrepreneurial candidates, they're more digitally savvy, they are more aware of social impact and innovation.

"So I'm incredibly proud of what the show has achieved. It's not just about great TV, but it's launched real businesses with real success stories. I think we've helped shine a light on ambition, hard work, and resilience, qualities that are more important now than ever before."

Michael Carrick has made an impressive start as Manchester United's interim manager and Paul Scholes has tipped him to replace Thomas Frank at Tottenham

Paul Scholes has claimed he can see Michael Carrick getting the Tottenham Hotspur job at the end of the season when his interim spell at Manchester United comes to an end.

Carrick, who played 75 times for Spurs, returned to Old Trafford earlier this month on a deal running until the end of the season after Ruben Amorim was sacked. He has made an immediate impression in his new role, beating Manchester City and Arsenal.

United's remarkable transformation in both displays and outcomes under Carrick has already sparked speculation that he might emerge as a serious candidate for the head coach role on a permanent basis.

However, Scholes suspects United will remain "scarred" by their earlier decision to hand Ole Gunnar Solskjaer the position permanently following an outstanding caretaker period and it could lead to Carrick moving to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

"It could be like a Tottenham manager from this [for Carrick]. It wouldn't surprise me," he said on The Good, The Bad and The Football podcast.

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He added: "He's come into the job now and it's been that bad for a year that it couldn't really get any worse so the pressure isn't really on you while you're interim manager. Once you take that job full-time, at the start of the season next year, let's say, all of a sudden you've got to be winning games straightaway.

"They will be scarred a little bit from the Ole [Gunnar Solksjaer] thing. If the Ole thing hadn't have happened then it would probably be more likely.

"But if Michael has got to go up against, say, Thomas Tuchel in the summer then there's only one winner if you're looking at coaching big clubs and winning big prizes so you can't really compete with that."

Pressure remains on Thomas Frank after Saturday's frustrating 2-2 draw at Burnley. A late Cristian Romero goal rescued a point for Spurs, but Frank and his players were greeted with jeers by the away end as Spurs fans made their stance clear.

A chorus of boos rang out from the travelling support, along with chants of "We want Frank out", clearly nailing their colours to the mast on the managerial situation. Former Spurs midfielder Jamie O'Hara has claimed the club should turn to Harry Redknapp as interim manager.

Speaking on talkSPORT, he said: "Look, Harry’s been out of the game for a while, but he still watches football. He's got an affiliation to the football club, a love there. The fans loved him. I would take Harry Redknapp, I would. For an interim manager until the end of the season.

"Give him some backroom staff, people that can coach, take the sessions for him, he manages the team. He’s been my manager, Harry Redknapp. He'll get his arm around you, he'll give you some confidence and he'll say, 'Go and play and express yourselves.'

"And I think that's what the players need. I don't know if Thomas Frank has just got these players with the handbrake on. I think Harry Redknapp would take the handbrake off these players and say, 'Go and enjoy your football.'"

Tottenham are among the clubs to be linked with a move for Manchester City forward Omar Marmoush as they look to complete deals in the final week of the January transfer window.

Tottenham Hotspur have received a potential lift in their pursuit of Manchester City forward Omar Marmoush ahead of the transfer deadline.

Spurs are amongst the clubs reportedly interested in acquiring the player.

The Egyptian has found regular first-team opportunities limited at City this season, though he featured in the starting XI for the Premier League fixture against Wolves after returning from the Africa Cup of Nations.

He found the back of the net in the side's 2-0 victory.

January signing Antoine Semenyo has increased competition within the squad and sparked speculation regarding Marmoush's future at the Etihad Stadium.

Spurs, Aston Villa and Turkish outfit Fenerbahce have all been linked with a potential move in recent weeks. However, Turkish publication Sabah has claimed that the player would prefer to remain in the Premier League.

With Villa nearing a deal for former Chelsea forward Tammy Abraham, this could present Spurs with an opportunity to move ahead in the race. Fenerbahce are, though, understood to be maintaining their interest and are considering a potential €30m (£26m) offer.

Whilst searching for striking reinforcements following injuries to both Dominic Solanke and Richarlison, there is also speculation surrounding potential departures at the opposite end of the pitch.

According to TuttoMercatoWeb (via Milan News), Milan sporting director Igli Tare has been in discussions with Spurs regarding a potential January transfer for Radu Dragusin.

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The 23 year old has featured just twice as a substitute for the club since recovering from a cruciate ligament injury in December.

The report indicates that Milan are eager to arrange a loan deal with an option to purchase included for the summer. However, Tottenham are insisting on an obligation to buy being included in any loan agreement.

It's reported that Tottenham want the obligation linked to certain conditions that would be relatively straightforward to activate. Milan, on the other hand, prefer having the option to make a final decision at the conclusion of a loan spell in the summer.

Whether the two clubs can reach some form of agreement remains to be seen. West Ham United are amongst the other clubs reportedly showing interest in the centre-back before the transfer window closes.