Football365

Tottenham have added Burnley boss Scott Parker to their shortlist to replace Ange Postecoglou at the end of the season, according to reports.

Spurs are having a nightmare season in the Premier League with Postecoglou’s side now 16th in the Premier League table and just one point ahead of 18th-placed West Ham.

Their 2-1 loss to Nottingham Forest on Monday was their fifth defeats in their last seven Premier League matches with Tottenham losing their 18th match in 33 games.

There were already rumours that Postecoglou could face the sack before the end of the season but a report in the Daily Telegraph on Tuesday night revealed that Postecoglou ‘is heading towards the Tottenham Hotspur exit whether his team win the Europa League or not.’

The report added:

‘Tottenham face Norwegian club Bodo/Glimt in the semi-finals of the Europa League and the Australian could be sacked if his side fail to progress or lose in the final against either Athletic Bilbao or Manchester United.

‘Lifting the trophy and maintaining his record of winning silverware in his second season at clubs would give Postecoglou the opportunity to leave – possibly mutually – with his head held high and having delivered on his promises of changing the playing style and achieving success.’

READ: Who will be the next manager of Tottenham after Ange Postecoglou?

And now the Daily Mail, who have a similar story to the Telegraph, have put forward some names as potential options should Tottenham decide to sack Postecoglou.

The report claims that Bournemouth’s Andoni Iraola and Fulham’s Marco Silva ‘would be among the leading candidates as a replacement’, while, in a shock revelation, claim that Parker – who has just won promotion back to the Premier League with Burnley – ‘has admirers within the club’.

On Parker, the Daily Mail adds: ‘Parker played for Spurs, was well-liked by supporters and also coached within the club’s academy set-up.’

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Senior football writer for ESPN James Olley has previously put forward Fulham boss Silva as a good replacement for Postecoglou with Chelsea also linked in the past.

“I think Marco Silva is another interesting option,” Olley said.

“I think that he would leave Fulham. I think he was quite keen to go to Chelsea, had they made a concerted effort to appoint him in the past.

“So I think he’s ambitious Silva. I think, obviously Fulham, I’m sure, would fight tooth and nail to keep him, but I can see a scenario where Marco Silva certainly courts some interest if there’s a possibility of that.”

Ange Postecoglou is expected to leave his role as Tottenham Hotspur head coach even if he guides the club to Europa League glory, according to Matt Law.

Postecoglou joined the Premier League club from Celtic ahead of the 2023/24 season.

His Spurs side started his debut campaign fantastically well and despite early talk of a title challenge, they finished fifth and failed to qualify for the Champions League.

This season has been a disaster – well, it has been a disaster since the start of 2024 really.

Spurs have had plenty of injuries this season but there is no excuse for being 16th in the Premier League with a ridiculous 18 defeats from 33 matches.

The fact Postecoglou is still in a job is baffling but Daniel Levy has decided to keep the faith, presumably because the club are still in the Europa League.

Spurs are now in the semi-final of the competition and have a favourable tie against Norwegian side Bodo/Glimt, with Manchester United and Athletic Bilbao on the other side of the draw.

Considering being in the competition has kept Postecoglou in a job, it felt like winning it would be enough to see the Australian stay at the club for 2025/26.

However, it looks like Spurs will part ways with Big Ange even if they win this season’s Europa League.

This is according to Telegraph Sport journalist Matt Law, who says Postecoglou ‘is heading towards the Tottenham Hotspur exit whether his team win the Europa League or not.

This report comes just a day after Spurs suffered a 2-1 Premier League to Nottingham Forest – their 18th league defeat of a miserable Premier League campaign.

Law claims Postecoglou ‘could be sacked’ if his side lose to Bodo/Glimt or beat them and then lose to Bilbao or Man United in the final, though winning the competition could see him depart ‘either through being dismissed or mutually’.

Postecoglou also led Spurs to the semi-final of the Carabao Cup this term and essentially promised a trophy in his second year in north London.

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He has also recently insisted that he has “no idea” whether he will be in charge next season.

Spurs have not won a trophy since the 2008 League Cup under Juande Ramos, who was sacked eight months after their most recent triumph.

Postecoglou’s chances of staying are also being hindered by the summer departure of a ‘key ally and biggest supporter’, chief football officer, Scott Munn.

Should Postecoglou depart, Spurs will likely pursue Fulham’s Marco Silva or Bournemouth’s Andoni Iraola, the report adds.

The maths isn’t mathsing for TNT Sports, while The Sun are now quoting the voices in their heads and the Daily Express suffers death by thesaurus.

Route 66

Genuinely quite an impressive effort to make Tottenham and Man United’s Premier League seasons look even worse than they actually are, so hats off to TNT Sports‘ social team for managing it with this post on hate-fillled cesspit X.com – formerly hate-filled cesspit twitter.com – which somehow stayed defiantly, wrongly alive for very nearly an hour before grudgingly accepting its inevitable ‘Hmm…this page doesn’t exist’ fate and the heartbreaking loss of all that sweet, sweet engagement.

Arsenal (66) currently have more league points than Tottenham and Man United combined this season (65).

As all the many, many replies and quotes that weren’t ignoring the maths and going straight for ‘Worra trophy’ pointed out: high-flying superclubs Spurs and Man United actually have a whopping great 75 points between them this season, meaning it is in fact only Liverpool who can boast more points than the pair of them combined.

And thus Spurs and Man United win, in the most minor way possible.

Sway of The Sun

No great shock that Manchester United would quite like to sign Matheus Cunha, and we’re not even going to get too cross about everyone gleefully drawing their own conclusions from his little tunnel chat with Ruben Amorim at Old Trafford at the weekend.

But one fight we refuse to give up despite having long been lost is the quaint idea that quote marks mean someone somewhere is being quoted. And so to The Sun and this headline.

Man Utd close in on Matheus Cunha transfer with £62.5m Wolves star ‘swayed’ after Ruben Amorim tunnel chat

The word swayed appears absolutely nowhere else at any point in the story. Not even in a picture caption. They are not even quoting themselves this time. Just a complete and utter cheat to hint at some statement or other indicator of authority that simply does not exist.

Killer instinct

Overwrought headline of the day honours go to the Express for this entirely calm and rational assessment of a manager serving a one-match touchline ban.

Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca hit with killer setback as top five twist emerges

Truly, if Chelsea do miss out on the Champions League we will all remember where we were when the news broke of Maresca’s killer one-match touchline ban. Mediawatch is also drawn uncomfortably to the following paragraph early in the story, because we simply refuse to believe it was written by a human.

‘The moment turned tumultuous when referee Anthony Taylor booked Maresca as the Chelsea coach and his team celebrated on the pitch post-Neto’s goal, which sealed a thrilling comeback at Craven Cottage. Tyrique George had equalised with his first Premier League goal 10 minutes before Neto secured the victory in the 93rd minute.’

‘The moment turned tumultuous’? And ‘celebrated on the pitch post-Neto’s goal’? Mediawatch has long enjoyed the sheer absurdity of tabloidese and the fact no actual real people ever talk anything like the way football journalists write, but this feels like a significant step beyond even the usual shite like ‘the Madrid-based schemer’ or ‘wantaway 18-goal frontman’.

And it doesn’t stop there.

Yet, with the pandemonium in southwest London, Chelsea now eye the possibility of ascending to third place when they tackle Everton, should other results swing their way, in what has become the latest twist in the race for the top 5 positions.

It could, we suppose, be nothing more than a chronically insecure writer armed with a thesaurus and just changing every fifth word to something that sounds grander. But our queasy gut tells us this just has to be lazy AI slop, doesn’t it? And with that Mediawatch once again feels the icy breath and long, bony fingers of death upon its shoulder.

Axe throwing

Plenty of the usual suspects having slightly mischievous fun with the brief VAR outage during Tottenham v Nottingham Forest last night, which amounted to eight minutes and zero incidents before it was back up and running.

But with any chance to have a pop at VAR a potential click-mine of hefty proportions, there will always be those keen to push their luck just a bit too far.

And today that prize goes to talkSPORT. Like so many of the decisions VAR likes to make hard and fast judgment on, it is really entirely subjective just how much artistic licence you allow in these situations.

Mediawatch would contend, though, that this headline is more than a Chris Wood nipple offside.

VAR axed midway through Tottenham’s clash with Nottingham Forest due to bizarre mix-up

It wasn’t ‘axed’, it was temporarily out of use. And it wasn’t a bizarre mix-up, it was a fire alarm.

At the risk of going full tinfoil hat, Mediawatch would contend that there wouldn’t be this kind of headline about this had there not been a borderline VAR call earlier in the match, one that inevitably imbues ‘axed’ and ‘bizarre mix-up’ with weight the actual story simply cannot carry alone.

Tottenham are “looking at higher-profile managers” than Brentford boss Thomas Frank if they sack Ange Postecoglou, according to a former Spurs scout.

Postecoglou has had a terrible season in charge of Tottenham – who lost 2-1 at home to Nottingham Forest last night – with his side currently 16th in the Premier League table heading into their final five matches.

Reports have previously claimed that Postecoglou could face the sack if Spurs are knocked out of Europe with the Australian guiding them to the semi-finals of the Europa League.

A trophy win would be a huge deal for Tottenham, who have not won any silverware since Juande Ramos lifted the League Cup in 2008, but the awful performances and results in the Premier League are unlikely to be overlooked.

It feels likely that Postecoglou will not be at Tottenham next season and there are already rumours building about who could replace him ahead of the 2025/26 campaign.

Thomas Frank, who has done an oustanding job at Brentford, has been linked with a potential move to north London but former Tottenham and Man Utd scout Mick Brown insists Spurs are looking at big-name managers.

Brown told Football Insider: “There’s no doubt Frank has done a fantastic job at Brentford. But’s a completely different job to managing Tottenham Hotspur.

“His job at Brentford cannot be questioned, he’s done better than many others would have, and everybody I speak to has a lot of respect and admiration for him.

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“The issue is, Tottenham have had about 15 well-respected managers who have done jobs elsewhere.

“I think they’re looking at higher-profile managers to come in and transform them into a winning outfit.

“I don’t know whether Frank meets that star status they’re looking for.

“He’s a very intelligent and talented manager who has done very well, so I don’t doubt he’ll be under consideration, but I wouldn’t expect him to be a leading candidate.”

Carlo Ancelotti’s future at Real Madrid is very uncertain and there are rumours that Bayer Leverkusen boss Xabi Alonso will replace him in the summer.

But Jamie O’Hara has rubbished claims that Ancelotti could succeed Postecoglou at Tottenham in the summer.

Responding to a caller on talkSPORT, O’Hara replied: “Are you having a wind up? Ancelotti? He’s going to get the Brazil job mate, what you talking about? Yeah [he went to Everton], he was on about £18m a year, that’s why he went there for half a season and he dipped as soon as Madrid phoned him.”

Tottenham Hotspur star Cristian Romero has delivered an honest admission on his future at the Premier League club amid reports linking him with an exit.

Romero and Spurs are enduring a disappointing season as they have spent most of the campaign in the bottom half of the Premier League. The 16th-placed outfit suffered their 18th loss of the season against Nottingham Forest on Monday night.

Injuries have ravaged Tottenham this season and Romero has missed a significant portion of this campaign with hamstring and toe injuries.

The Argentina international is being eased back into the fold ahead of Tottenham’s Europa League final against Bodo-Glimt and he was taken off at half-time against Forest.

Romano has been heavily linked with a potential exit from Spurs in recent months, with it claimed that ‘have to accept’ his exit on one condition. Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid are among the clubs linked with the centre-back.

When asked about his future, Romero revealed the “truth” and commented on his potential next move.

“I try, above all things, to always live day to day,” Romero said.

READ: Postecoglou must be sick at the thought of contemptible Tottenham star failing upwards

“There are almost two months left of the season, and I want to perform at my best and try to finish it in the best way possible.

“We are in the semi-final of the Europa League, which is an important step for the club after so many years that it has not reached this stage.

“The truth is that I have not spoken with my agent yet, but I am willing to do anything.

“My focus is always on growing and looking for new places to continue developing, but I don’t want to talk about that yet because there are a few months left to finish the season.”

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He added: “After this, we’ll see. I haven’t spoken to my agent yet, but I’m willing to do anything.

“My focus is on growing, but I don’t want to talk about that. I’d love to play in the Spanish league. I’d love to compete in all the top leagues.”

Explaining why Romero and Micky van Ven were subbed at half-time against Nottm Forest, Postecoglou said: “I thought they needed to play some minutes tonight because it becomes 10 days leading into Liverpool.

“With both of them we’ve got them in a really good place physically now and I just want to keep them ticking over.

“I felt that there was no need to play more than 45 minutes today and we needed to get a couple of others game time.

“I just felt that if it was Sunday we probably wouldn’t have played them, but on a Monday, especially for Micky because he’s been playing just one game a week, we need to build him up because he’s in a really good place at the moment so I thought 45 minutes for both of them would be beneficial.”

Jamie Carragher has hit out at one Tottenham Hotspur star, who was exposed as a “huge weakness” in the loss against Nottingham Forest.

Spurs are enduring a nightmare season in the Premier League as they are 16th in the table after their 18th loss of the campaign against Forest on Monday night.

Elliott Anderson and Chris Wood netted inside the opening 20 minutes as Forest took control before Richarlison scored a late consolation for the hosts.

This 2-1 win boosts Forest’s Champions League hopes, while Spurs need to win the Europa League to earn a spot in Europe next season.

This result nudges Ange Postecoglou closer to the sack as he’s one of the favourites to be the next Premier League manager to leave.

Spurs have been woeful defensively this season and Carragher claims goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario has become a “huge weakness”.

“They actually feel [Vicario coming for crosses] is a huge weakness for Tottenham,” Carragher said on Sky Sports.

READ: Postecoglou must be sick at the thought of contemptible Tottenham star failing upwards

“The goalkeeper’s not great. He’s not great on the first one, he’s not great on this one either. He’s never great with the ball coming into the box.

“It’s definitely something they’ve identified that this is a weakness for Tottenham Hotspur.”

Carragher also brutally claimed Spurs defend “like an academy” side.

“Spurs are just so naive, like an academy at times how they perform defensively,” Carragher said.

Carragher also explained why Postecoglou’s recent comments about Tottenham’s performances are “worrying”.

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He said: “I think like when you listen to managers you feel like you get the same interview because he’s talking about the same problems but it’s his job to fix them.

“We shouldn’t forget they are in poor form – they lost last week at Wolves 4-2. The worry for me a little bit if I was a Spurs supporter, the manager’s talking about we play good football, we’ve let ourselves down with a couple of mistakes.

“On the back of last week at Wolves, after the game he said they played well. That would worry me a little bit. That would tell me that a manager’s sole focus, not sole, but a big thing for him is how his team’s playing with the ball. If they play well with the ball he’ll feel like his team have played well.

“He’ll put that down tonight to a couple of mistakes. You can’t say you played well away at Wolves if you lose 4-2.

“Football’s about with the ball and without the ball and if you played well it means you’ve done well in both categories and that never really happens with Tottenham. We highlighted before the problems they have defensively and within 16 minutes they’re getting beat 2-0.”

Graham Potter is eviscerated by a furious West Ham supporter but Cristian Romero is excused for his Spurs cowardice; that is ‘a dog s**t joke’ of a club.

Send your thoughts to theeditor@football365.com.

Cristian belief

Will Ford thinks Romero is contemptible. Personally, I’m not having it.

I’m on my way home from possibly the flattest football match I’ve ever been too. Bank holidays do have a habit of doing that. Games betwixt Christmas and new year can be a lacklustre so 8pm on Easter Monday for Spurs was always going to be a bit of a stretch….but that was soul searchingly flat.

On to Romero. He doesn’t give a s**t about Tottenham. The world cup winner thinks he deserves better. His performances are proof of that. I’d agree with him. He’s been at Spurs since 2001. He’s had 6 managers. And a physio room who can’t fix him. He can only rely on his national team’s medical department to do that. His centre back partner has very nearly been broken by a reckless style of play from a rookie manager ill equipped for his first premier league gig.

I wouldn’t challenge Chris Wood for the header and I don’t blame him for keeping his feet on the floor. If I played for Tottenham I would hide. But not Anderton Redknapp hide. Like I was a smidgy bit scared, 85% up for it and sh*tting myself that I was in a 50/50 with Roy Keane. I would hide like my career depended on it. It’s a dog s**t joke of a football club.

Have a good week,

Andrew

Contracts running out

I had generally agreed with all the pundits who were scathing of Liverpool letting 3 first teamer contracts run down.

Now that two have signed on I have to accept that maybe the club know more than me and the pundits especially when it comes to older players. Delaying the extension of older players allows the following:

Obviously all this doesn’t apply for younger players. They can continue to look attractive to other clubs for many years. But reports suggest that Trent was planning on leaving regardless. Maybe Konate has similar plans next year. Or maybe they know that as young players they can hold out for even higher salaries before renewing as they know they continue to look attractive to potential new clubs, making it trickier for a club to hang on to them without overpaying.

I am a big Trent fan but know he is not perfect, and when he is off his game I am more than happy to see him leave (eg that MUFC game). That doesn’t mean I won’t miss him… I suppose it means I wish him well, hope he has plenty of success, but ultimately think we will be fine without him.

I suppose we don’t have to have polarising thoughts on everything. We’re allowed to hold slightly conflicting views. The world isn’t black and white… it’s different shades of grey!!

Joe lfc

Hot take

Call me reckless, call me crazy, heck, call me a fool! But I’m sticking my neck out and calling it now…Liverpool will win the league.

Prescient Hamster

Say grace

Dear Sirs – a quick word on pitiful West Ham. As far as I have been concerned, winning a trophy in 2023 (after 43 years of loyal futility for me) has afforded the club a “complaint-free grace period”. I thought 3-4 years would be fair. As such, I have taken poor play, poor transfer decisions and abysmal results in my stride these past 2 years. Declan leaving was painful but I didn’t/don’t begrudge him the move and I am thankful that he left us with a pot. The Lopetegui disaster was a shame but we were still never in real relegation trouble and so I looked forward to a new manager without feeling troubled. It has been incredibly refreshing.

There have even been some high points. Finally losing David Moyes and his wretched brand of football was a gigantic relief (and no, still absolutely zero regrets). Paqueta didn’t leave and Bowen has developed into one of the best few attacking players in the EPL.

Sadly, and completely unexpectedly, that grace period came to a shuddering end this weekend. Watching the game at home with my boys, I found myself throwing my water bottle across the room and screaming obscenities at Graham Potter for a full 90 seconds as the deserved Saints equalizer went in. I was literally shaking with rage. I told my wife I needed to go out for a drive on my own. It was next-level childish, old school, Moyes era, seeing-red, unadulterated anger. Where did this come from and why? It’s not like I’m fearing relegation or looking at Euro qualification (though going above Spurs in our worst season in recent memory would have been hilarious). No.

Potter has to go. I’m no spoiled, short termist United fan, but there is an undeniable and terrifying realisation that nothing whatsoever has changed. We have replaced like with like with like. The pedestrian attacking build up is one thing. The flat back seven for the last 10 minutes at home vs one of the worst teams in EPL history is quite another. It was the worst of Moyes all over again. Taking off Bowen, Kudus and Fulkrug for defensive players (plus adding one dimensional target man Ferguson after all wide midfield players had been removed) is such a pathetic Year 1 basic coaching move, it’s terrifying. And it’s not unusual for Potter, certainly not for us. Even his breakthrough Brighton teams struggled to score (until he left). Whilst I think it’s fair that any Chelsea manager through the revolving door gets a bit of a pass for managing that train wreck, even by those low standards he failed spectacularly there.

We had near enough 18 months (Christ, it should have been 3 years) to work out Moyes’ replacement. A number of potentially excellent foreign or based overseas managers were touted from time to time. But as per Sullivan’s modus operandi, heaven forbid we ever pay a release clause for a manager who is actually in demand. No, appoint a tried and tested (for which read unwanted), out of work, ex EPL manager who has failed in his most recent jobs. Here we f***ing go again. Please make it stop.

Mike (2 years since last trophy, but grace period over) WHU

Ange Postecoglou surely won’t survive no matter what happens in the Europa League but must be sick at the thought of one particularly contemptible Tottenham star failing upwards in such dramatic fashion this summer.

We’re not sure there is a footballer who gives less of a sh*t about Tottenham right now than Tottenham’s very own Cristian Romero. He’s always been a defender who’s seen defending as something of a nuisance, but in a charming sort of way, putting up with it as a necessary irritation in order to make bonkers runs into the opposition box and using it as an excuse for his absolute favourite past time of kicking people. We used to love watching him play football. Now he makes us angry.

Failure to do his job could previously be written off as a brain fade such was the infrequency in a What’s He Like, Eh? kind of way, but with occurrences of him challenging for a header or tracking a runner now anomalies as he watches while games of football happen around him, we can no longer grant him those caveats.

Romero was stood firmly on the ground looking up at Chris Wood as the striker rose between him and Micky van de Ven to head Forest into a two-goal lead, seven minutes after the New Zealand international had seen another header ruled out for a marginal offside.

Gugliermo Vicario came and missed the cross which Pedro Porro waved a limp leg at in an attempt at a block. There was plenty of blame to go around, as was the case with the opener as Porro’s poor header, Dejan Kulusevski’s non challenge and Viacario’s limp wrists saw Elliott Anderson give Forest the lead, and is the case for the season as a whole.

Ange Postecoglou will surely pay the ultimate price no matter what happens in the Europa League. A bottom-half finish (and quite possibly their worst-ever in the Premier League), 18+ defeats, 8+ at home and the clear downward trajectory in performances and results simply cannot be countenanced no matter the unbridled joy should they win that long-awaited trophy.

And for the last six months, through spiky, glum or spiky and glum interviews in which his eyes have been fixed firmly on the ground having typically been booed from the touchline by his own fans, Postecoglou hasn’t exactly looked like a man excited by an extended relationship with a football club he too now appears to have quite the aversion for.

But the difference between him and Romero, as well as a few others who will be looking for the exit door in the summer should they fail to win the Europa League and qualify for the Champions League, is that those Star Players won’t be judged on this season while Postecoglou will.

Romero looks set to fail upwards, and dramatically so. Reports suggest Real and Atletico Madrid will be vying his signature this summer, ensuring his participation in the Champions League next season and for every season he remains under contract with one of those two stalwarts in Europe’s showpiece competition.

It would now be a surprise if Postecoglou ever manages another game in the Champions League. Having previously been linked with Liverpool when Jurgen Klopp announced his departure there’s very little chance he will get a job anywhere near that level after this career-blighting shambles of a campaign.

And maybe that’s fair – he’s been found wanting this season and it’s gone horribly wrong, with the excuse of injuries no longer valid and a fully fit squad making no notable difference. But he must look at what supposedly excellent footballers like Romero have been doing this season ahead of big moves that will see their careers continue unabated and wonder why they aren’t being tarred by the same brush.

Romero was subbed at half-time having achieved his primary goal in the opening 45 minutes of getting a yellow card, eventually cautioned for his third challenge worthy of one to ensure he watched the rest of the game from the bench.

In Postecoglou’s mind he will have taken him off with a view perhaps to Liverpool on Sunday but more likely Bodo/Glimt a week on Thursday, but for Romero, his representatives and Diego Simeone it will be one more game chalked off without serious injury ahead of a summer move that he doesn’t deserve.

According to reports, Tottenham Hotspur ‘have to accept’ the summer exit of one of their key stars amid potential interest from Real Madrid.

Spurs are enduring a nightmare season in the Premier League as they are languishing deep in the bottom half of the table with 15 losses in 33 matches.

All of Tottenham’s focus is on the Europa League ahead of their semi-final against Bodo-Glimt as this competition is their only route to silverware and European qualification next season.

Injuries have heavily impacted Ange Postecoglou‘s side this season as they have been without first-choice defenders Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven for most of this campaign.

Romero and Van de Van struck up a great partnership last season, but they have been hampered by their respective muscle problems this term as they have barely played.

READ: Tottenham vs Nottingham Forest prediction, expected line-ups, how to watch and stats

On his day, Romero can be one of the best defenders in the Premier League and he’s attracted interest from Real Madrid in recent months.

The World Cup winner won’t be short of options if he decides to leave Spurs this summer and a report from Football Insider claims the North London outfit are expecting ‘to lose’ Romero ‘or’ Van de Ven in the next window.

The report also explains why Romero is more likely than Van de Ven to move elsewhere.

‘The Argentine is under contract until 2027 at Tottenham and has been heavily linked with a move to Atletico Madrid, while Van de Ven has also attracted admirers despite an injury-disrupted campaign.’

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‘However, sources have told Football Insider that Tottenham may have to accept Romero’s departure if a big enough offer comes in this summer, a sea-change from their no-sale attitude of 12 months ago.

‘Van de Ven’s contract in North London runs until 2029 and puts Tottenham in a better position to keep the Dutchman, and Football Insider sources have said Spurs want to build their defence around him.’

It is also noted that Postecoglou’s possible successor will have a major role to play.

‘Tottenham’s outlook in the summer transfer window looks set to be one of huge changes, with Van de Ven or Romero’s exit likely to faciliate the arrival of at least one top-class replacement in central defence.

‘Although Daniel Levy will have the final say over who stays and who goes in North London, his chosen successor to Postecoglou will be crucial to shape the outlook Tottenham take in the transfer market.

‘The likes of Brentford’s Thomas Frank are near the top of the list when it comes to Spurs’ managerial targets, and it remains to be seen what the makeup of their squad will look like once August arrives.’

Nottingham Forest will be looking to take a big step towards Champions League football when they travel to the capital for an Easter Monday date with Tottenham.

With a lacklustre title race and a non-existent relegation battle, it’s fair to say that this Premier League season has been flatter than a bad X Factor audition.

But despite the glaring lack of action at both ends of the table, this has been a truly extraordinary campaign for a handful of clubs… for both positive and negative reasons.

Look at Tottenham, for instance. We all knew Spurs wouldn’t get close to challenging for the title, but did anyone really expect to see them crash and burn like they have? Same goes for Manchester United.

On the other hand, you have clubs like Aston Villa and Newcastle who have stepped up and are challenging for a top five finish. Incredibly, Nottingham Forest are also one of those clubs.

Nuno Espirito Santo has transformed Forest from relegation survivors into Champions League challengers, and the Portuguese manager now has six games to turn their dreams of the European elite into reality.

That, of course, is a lot easier said than done. Forest are currently on a two-match losing run for the first time since February and also have the small matter of an upcoming FA Cup semi-final on their minds.

Defeats to Villa and Everton have seen them drop to sixth spot in the Premier League table, though a win over Spurs on Monday would take them back up to third.

Forest have already toppled Ange Postecoglou’s men at the City Ground earlier this season and are now looking for their first season double over Spurs since the 1996/97 season.

Tottenham have won just one of their last six Premier League games and have seemingly given up on their domestic campaign.

Instead, Spurs are putting all their Easter eggs into the Europa League basket as they not only look to end their 16-year wait for a trophy but also seal Champions League qualification for next season.

Before Tottenham can turn their attention to Bodo/Glimt and their big European semi-final, they will be looking to avoid a second defeat at the hands of Forest. Here, we take a closer look at Monday’s encounter.

Tottenham vs Nottingham Forest prediction

Considering Tottenham’s priorities are not on the Premier League at the moment, we’re putting all our chips on a Forest win.

Spurs have been truly woeful on the domestic scene this season having lost 17 Premier League games. That is the joint-most defeats in the league outside of the bottom three.

Forest might not be riding the crest of a wave either, but considering they have Champions League football to fight for, you’d like to think their motivation levels will be off the charts.

As well as backing Forest, we also like the look of both teams to score. For all of Tottenham’s woes, not many clubs have come to their ground and come away with a clean sheet.

Tottenham team news

Tottenham fans held their breath as James Maddison was taken off in the Europa League quarter-final against Eintracht Frankfurt. Postecoglou later revealed that Maddison hadn’t suffered serious damage, though we don’t expect the player to feature on Monday.

Speaking of missing out, Son Heung-min will remain on the sidelines with a foot injury and will be joined by Radu Dragusin who is a long-term absentee.

Tottenham expected line-up

Nottingham Forest team news

Nottingham Forest have question marks over Ola Aina and Taiwo Awoniyi who are struggling with injuries. Both men are expected to face late fitness tests.

Santo is unlikely to make many changes from their defeat at Everton, though expect Anthony Elanga to return in place of Jota Silva.

Nottingham Forest expected line-up

Tottenham vs Nottingham Forest How to watch and listen

Tottenham v Nottingham Forest will be shown live on Sky Sports UHD, Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League at 20:00 on Monday, April 21. There will be full match commentary on talkSPORT.

Tottenham vs Nottingham Forest stats

– Tottenham have won each of their last three home league games against Nottingham Forest

– Forest’s 1-0 win over Spurs in December ended their six-game losing streak against them in the Premier League

– Forest last did the double of Tottenham in the 1996/97 season

– Tottenham have lost their last two Premier League games placed on Easter Monday

– Forest have lost just two of their last 35 league games played on Easter Monday, with last such defeat coming in 1966 against Chelsea