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According to reports, Tottenham Hotspur are plotting a transfer hijack of their own, while they could ‘trigger a domino effect’ involving Manchester City.

Spurs have made a perfect start in the Premier League this season, beating Burnley and Manchester City in their opening two games of the 2025/26 campaign.

This is despite the north London outfit having troubles in the transfer market, as they have missed out on Morgan Gibbs-White and Eberechi Eze.

Deals for each player looked likely until they collapsed at the final hurdle, with Arsenal swooping in at the last-minute to steal Eze after the Gibbs-White deal fell through amid tapping up allegations.

READ: Tottenham enter five-way title race as Frank scrubs away all traces of Postecoglou in record time

Following Tottenham’s failure to land Eze, they reportedly remain in the market for attacking additions, with Africa Foot claiming that they have ‘entered the race’ to sign Leicester City star Bilal El Khannouss.

The talented attacking midfielder has been on Crystal Palace’s radar as a potential replacement for Eze, though the report claims their ‘deal is in jeopardy’ due to Tottenham’s interest.

The report claims:

‘Crystal Palace had convinced the player with their sporting project and reached an agreement in principle on personal terms. The latest discussions between the Eagles and Leicester City revolved around the payment terms of a transfer estimated at around 35 million euros.

‘However, the north London club has relaunched the El Khannouss trail. This relaunch, initiated directly by president Daniel Levy, could change everything just days before the end of the transfer window.’

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Spurs have also been plotting an audacious move for Man City winger Savinho and they had a bid rejected for him earlier this month.

It has been reported that Man City are against selling Savinho in this window, though a report from Spanish outlet Fichajes claims they are making an effort to ‘revive’ the deal and are ‘willing’ to offer 85 million euros (£73m) to their Premier League rivals.

The report claims:

‘Until now, Spurs had approached City with lower offers, such as around 50 million euros , which were firmly rejected. The English club appears willing to raise the figure to convince the Sky Blues and change the market outlook in this final stretch.

‘From Manchester City’s perspective, the desire to keep Savinho is clear. Pep Guardiola has made it clear he doesn’t want to part with a key player, and the club is demanding a fee that is truly irresistible.

‘This could trigger a domino effect: Tottenham would pay that high fee, and Manchester City would go all out for Rodrygo , seen as their attacking alternative. That move was always part of the City’s plan if they opened the door for Savinho.’

Manchester City reverted to their 2024-2025 selves in defeat to their title rivals at the Etihad. Title rivals, you say? Thomas Frank is very, very good for Tottenham.

A lot was made ahead of the game about this being the youngest Manchester City starting lineup since a 22-year-old Micah Richards and a 23-year-old Joe Hart were playing in 2010. With no Rodri, no Bernardo Silva, no Ederson, no Ilkay Gundogan, and – obviously – no Kevin De Bruyne, the team-sheet had a very New Manchester City feel.

And actually, there was a verve and vitality to them initially. The press was dynamic having looked laboured for much of last season, and there was also a hunger that appeared to be missing at times last term, as was also clearly evident in their opening day victory over Wolves. But a suspicious 2024/2025-ness creeped in for City after that positive start.

Pep Guardiola seemed to spend most of the first half pushing and pulling full debutant Rayan Cherki into position, growing increasingly frustrated by a tendency to wander which he’s yet to drum out of him, while the lack of connection between him, the other midfielders and forwards will have been of particular concern. Last week’s hero Tiijani Reijnders did nothing.

The City boss was also left pondering his decision not to reinstate Ederson as his No.1 despite the Brazilian’s return to fitness, and his call not to rush Rodri into the starting lineup, as their replacements combined (or rather didn’t) to give Spurs a healthy half-time advantage.

Ederson may well have played a similar pass to James Trafford, but he wouldn’t have telegraphed it in the same way or directed it to Nico Gonzalez’s right foot on the side Pape Matar Sarr was closing him down. And Rodri probably wouldn’t have offered himself as an option in that position – roughly ten yards from his own goal with four opposition players in the City box – and if he had, we’re confident he would have seen Sarr off and asked what everyone was worried about.

It’s no slight on Trafford or Gonzalez to suggest the goal doesn’t happen if the more experienced pair had been playing ahead of them; it’s exactly the sort of error that can be brushed off as an example of their relative inexperience. But in what we expect – or at least hope – will be a nip and tuck title race, a defeat at home to your title rivals is a serious misstep.

What was that? Title rivals? Until we see evidence to suggest otherwise, Spurs are in what is now a five-way title race along with Liverpool, Arsenal, City, and Chelsea after Enzo Maresca’s side swatted West Ham side with consummate ease on Friday night.

We know what you’re thinking – Sunderland could make it six if they beat Burnley and a draw for Leeds at the Emirates would surely see them enter the early running. But we’re only half joking about Tottenham.

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The second goal was thanks to the City errors, but it was also thanks to some great pressing from Sarr, who had already played a crucial role in the opener and has been outstanding so far under Thomas Frank, operating as a kind of attacking midfield version of N’Golo Kante, such is his everywhere-ness in that more advanced role.

It was Sarr’s flicked header from the touchline which saw Richarlison race clear having beaten the offside trap before squaring the ball for Brennan Johnson. Everyone’s part in the goal was excellent, but the most notable thing about it was just how Thomas Frank and how not Ange Postecoglou it was. It really is remarkable how quickly Frank has erased all traces of Big Ange-ness from Spurs’ football.

City had a few chances – Erling Haaland most culpable with a fluffed header – but Tottenham (Tottenham?!) were largely untroubled at the back. Having dropped 29 points from winning positions under Postecoglou last season, Spurs looked very, very comfortable in seeing out this game.

And at no point were we decrying a lack of attacking intent. It’s more direct, with the midfield often tasked with supporting the forwards after the ball is played long from the back, rather than playing it though the lines. But guys, that’s fine.

There was more of the tippy-tippy stuff in the win over Burnley – a team against whom they’re expected to dominate the ball. But here against City, as was the case against PSG in the Super Cup, Spurs looked genuinely happy to defend having viewed it as little more than a nuisance under Frank’s predecessor, perhaps because they’re now content in the knowledge that there is a clear and effective plan to turn defence into attack.

The adaptability is both impressive and refreshing, with Frank illustrating perfectly in just three competitive games as Spurs boss the difference between a philosophy – which he does have – and sticking rigidly to a style, which cost them consistently and dramatically under Postecoglou before he reneged on it entirely to win them the Europa League.

Tottenham are preparing a fresh bid for an alternative to Eberechi Eze, while they’ve opened ‘talks’ a Paris Saint-Germain star as another option.

Spurs were dealt a huge blow on Wednesday night as Arsenal swooped in to beat them to the signing of Crystal Palace star Eze, with chairman Daniel Levy forced back to the drawing board in his bid to replace the injured James Maddison.

They’ve been heavily linked with Manchester City’s Savinho, but little progress has been made, with Duncan Castles providing an update on other attacking options they’re considering.

“If it isn’t Savinho, who will be expensive, there’s also interest in Maghnes Akliouche at Monaco,” Castles said on The Transfers Podcast.

“He’s a 23-year-old, very skilful and quick left-footed forward, who tends to play off the right wing, but can also play centrally. Like Eze, he’s an excellent dribbler of the ball.

“Complications in that deal are the agent, who has a reputation of being extremely difficult to deal with, and the asking price of Monaco, which was set at €70 million this summer.

“Another player that they’ve definitely had talks over signing is Lee Kang-in at Paris Saint-Germain. This dates back to earlier in the summer – conversations asking about what the cost would be to extract him from PSG, where he was one of the bench players last season.

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“He is one of the players in PSG’s squad they are happy to retain, but they are conscious that if the player receives an offer that is appealing and the financial terms of the transfer fee are correct, they would be ready to sell assuming they have enough time to buy a replacement.

“You can understand why Daniel Levy is interested in signing Lee, having allowed Son Heung-min to move to LAFC. That was a significant commercial loss in terms of interest they built up among Koreans.

“To have another star name Korean player in the squad, as a replacement immediately after Son left, makes sense. I understand the asking price is €50m, meaning he would be a cheaper option than either Akliouche or Savinho.

“I think it’s pretty clear that Tottenham will do something in this area of the field before the window concludes.”

Spurs are also preparing a new and improved bid for Como’s Nico Paz according to Gianluca Di Marzio.

They already had a €40m [£35] bid rejected for the 20-year-old, with the Serie A side wanting €70m [£61m] for their playmaker.

The report adds:

‘The Londoners want to move forward again for the class of 2003, with a higher offer than the one presented a couple of weeks ago. To be seen if we will approach the required figure, also remembering that the last word always belongs to Real Madrid who would have the opportunity to match the offer and secure Nico Paz’s performance.’

“I’m actually torn between Arsenal, Liverpool and City. I cannot separate them in my mind, I can’t, it’s a guess!” Gary Neville said on Monday Night Football as a caveat to his title prediction, before plumping for Arsenal.

It will be a widely shared sentiment after an opening weekend in which all three sides displayed at least one of the cliched traits of a Premier League champion: Manchester City swatted aside a lesser opponent in Wolves; Liverpool won it late against Bournemouth; Arsenal dug in to beat Manchester United while not playing well.

We don’t know if Arsenal coming second for three seasons on the trot is an indication of how only minor adjustments are required for them to go all the way or a sign that they are forever doomed to fall just short under Mikel Arteta.

We don’t know if Pep Guardiola still has it in him to go again with a very different set of players, plus Rodri, or if there’s a limit to his genius and the number of times he can reinvent and rejuvenate Manchester City.

We don’t know if the runaway champions last season have actually had that good a transfer window or if it’s flattered to deceive to pile the pressure on Liverpool and the unflappable Arne Slot.

But we do know that each of them would become the standout Premier League favourites in the minds of the vast majority if they made a move for a world-class footballer who is very available and would win a spot in all of their starting XIs to move the needle in their favour.

Rodrygo has been linked with a move to the Premier League for much of this summer, with his lack of minutes at the Club World Cup encouraging interest from all three title-chasers, but not to the same extent as Tottenham, who reportedly upped the ante on Thursday having been dealt the crushing blow of Arsenal’s swoop for Eberechi Eze the day before.

Unfortunately for Spurs, upon hearing about a pinch-of-salt report claiming Real Madrid had ‘accepted’ their loan bid for the Brazilian, our immediate impulse was to speculate as to which of their Premier League rivals would hijack this particular deal. There should be attempts from all of them.

Our second consideration – and provoking grief-stricken Spurs fans is no more than a happy consequence here – was just how bad things must be at Real Madrid for Rodrygo to be open to joining the 17th-best team in the Premier League. He’s an £80m winger who’s won three La Liga titles and two Champions Leagues whom Jude Bellingham described as “the most talented and most gifted player” at Real Madrid earlier this year.

Xabi Alonso has consistently said he’s “counting” on the 24-year-old in his debut season at the Bernabeu, but counted on him for just 93 minutes at the Club World Cup and left him on the bench for their league opener against Osasuna on Tuesday.

His actions have spoken far louder than his words and in a World Cup year no-one can blame Rodrygo for wanting out. If ‘the only possibility is Tottenham’, then it will have to be Tottenham. It could be worse than playing in The Most Competitive League In The World and the Champions League.

But he could be doing that at Liverpool, Arsenal or City, all of whom would be improved to the point of being clear title favourites if they landed him this summer.

As Jamie Carragher says, “Slot will not defend the crown with only three out-and-out attackers in Mohamed Salah, Cody Gakpo and Hugo Ekitike.” Arsenal’s growing concerns over Gabriel Martinelli have only been eased slightly by Eberechi Eze, who would be playing out of position in Rodrygo’s favoured left wing position if he was pushed into that role. And no sane City fan wouldn’t be in favour of selling Savinho to Tottenham and replacing him with Rodrygo.

He’s at worst a vast improvement on playing personnel and at best a perfect plug for a hole in a squad ill-prepared to challenge for the title. He’s a game-changer; a 2025/2026 Premier League winner.

Manchester City and Tottenham got off to flying starts to the new Premier League campaign, though they can thank the fixture computer for serving them up two sides that are going to be in for a tough season.

City walloped four past Wolves, while Spurs netted three against Burnley on Thomas Frank’s first Premier League game wearing clothing that didn’t have a bee on it.

Both sides will definitely have to move into a higher gear for this match, and it allows the pundits to see if Frank has already managed to put his stamp on his new Tottenham side in arguably one of their toughest games of the season.

Tottenham have been a bit of a bad luck charm for City recently, with the Citizens only winning four of their last 12 encounters between the two sides in all competitions.

City were surprisingly slapped 4-0 by Tottenham last November, and also lost 2-1 in the Carabao Cup in October.

However, both those matches fell in that period where City came totally off the rails, going on an alarming run of six defeats from seven across all competitions.

City restored some pride with a 1-0 win in February, but by then both teams’ league seasons were done and dusted.

That 4-0 win was a rare highlight in a truly disappointing league campaign for Spurs, but they’ll still be aiming to collect their first consecutive away win at City for the first time since May 2010 this Saturday.

Mohammed Kudus and Richarlison really impressed against Burnley, and could do a lot more damage if City’s defence can’t get to grips with them.

At the other end, Erling Haaland is already off the mark with a brace against Wolves, but it was Tijjani Reijnders that caught the eye with a goal and an assist in his Premier League debut.

The Saturday lunch time kick-off is usually a quiet affair, but this match has plenty of potential to be an early season cracker.

Man City vs Tottenham: Where to watch and listen

The match will be live on TNT Sports 1 on Saturday, August 23 with a 12:30pm kick-off. The match can also be streamed through the Discovery+app. Meanwhile, radio commentary is available on talkSPORT.

Man City team news

Man City boss Pep Guardiola is likely to stick with the same side that beat Wolves, though goalscorer Rayan Cherki will be pushing for a start.

Mateo Kovacic and Rodri are still out, while Josko Gvardiol and Phil Foden are both injury doubts.

Manuel Akanji, Savinho and Ederson could all be missing from the squad with reported moves on the cards.

Man City predicted line-up

Tottenham team news

Dejan Kulusevski, James Maddison and Radu Dragusin are all still out, while Yves Bissouma and Destiny Udogie are doubtful with knocks.

Joao Palhinha is pushing for a start after impressing on his Tottenham debut off the bench. He would add a lot more steel to Spurs’ midfield in a much tougher game.

Tottenham predicted line-up

Man City vs Tottenham stats

– Tottenham have won just two of their last 11 visits to the Etihad Stadium

– Tottenham have scored 12 goals on their last four visits to the Etihad

– Over 2.5 goals has landed in five of City’s last seven games

– Manchester City have won four of their last 12 Premier League games against Spurs

– There has been 21 goals in the last four Premier League matches between the two sides (City 9, Spurs 12)

Thomas Frank (Tottenham) quotes

On whether his squad his stronger after recent transfers:

“You can say that’s two players in, two players out, so probably pretty similar I would say, but also, as I said, I think in my first press conference, was that I think it’s a good squad. I think there’s some talented players. I think there’s some quality players in there as well so probably the same level, but I think that’s good. Then it’s up to me together with the players and the staff to make sure we can compete, and then as I said, we do what we can to strengthen it.”

On Richarlison:

“Right now he is my starting nine. He scored two top goals. Richy wants to stay, I want to keep him and there’s been no talks about anything else.”

Pep Guardiola (Man City) quotes

On Thomas Frank’s impact at Spurs:

“It’s too early to know (how they have changed) but I have no doubt that Thomas will do an incredible job at a big, big club, just like he did at Brentford. He is a top class manager and he offers a different alternative to how they can play. Going in to a new club is always funny and a different challenge but you have to wait.”

On City’s fear factor:

“I like a lot of things I am seeing on a daily basis in training and in behaviours but I would be a magician to know what is going to happen, I don’t know.”

Man City vs Tottenham referee stats

Peter Bankes gets the nod for this clash after overseeing Nottingham Forest’s 3-1 win over Brentford last weekend.

He showed three yellow cards on Sunday, which is roughly in line with his average of 3.74 yellows a game last season.

He averaged 20.09 fouls from 23 Premier League games in the 2024/25 campaign, showing 86 yellows and just three reds, making him one of the less card happy refs in the top flight.

Man City vs Tottenham prediction

Tottenham’s price for consecutive wins at the Etihad is incredibly appealing.

Bookies aren’t taking much stock in Spurs sweeping aside Burnley but perhaps they are ignoring their impressive display in the Super Cup defeat to PSG.

Kudus was very ordinary at West Ham last year and didn’t appear to be interested at times, but one game into his Tottenham career and he appears a new man already. City might struggle to cope with Spurs’ new look attack and might find it hard to break down a better organised defence under Frank.

Our other selection comes from one of City’s new faces. Tijjani Reijnders could play a vital role for City this season and the former AC Milan man will be keen to impress the fans on his home debut.

He had three shots, a goal and an assist against Wolves, plus he averaged 1.67 shots a game at the Club World Cup. Chalk him down for two shots at the Etihad.

According to reports, the ‘door is ajar’ for Tottenham Hotspur to hijack a Chelsea transfer after missing out on Arsenal-bound Eberechi Eze.

Earlier this week, Tottenham were dealt a major transfer blow as Arsenal hijacked their move for England international Eze.

Spurs moved to the front of the queue for the talented attacking midfielder and had a deal in place with Crystal Palace, though Arsenal swooped to complete a well-coordinated hijack after news emerged concerning Kai Havertz’s knee injury.

So, this leaves Spurs scouring the market for alternatives and a report from journalist Fraser Fletcher for our pals at TEAMtalk claims the ‘door is ajar’ for the north London club to sign Chelsea forward Christopher Nkunku and they have ‘explored’ a move in the final few days of this summer’s transfer window.

Nkunku desperately needs a fresh start as his move to Chelsea is yet to get off the ground, as he’s been a bit-part player since missing most of his debut season due to injury.

READ: Transfer rumour ranking: New midfield target for Man Utd, trio in Rodrygo race

Earlier this week, Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca confirmed that he would like Nkunku and Nicolas Jackson to leave the club before this summer window closes.

He said: “We’ll see. If they are going to be here, they will be with us. If not, it means they found a solution. I think it’s better if they find a solution because they are going to be more happy.”

Nkunku has also been heavily linked with Bayern Munich and RB Leipzig in recent months, with a return to the Bundesliga more likely than a move to Spurs.

Como star Nico Paz is another player on Tottenham’s radar, with The Boot Room claiming they have made ‘fresh contact’ with the Serie A side after missing out on Eze.

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Spanish outlet Fichajes, meanwhile, claims Spurs are ‘preparing an 80 million euro (£69m) offer’ for Paz in the coming days.

Regarding the ‘biggest obstacle, the report adds:

‘Tottenham are preparing an €80 million bid to sign Como playmaker Nico Paz in a bid to bolster their attacking side ahead of the current Premier League and UEFA Champions League season.

‘After the failed signings of Eberechi Eze and Morgan Gibbs-White, Thomas Frank’s team is looking to sign a playmaker to replace James Maddison, who suffered a serious injury during preseason. However, Real Madrid appears to be the biggest obstacle in this deal, as it maintains control clauses over the Argentine’s future.’

According to reports, Liverpool have ‘burst onto the scene’ to challenge Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City in the race to sign Real Madrid star Rodrygo.

Liverpool have made a statement in this transfer window, investing around £290m on signings as this summer’s biggest spenders in Europe.

Hugo Ekitike, Florian Wirtz, Milos Kerkez and Jeremie Frimpong are among Liverpool‘s most notable additions, but they remain in the market for at least one more signing before this window closes.

The Reds still have money to spend as they have offloaded Luis Diaz, Darwin Nunez and Jarell Quansah to raise funds, while it has been reported that Harvey Elliott could be the next to move elsewhere.

If Liverpool are to strengthen, they have a couple of priorities in mind as they look for a new centre-back and striker amid interest in Marc Guehi and Alexander Isak.

READ: Three Alexander Isak ‘bombshells’ amid Arne Slot ‘green light’

It has also been suggested that the Reds could strengthen in wide areas after letting Diaz join Bayern Munich, with Rodrygo mooted as a possible addition.

The Real Madrid star has been heavily linked with an exit and move to the Premier League throughout this summer as he has dropped in the pecking order following Kylian Mbappe’s move to the Spanish giants.

The appointment of new head coach Xabi Alonso has not changed his position at Real Madrid, with the winger an unused substitute in last weekend’s 1-0 win against Osasuna.

While Liverpool and Man City remain linked with Rodrygo, a recent report claimed Spurs have had a loan offer ‘accepted’, with ‘the only doubt whether or not a purchase clause is included’ in the deal.

However, you have to feel that Rodrygo would choose Liverpool or Man City if they stepped up their interest and Spanish outlet Fichajes claims the Reds have ‘burst onto the scene’ to ‘enter the bidding’ for the talented winger.

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The report adds:

‘Arne Slot’s project includes an ambitious attacking front line. The idea is to combine Florian Wirtz as a central midfielder, Mohamed Salah on the right, Rodrygo Goes on the left, and Hugo Ekitike as a key player.

‘The Dutch coach gave his approval and the English club sees Rodrygo as a reliable replacement for Luis Díaz , who left Anfield to sign for Bayern Munich.’

Football Insider, meanwhile, claims Rodrygo’s representatives have ‘jetted into the UK as they look to finalise a move to the Premier League.

‘Real Madrid are willing to listen to offers for the Brazil megastar in the final 10 days of the summer window. Rodrygo is believed to be keen on a move to a Premier League giant who are competing in the Champions League.

‘Football Insider revealed that Man City have already agreed terms with Rodrygo ahead of a possible move, and they remain in talks over a move. Liverpool are also among the clubs who have registered their interest in a deal for the 24-year-old, particularly following Luis Diaz’s exit earlier this summer.’

There’s a top-of-the-table Premier League clash to enjoy at the earliest possible opportunity, while the Bundesliga’s brave new broadcasting era has us briefly intrigued.

Game to watch: Manchester City v Tottenham

The fixture computer has blessed us with a top-of-the-table clash at the earliest possible moment. Unless you consider Arsenal v Aston Villa on the very opening day such a thing, in which case you’re a damn fool. Even more so if you’re going to start indulging AFC Bournemouth and their Acme shenanigans in such alphabet-based nonsense.

No, the second weekend of the season is the first time such a thing can legitimately happen, when you have a whole one game’s worth of compelling evidence of how the entire season might look, as long as every other team in the league is roughly as bad as Wolves and/or Burnley.

Embryonic league table whimsy aside, it’s still a fascinating game. Historically, City v Spurs is already a fixture simply not to be missed by anyone for any reason. It has delivered goals, goals, goals and a frankly absurd number of pants-pullings by silly old Spurs.

Last season’s 4-0 splattering was Spurs at their Angeball best against City in the very deepest depths of their astonishing season-wrecking autumn funk, but the wildest thing about that result is that it is only very slightly an outlier.

Working backwards from that game, the Etihad encounters between these two during the Pep era have finished 0-4, 3-3, 4-2, 2-3, 3-0, 2-2, 1-0, 4-1 and 2-2. And let’s not forget that ludicrous Champions League quarter-final second leg in 2019, which City actually won 4-3 on the night as Spurs went through on away goals.

It has been as close to guaranteed entertainment as the Premier League can offer. We’ve run it through the supercomputer and this fixture has the highest xN (expected nonsense) stats of any in the entire Barclays universe.

And yet even without the fact it’s a top-of-the-table clash with sky-high xN values, it would still be the game of the weekend anyway for actual reasons. City looked a million dollars against Wolves last weekend, while Mohammed Kudus and Richarlison looked like absolute world-beaters for Spurs against Burnley.

There were hugely encouraging signs for both teams’ seasons. But the phrases ‘against Wolves’ and ‘against Burnley’ mean care must be taken. We don’t yet really know how much of what we saw last weekend was these teams being good and those teams being rubbish. We have an inkling about which victory/performance was the more reliable long-term indicator, but we don’t yet know.

We should have a far clearer idea about both teams after this game, even if it is one that itself has recent history for deception.

Spurs, because they are Spurs, come into this game on the back of a week where they’ve once again decided to subject their fans to another of their trademark ritual humiliations for sh*ts and giggles, while also taking the bold step of unsettling and alienating the striker who scored two brilliant goals for them on the opening weekend. There really is nobody else who does it like Spurs do.

But we already have a decent clue as to how Thomas Frank might set them up for this one. The Super Cup final ended in disappointment but for 85 minutes Frank’s 3-5-1-1 really did work strikingly well and if we’re honest we suspect Spurs would cheerfully take a 2-2 draw from this one.

In a way, the transfer failings of this week and the summer as a whole make Frank’s job easier for this specific game. He can’t be accused of going too defensive when he has literally no No. 10 anyway.

There seems no reason not to go to City and try the triple-pivot midfield that made life so awkward for PSG in Udine, while who doesn’t want to see Kevin Danso launching long throws at John Stones’ head?

For City, it’s also a bit of a free hit in its ridiculous way. A sterner test than poor denuded Wolves could provide, surely, and one where a compelling victory would lay down a significant early-season marker about just how back they might be. But also one in which failure can just be shrugged off and put down to xN.

READ: Ranking all 97(!) players left out of opening Premier League matchday squads by how p*ssed off they might be

Player to watch: Eberechi Eze

A good way to endear yourself to a new club’s fanbase is to have completely pied off their biggest rivals along the way. Emmanuel Petit knew it. Willian knew it. Eden Hazard knew it. But perhaps nobody has ever known it quite like Eberechi Eze, who kept Spurs on the hook until Arsenal’s time of need was upon them.

Spurs must have known this could happen, and that it would look just awful – especially in the wake of the Morgan Gibbs-White fiasco. We do think Eze would have joined Spurs, but we do think it would only have happened once he was absolutely definitely certain Arsenal weren’t coming back.

The whole ‘Oh he just wants to play in the Conference League qualifier to help Palace out before he leaves’ turned out to be the bullsh*t it always appeared to be, a convenient way to drag a transfer out even when dealing with the arch transfer-dragger-out himself in Daniel Levy.

The result is Eze being an absolute hero to Arsenal fans before he’s even kicked a ball for them. It’s a lovely place to be. And it’s distinctly possible he still won’t kick a ball this weekend, but he’s still going to be the player to watch.

He’ll surely at the very least be presented to the crowd before Arsenal’s opening home game of the season against Leeds, and should help ensure a buoyant atmosphere. There will be songs. There will be p*ss-taking. There will be endless shots of Eze in the stands watching on and penny-for-his-thoughtsing from the commentators.

And that’s the worst-case scenario. That’s if he doesn’t play. Imagine if he does.

READ: Eberechi Eze might be Arsenal’s Bruno Fernandes or Mo Salah

Team to watch: Manchester United

There was a lot to like about Manchester United’s performance against Arsenal on the opening weekend, but any optimism from that narrow, unfortunate defeat will dissipate quickly if they don’t get a result at Fulham this weekend.

United were simply unready and unprepared for the start of the new season, still stuck with the same utter absence of reliable goalkeepers. It is staggering to us how often really big clubs do this. The window may be open until September 1, but the start of the season is in mid-August, and those games do still count. It wasn’t sprung on United with no notice.

Another week has passed and nothing has been done to address the most obvious and glaring of issues.

Fulham were as lucky to nab a point at Brighton as United were unlucky to walk away with nothing against Arsenal, but they represent a deeply awkward second fixture given the way the first one has gone.

Fulham away is nobody’s idea of an easy game. It is not one where victory would normally necessarily be mandatory. But for United, after last season and the way the opening weekend panned out, it already feels like one where the result is of far greater importance than performance.

This is Manchester United Football Club We’re Talking About. You can’t be taking the positives if you find yourself with one point or worse from two games after finishing 15th the previous season and when the flaws in your squad are and remain so very, very obvious.

Manager to watch: David Moyes

It will be a proud moment when Moyes leads his Everton team out against Brighton for the first ever Premier League match at their magnificent new stadium, but one that he surely approaches now with a touch of trepidation.

The wave of optimism he and Everton rode on his return to the club last season has crashed, and Monday night’s effort at Leeds was a pretty pitiful one for an established Premier League club against a newly-promoted one.

Everton were passive and ponderous, allowing Leeds to set the tone and tempo of the game throughout. It nearly delivered a point – although for what it’s worth we simply cannot understand the fuss around the penalty given the way James Tarkowski moved his arm towards a ball coming at him from such a distance – but it wasn’t exactly a showing to inspire confidence for the season ahead.

A new stadium is blessing and curse, with home advantage no longer quite the familiar helping hand it once was as everyone gets used to the new surroundings. Yet Everton and Moyes cannot afford to make a slow start to life on the docks if the club is to avoid the kind of worries and anxiety that have been all too common in recent Premier League seasons.

Football League game to watch: Charlton v Leicester

It’s not been a convincing start to life back in the Championship for Leicester, who needed a late goal to beat existential dread’s Sheffield Wednesday at home and then lost at Preston having also gone out of the Carabao to League One Huddersfield.

Charlton, meanwhile, are at this early stage faring rather better on their own return to the second tier from the other direction having beaten Watford, drawn with Bristol City and avoided Carabao banana skins (their newest flavour of surely deliberately undrinkably unpleasant energy drink).

European game to watch: Bayern Munich v RB Leipzig

We don’t normally include Friday night games in here, but come on. Bayern v Leipzig would be a fine opening night Bundesliga game in a regular season. But now it comes with added Mark Goldbridge. You have to admit you’re intrigued.

You can watch it on the BBC as well if you like, or on YouTube. But out of sheer morbid fascination if nothing else we’ll be watching to see just how and how quickly the world’s most Deliberate Partridge performatively perma-furious internet ragebaiter manages to make Bayern Munich v RB Leipzig all about Andre Onana and Altay Bayindir.

Just this once. And then never again.

Manchester United have reportedly given Tottenham the ‘green light’ to come back into the frame for Alejandro Garnacho, as they fear gifting Chelsea a cut-price signing.

United need to sell some of their players if they are to sign anybody more this summer. They have spent north of £200million, on Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo, Benjamin Sesko and Diego Leon.

However, no transfer fees have come in yet, with only Marcus Rashford from the United bomb squad exiting, and the first chance for the Red Devils to receive a fee from him is in the summer, as his move to Barcelona is originally a loan.

Other players expected to be pushed out are Garnacho, Antony, Jadon Sancho and Tyrell Malacia.

However, attempts to push Garnacho out have so far proven futile. Ruben Amorim does not get on with him, and is ready to let him go, but United want £50million for that transfer, and main suitors Chelsea are willing to pay just £30million.

But according to GIVEMESPORT, United are hoping Tottenham will choose to re-enter the race for the winger.

Indeed, the Red Devils are said to have given Spurs ‘thee green light to come back into the frame’ to sign Garnacho, as there are fears they will be forced to allow him to join Chelsea for a cut-price fee if no other suitors come forward.

MORE ON TOTTENHAM FROM F365:

👉 How Arsenal beat Spurs to Eze in ‘extraordinarily quiet’ hijack with ‘mixed messages’ and ‘close relationship’

👉 Tottenham knew Eze deal ‘wasn’t quite right’ but thought it was ‘done’ before Arsenal hijack

👉 Tottenham boost as £30m ‘agreement close’ amid ‘upped efforts’ to ‘beat Liverpool to signing’

United’s eagerness for Spurs to re-enter the race for Garnacho might not be misplaced, as the north London outfit have missed out on signing Eberechi Eze in recent days.

Tottenham thought they had almost got the move over the line, before Arsenal came out of nowhere to hijack them and secure Eze for themselves.

As a result, Tottenham are being linked with a lot of attacking midfielders and wingers. In the last day, that list includes Nicolas Jackson, Nico Paz, Tyler Dibling, Xavi Simons and Morgan Rogers.

But Rogers could cost north of £80million, with Jackson valued in the region of £60million, so a move for Garnacho should certainly be cheaper.

The United winger is known to be keen on remaining in the Premier League, too, though Chelsea is said to be his favoured destination.

If they cannot agree a deal with United and Spurs can, though, the Argentine might have little choice, knowing if he stays at United he’ll only be watching on from the stands.

Tottenham have reportedly made an Aston Villa star their ‘priority target’ and have made contact in regards to his signing, which could cost an astronomical fee.

Spurs spent much of the last couple of weeks attempting to land Crystal Palace star Eberechi Eze. Their attacking third needed freshening up after selling Son Heung-min and losing James Maddison to injury.

Eze could have been perfect for Tottenham, but while they thought the move was about to be pulled off, they lost out to rivals Arsenal, who came out of nowhere to hijack Spurs’ move for him.

Now, with not long left in the summer window, the north London club are attempting to find an attacking asset to add to their side.

Miguel Delaney reports in The Independent that Spurs have made Aston Villa attacking midfielder Morgan Rogers – who just won the PFA young player of the year – their ‘priority target’.

What’s more, contact has already been made with intermediaries to see if a deal is possible.

Villa don’t want to sell Rogers, after his eight goals and 11 assists in the Premier League last season, but the report states there’s a feeling a ‘proper bid might change things’.

But the bid for Rogers is likely to be far north of what Eze was going to cost. His Arsenal transfer is going through for £67.5million, suggesting Tottenham would have paid in the same region.

But Rogers is expected to cost ‘considerably more’ than the Palace man, with figures of £80million being mentioned, and the bid ‘might have to go even higher’ to make Villa think.

But with increasing pressure on Tottenham, they might be forced to bite the bullet. Indeed, Mohammed Kudus is the only big name who’s been signed by the north London club this summer. He had a great start to life at Tottenham, assisting twice on his debut for them.

MORE ON TOTTENHAM FROM F365:

👉 How Arsenal beat Spurs to Eze in ‘extraordinarily quiet’ hijack with ‘mixed messages’ and ‘close relationship’

👉 Tottenham knew Eze deal ‘wasn’t quite right’ but thought it was ‘done’ before Arsenal hijack

👉 Tottenham boost as £30m ‘agreement close’ amid ‘upped efforts’ to ‘beat Liverpool to signing’

But Spurs also missed out on signing Morgan Gibbs-White and Eze, so fans will be itching for their side to sign a star to make them a more competitive side than the one which finished 17th in the Premier League last term.

They are attempting to make one other attacking signing. Interest in Maghnes Akliouche has been reported of late, and Delaney states Tottenham ‘ideally’ want to get the Monaco attacker and one other forward in this summer.

Whether that happens, and whether Rogers is the other man, remains to be seen, as the report also mentions interest in Tyler Dibling and Xavi Simons.

Meanwhile, some are said to believe a move for Como’s Nico Paz would be the most achievable.