The Sun

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR kept Dream Team managers guessing throughout 2024/25.

Spurs endured a miserable domestic season, finishing 17th in the Premier League, but triumphed in the Europa League to claim their first major trophy in 17 years.

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These European exploits combined with Ange Postecoglou’s (overly) ambitious tactics meant the North Londoners provided loads of Dream Team points, despite regular embarrassments in the league.

With Thomas Frank now at the helm, it will be interesting to see whether Spurs will stabilise and what it all means for their Dream Team returns.

Ahead of Gameweek 1, let’s analyse their top performers, smart selections and potential flops.

Top Performers

Only Daniel Munoz (£5.5m) earned more points than Pedro Porro (£5m) among defenders last season.

The Spaniard conceded a lot of goals as the regular right-back in a leaky backline but he more than made up for it with 51 bonus points, 101 tackles and 14 goal involvements.

Porro is rare in that he is a defender whose viability does not rely on clean sheets, assuming he is encouraged to keep getting forward.

Dominic Solanke (£5m) is expected to lead the line, a prime role in a team likely to opt for a front-foot approach.

Dream Team bosses only have to look at the stats of Yoane Wissa (£4.5m) and Bryan Mbeumo (£5.5m) in recent times to see how attacking threats can flourish under Frank.

Despite not always looking his most effective, the England striker scored 16 goals and registered 10 assists on his way to 266 points — just a slight improvement would make him a 300-point asset, a very rare thing indeed.

Like Porro, James Maddison’s (£4.5m) attributes lend themselves to the world of Dream Team.

As an advanced midfielder who is always looking for the killer pass and not shy of a shot, the 28-year-old tends to deal in goal contributions.

In fact, he was one of just ten players in his position to reach double figures for both goals and assists last season.

Maddison’s minutes have not always been guaranteed but if he establishes himself as starter under Frank then he has the potential to linger at the top end of the rankings for months on end.

Smart Selections

Mohammed Kudus (£4.5m) is currently the seventh-most popular midfielder in Dream Team with an ownership of 16.1%.

It’s no wonder so many gaffers are tempted by the Ghanaian winger as he’s a natural footballer, as evidenced by the fact only Jeremy Doku (£4.5m) and Morgan Rogers (£5.5m) completed more successful dribbles in 2024/25.

Truth be told, Kudus didn’t look all that motivated at West Ham last season but if a fresh start sets him straight then he will be tough to ignore.

Probably not a selection for Gameweek 1 but Mathys Tel (£3.5m) might look very affordable if he pins down a starting spot, perhaps on the left flank.

The 20-year-old showed glimpses of his talent last season without ripping up any trees but many supporters are calling for him to be given a more prominent role.

Keep an eye on Tel’s progress.

Potential Flops

It pains us to say it but Son Heung-min’s (£5m) time as a viable Dream Team option may be at an end.

The South Korean superstar has delivered hundreds of points over the course of the last decade but it seems as if time is catching up to him.

It’s a measure of Son’s quality that he somehow amassed 272 points via 11 goals and 14 assists last season despite operating at half capacity but his declining form can’t be ignored.

Nothing would please us more than for the 33-year-old to prove us wrong once the campaign gets underway but it’s a brave gaffer who chooses him over the other forwards (and midfielders) in the same price range.

Under no circumstances are we labelling Micky van de Ven (£3.5m) a potential flop but the fact he’s in contention to start the season as the most popular defender in the game is an interesting discussion point.

The rapid centre-back has caught the eye with some superb defensive interventions since he arrived on English soil but it’s simply a fact that his Dream Team returns have been moderate at best.

Spurs have struggled for clean sheets and the Dutchman doesn’t offer much of an attacking threat.

He’s also suffered rotten luck with injuries, another dent to his viability.

In fairness, Van de Ven’s price of £3.5m is undoubtedly a factor in his popularity and he may well prove to be a helpful enabler but we would encourage Dream Team bosses to consider all their options before committing to such a strategy.

THOMAS FRANK will have a chance today to see just how far his new Tottenham side have come on set-pieces when they take on the masters of the craft.

No one scored more goals from dead-ball situations, excluding penalties, in the Premier League last season than Arsenal, who face North London rivals Spurs in Hong Kong this lunchtime.

The Gunners netted a whopping 17 times from those scenarios, inspired by their set-piece specialist coach Nicolas Jover.

German-born Frenchman Jover, 43, fast became a household name among Gooners for the way he leaps into action, barking orders from Mikel Arteta’s technical area whenever Arsenal get a free-kick or corner.

Frank has his own grand plans to turn Spurs into set-piece experts - and has hired an ex-Gunners coach to help him do it.

Andreas Georgson spent a year as Arteta’s set-piece coach between 2020 and 2021, having left Frank’s Brentford to take up the position.

The Swede, 43, was replaced by Jover before going on to hold similar roles at Southampton and Manchester United, as well as more senior roles back in Scandinavia.

Georgson’s latest gig is at Spurs, where he became part of Frank’s new-look coaching staff that was announced earlier this month.

He holds the title of first-team assistant coach, but his specific focus will be set-pieces.

Frank excelled from the routines at Brentford, netting 14 league goals from them last term and conceding a Prem-best three.

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It is not just from corners and free-kicks that he looks to gain an advantage, either.

Fans will remember how his Bees, remarkably, scored virtually from the kick-off in three successive games last September.

The remarkable hat-trick saw them make Premier League history by becoming the first team to net within the first minute in a trio of back-to-back fixtures.

Long throws are also something he is happy to employ, with footage from Destiny Udogie’s Snapchat appearing to reveal Spurs have held ‘long throw auditions’ in pre-season training.

Centre-back Micky van de Ven is hoping all the extra work on dead-ball situations will pay off this season.

The Dutchman, 24, said on Tuesday: “We have had a lot of training sessions already where we are working on set-pieces. I know you guys love talking about set-pieces and Tottenham.

“I hope we can change that this year and make it a strong point for us on the offensive and defensive side.”

The "I know you guys love talking about set-pieces and Tottenham" remark related to the furore surrounding them under predecessor Ange Postecoglou.

In truth, it was a mountain made out of a molehill by Postecoglou himself, and it came after a North London derby defeat to today’s opponents.

Spurs conceded twice from corners in their 3-2 home loss to Arsenal in April 2024, during Postecoglou’s first campaign.

At the time, it took the club’s tally of goals conceded from set-pieces to nine, which was not terrible but not great either. It just required an acknowledgement that things could have been improved and a promise to work on them.

Postecoglou instead appeared to dismiss set-pieces altogether after the game, then doubled down on that view again a few days later in his next press conference.

After that, a narrative emerged that he did not care about them at all, which was brought up every time Spurs subsequently conceded from a dead-ball situation, not including spot-kicks.

Frank has been very clear about how much he values them and spoke of his pride after his new team scored their first goals under him from set-pieces in his opening friendly, a 2-0 win at Reading, earlier this month.

Arsenal set the bar for success in this area - today Spurs can get an early idea of how they measure up at the Kai Tak Stadium today.

They will do it, meanwhile, wearing kit with bespoke, jazzy-looking shirt numbers designed by local artists.

‘ParentsParents’, a collective of artists from diverse backgrounds in graffiti, illustration and geometry style character, designed the numbers, using themes, colours and symbols meaningful to Hong Kong.

You can put your shirt on set-pieces playing a key role in today’s friendly version of the North London derby on the far side of the world.

MORGAN GIBBS-WHITE has sensationally snubbed Tottenham and will STAY at Nottingham Forest - thanks to a dramatic intervention by Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis.

The Greek billionaire flew to the club’s training camp in Portugal for face-to-face talks with Gibbs-White, who was lined up to join Premier League rivals Spurs in a £60m deal.

And Marinakis won the England star over with a passionate speech about how important he was to Forest and their ambitious plans for the future.

Gibbs-White, 25, has now signed an improved and extended contract to 2028 at the City Ground in a major blow to Tottenham and executive chairman Daniel Levy.

Spurs triggered the player’s £60m release clause earlier this month, prompting fury and threats of legal action from Forest.

But after more than a fortnight of uncertainty, Marinakis took decisive steps to end the saga.

Gibbs-White, 25, did not initially fly to the Algarve with the rest of the Forest squad for personal reasons, but joined them later last week.

Marinakis arrived ahead of Saturday night's friendly against Fulham and went to meet Gibbs-White.

He told the star that he was determined to keep on making Forest bigger and stronger and how he wanted the former Wolves man to be at the heart of it.

Gibbs-White is understood to have been so impressed by Marinakis’ enthusiasm and vision for Forest’s future that he agreed not to pursue a transfer to Tottenham.

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His new deal is believed not to include a release clause.

Confirming Gibbs-White's new contract alongside a picture of the midfielder alongside Marinakis, Forest wrote on X: "A statement of intent from our owner Evangelos Marinakis, as Morgan Gibbs-White signs a record deal at the Club until the summer of 2028."

Upon signing the deal, Gibbs-White said: "I’ve felt at home at Forest from the moment I arrived.

"The support from the fans, my team-mates, and everyone around the club has been unbelievable.

"I believe in what we're building here – and with the backing of Mr Marinakis and the enormous ambition he has, I want to be part of making something special. I’m excited for what’s to come."

Marinakis, 57, added: "Morgan is a special player – not just in terms of talent, but character and mentality. He represents everything we want this football club to be: he is a winner, talented, ambitious, fearless, and proud.

"There was significant interest from various clubs, but we were determined to build our future with Morgan at the heart of it. I promised our fans we would not only compete, but grow stronger and stronger every season. Today is another big step in that journey."

Gibbs-White’s decision will be a massive disappointment to Spurs.

They targeted the attacking midfielder to be the creative hub of a revamped team under new boss Thomas Frank, with Levy leading the bid to sign him.

But everyone at Forest will be delighted that one of their key players will stay after Marinakis took matters into his own hands.

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TOTTENHAM Hotspur’s pre-season preparations continued with a 2-2 draw against League One side Wycombe Wanderers at the club's Enfield training ground.

Spurs were forced to come from behind after a costly error from goalkeeper Brandon Austin but Pape Sarr's brace ensured the game ended all square.

Thomas Frank's side had the early advantage in the 15th minute. Wilson Odobert, one of the standout performers in the opening exchanges, cut in from the right and unleashed a shot from just outside the box.

Wycombe goalkeeper Mikki van Sas parried the effort only for the ball to spill into the path of Pape Sarr who calmly slotted home for a 1-0 lead.

It was a promising start for Spurs, who looked comfortable with their mix of first-team regulars and exciting newcomers.

Odobert in particular had been lively on the right flank, showing glimpses of the flair that has caught the eye in pre-season.

However, Spurs’ momentum was stunted in the 34th minute when a mistake from Austin allowed Wycombe to equalise.

A well-timed run by Wycombe’s Junior Quitirna forced a shot on the edge of the box and although Austin initially got a hand to it, the ball squirmed under him and trickled into the net.

Tottenham had dominated possession in the first half but were punished for Austin’s blunder, leaving the game level at the break.

The second half started with more fireworks. Just five minutes after the break, Wycombe took the lead with a clinical strike from their winger, Quitirna.

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The pacy wide-man darted inside from the left, evading a couple of Tottenham challenges, before firing a powerful shot past Austin for a 2-1 advantage to the visitors.

The goal left Spurs with work to do, but they responded well to the setback. Odobert continued to impress down the right, and Richarlison, Son, and Sarr all combined to create chances in the final third.

Tottenham’s persistence paid off in the 66th minute when Pape Sarr rose to the occasion once again.

A well-timed run from midfield saw Sarr who wen't past his marker before finding himself unmarked in finished confidently past van Sas to draw Spurs level at 2-2.

Despite some late pressure from both sides, neither team could find a winner.

It was a case of two steps forward and one step back for Spurs, as they were unable to put Wycombe away despite a strong second-half performance.

Thomas Frank left the game and headed to Luton where another set of Tottenham player will take on The Hatters.

TOTTENHAM are considering a £15million offer for captain Son Heung-min.

The South Korea star's future in North London is in doubt with him being a target for LAFC.

Spurs have already been active in the transfer market for new manager Thomas Frank.

The club have brought in West Ham attacker Mohammed Kudus and are interested in Nottingham Forest star Morgan Gibbs-White.

Son, 33, could head for the exit door as SunSport understands Spurs would accept an offer between £15m and £20m.

A potential switch to the MLS would still rely on the Europa League winner agreeing to the move.

The former Bayer Leverkusen ace could instead decide to stay and fight for his spot at N17.

Son is involved in the discussions over the transfer with all parties.

However, a move will not be immediate as Son is likely to stay at Spurs for their fixtures during the pre-season tour of Asia.

Last season's 17th-placed Premier League finishers face Newcastle in Seoul, South Korea on August 3.

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This match follows on from the North London derby against Arsenal in Hong Kong.

If Spurs were to sell Son before facing the Toon, they would then forfeit up to 75 per cent of the fee they would receive for playing.

Son is down as a "key player" in the contract for the touring Premier League side.

If he were to travel with the squad but not play, then Spurs would be docked half their fee.

The South Korean international is hugely popular in his homeland and wider Asia.

Last season, Son scored seven times and assisted nine goals in 30 Premier League appearances.

Despite the club's shocking performance domestically, Son did become the first captain to lift a trophy since Ledley King in 2008.

Frank has spoken about Son's future and appears to be happy if he decides to stay.

He said: "Right now, I have a player who is fully committed and training well.

"If a player has been at a club a long time, then there will always be a decision for the club to take."

As well as Kudus, Spurs have already signed Japanese ace Kato Takai and made Mathys Tel's loan from Bayern Munich permanent.

The club has also welcomed young defender Luka Vuskovic from Hajduk Split.

Their pursuit of Gibbs-White is at a standstill despite triggering his £60m release clause.

Forest have halted the transfer after claiming the approach from Spurs was "illegal".

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR conceded 89 goals in all competitions last season.

So how on earth did Pedro Porro (£5m) end up as the second-best defender in Dream Team?

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For our latest SCOUT REPORT, we’re taking a closer look at the Spaniard to understand how he defied his team’s defensive problems to become a top-tier asset.

It took Dream Team managers quite a while to accept Porro for what he was in 2024/25.

Under the guidance of Ange Postecoglou, Spurs suffered several humiliating defeats in the league as opponents repeatedly took advantage of their fragile defensive unit.

As a result, gaffers developed an aversion to their defenders as most want their back line to be populated by players capable of regular clean sheets.

What many Dream Team bosses overlooked was that Porro compensated for his side’s problems with a steady stream of points through various other avenues.

While he’s not the most disciplined defender, the 25-year-old could never be accused of lacking effort; he registered 101 tackles in all competitions last term, the joint-fifth highest tally among players in his position.

An enthusiastic crosser, there are few defenders as influential in the final third.

Porro was one of just two defenders to reach double figures for assists last season - he tied with Antonee Robinson on ten.

And he was good value for that tally as he ranked third in his position for big chances created (15), just behind Lucas Digne (18) and the now departed Trent Alexander-Arnold (16).

Crucially, Porro racked up 51 bonus points, a total only bettered by Ryan Gravenberch among all assets.

His tackle count, creativity and penchant for bonus points meant he amassed 295 points when all was said and done - Daniel Munoz was the only defender to breach the 300-point mark last season.

Porro’s story is also a lesson in the importance of the additional competitions.

Spurs endured a miserable league campaign but all the additional fixtures on the road to their Europa League triumph meant the Spain international often made up for the weekend’s disappointment with healthy Thursday night returns.

Whether Porro will be able to replicate his success this coming season remains to be seen.

Points may be harder to come by in the Champions League and many gaffers will be unsure of Thomas Frank’s ability to stabilise what has been a chaotic team in recent times.

But Porro’s impressive record means he’s a player of huge interest ahead of the new campaign - he currently features in 7.1% of teams.

TOTTENHAM are reportedly ready to join the race to sign Real Madrid star Rodrygo.

The Los Blancos winger has been linked with an exit of the LaLiga giants with the likes of Arsenal and Liverpool interested.

Spurs have already spent just less than £100million this summer on the likes of Mohammed Kudus, Mathys Tel and Kato Takai.

The club have also offered £60m for Nottingham Forest star Morgan Gibbs-White.

New manager Thomas Frank was promised investment into the playing staff and that is what he is getting.

Rodrygo, 24, could be the next star that the North London club set their sights on, according to AS.

The report claims that Spurs will have to beat off competition from the likes of Arsenal, Liverpool, Chelsea and Bayern Munich.

However, it is suggested that Spurs chairman Daniel Levy believes he can get a discount on Rodrygo.

Levy will try to get the Brazilian's price below £78million in order to pursue a move.

It is suggested that Levy will try to capitalise on the good relationship the club has with Real.

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Multiple players have transferred between the clubs in recent times, including Gareth Bale, Luka Modric and Rafael van der Vaart.

The report has stated that no formal discussions have taken place, and teams that want Rodrygo will have to "pay up".

The 33 capped international is still unsure over his future and is keen to talk to manager Xabi Alonso

Rodrygo is currently on holiday in the US following his participation in the Club World Cup with Real.

It is thought that Los Blancos are willing to cash in on Rodrygo in order to fund their own deals.

Alonso is keen on adding a new midfielder and defender to his squad.

NOTTINGHAM FOREST owner Evangelos Marinakis hopes Manchester City launch a rival bid Morgan Gibbs-White, according to reports.

Tottenham are interested in Gibbs-White and were set to sign him earlier this month after triggering his £60million release clause.

However, Forest halted the deal after what they claim was an 'illegal approach'.

According to talkSPORT, Marinakis wants Man City to step in the way.

Gibbs-White told Marinakis he would only leave Forest if a club of a certain level came in for him.

The Greek chief does not think Spurs fit that category, and is furious about the idea of his star man signing for them.

And he hopes Man City will come in for him instead.

Amidst all this, Forest are also interested in Man City young midfielder James McAtee.

Tottenham could of course still resurrect the transfer, depending on the outcome of the legal challenge.

Gibbs-White did not travel for Forest's pre-season in Portugal due to a "personal matter".

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His fiancee, who is heavily pregnant, posted photos from a hospital bed on Sunday night and wrote a message to other mums dealing with 'high risk pregnancies'.

Gibbs-White joined Forest from Wolves in 2022 for a club record transfer fee of £25million with another potential £17million in add-ons.

The attacking midfielder has scored 18 goals in 118 games since, as well as bagging 28 assists.

He's also won the Under-21 European Champions with England and made four appearances for England's first team in that time.

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TOTTENHAM have announced White Hart Lane's iconic Bill Nicholson Gates will be reinstalled at their new ground.

The Premier League club aim to get the gates up at their stunning home, the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, for their opening match of the new season against Burnley on August 16.

The gates are named after former Spurs player and manager Nicholson, who had a 38-year association with the club and won eight major trophies in his 16 years in charge.

Nicholson became synonymous with the gates thanks to Peter Robinson taking a photo of him holding them in the 1970s.

The gates stood until 2015, when they were placed into storage before building began on Tottenham's new stadium - but now they are set to be brought back out for use.

In a statement announcing their return, the club said: "Generations of fans, players and staff followed in Bill’s footsteps through the gates on the way to White Hart Lane and we recognise their significant cultural and historic value.

"As such, we have taken our time in finding the most appropriate location to reinstate the gates within the new stadium environs - mindful of the significant levels of construction and change the area has seen over the past decade.

"Working in close consultation with our Fan Advisory Board (FAB), we have identified a location - within PAXTON17, between the Ticket Office and historic buildings at the north of the stadium - at which the gates will be reinstated.

Club chairman Daniel Levy said the club did not want to rush deciding where to put the famous gates.

He said: “The Bill Nicholson Gates are such a significant part of our Club’s heritage and I am extremely proud they will be returning home this summer.

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“We were never going to rush into a decision as to where they should be reinstated, given the huge amount of works that have taken place in the area over recent years.

“We have undertaken a carefully-planned process, working with our architects, construction partners and Fan Advisory Board, and I believe we have found a fitting solution.

“We look forward to welcoming fans back to the stadium for the coming season - as well as Bill’s family members and former players - to see the gates and feel that close connection between our Club and its rich history."

Nicholson is the club's most decorated manager, winning the League Cup and FA Cup double in 1961.

Two years later, Spurs became the first English side to win a European title when they picked up the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup in 1963.

He was also a key player in Arthur Rowe’s trailblazing 1950/51 League title winning side.

Nicholson passed away at the age of 85 in 2004.