GIVEMESPORT

Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham United will go head-to-head in north London on Saturday as both sides look to put an end to their inconsistent starts to the season. Ange Postecoglou's side are coming off the back of a disappointing result away at Brighton where Spurs threw away a two-goal lead to lose 3-2. West Ham have endured a tricky start to the campaign, but their last result, a 4-1 win at home to Ipswich, will give them plenty of confidence heading into this one.

This fixture last time sprung up a surprise, with the Hammers coming away with a 2-1 victory at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium thanks to goals from James Ward-Prowse and Jarrod Bowen.

Tottenham Team News

Son and Richarlison are fit

Last time out against Brighton, Tottenham were without both Heung-min Son and Richarlison, who have both been on the treatment table due to injuries. The attacking duo have both returned to training of late and could be involved against West Ham.

Postecoglou also endured a scare during the international break after the Swedish international was sent home due to injury. Wilson Odobert has been out in the last couple of weeks, and he's unlikely to be available for this one.

Speaking ahead of Spurs' clash with West Ham, Postecoglou has provided positive injury updates on Son, Richarlison, and Bergvall...

"Sonny is good and worked hard last two weeks. Good for him the two weeks, he's had a solid week and looking to get back out there. We’ve taken our time with Richy and we have taken time to build his fitness base up. He has worked hard, trimmed down and looks lean now. He's good to go now. Lucas Bergvall picked up a knock but trained this morning and there are no problems."

Tottenham Predicted Starting XI

Son to start

Considering his importance to the side, not just due to his quality but his leadership too, it wouldn't be a surprise to see Son brought straight into the starting XI. Timo Werner has struggled for form of late and started on the left-hand side of attack against Brighton, so we could see him drop to the bench.

It might be a little too early for Richarlison to make a start after a long period on the sideline.

Tottenham Predicted Starting XI: Vicario; Porro, Romero, Van de Ven, Udogie; Bentancur, Kulusevski, Maddison; Johnson, Solanke, Son.

Tottenham Predicted Substitutes: Forster (GK), Gray (DEF), Spence (DEF), Dragusin (DEF), Bergvall (MID), Sarr (MID), Bissouma (MID), Werner (FWD), Richarlison (FWD).

West Ham Team News

Fullkrug yet to return

Summer signing Niclas Fullkrug has struggled to make an impact since his move to the Premier League, spending the majority of his time at the club out injured. The German international is unlikely to be available for selection, but Lopetegui is likely to have an almost fully fit squad to choose from.

Lopetegui has also provided an injury update, confirming that Fullkrug still remains out injured and won't be available for the trip to Tottenham...

“[Niclas] Füllkrug is out, and he is continuing to recover from his injury, but the rest I hope will be able to feature. I am going to meet with them this afternoon, but we don’t have bad news about them. The problem is that Niclas had one minor injury at the start, but there’s been a bit of a complication with this injury, and we are waiting for him to recover. It’s true that we thought he would be out for two weeks maximum, but it’s been a month and a half. Hopefully he will be ready for the next matches, but right now he is out. It is true that we had a lot of players in different countries [on international duty], and right now not all of the players have returned. I am going to see the last of the players today and tomorrow, so until the last moment we are not going to be together."

West Ham Predicted Starting XI

The Hammers could be unchanged

Although West Ham have suffered a difficult start to the season, their performance against Ipswich last time out has provided positive signs for the next few months. The Hammers looked in full flow as they struck four times to defeat the Tractor Boys, with Lopetegui starting to figure out his best starting XI.

After the emphatic result, it wouldn't be a surprise to see an unchanged side, particularly with Fullkrug still on the treatment table.

Tottenham Hotspur will carefully manage Richarlison's re-integration back into Ange Postecoglou's squad following his injury, GIVEMESPORT sources have revealed, although this is in part to protect his value with a prospective sale in mind for next summer.

Richarlison has been suffering from an injury for the majority of this season, and hasn't featured for Spurs since their 4-0 victory over Everton at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium back in August. His return to action is near, however, with Postecoglou confirming in his press conference on Monday morning that the Brazilian is available for selection for Saturday lunchtime's clash with West Ham United.

Having said that, the North Londoners will err on the side of caution in regard to the forward's minutes, to avoid any risk of early setbacks.

Sources: Richarlison to be Carefully Managed

He could be sold next summer

GIVEMESPORT sources have revealed that Richarlison's return to action will be forensically monitored, with the club eager not to antagonise any of the issues his body has faced.

The versatile attacker has managed just 25 minutes in the Premier League this season in his two cameo appearances, and has struggled with fitness issues in the past during his time in North London, that have ultimately somewhat hampered his spell with the Lillywhites.

The return of the former Everton man will delight Postecoglou, who will have another option to pick from in his forward-line. The Australian head coach has been operating with a thin selection of attacking players, with the absences of Richarlison, Son Heung-min and Wilson Odobert leaving just Dominic Solanke, Timo Werner, Brennan Johnson and Dejan Kulusevski as senior available players at his disposal.

The club are intent on helping Richarlison maintain his fitness, and feel as though not over-burdening him with minutes early on is integral to achieving this. While this is to help the team, it's also because they're weighing up the 27-year-old's future.

The Brazil international is contracted at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium until 2027, but there is a good chance Spurs will part ways with him next summer. Keeping him fit and in regular action is the best way to ensure he's still a salable asset come June.

Ideally, Tottenham want him to recapture his best form, but there is an awareness that his susceptibility to injury could hinder this, and thus the club's hierarchy will make a decision on his future at the end of the season.

Richarlison Could be a Great Asset to Postecoglou

He's shown his quality before in the Premier League

Postecoglou's team have experienced a mixed start to the new season, amassing ten points from their opening seven Premier League games. Emphatic wins over Manchester United and Everton have been overshaddowed by disappointing defeats to Newcastle, Arsenal and Brighton, and the outspoken former Celtic boss will be eager for his side to push on after the international break.

The re-emergence of a fit and firing Richarlison could be a significant addition to a Tottenham attack that has looked inconsistent this season. The number nine managed eleven goals and four assists last season, and has surpassed ten league strikes in four separate campaigns in his career.

If Postecoglou can reignite this player, he immediately has another reliable and potent option to select from his ensemble.

West Ham United won a game away at Tottenham Hotspur for the first time in four years last season to end a run of five games without a win in north London against their inner-city rivals - and Julen Lopetegui could utilise a secret weapon in Aaron Cresswell to put the Irons into the ascendency against Ange Postecoglou's side and record back-to-back wins in N17 for the first time since 2013.

The Hammers have had a poor start to the Premier League season by their own standards, sitting 12th after seven games with only two wins to their name and a negative goal difference. Tottenham are in a similar boat with some meddling form, and both sides are in need of a win to put their seasons right - and with West Ham likely to be on the back foot, they could utilise Cresswell’s set-piece ability to harm Tottenham - who are one of the least adept sides at defending set-pieces in the entire division.

Cresswell Has a Rich Premier League History

The West Ham legend has a number of assists

Cresswell signed for West Ham back in 2014, and was a first-team regular for almost a decade - registering 283 Premier League appearances in nine seasons for the Hammers, with 30 assists and 10 goals to show for his efforts with the Irons also winning the Europa Conference League and becoming Europa League regulars towards the end of that nine-year spell.

But the arrival of Emerson Palmieri in 2022 saw his competition increase at the London Stadium, and the Liverpool-born full-back only made 11 Premier League outings, totalling 432 minutes last season, with a further three from seven games this season with all of those being substitute appearances from the bench.

This term, he has only played 25 top flight minutes to date with minutes on the pitch being even harder to come by under Lopetegui.

There is no doubting Cresswell’s quality on the ball, as seen with his 30 assists throughout his Premier League career, and that could come into play with Tottenham suffering badly from set-pieces.

Tottenham Are Incredibly Weak From Set-Pieces

There is definitely a weakness to be exploited this weekend

Postecoglou’s side saw Arsenal beat them in the air in the north London derby earlier this season with Gabriel Magalhaes rising highest to nod home in a 1-0 loss against their local rivals, and that isn’t the only time they have struggled to defend against crosses into the box in recent times against the Gunners, who scored twice from corners in the meeting prior at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Of the teams who have featured in both the 2023/24 and 2024/25 Premier League, Gabriel’s goal made it 18 goals conceded from set-pieces (excluding penalties) since the start of Postecoglou’s reign - with only Nottingham Forest, at the time, conceding more with 23.

GIVEMESPORT Key Statistic: Aaron Cresswell has three caps for England, with his most recent appearance coming in October 2017.

And, as per WhoScored, their standing in terms of goals conceded from set-piece has not changed, showing that West Ham could take advantage of the height of Tomas Soucek, Max Kilman and Jean-Clair Todibo with some quality deliveries.

Cresswell has rarely featured this season, and he could take advantage of Tottenham’s woes to inflict damage upon Postecoglou and give themselves a huge boost in their push for a top-half place, and although Emerson is a solid option, having Cresswell in their squad comes at an advantage in situations where he could make a huge difference.

Pedro Porro is attracting genuine attention from Real Madrid and GMS sources believe Tottenham Hotspur might yet be willing to entertain offers if the price is right.

Madrid are on the lookout for full-back options ahead of a recruitment push in 2025 and Porro has emerged as one of the standout full-backs in the Premier League. His pace, versatility, and attacking prowess have caught the eye of their scouting team, who believe he could be a perfect addition to strengthen their back line.

With the Spanish club also looking at Trent Alexander-Arnold and Jeremie Frimpong as options, Porro is seen as a player who could also fit into their high-tempo style of play.

Tottenham Could Sell for the Right Price

UCL clubs could cough up plenty of cash

Tottenham spent £39million to secure Porro from Sporting Lisbon and could be open to the idea of selling him to Real Madrid - if the deal provides significant financial gain.That is the view of insiders close to the club, who believe a hefty profit from Porro’s sale could be seen as a smart move.

The North London side are aware that top Champions League clubs are willing to spend big on proven talent, even at full-back. Porro’s consistency in defence and attack makes him a strong option if Real Madrid decide to go ahead with such a move.

Alexander-Arnold is most regularly linked with a move to Madrid but that is in line with the fact he has an expiring contract and would be available on a free transfer. We revealed recently on GMS that Madrid are not yet active on the Liverpool defender but are waiting to discover if he becomes available to sign on a pre-contract in January.

Porro is a different proposition as it would take big investment. Since joining Tottenham, Porro has established himself as one of the key players in Ange Postecoglou’s squad. His ability to surge forward, create goalscoring opportunities, and deliver precise crosses has made him a first-team staple.

There is an acceptance that market growth means his value has risen significantly thanks to his strong performances. Spurs are aware of the links with Madrid and the opportunity his potential transfer could present.

While they would prefer to keep such a crucial player, and are not actively looking to sell, the prospect of a sizeable profit may make it hard to resist Real Madrid’s advances.For Real Madrid, signing Porro would be in line with an attempt to refresh their defensive lineup and find a long-term solution for the right-back position. Porro’s La Liga experience during his time with Girona helps to make him an ideal candidate for the role.

Tottenham Could Demand Upwards of £60m

No deal expected in January

If Madrid are serious about securing the player they will need to submit a substantial offer, exceeding Tottenham’s £39million investment by some distance. Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy is known for his negotiating and would undoubtedly push for a deal that maximises the club’s financial return. An estimate from GMS sources is that Porro would be priced upwards of £60m. Djed Spence’s contract extension on Wednesday adds to the intrigue around Porro’s future.

He looked like he would struggle to make any impact in North London yet the full-back has turned around his fortunes and has now penned a deal that ties him to the club until 2028. They have also signed Archie Gray, who is a versatile player who can play at right back. No deal will be expected in January for Porro but Madrid’s plan is clearly kicking into gear for future signings and after selling star striker Harry Kane to Bayern Munich, it is clear that any Spurs player has their price.

Tottenham Hotspur boss Ange Postecoglou has given a huge injury update on crocked duo Son Heung-min and Richarlison, with the Australian boss stating that the duo will hopefully be available for Spurs' Premier League clash at home to West Ham United at the weekend.

Richarlison has been out of action since Tottenham’s 4-0 win over Everton in late August, in which he played just 24 minutes alongside being a last-minute substitute against Leicester City the weekend prior - and alongside picking up various knee injuries and hamstring problems last season, he has been sporadic in terms of minutes. Son, meanwhile, featured in each of Tottenham’s opening five top-flight games with two goals and two assists, but an injury against Qarabag had ruled him out of their previous three games. But Postecoglou expects the pair to both make a return to the side soon, with Saturday’s game touted as their comeback.

Postecoglou: Son and Richarlison Have 'Done Good Work'

The duo have progress over the break to ease the workload for Tottenham's front line

Speaking to the club's official website ahead of the visit of the Hammers, the Tottenham gaffer stated that the duo have trained with the first-team throughout the international break - with the pair 'hopefully' being back for Saturday's clash. He said, via X (formerly Twitter):

“I guess the main ones, Sonny [Son Heung-min] and Richy [Richarlison], have done good work and trained with the group which is a real positive for us. Sonny was always hopefully going to get through this international break really well and be ready, and Richy has done some good work, so hopefully both are available for the weekend.”

Tottenham have coped well without the attacking duo. Barring a collapse against Brighton in which they chucked a 2-0 lead away to lose 3-2, Tottenham had won their previous five games until that point in all competitions, and with the Hammers upcoming, the return of Son and Richarlison will certainly strengthen their ranks.

Heading back into the thick of Premier League action this weekend following the international break, Tottenham Hotspur will be opening up the weekends fixtures at 12:30pm (BST), hosting London rivals West Ham United at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Ange Postecoglou will be searching for a response from his side after the embarrassing second-half collapse against Brighton & Hove Albion in their last match, where they squandered a 2-0 lead heading into the break before a wave of pressure from the hosts swept them away, ultimately losing the match 3-2.

Meanwhile, the Hammers will be looking to build off their last result at home against Ipswich Town, where they managed a 4-1 victory after struggling largely at the beginning of the campaign under new manager, Julen Lopetegui.

Result Odds: Spurs are the Favourites

Home Win - 1/2 | Away Win - 24/5 | Draw - 15/4

As Tottenham are the home side and possess the higher ranking in the Premier League heading into the match, it is understandable why they hold considerably higher odds to claim victory here.

Though it must be stated that it has not been a dream start to the season for the hosts, as Postecoglou's men have suffered some frustrating results throughout the early stages, having dominated the ball and large proportions of the attacking play against Leicester City and Newcastle United but only walking away with one point.

Against Manchester United, it seemed they had turned a corner, emphatically dispatching the Red Devils 3-0 in a drubbing; however, against Brighton, they were caught napping in the second half and were duly punished, a story that has repeated itself on too many occasions in a Spurs shirt.

For West Ham, it has been a somewhat worrying beginning to life under Lopetegui following an exciting transfer window in the summer, having suffered heavy defeats to Liverpool and Chelsea while underwhelming in the large majority of their performances. However, four goals scored and a convincing performance could give the away side a platform to build off for the season and provide them with confidence heading into a difficult fixture.

Scoreline Odds: Lowest Odds on 2-1 Tottenham victory

Draw 1-1 - 9/1 | Tottenham Win 2-1 - 15/2 | West Ham Win 2-1 - 18/1

Tottenham do not tend to disappoint in terms of scoring goals, having hit the back of the net on 14 occasions, recording an average of two goals a game, while West Ham have not begun the season in the greatest scoring form despite hitting four in their most recent fixture, with six goals in six before that.

From a defensive standpoint, the home side can leave themselves vulnerable when losing the ball in advanced areas of the pitch with their high line, and have conceded eight goals so far this season. Likewise, West Ham have been leaky at the back at times, conceding eleven goals and keeping only a single clean sheet.

This is likely to be a difficult game for both sides due to the nature of the rivarly, but if Tottenham wish to be successful here they will need to dominate possession and be switched on in transitions. For West Ham, they will likely not hold the bulk of the possession here, so they will need to be slightly more direct in their approach to catch out the opponents' high line.

Goalscorer Odds: Spurs options are likely while West Ham offer value

Solanke - 11/10 | Richarlison - 6/5 | Bowen - 13/5 | Fullkrug - 11/4

Dominic Solanke is favoured to be the most likely source of a goal in this affair at 11/10 to score anytime, as the new summer signing has enjoyed a relatively successful start to life at his new club, scoring twice in the Premier League in his first five appearances.

However, Brennan Johnson has been among the goals as of late, scoring in each of his last seven appearances in all competitions for the club, and offers good value at 5/1 to score first.

Jarrod Bowen is valued as the most likely source of goals for the away side at 13/5 to score anytime, having struck 16 in the Premier League last campaign, also presenting great value at 8/1 to score first.

Prediction: Tottenham back to winning ways in 2-1 victory

Postecoglou's men to recover after Brighton blip

This is likely to be a tricky match for both sides to navigate through and could go either way, but Postecoglou will be demanding that his side show their resilience here, which could result in a fired-up performance from Spurs.

West Ham have shown defensive vulnerabilities already this season but will offer a threat of the counter-attack through quick transitions into their talented and quick widemen. Due to Tottenham having the superior firepower and being the home side, they should have enough to edge this one and claim a vital three points on their hunt for Champions League football.

Best Bets

Both teams to score (1/2)

Match to end in 2-1 win for Tottenham (15/2)

Dominic Solanke to score first (4/1)

Jarrod Bowen to score any time (13/5)

Tottenham Hotspur defender Cristian Romero has come in for vast praise after his performance in Argentina's emphatic 6-0 win over Bolivia on Tuesday evening - with outlets describing him as 'remarkable' in their win in Buenos Aires that sees them edge close to qualification for the 2026 tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Bolivia registered just one shot throughout the entire game, with Argentina boasting 15 in the process to head top of the CONMEBOL qualification table ahead of nearest competitors Colombia. Romero featuring throughout will have done him wonders in terms of his profile, as Argentina dominated proceedings with three goals either side of half time - and having started ahead of the likes of Lisandro Martinez and German Pezzella, he is Lionel Scaloni's most treasured centre-back - and he has earned vast praise for his continued excellence for the national team which will only delight fans back in the UK with Spurs aiming to push for a highly-coveted Champions League place.

Romero "Remarkable" in Emphatic Argentina Win

The centre-back is one of their most consistent players

Romero played the full ninety minutes in the Estadio Mas Monumental, overseeing a clean sheet against a beleaguered Bolivia side to see themselves top of the World Cup qualifying group and ever closer to a place in the 2026 tournament in North America.

Romero has only missed four Argentina games since their win in Qatar, with most being friendlies or damp squibs in tournaments, and his influence on the national team cannot be understated.

And Argentine outlet Clarin stated their thoughts on the Tottenham star's performance, who praised 'another' remarkable game and gave him one of the highest scores in the team with a 7/10 rating - only ranking behind Chelsea star Enzo Fernandez, former Manchester City star Julian Alvarez and, of course, Lionel Messi - with the latter continuing to produce on the big stage with a hat-trick and two assists. The report said:

"Cristian Romero (7): Another remarkable game from Cuti, who gave his all no matter the opponent or the moment. He was constantly out with the ball and hardly made any passes."

Romero Experience Should Help Tottenham

Their young squad needs a leader

Romero has been an ever-present for Tottenham so far this season, taking the captain's armband in their previous two games that saw the club dismantle Manchester United with ease at Old Trafford - before they crumbled away from home at the AMEX Stadium vs Brighton.

Romero even got his name on the scoresheet in Tottenham's win over Everton at the start of the campaign - and his leadership, aggression and genuine talent at the heart of Tottenham's defence is a huge asset to Ange Postecoglou if the Australian is to qualify for the Champions League with his current crop of players.

The defender has 89 Premier League appearances, 14 in the Champions League and 38 caps for Argentina, and so he is flush with experience - especially having won the 2022 World Cup. That will only come in handy for Tottenham in the future with their young squad still needing to learn the ropes, including the likes of Archie Gray, Lucas Bergvall, Destiny Udogie and more.

Tottenham Hotspur are considering a move for Inter Milan right-back Denzel Dumfries as a replacement for Pedro Porro, who has been heavily linked with a move to Real Madrid, according to Inter Live.

Dumfries enjoyed an impressive 2023/24 campaign, scoring four goals and registering four assists in 31 appearances as Inter comfortably won Serie A. However, the Dutchman started just 19 of these games, and has started just once in the league so far this season, seemingly usurped by Matteo Darmian in Simone Inzaghi's pecking order.

Subsequently, the marauding wing-back could be open to a move away from the San Siro, and was linked with a switch to the Tottenham Hotspur stadium back in 2022. The Lilywhites could now reignite this interest in Dumfries, with anticipation around the North London club growing that they'll be forced to replace Porro, who appears Madrid bound.

Spurs Eyeing Dumfries

The full-back's contract expires next summer

Developing through the academy at Sparta Rotterdam, Dumfries completed a €5.5 million move to Dutch giants PSV Eindhoven in 2018 after a brief stint at Heerenveen. Three excellent years in Eindhoven earned him a place in the Netherlands' squad for Euro 2020, where he subsequently impressed and earned a transfer to Inter in the summer of 2021.

Making over 130 appearances for the black and blues, winning Serie A once, two Supercoppa Italianas and reaching the Champions League final in 2023, Dumfries has certainly made his mark in Milan, and has been described as a "beast".

However, the 28-year-old is yet to put pen to paper on a new deal with the Italian outfit, and thus, is expected to leave the club at the end of the season when his current £51,000-per-week contract expires.

Inter Live report that Tottenham are currently the most likely suitors for Dumfries, with Ange Postecoglou's side expecting to be in the market for a new right-back. Spurs are understood to be worried about the prospect of Porro leaving for Real Madrid in 2025, with Los Blancos identifying the Spaniard as the perfect candidate to replace the injured Dani Carvajal, and thus are lining up Inter's full-back as a successor.

Porro has already expressed his desire to swap North London for the bright lights of the Bernabeu, and Dumfries on a free transfer at the end of this campaign could be a practical way of replacing the former Sporting star. It's understood that Tottenham's head of scouting and recruitment, Fabio Paratici, has strong connections to the Italian market and thus could be useful in facilitating the deal.

Spurs Eyeing Sudakov

They'll face competition from Arsenal

While replacing Porro is one issue on Spurs' transfer agenda, they're also looking acquire another creative midfielder to ease the burden on James Maddison, and are reportedly eyeing a move to sign the 'exceptionally talented' Georgiy Sudakov. The Shakhtar Donetsk playmaker is also a target for Arsenal, and it's believed that the Ukrainian club are likely to command a hefty fee for the player.

Sudakov has started the new season in exceptional fashion, netting seven times in eight Ukrainian Premier League appearances, while he also impressed for the Eastern European nation during Euro 2024. Postecoglou is said to be a huge admirer of the 22-year-old.

Tottenham Hotspur defender Micky van de Ven has been scorned for his poor performance in the Netherlands' 1-0 defeat to Germany on Monday evening, with De Oranje falling to their first defeat in this year's Nations League campaign - with the centre-back being accused of 'freezing', alongside giving away the ball cheaply throughout the game.

Van de Ven was called up to the Netherlands' starting XI alongside Stefan de Vrij in the heart of the defence, with Virgil van Dijk taking no part in their setup after being sent off last time out.

Having been given the nod ahead of the likes of Lutsharel Geertruida and Matthijs de Ligt, the chance was there for him to turn in a strong performance. But the Netherlands registered just three shots all game, with one on target, and Germany laid siege to their goal - with Ronald Koeman's side only escaping an early setback via VAR ruling, in which Van de Ven was to blame for the goal. And that has seen him take criticism for his performance, being given just a 4.5/10 rating on a tough night in Bavaria.

Van de Ven 'Froze' For Netherlands Against Germany

The defender has been in superb form but suffered a blip on Monday

Dutch-English footballing website Football Oranje scorned practically the entire starting XI for their performances against Germany, with Van de Ven ranking as one of the worst to take on Julian Nagelsmann's side.

The defender, who reportedly earns around £50,000-per-week, took special critics for his lack of strength and confidence as the Dutch national side fell to a 1-0 defeat in Munich to practically hand Germany the Nations League Group A3 title and leave Netherlands teetering on the edge of the relegation play-off with Hungary. The website stated of the Tottenham star:

"Micky van de Ven, 4.5/10.

"Where was the strong, confident Van de Ven that we see at Tottenham? He froze in the centre and was guilty of constant ball loss."

Van de Ven is One of The Premier League's Best Young Defenders

The defender is ideal for Ange Postecoglou's setup

Van de Ven has typically been renowned for being one of the most consistent defenders in the Premier League since his move from Wolfsburg at the start of last season, and his assist against Manchester United earlier this campaign showed his ability all across the pitch after a bursting run from deep to set up Brennan Johnson in the early stages at Old Trafford.

Consistently seen as one of the quickest players in the top-flight, Van de Ven does have a huge future ahead of him at the age of just 23, which already includes 38 Bundesliga appearances and 33 Premier League appearances at such a young age.

GIVEMESPORT Key Statistic: Micky van de Ven has 36 appearances for Tottenham Hotspur, scoring three goals.

The defender may have turned in a poor performance in the 1-0 loss to Germany for his 10th cap of his career, but there is no doubting that more European experience and exposure to the Premier League will enhance his performances in the long run alongside Cristian Romero, who he is starting to form a formidable relationship with at the heart of the Tottenham defence.

And in a young Tottenham team under Ange Postecoglou that includes the likes of Pedro Porro, Destiny Udogie, Archie Gray and Lucas Bergvall, there is no doubting that Tottenham have the opportunity to become one of the best teams in the country if they can maximise the potential of their young stars in years to come.

Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario returned to his hometown of Udine to make his Italy debut in their Nations League clash with Israel, but conceded a howler directly from the corner flag in the 4-1 victory.

The Azzurri dominated the visitors on Monday night thanks to goals from Mateo Retegui, Giovanni Di Lorenzo, and Davide Frattesi, but lost their clean sheet after a big mistake from Vicario in goal.

The Spurs shot-stopper was powerless to prevent Mohammad Abu Fani’s curled effort from going in directly from the corner in the second half, resulting in a national team debut to forget after replacing Gianluigi Donnarumma for the contest.

After the game, Vicario complained he was obstructed by Matan Baltaxa, who successfully blocked him within the rules, as the referee and VAR judged it to be fair pressure.

Italian media have been less than kind about Vicario’s senior debut for Italy, with Eurosport awarding him a 5.5/10 rating for his display on Monday, suggesting that fans should ‘expect more’ from a goalkeeper of his calibre.

Vicario Makes Italy Debut

In 4-1 win over Israel

Former France defender Frank Leboeuf was also surprised at how Vicario was unable to react before conceding directly from a corner kick, branding the situation ‘crazy’ while speaking on ESPN:

“It was crazy to see. Push the guy, I don’t know, go over him, go in front of him, do something with your hands. Push him. Exist. He doesn’t exist. That’s crazy.

“I have never seen that in my life. That’s an enigma for me, the way the guy is incapable of reacting one against one.”

Vicario struggled in set-piece situations throughout his first season in north London, where he conceded 61 goals in 38 appearances in his debut campaign in the Premier League.

The 28-year-old vowed to improve on the matter after the North London derby against Arsenal, when he conceded from a set-piece once again, after Gabriel headed in the only goal of the contest.

While Tottenham have been more solid in set-pieces this season, Vicario’s latest mistake representing Italy highlighted the lingering concerns regarding the Udine-born shot-stopper.

Tottenham ‘Keeping Close Eye’ on Eze

Premier League clubs scouting Palace star

Tottenham Hotspur are keeping a close eye on Crystal Palace star Eberechi Eze, who has a £60m release clause active for next summer, transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has revealed.

The 26-year-old forward looked destined to leave Selhurst Park this summer, but never received any concrete offers from elsewhere to switch clubs in the Premier League.

However, with the Eagles struggling so far this term, they could face an uphill battle in convincing Eze to stay any longer next summer, with top-six clubs continuing to monitor his situation.

According to Romano, both Tottenham and Manchester United have been scouting Eze recently – the English international is appreciated around the Premier League and could finally set his sights on a Palace departure after the season.