Sport Witness

Tottenham striker Richarlison did not play a single minute for Brazil in this international break. That happened for the first time under manager Carlo Ancelotti.

He sat out both games against Senegal and Tunisia, despite being one of only two players – alongside Bruno Guimarães – who had featured in all six previous matches of the Italian’s tenure.

This absence adds weight to a discussion already taking place in Brazil. According to UOL, Ancelotti is still searching for what he calls a “different striker”, someone who can act as a true reference in the box.

Richarlison has historically filled that role, but his current form has weakened his claim. He’s scored only four goals for Spurs this season and has not found the net for Brazil since the 2022 World Cup.

His club form has not helped either, with limited minutes and inconsistent performances at Tottenham.

Ancelotti made it clear before the Tunisia match that the squad lacks a pure number nine. He explained that Brazil may need a forward capable of holding play, acting as a pivot and providing a stronger presence in the penalty area.

“We might need a reference as a striker in some games, in some moments. We have time to assess this and try to find one in the next six months,” he said.

The manager started all four of his attackers – Rodrygo, Estêvão, Vinicius Junior and Matheus Cunha – but none fits the profile he is after. Richarlison was once the default option for that task, yet the current scenario suggests the competition is open.

The next steps remain unclear, but the Tottenham forward now faces fresh pressure at both club and national-team level to regain his place.

Tottenham Hotspur will not enjoy the latest reports from Uruguay. El País gave Rodrigo Bentancur a harsh 2/10 after the 5-1 defeat to the United States in Tampa.

The midfielder wore the captain’s armband, yet the performance never settled. The outlet says he struggled from the start and failed to bring control to Marcelo Bielsa’s midfield.

The report highlights the second goal. Bentancur lost his marker in the move, which opened space for the finish. Uruguay then collapsed on the right side, and the Tottenham player could not steady the team as the pressure grew.

The match exposed several defensive issues, and his position often left gaps that the hosts exploited with ease.

He did produce a rare positive action after the break. At 60 minutes, he won a one-on-one duel and struck Uruguay’s first attempt of the second half.

The reaction, however, lasted only three minutes. Bentancur went into a high challenge on Berhalter and received a straight red card. He already had a yellow, and the referee showed no hesitation.

The dismissal ended any chance of a late response and increased the criticism at home. Bentancur now returns to Tottenham after a night that created more questions than answers. Spurs will hope he resets quickly, as the next fixtures demand stability rather than headlines.

Tottenham Hotspur scouts are keeping a close eye on Luka Vuskovic’s progress at HSV Hamburg this season.

That’s according to SportBILD, who report that the Croatian international is ‘in talks with Tottenham’ about his future.

The youngster is spending the season with the German side on loan. He joined them late in the summer transfer window after Tottenham finally decided to loan him out for another season.

He’s proven to be a huge hit at the German club. Vuskovic has quickly established himself as a key player and is now making waves on the international stage too.

SportBILD now report that he is ‘in talks with Tottenham’ about his future. Spurs scouts are monitoring his progress throughout this campaign. They know that the interested parties are growing. Borussia Dortmund are keen. Hamburg are even hoping to keep him for another season.

That could be doable as Vuskovic has stated his desire to play alongside his brother Mario. He also plays for HSV but is banned until November 2026. That desire is seen as a potential trump card for HSV’s hopes of keeping him.

Either way, Tottenham are watching and talking to Vuskovic throughout this season. They know they’ve all got a big decision to make next year, when his current loan ends.

Tottenham Hotspur’s potential pursuit of Takefusa Kubo is unlikely to go far unless he pushes for the move. And that ‘seems improbable’ at this point.

That’s according to AS. They cover Kubo today and point to recent comments which hint he’ll be staying at Real Sociedad for the foreseeable future.

The newspaper explains that while there has been much talk about Kubo and a potential bid from Tottenham in January, there’s nothing serious as yet.

They point out that Kubo has a deal with Sociedad until 2029. That includes the €60m release clause which has been mentioned repeatedly. That will need to be paid if he is to go anywhere.

Making a move during the January transfer window is seen as ‘highly unlikely’ unless he specifically requests it. And this moment in time, that ‘seems improbable’.

Their logic for that is recent comments made by Kubo about his situation two weeks ago. During a press conference he said, “I’ve always said I want to be a better player. I only have one goal so far, but that’s okay. When I’m back to full fitness this year, I’ll score goals, provide assists, and at the end of the season, if I haven’t had a great year, you can criticise me.”

In other words, he’s hinted he’ll be at Real Sociedad until the summer and then assess his situation. A move to Tottenham in January seems unlikely in that light.

Of course, thing can always change. But for now, it seems nobody is panicking about Tottenham’s apparent interest.

Mathys Tel has had a topsy-turvy last few months at Tottenham.

He was signed permanently from Bayern Munich in the summer. Soon after, he was excluded from the Champions League squad.

Tel has scored two Premier League goals, including a key strike against Manchester United. With Randal Kolo Muani injured, he’s likely to get more game time at Tottenham.

That, however, hasn’t stopped the Italian media.

Gazzetta dello Sport cover AS Roma’s interest in the Frenchman today.

The Italian newspaper reports the 20-year-old is ‘unhappy in London’ and keen on leaving Tottenham in January.

Roma manager Gian Piero Gasperini has the youngster at the top of his shortlist. He sees Tel as someone who can be improved quite a bit and who has the right profile to improve Roma’s attack.

Tottenham thought to be open to loan deal

There’s belief that a loan deal could be possible since Tottenham paid €35m to sign him some months ago and don’t want a sale. The newspaper are somewhat optimistic that Thomas Frank’s side will sanction a temporary exit.

Of course, that optimism could be wildly misplaced.

The report fails to take context into account, though. Kolo Muani is now out injured and so is Dominic Solanke. Richarlison has not made a big impact this season either.

Tottenham need goals and Tel could supply them. So perhaps, Roma’s interest in the player is built on false assumptions fuelled by that relentless Italian optimism.

Tottenham Hotspur are set to face Arsenal in the Premier League on Sunday, and then Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League next Wednesday.

Le Parisien reports there’s uncertainty over both Ousmane Dembélé and Nuno Mendes being involved against Tottenham.

The 28-year-old forward picked up a hamstring injury in September and spent more than a month on the sidelines. He made five appearances before suffering setback earlier this month.

Dembélé picked up a calf injury in PSG’s Champions League defeat to Bayern Munich. The 23-year-old Portugal international also suffered a knee injury in the same tie. The duo have been sidelined since then.

The report states it’s unclear whether the pair will be fit on time to face Tottenham.

At this moment in time, it’s claimed there’s a ‘slim chance’ of both the attacker and the fullback being ready for the Spurs clash.

Luis Henrique started Lucas Hernández in Mendes’ absence in PSG’s 3-2 win over Lyon before the international break. Hernández is likely to start if the Portuguese isn’t available against Tottenham.

Tottenham Hotspur, Aston Villa and Brighton & Hove Albion are said to have Anderlecht’s Nathan De Cat on their agenda.

The UK press reported on the Premier League trio’s interest. As well as Tottenham, Aston Villa and Brighton, Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund are in the picture to sign him.

Wednesday’s edition of Het Nieuwsblad looks at claims of Tottenham, Aston Villa and Brighton interest.

The 17-year-old graduated from the Belgium club’s academy and was promoted to the first team earlier this year. He’s made 26 appearances so far and has cemented his place in the first team.

De Cat’s performances and potential have seen him draw attention from numerous clubs across Europe. After Bayern Munich and BVB interest was reported in Germany, Spurs, Unai Emery’s side and the Seagulls were mentioned in England.

The newspaper points out the UK press mentioned a price between €30-35m. There was also a talk of the defensive midfielder becoming one of the Jupiler Pro League’s top sales.

People close to De Cat, probably his entourage, have dismissed the English links as speculation and ‘headline-grabbing talk’. That should put Tottenham, Aston Villa and Brighton’s interest to bed for now.

Het Nieuwsblad claim Anderlecht can’t demand a high fee considering his contract expires in 2027.

Nile John, who came through the Tottenham Hotspur youth system before leaving in 2024, is getting strong attention in Portugal, according to a new report in A Bola by journalist Eduardo Pedrosa Marques.

The newspaper highlights how the English midfielder has rebuilt his form and confidence at Feirense, where local fans now describe him as a “truly exceptional” talent. The piece also recalls his background at Tottenham and his experience in European competitions before leaving north London.

John has become an influential figure for Feirense this season, in Portugal’s second tier. A Bola notes he is curcial in Ricardo Costa’s attacking structure, often dictating tempo and connecting transitions.

The report stresses his strong technical base developed at Tottenham, as well as his 14 appearances for England at youth level. That foundation, it says, helps explain why his adaptation to Portuguese football has been so smooth.

The midfielder is now in his second campaign in Portugal and has expanded his presence on the ball. The article points out that he operates mostly as a No. 8, offering mobility, energy and quick combinations.

Fans have embraced him, and the newspaper even mentions his ability to blend into local culture… including learning to cook Santa Maria da Feira’s traditional ‘fogaças’: a sweet bread, shaped like a small tower with four pointed “spikes” on top.

There is no mention of concrete approaches from other clubs, but A Bola suggest that continued good performances may open doors for a higher level in the near future.

For now, the focus remains on his steady growth and increasing impact in Portugal, where his next steps are attracting curiosity.

Real Sociedad may welcome Tottenham Hotspur’s interest in Takefusa Kubo, as they need money to balance their books from time to time.

That’s according to journalist Marco Antoni Sande. He’s been part of a round table of sorts on Tottenham’s interest in Kubo on COPE Gipuzkoa.

A report in England this week linked Tottenham with a €60m move for the Japanese star. It’s not the first time they’ve been linked either. Spurs were credited with an interest back in August too. It was claimed at that point his €60m release clause was not a problem.

Their interest has not gone away, according to the latest reports, and now the matter is being discussed by Real Sociedad fans and journalists alike. According to Sande, a deal could make sense for the Basque club.

He reported that their latest accounts show a need to “sell a player now and then” if they are to maintain their “exquisite standard of living” and balance a high budget. It is that situation which has led to Kubo being linked with moves away. He’s very much seen as the saleable asset.

€60m from Tottenham should see “no debate”

Sociedad legend Bixio Gorriz, meanwhile, believes that a €60m bid from Tottenham would be too good turn down. Although, Sociedad would only receive half of that amount anyway.

“There’s no debate here, I mean, if Tottenham pays €60m, it’s a very good offer, and the shame is that we won’t get the full amount, but half,” he added.

Mauri Idiakez then detailed why that is the case. He explained that while Kubo has a €60m release clause, Real Madrid are due 50% of any profit. That was included in the original deal that saw him move to La Real.

Sociedad paid €7m at that point so half of the €53m profit they’d make will head back to Real Madrid. Of course, it all depends on whether Tottenham want to pay that. Reports have indicated since August that the figure is not an issue.

Mundo Deportivo Gipuzkoa add to that today. They report that Kubo is seen as ‘accessible though not necessarily inexpensive’. He’s cheaper, though, than the likes of Ivan Toney may prove to be.

Real Sociedad, for their part, won’t do a deal in January if it isn’t for the €60m. Even though they’ll only get half of that anyway.

Tottenham Hotspur’s Pape Matar Sarr came off injured in Senegal’s 2-0 friendly defeat to Brazil at the Emirates at the weekend.

Bayern Munich’s Nicolas Jackson replaced the midfielder in the 49th minute. That raised alarm bells at the north London club.

Wiw Sport cover the latest on the 23-year-old’s injury situation, and it isn’t positive for Tottenham.

Senegal are set to face Kenya in another friendly in Antalya later today. The report states the Tottenham player hasn’t travelled with the national team squad to Turkey.

Instead, the former FC Metz man will stay in London as he was ‘forced off injured’ against Brazil. He will return to Spurs to work on his recovery.

According to Senegal manager Pape Thiaw, there wasn’t enough time for Pape Matar Sarr to make himself available for today’s clash. Therefore, he has been allowed to stay in the English capital, where Tottenham could take a closer look at him.

“We left him in London. He took a knock [against Brazil]. So, we felt it would be difficult for him to recover in just two days,” he said.

“Since we were in his home city, we preferred to leave him at the disposal of his club so he could receive treatment there.”

Tottenham face Arsenal in the north London derby at the Emirates on November 23rd. It’s unclear whether Pape Matar Sarr will be fit on time for the clash against the Gunners.

The Senegalese has already played 16 matches for Thomas Frank’s side this season.