Sport Witness

Richarlison has once again been called up by Carlo Ancelotti, as the Tottenham striker features in Brazil’s squad for the upcoming friendlies against Senegal and Tunisia in Europe later this month.

The Italian coach announced his list on Monday. He was asked specifically about Richarlison’s inclusion, given the Tottenham forward’s inconsistent playing time in the Premier League.

As relayed by Globo Esporte, Ancelotti explained in his press conference that the 28-year-old’s profile remains important for the national team. He highlighted his record as a traditional number nine.

“We are evaluating technical criteria,” Ancelotti said. “He’s a centre-forward, a striker with a profile different from João Pedro, Matheus Cunha or Vitor Roque, who like to play with the ball. He doesn’t have the same style”, he explained.

“We are looking for a central striker with that profile. Richarlison isn’t playing much right now, but as a number nine he has scored many goals for the Brazilian national team”, he concluded.

The coach’s comments show that Richarlison continues to hold Ancelotti’s trust, despite facing ups and downs at Tottenham.

His presence offers Brazil a more physical and direct option up front. That’s something the manager clearly values heading into the final matches of the year.

For Richarlison, the call-up represents another chance to turn consistency at club level into renewed confidence with the Seleção.

Xavi Simons has struggled since joining Tottenham Hotspur from RB Leipzig for €65m at the end of August.

The Netherlands international is yet to score and contributed one assist from 12 matches for Spurs.

Last week, Dutch journalist Johan Derksen said the Tottenham player isn’t physically strong enough for the Premier League.

Both Derksen and former PSV Eindhoven and Sparta Rotterdam winger René van der Gijp analysed the 22-year-old’s performances for Vandaag Inside on Monday. Voetbal Zone have relayed his comments.

Presenter Wilfred Genee believes the attacking midfielder is struggling physically at Tottenham.

“They’re just pushing him over. He can’t get past them,” he said.

Van der Gijp agrees with Genee’s analysis about the Dutchman and believes his game is ‘too predictable’.

“He just runs with the ball too much. Opponents have said: as soon as he starts running with the ball, just run into him. Finished,” Van der Gijp explained.

Derksen questioned Thomas Frank for praising the attacking midfielder.

“He’s just not good at it. That coach was very pleased with him, but I don’t see it,” he added.

Simons’ compatriot Tijjani Reijnders left AC Milan for Manchester City last summer. Unlike the Spurs signing, the 27-year-old midfielder has had a good start.

Derksen has used Reijnders’ adaptation as an example to be critical of Simons.

“Reijnders has adapted quickly. You don’t see that at all with Simons,” he said.

Tottenham Hotspur are one of the clubs to have set their sights on River Plate’s Lautaro Rivero.

On October 16th, we covered claims from Argentina that Spurs had sent a scout to follow the 21-year-old live in action. A day later, River Noticias reported Tottenham will make an offer to sign him at some point.

As well as the Europa League winners, Atlético Madrid have shown interest in the centre-back. La Razón in Spain cover the interest shown by the two clubs and provide the latest.

Atlético Madrid’s José María Giménez has struggled with injuries and Clément Lenglet has not performed well regularly. Therefore, they are looking for a new centre-back and Rivero has been identified as a target.

The Argentina international has a €100m release clause, but the La Liga side don’t plan to pay even half of that to sign him.

As well as the price, Atlético seem worried about Spurs pursing the defender. It’s claimed Tottenham’s interest could make him even more expensive.

He’s been protected by a €100m release clause in a contract lasting until December 2028. The report, however, states River Plate are aware it’ll be difficult to retain Rivero if there’s an approach from Europe.

It’s highly unlikely Tottenham or any other European club will pay such a big fee to sign Rivero.

Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea have included FC Porto’s Samu Aghehowa in their target list.

The striker joined the Primeira Liga side from Atlético Madrid in August 2024 and finished his debut season with 27 goals and three assists. He has nine goals from 11 matches this season.

Aghehowa was linked with a move to the Premier League last summer, but a move never materialised. He continues to attract interest from England, where Tottenham and Chelsea are in the picture.

Saturday’s edition of Correio da Manhã states the 21-year-old is being followed by several clubs. Tottenham and Chelsea are the only clubs mentioned, and it’s claimed both are ‘in the lead’.

Porto president André Villas-Boas will sanction his sale as early as the winter market.

The Spain international has a contract until 2029 and it includes a €100m release clause. According to the newspaper, Villas-Boas will let him leave for €80m, and the president consider it to be an ‘irresistible deal’.

Correio da Manhã say the Dragons are thinking about selling the frontman in January due to the financial pressure. They also believe the position is well covered and are confident of their technical staff to identify Aghehowa’s potential replacement.

For now, Tottenham and Chelsea following him and there’s no indication or mention if one or both of them will make advances, at least for the next window.

Brazil manager Carlo Ancelotti will be watching Tottenham vs Chelsea with interest. It could be crucial to who he picks as his starting striker at the World Cup next summer.

That’s according to Correio Braziliense, who report that Tottenham vs Chelsea is ‘much more than just a Premier League match’. The game could influence Ancelotti’s decision in choosing his number nine for next summer.

He has 222 days before making the big choice. It’s currently a 50/50 between Richarlison and João Pedro. The Tottenham and Chelsea forwards are the ‘main candidates’ at this moment in time.

Ancelotti’s next squad list for friendlies against Senegal and Tunisia is due on Monday. Therefore, this Saturday’s duel is ‘worth its weight in goal’ for Richarlison and Pedro.

The pair have plenty to prove as well. They are both in the middle of a run of poor form and goal droughts. Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has even looked to relieve the pressure on his man, insisting he isn’t a 20 goal a season striker.

He has the chance to prove the doubters wrong this weekend. And, in the process, perhaps put himself ahead of the Tottenham man in Ancelotti’s thinking.

Real Madrid star Kylian Mbappé has backed Xavi Simons to impress for Tottenham Hotspur.

On Friday, the Real Madrid forward won Marca’s Golden Boot award. Saturday’s edition of Marca has published an interview with Mbappé, during which they asked him about the Tottenham player.

The 26-year-old France international shared a dressing room with Simons at Paris Saint-Germain. They sold the attacking midfielder to PSV Eindhoven in 2022, and he starred for the Eredivisie side, managing 22 goals and 11 assists.

PSG exercised their buyback clause in 2023 and immediately sent Simons on loan to RB Leipzig. Earlier this year, the Bundesliga club made the Netherlands international stay permanent and sold him to Tottenham for around €65m at the end of August.

Marca asked the World Cup winner about his experience of playing with the Dutchman and whether he would like to face him in the Champions League. When responding to that, the Real Madrid player praised Simons’ decision to join PSV and RB Leipzig.

“Yes, he’s a very talented young player,” he said.

“He made a smart decision going to PSV Eindhoven to get playing time. When you’re young at a big club, it’s not easy because everyone wants to play. Then he went to Leipzig, where he played very well.

“Now he’s at Tottenham, and I hope he continues to develop and achieves everything he wants. I wish him the best of luck.”

Any Tottenham Hotspur fans excited about youngster Luka Vuskovic absolutely should be. In fact, they might not be excited enough.

That’s at least according to BILD, who cover him today and how he’s topping the charts in the Bundesliga.

The newspaper details how Tottenham fans were busy following their player on Tuesday evening. They all tuned in to watch HSV Hamburg’s 1-0 win at the Heidenheim Arena.

Vuskovic ‘delivered’ for those watching, dominating the stats. These stats then quickly made their way online, being shared by various fan accounts.

Tottenham fans are raving about him, as are HSV fans. And BILD want to give them more to rave about as well.

They point out that Tottenham fans may not be aware Vuskovic was recently voted Young Player of the Month in September from a DFL poll. He’s also the ‘undisputed number one’ in the league in several categories.

These are duels won, which stand a 74.6%. He boasts a ‘huge margin’ over the competition on that front. There’s also aerial duels won, which is at 85%. And last, but certainly not least, there’s interceptions. He has 135 and ‘nobody comes close to him’ in that either.

What’s even more impressive, is that he’s managed all of this while only playing six of the eight games. It’s all big, positive news for the Tottenham man, whose loan deal is working out exactly how Spurs might have hoped.

Arsenal and Tottenham target Rayan continues to attract growing interest from Europe, but Vasco da Gama are standing firm. According to NT Vascaínos, Real Betis made a €25m offer for the 19-year-old forward. And the Brazilian club immediately turned it down.

The proposal failed to convince Vasco’s board, who believe Rayan is worth far more given his performances this season. The club are instead focused on completing a new contract with the youngster and plan to increase his release clause to around €70m.

Rayan’s current deal runs until December 2026, but negotiations to extend it until 2028 are already in advanced stages. The intention is clear: to protect their biggest asset and ensure any future sale sets a new record for the club.

Both Tottenham and Arsenal have been following the forward for months, sending scouts to monitor his progress and assessing potential moves for 2026. Rayan has scored 16 goals this season and remains one of the most highly rated prospects in South America.

With Betis’ bid rejected and the renewal close, Vasco have made their stance clear: the Premier League clubs will have to offer far more if they want to bring Rayan to England.

Napoli’s Scott McTominay has recently been linked with a move to Tottenham Hotspur, although the claims felt questionable.

The Scotland international spent his playing career at Manchester United before leaving them for the Naples club in August 2024. He scored 13 times and contributed six assists in Napoli’s title winning campaign last season.

McTominay has extended his good run into this season, managing four goals and an assist from 11 matches so far. His performances have seen him linked to Tottenham and a few other clubs.

Tottenham links not encouraged at all

Recent claims in the UK stated Tottenham are interested in the 28-year-old. Sky Italia, relayed by CalcioNapoli24, got in touch with his entourage for an update.

The player’s entourage has dismissed rumours of a move to Tottenham or any other English club and insisted he’s ‘extremely happy’ at Napoli.

A source close to the former Manchester United man added he loves the Italian club, city and their supporters. McTominay’s contract lasts until 2028. An extension in the coming months isn’t ruled out, given both parties are happy.

Tottenham links haven’t been encouraged and a move to Spurs isn’t on the agenda.

No disrespect was sent from the McTominay camp towards the Premier League club, and there’s every chance Tottenham themselves aren’t aware of their alleged interest.

Tottenham Hotspur outcast Yves Bissouma remains on Juventus’ list ahead of the January transfer window.

That’s according to Tuttosport, who say the Tottenham midfielder is an option for the Italian side. He’s among seven names being considered by Damien Comolli.

The newspaper explains that Juventus had been eyeing a potential move for Sergej Milinkovic-Savic. But he’s decided to sign a new deal with Al-Hilal and remain in Saudi Arabia.

He’s now off the table but Juventus’ need remains. Damien Comolli’s goal is to find a ‘physically fit’ player who can cover the pitch with quality. He thinks there are still interesting names on market to help him achieve that.

Bissouma is one of them. He is ‘on his way out’ of Tottenham, largely due to his contract expiring next summer. He is also a name that has been repeatedly linked to Juventus throughout the summer.

His expiring contract means a cheap deal can be done in January. Or, even, a pre-contract agreed if Juventus and the midfielder are willing to wait. That’s something to be worked out.

But the Tottenham man, who is completely out of the picture under Thomas Frank at present, remains an option being considered by Juventus for January.