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Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou defended goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario after he was involved in a heated exchange with the travelling Spurs fans following Thursday’s Europa League defeat at AZ Alkmaar.

The Italy international went over to the away supporters following an 18th loss of the campaign and seemed to urge them to lift their spirits, but was met with anger from a disgruntled fanbase.

Vicario also received criticism for his behaviour on social media in the wake of the last-16 first-leg loss in the Netherlands.

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The 28-year-old said it was "just a way of trying to stay together" and Postecoglou has defended his actions ahead of Sunday's Premier League home game against Bournemouth, live on Sky Sports, which comes before Thursday's crunch second leg.

The Australian said: "Vic [Vicario] is very, very passionate about this football club. He's very passionate about what we're trying to do here, he wants to win and he wants everyone on board with that.

"If people think there is one bad or vindictive bone in Vicario's make-up they don't know the man that I do.

"The guy is one of the purest human beings you can ever come across. Whatever he does, he does what he thinks is best for the team and football club because he really cares."

Vicario explains his gesture to fans

Vicario called for togetherness after a hugely disappointing performance on Thursday as Spurs' only shot on target came in the 88th minute, with Lucas Bergvall's first-half own goal handing AZ the victory.

"I can understand the frustration of the fans, but we still have a lot to play for, especially in the second leg. It's just a way of trying to stay together because we have the opportunity to go through to the next round," Vicario insisted.

"We need them every game, home and away. We know they are very important for us and now is a big moment of the season. And with them we can play with one more man on the pitch so it's so important.

"I can really understand the disappointment they had because we didn't show our level of football. It's disappointing for us but we have to analyse and forget, and be ready for the next round.

"We still have another game to play against AZ at our place, so it's the moment to stick together now because we can go through this round."

He added: "We take the responsibility for what happened but now we're going to show the real Spurs in the next game.

"The performance is nowhere near the level we should have played this game. We know it's frustrating. The result of course is not great, but we have to play the second leg, so it's on us.

"Now we have to analyse but also forget straight away this game. We have a big game on Sunday and ready for the second leg next Thursday."

Ange: Van de Ven and Romero 'in line' to return vs Bournemouth

Postecoglou has revealed defenders Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero "are in line to feature" against Bournemouth after opting not to play them in the defeat at AZ due to the pitch.

Van de Ven and Romero were unused substitutes in the loss as Kevin Danso and Archie Gray were the centre-back pairing in the Netherlands.

Van de Ven and Romero last appeared in the Premier League in the 4-3 home defeat to Chelsea on December 8, but could both return three months on for the home game against the Cherries, raising hopes they will be back for Thursday's crunch second leg against AZ.

Asked whether the pair could play against Bournemouth, Postecoglou said on Friday morning: "There's a chance.

"When I saw the pitch the night before [the AZ Alkmaar game] I pretty much made up my mind I wasn't going to risk them.

"It wasn't a great pitch, it wasn't steady underfoot and it wasn't a game where I thought I needed to expose them.

"But a couple of extra days' training and recovery, and hopefully both are in line to feature."

'Sombre Ange needs big improvement for Bournemouth game'

Sky Sports News' Michael Bridge at Ange Postecoglou's pre-match press conference:

"A rather sombre Ange Postecoglou for the pre-Bournemouth press conference but it's hardly surprising after a late finish in the Netherlands and a very disappointing display from his side.

"Due to such a short turnaround, there was no update on Dominic Solanke's back injury. However, Postecoglou described it as just a knock.

"Spurs will need Solanke for next Thursday as they looked toothless without him.

"Mathys Tel has so far struggled in the striker role and Postecoglou ideally wants him out wide.

"Despite Thursday being make-or-break in terms of the season, a defeat at home to Bournemouth on Sunday is not the ideal preparation for the second leg and the head coach will look for a big improvement from several individuals.

"Postecoglou insists when they're at their best, they're tough to stop but the inconsistencies throughout the season mean the next two games are very hard to call."

Isak discusses Newcastle future on Sweden duty

Alexander Isak has commented on his Newcastle future while on international duty with Sweden.

The Newcastle striker scored the second goal in the Carabao Cup final on Sunday to help the club win their first domestic trophy in 70 years.

Isak was asked about his future by media while on international duty and said: "There’s not much to say really. I’ve commented on my situation and my security in Newcastle several times.

"It’s been written how much I love the city and the club, how well I feel there.

"I’m not thinking about the future. I just want to perform for Newcastle.

"Now we won the cup but we want to finish strong and reach the Champions League. That’s where my focus lies.”

Isak also spoke about winning a trophy with Newcastle, adding: “Things like that can’t be described. I think you can only imagine how it feels. But it’s an incredible feeling.

"Wembley packed with all the Newcastle fans there. I’m looking forward to seeing what Newcastle is like as a city after that. I haven’t been back yet.”

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Sporting director Carlos Busero told 365scores: "Alvarez is a key and important player in our project, and we have no intention of letting him go. The player himself is not paying attention to these rumours."

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Sporting confirm Chelsea's double deal for Quenda and Essugo

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Chelsea could pay up to £41.9m for Quenda, who turns 18 in April, after moving swiftly to secure the future of the winger, who was attracting interest from Manchester United.

Quenda broke into the Sporting first-team under United boss Ruben Amorim this season and will stay with the Portuguese club until 2026.

Midfielder Essugo, currently on loan with Las Palmas in LaLiga, is set to cost £18.5m. He will join Chelsea this summer.

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Robertson: My time at Liverpool is not up yet

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The 31-year-old signed for the Reds from Hull in 2017 but there have been reports that Liverpool are looking for a replacement.

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The Scotland captain, in Athens for the Nations League play-off against Greece on Thursday night, addressed the speculation, saying. "I think we've been linked with pretty much every left-back in the world.

"That comes with playing with one of the greatest clubs in the world. I look back on these eight years I've had as the starting left-back at that club and I feel a lot of pride.

"Your time comes and I don't think it's my time yet but even if we do bring someone in, then so be it. I'll always back myself.

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"Sure, this season there have been a couple of moments when I haven't covered myself in glory but some things have been taken way out of proportion.

"I think the performance levels have been there for me. I think I've had a relatively good season but one thing people will say about me is that's I've been pretty consistent, so when you make a couple of mistakes, then people can talk.

"That's the world we live in, that's the Premier League. Everyone has eyes on you, everyone has an opinion.

"It is what it is but I'm always confident in my ability. I've shown that right throughout my career but especially during my time at Liverpool."

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Chelsea have most stable starting squad, says report

Chelsea have the given the most minutes to players who are under contract until at least 2026, according to a report.

Data from the CIES Football Observatory shows Enzo Maresca's side have had 91.8 per cent of their "minutes secured" this season by players under contract for at least another 12 months,

Chelsea came out on top in an analysis of 37 league across the world, narrowly finishing ahead of Ligue 1 side Monaco and Eredivisie outfit AZ Alkmaar on 91.3 and 89.2 per cent respectively.

The club has 17 players contracted to the club for at least the next five years.

CIES collected data from 37 leagues across the world, with Championship side Coventry ranked eighth overall with a percentage of 86.2 per cent.

In the Premier League, Manchester United and Arsenal complete the top three for 'minutes secured'. Ruben Amorim's side have a percentage of 86.4, while the Mikel Arteta's side sit on 85.3.

At the other end of the scale are league leaders Liverpool, with a 'minutes secured' percentage of just 58.1.

Mohamed Salah, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Virgil van Dijk have featured in every league game for Arne Slot's side this season and are out of contract at the end of the season

The Premier League side with the lowest 'minutes secured' so far this season are Everton, with just 34.4 per cent, who have 10 players out of contract in the summer and a further four running until 2025.

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Carsley not ruling himself out of England senior job in future

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'Man Utd still keen on Simons'

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Isak discusses Newcastle future on Sweden duty

Alexander Isak has commented on his Newcastle future while on international duty with Sweden.

The Newcastle striker scored the second goal in the Carabao Cup final on Sunday to help the club win their first domestic trophy in 70 years.

Isak was asked about his future by media while on international duty and said: "There’s not much to say really. I’ve commented on my situation and my security in Newcastle several times.

"It’s been written how much I love the city and the club, how well I feel there.

"I’m not thinking about the future. I just want to perform for Newcastle.

"Now we won the cup but we want to finish strong and reach the Champions League. That’s where my focus lies.”

Isak also spoke about winning a trophy with Newcastle, adding: “Things like that can’t be described. I think you can only imagine how it feels. But it’s an incredible feeling.

"Wembley packed with all the Newcastle fans there. I’m looking forward to seeing what Newcastle is like as a city after that. I haven’t been back yet.”

Madrid set for summer Huijsen move

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The England international has scored just two goals since making the switch to Stamford Bridge.

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Tottenham must beat AZ next week to keep their faint silverware hopes alive after Lucas Bergvall's freak own goal gave the Dutch side a 1-0 lead in their Europa League last-16 tie.

Despite resting Heung-Min Son and Djed Spence in their last game against Manchester City eight days ago, Spurs' freshness did little to help them as their hosts dominated from start to finish and were unfortunate not to win by a greater margin.

"Tottenham were miles off it," said former Spurs midfielder Jamie O'Hara on Sky Sports News. "Tottenham's big players didn't turn up."

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Despite AZ's superiority, the first leg was only settled by Bergvall's unfortunate intervention 18 minutes in, when he swiped at a corner and looped the ball over a hapless Guglielmo Vicario and in for the hosts' winner.

Former Spurs forward Troy Parrott, who had already seen a shot blocked by Archie Gray, should have doubled AZ's lead before the break but saw his poor finish kept out by Vicario.

The introduction of Wilson Odobert at half-time did little to help Spurs, who mustered an xG of just 0.37 all night - and barely threatened Rome-Jayden Owusu-Oduro's goal after the break. Odobert came close when he nodded over in the final minute of added time, as Spurs fell to an 18th defeat of the season.

With their season now entirely dependent on their success in the Europa League, next Thursday's return leg at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium now becomes a win-at-all-costs encounter for Ange Postecoglou and his side.

Son: Defeat a big wake-up call

Tottenham captain Heung-Min Son to TNT Sport:

"It is very disappointing we perform like this, it is a big wake-up call as next week is the biggest game of the season.

"It was not too much caution, it is always tough playing away in the Europa League and it looked like we did not create anything in the first half.

"It was very sloppy and we did not perform like we should do, everyone is very disappointed with the individual and team performance and we have to look at ourselves, there are no excuses, we were not good enough and nowhere near how we should perform.

"It is only 1-0, it is not finished and we have to do much, much better than we did today."

What's coming up in the Europa League?

Having lost hope in the Premier League and the two domestic cup competitions, Tottenham are now all in on the Europa League.

"AZ Alkmaar is the biggest game of Ange Postecoglou's career," ex-Spurs midfielder Jamie O'Hara told Sky Sports News ahead of Thursday's last-16 first leg in the Netherlands.

Postecoglou's team selection in last week's home league defeat to Manchester City certainly suggested that, with captain Heung-Min Son, Djed Spence - their best performer recently - and star man Dejan Kulusevski all starting on the bench. The latter, however, has become the latest player on the treatment table with a foot issue set to sideline him until April.

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The loss to City - Spurs' 14th Premier League defeat of the season, more than their wins and draws combined - leaves them 13th and 13 points off the top five.

Europa League glory is now their only hope of Champions League qualification - and also Postecoglou's last chance of delivering on his bold statement of "always winning things" in his second year.

"Ange Postecoglou rested players [against Man City] and I've heard people moaning about it - the Premier League is gone for Tottenham. It's over. This season's done," O'Hara said.

"It doesn't matter where we finish - 12th or ninth - we're not going to get European football but what we can do is win the Europa League.

"He wants his best players fit, fresh and ready to go. That's all his whole focus is."

Injuries have wreaked havoc in Spurs' domestic campaign but Postecoglou could be boosted by the return of key players for the AZ tie and beyond if they progress.

Defenders Cristian Romero - who was named in Argentina's squad for March's World Cup qualifiers against Uruguay and Brazil - and Micky van de Ven may feature at some point in the tie, while forwards Dominic Solanke and Richarlison are also pushing to be available.

There has been the added benefit of a much-needed break following a hectic schedule for a small group of players, with Tottenham having eight days to prepare for the first leg at AZ.

A season-defining week sees Spurs host Bournemouth in the Premier League on Sunday, live on Sky Sports, then four days later host AZ in the second leg.

"When we play Bournemouth in between AZ, play a B team because the Premier League doesn't matter now, it isn't going to change where we finish. But if we win the Europa League, you get Champions League football," O'Hara said.

"Ange Postecoglou could go down as one of the most successful managers that we've had in recent times if he wins the Europa League.

"Spurs, with their best team, have got the best chance of winning the Europa League, so I had no problem with him resting players against Man City."

Merse: Europa glory would be Spurs' best season ever

AZ are familiar opponents for Tottenham after the north Londoners narrowly beat them 1-0 at home in the league stage of the Europa League in October.

Pascal Jansen's side, which includes ex-Tottenham striker Troy Parrott, suffered a 3-1 defeat at Heerenveen on Sunday and sit sixth in the Eredivisie.

AZ have lost only once at home in all competitions since the start of December and impressively knocked out Galatasaray, who beat Spurs in the league stage, in the play-off round with a 6-3 aggregate win after beating them 4-1 at home in the first leg.

Sky Sports' Paul Merson said: "I watched them [AZ Alkmaar] the other week at Galatasaray in the second leg - they were electric up front.

"They blew Galatasaray away and Galatasaray were fortunate to get a 2-2 draw [in the second leg].

"I don't know how Tottenham will live with them at their ground because it's a big old pitch.

"It's a dangerous game but over two legs I'd expect Tottenham to go through."

The Opta supercomputer agrees with Merson, giving Spurs a 69 per cent chance of progressing to the quarter-finals.

In fact, Postecoglou's side are second favourites (14.5 per cent) behind Lazio (17.2 per cent) to lift the trophy in Bilbao on May 21.

"If you look at the competition, Tottenham, Lyon, Athletic Bilbao and Lazio are the four teams [to win it]," Merson said.

"I think Tottenham have got a chance of winning this.

"If Tottenham win this and get in the Champions League, they've had their best season ever."

Lose to AZ Alkmaar, however, and Spurs' season will be over - and with it an increased pressure on Postecoglou.

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The top stories and transfer rumours from Tuesday's newspapers...

DAILY MAIL

Real Madrid scouts have checked on Adam Wharton since his return to first-team action at Crystal Palace.

Manchester City are reportedly among the leading European clubs keeping a close eye on Cesc Fabregas' future at Como.

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Andre Onana is believed to have made a decision over his Manchester United future amid a slew of criticism into his shaky performances between the sticks for the Red Devils.

DAILY TELEGRAPH

Andrea Berta, the former Atletico Madrid transfer guru, is believed to be among the potential candidates to replace Edu Gaspar as Arsenal's sporting director.

Tottenham Hotspur have given the green light to Cristian Romero's inclusion in the Argentina squad, despite the fact the defender has not played this year.

England have arranged a full tour of Australia, just two months after a disastrous Women's Ashes campaign.

THE SUN

Liverpool have opened talks with Conor Bradley over a new five-year contract. Arne Slot has earmarked the Northern Irish defender as the most likely long-term replacement for Trent Alexander-Arnold, who is expected to leave for Real Madrid at the end of the season.

Southampton are planning to axe Ivan Juric at the end of the season and have identified Danny Rohl as their top target.

Former Arsenal defender Kolo Toure says fasting and playing games made him psychologically stronger during the month of Ramadan.

Manchester United are staring at a £100million-plus black hole as the cost of their season of hell is laid bare.

Josh Kroenke has jetted in for talks with Mikel Arteta as the Arsenal boss looks to salvage his season.

DAILY MIRROR

Lyon boss Paulo Fonseca risks a seven-month ban after trying to headbutt a referee seeking to watch the VAR screen during a Ligue 1 clash.

THE GUARDIAN

Manchester United are exploring an early termination from a 10-year lease agreement at their London offices in Kensington in the latest cost-cutting measure proposed by Sir Jim Ratcliffe.

THE TIMES

The minority Everton shareholders, who fear the recent takeover of the club has led to a dramatic collapse in the value of their stakes, have had a request to meet the new owner, The Friedkin Group (TFG), rejected.

THE ATHLETIC

The Football Association (FA) has defended the ball used during Manchester City's victory over Plymouth Argyle, following criticism from Pep Guardiola.

DAILY RECORD

Celtic are continuing to keep close tabs on Motherwell star Lennon Miller ahead of a potential summer bid.

Kyogo has been tipped for a quick-fire Rennes exit this summer after being overlooked by his new boss again.

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