Goal.com

The mood surrounding the Italian national team took a significant hit following a lackluster performance at the Stadio Olimpico. Fans in Rome made their frustrations clear, greeting the final whistle with a chorus of boos after the Azzurri fell to defeat against Belgium on Friday. Speaking ahead of Monday's clash with Turkiye - who also suffered a setback of their own after losing 1-0 at home to France in the previous round - Tonali did not shy away from the reality of the situation, acknowledging the somber atmosphere that has engulfed the camp in recent days.

'I think a lot of people were left disappointed. We have to be honest and talk about what this defeat brought, from the whistles of the fans to the sad faces in the dressing room,' Tonali told Sky Sport Italia. The midfielder accepted that the criticism was entirely justified given the level of performance displayed on the pitch. 'But you have to accept it, because the game was not a positive one and we deserved to lose,' he added, stressing the importance of accountability within the squad.

The current iteration of the Azzurri is undergoing a radical transformation under Mancini, who has returned for a second spell in charge as he seeks to restore Italian football's pride following the heartbreak of missing out on the last three World Cup tournaments. That painful streak included the 2022 edition in Qatar, where Mancini was also at the helm during qualifiers. Despite that disappointment, the manager boasts an impressive legacy with the national team, having famously guided Italy to European glory at Euro 2020.

'The important thing now is to react, and we can do that within a few days. The group is very healthy, with a lot of young players. Having everything immediately is difficult, we don't have the star player,' Tonali explained. The former AC Milan man is adamant that the qualities of this young roster will eventually shine through once they have established a stronger rapport. 'Time is there, we have to spend time together, work and enjoy ourselves together. We are healthy, strong men. With time our qualities will come out.'

It has been a testing start to the 2026-27 campaign for Tonali on both domestic and international fronts. Tottenham currently sit bottom of the Premier League table with just two points from their opening five matches, following the midfielder's high-profile £100 million summer move from Newcastle United.

Despite the poor run of form in London, the 26-year-old remains optimistic about the direction the Premier League side is taking. He was quick to point out that the underlying performances at club level offer more reason for hope than the current results suggest. 'Football is very strange. In ten days everything can change from negative to positive. On Tottenham: the moment is negative for results but positive for the football we are playing,' he noted when discussing his club situation.

Things will not get any easier for Tottenham when club football resumes after the ongoing international break. Spurs face a daunting schedule, traveling to Old Trafford to take on Manchester United on October 10, before hosting Coventry City on October 19 and rounding off a tough period with a trip to Stamford Bridge to face Chelsea on October 24.

'We play well, we create, and if you don't score in football you lose, but we are not buried. We are alive, positive,' Tonali said of his life at Spurs. 'Here with the national team it is different: it is a very new and young group, a group that has never played together. We just have to take our time.'

The calls for deterrent sanctions against Manchester City are growing louder. Leading them is England football legend and former Tottenham Hotspur manager Harry Redknapp.

City were found guilty of 114 of the 115 charges brought against them, the verdict arriving after a four-year investigation into their financial practices between 2009 and 2018.

An appeal is expected, and the final punishment remains undecided.

Redknapp managed Tottenham throughout the period covered by the charges, when Spurs were battling City for Champions League qualification.

Spurs finished second in that race in both the 2010-11 and 2011-12 seasons, while City ultimately booked their place in Europe's most prestigious competition.

Writing in The Sun, Redknapp said: "Manchester City being found guilty of almost all the charges against them is a stunning moment for football. There are many who will feel they have the right to see some wrongs put right, and I am one of them."

Read also: Hossam Hassan picks Salah's replacement

He recalled how Spurs went toe to toe with City for those Champions League places: "In two consecutive seasons, 2010-11 and 2011-12, we finished one place short of qualification. In May 2011, the 1-0 defeat to Roberto Mancini's side led to their first qualification, and our dream ended at our own hands."

Redknapp added: "Who knows what would have happened if the people at the federation had been following the rules like everyone else? Tottenham fans will not be alone in feeling they were cheated during those seasons."

Yet he stops short of wanting the Premier League to rewrite the tables or strip City of past titles. "This whole process has been an utter mess, but we are still far from finished with it. Reopening all those past seasons would do serious damage to a league admired around the world," he said.

His conclusion was blunt: "Manchester City need to be punished and to serve as a lesson to others, but it makes more sense for the sanctions to cover the years to come. They must be punished severely, but it would be madness to go back and start meddling with the results of the past."

Speaking on the Overlap, Robertson provided a fascinating insight into the differing approaches of Klopp and Slot. Andy highlighted how Slot relied heavily on data and analytics compared to Klopp. "Arne was into all the stats, that’s what he was," Robertson said.

"He brought in his own guy, Ruben [Peeters], who was always on the iPad. Even in training if maybe you’ve done too many sprints or whatever, then Ruben would be like ‘maybe somebody needs to come off’. They were a lot more clued in in terms of load and things like that. He was definitely like that."

Robertson explained that Slot held daily meetings at the AXA Training Centre. "How Klopp worked is he didn’t have meetings every single day. Klopp had a meeting say the day before the game and it would be like 40 minutes long," Robertson noted.

Slot preferred daily 10- or 15-minute sessions focused on opposition analysis. Under Klopp, who won every major trophy during his nine years in charge and ended the club's 30-year wait for a Premier League title, the emphasis was strictly on their own system. "Whereas Klopp was more like ‘if we play to our blueprint, we’re going to win this game’," he added. "Slot would change things but we didn’t change much under Klopp, it was just we were the best team and we could beat every team that came in front of us."

Slot enjoyed immediate success, securing the Premier League title in his first campaign, before the team collapsed in his second season, ultimately leading to his departure. Despite widespread frustration regarding Liverpool's style of play during that ill-fated second season, Robertson fiercely defended the intensity of the new regime. Fans had grown accustomed to Klopp's high-intensity attacking play, but Robertson dismissed claims that the squad were not working hard enough.

"This is kind of what annoyed me from last season, [people] were like ‘they’re not training hard enough’," he stated. "We trained really hard under Slot. Some of Slot’s sessions were really, really difficult. It was just, I suppose they were so used to us being all in with Jurgen Klopp, whereas Slot’s game was probably a bit different."

Robertson has now departed Anfield to begin a new chapter with Tottenham, leaving Liverpool to navigate their next era under Andoni Iraola. As the Merseyside club continue to evolve their tactical identity following Slot's tenure, Iraola will need to rebuild and find a new winning formula. Meanwhile, Robertson will aim to establish his leadership and defensive qualities in North London.

Van de Ven has become a primary subject of interest for both Liverpool and Manchester United, with both clubs currently at what is described as the "close monitoring" stage of their scouting process, according to Caught offside.

Since his arrival from Wolfsburg in 2023, the 25-year-old has established himself as a cornerstone of the Tottenham backline, impressing scouts with his unique blend of recovery pace and technical proficiency on his favored left side.

For a modern elite side, finding a left-footed central defender capable of covering large spaces is a priority, making the Dutchman a standout candidate for clubs looking to evolve their defensive structures over the coming seasons.

For the Reds, the interest is framed by a clear need for succession planning at the heart of their defense. With Virgil van Dijk now 35 and seeing his match minutes managed more carefully, the recruitment staff at Anfield view Van de Ven as a potential heir to his international teammate. The club has reportedly admired the player for a significant period, identifying him as one of the few individuals with the physical attributes required to operate in their high-intensity system.

Meanwhile, the Red Devils are also keeping a watchful eye on the situation as they continue assessing their own centre-back options. His age, Premier League experience and ability to play on the left side of defence would all appeal to a club still shaping its long-term defensive core.

While interest from the North West is growing, any potential suitors face a daunting task in prying the defender away from the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Spurs find themselves in an exceptionally strong negotiating position following a significant contract update earlier this season. In August, the club successfully tied Van de Ven down to a new long-term deal that reportedly extends his stay until 2031. This long-term commitment was a major boost for the club.

The player himself has also expressed total commitment to the project in North London, further complicating any potential move for the interested rivals. Discussing his decision to sign a new deal, Van de Ven stated: "It’s a special moment to sign a new deal and a proud moment for me and my family. I’ve always loved Spurs, from the first day I stepped in here. I love the Club, I love the fans and I’ve developed really well here."

The importance of Van de Ven to the Tottenham project cannot be overstated, particularly under the guidance of Roberto De Zerbi. The Italian manager has been vocal about the qualities the Dutchman brings to his tactical setup, viewing him as an indispensable part of his plans for the future.

De Zerbi was full of praise when the contract extension was finalised, remarking: "Micky is one of the best centre-backs in Europe and an important player for us. He has the qualities, mentality and ambition that we want at Tottenham Hotspur, and I am very happy that he has decided to continue his journey with the Club. We are building something strong here, and players like Micky are an important part of that future. His decision to sign a new contract shows his belief in what we are creating together."

Van de Ven has become a primary subject of interest for both Liverpool and Manchester United, with both clubs currently at what is described as the "close monitoring" stage of their scouting process, according to Caught offside.

Since his arrival from Wolfsburg in 2023, the 25-year-old has established himself as a cornerstone of the Tottenham backline, impressing scouts with his unique blend of recovery pace and technical proficiency on his favored left side.

For a modern elite side, finding a left-footed central defender capable of covering large spaces is a priority, making the Dutchman a standout candidate for clubs looking to evolve their defensive structures over the coming seasons.

For the Reds, the interest is framed by a clear need for succession planning at the heart of their defense. With Virgil van Dijk now 35 and seeing his match minutes managed more carefully, the recruitment staff at Anfield view Van de Ven as a potential heir to his international teammate. The club has reportedly admired the player for a significant period, identifying him as one of the few individuals with the physical attributes required to operate in their high-intensity system.

Meanwhile, the Red Devils are also keeping a watchful eye on the situation as they continue assessing their own centre-back options. His age, Premier League experience and ability to play on the left side of defence would all appeal to a club still shaping its long-term defensive core.

While interest from the North West is growing, any potential suitors face a daunting task in prying the defender away from the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Spurs find themselves in an exceptionally strong negotiating position following a significant contract update earlier this season. In August, the club successfully tied Van de Ven down to a new long-term deal that reportedly extends his stay until 2031. This long-term commitment was a major boost for the club.

The player himself has also expressed total commitment to the project in North London, further complicating any potential move for the interested rivals. Discussing his decision to sign a new deal, Van de Ven stated: "It’s a special moment to sign a new deal and a proud moment for me and my family. I’ve always loved Spurs, from the first day I stepped in here. I love the Club, I love the fans and I’ve developed really well here."

The importance of Van de Ven to the Tottenham project cannot be overstated, particularly under the guidance of Roberto De Zerbi. The Italian manager has been vocal about the qualities the Dutchman brings to his tactical setup, viewing him as an indispensable part of his plans for the future.

De Zerbi was full of praise when the contract extension was finalised, remarking: "Micky is one of the best centre-backs in Europe and an important player for us. He has the qualities, mentality and ambition that we want at Tottenham Hotspur, and I am very happy that he has decided to continue his journey with the Club. We are building something strong here, and players like Micky are an important part of that future. His decision to sign a new contract shows his belief in what we are creating together."

As the footballing world prepares for the emotional final bow of Messi, Scaloni has moved quickly to ensure a smooth transition of power within the squad. Speaking ahead of the upcoming friendly matches against Bolivia, Burkina Faso, and Benin, the World Cup-winning coach confirmed that former Tottenham Hotspur defender Cristian Romero is the man chosen to lead the nation into its next chapter. The decision marks the end of an era but also the beginning of a fresh leadership structure designed to maintain Argentina's dominance on the global stage.

Scaloni was transparent about the hierarchy within the dressing room and why the 28-year-old center-back was the natural choice for the role. "The captain is going to be Cuti. He was already the third captain after Leo and Ota (Nicolas Otamendi). There is Emiliano (Martinez), who can also wear the armband. Rodrigo (De Paul), who will not be in these two games, can also wear it. Lautaro (Martinez) can wear it. Cuti is the right one," the manager explained as cited by TyC Sports.

Although this official confirmation represents a new milestone, Romero is no stranger to the responsibility of captaining his country. The Atletico Madrid man has already stepped up on three separate occasions when the senior leaders were unavailable. His debut as captain came during a crucial 1-0 victory over Chile in the South American Qualifiers in 2025. Following that initial success, Romero was again trusted with the armband during a friendly match against Venezuela in October of the same year. He also led the side during a 2-1 win against Mauritania in the lead-up to the 2026 World Cup.

The transition toward the post-Messi era is taking place amid a busy schedule. However, Scaloni’s plans have been slightly hampered by physical issues within the camp. The national team recently announced that Thiago Almada and Juan Foyth have been ruled out of the upcoming triple-header due to injuries. The official statement from the federation read: "The players Juan Foyth and Thiago Almada remain sidelined due to injury for the triple-header of friendlies to be played in our country."

Scaloni has yet to confirm whether he will name direct replacements for Almada and Foyth, but Equi Fernandez, Santiago Simon, and Valentín Gomez have reportedly been added to the initial squad to provide additional depth for the coaching staff.

The upcoming friendlies will offer Scaloni a final chance to experiment with Gomez and Fernandez while managing the emotions of a squad saying goodbye to its greatest icon. The absence of Foyth and Almada reduces the tactical options in defense and midfield, but the depth of the current Argentine talent pool remains substantial. As the Albiceleste move toward a new era post-Messi, these home matches in Cordoba and Buenos Aires will serve as both a nostalgic look back at their recent successes and a first glimpse into the team's future structure without their talismanic leader on the pitch.

Pressure is mounting on Roberto De Zerbi at Tottenham. The start of the season has turned into a real nightmare, with disappointing results despite the club's huge spending during the summer transfer window.

Five rounds into the Premier League, Tottenham are still without a win and sit bottom of the table. They spent more than 400 million euros to sign ten players this summer, and that outlay has piled the pressure on the Italian manager.

Against this catastrophic backdrop, former Tottenham manager Tim Sherwood believes the club's fans would welcome the return of Argentine Mauricio Pochettino should the board decide to sack De Zerbi.

Sherwood said, in comments carried by the French website "Foot Mercato": "Tottenham's fans prefer Mauricio Pochettino to Roberto De Zerbi". He pointed out at the same time that the current squad differs greatly from the one the Argentine managed during his previous spell.

Pochettino led Tottenham for five and a half years before his sacking in 2019, a few months after he guided the team to the Champions League final. He also finished second and third in the Premier League during his spell, despite failing to win any title.

The scale of the summer spending has significantly raised expectations, Sherwood believes. "I know a lot of managers who would have wished to spend 400 million pounds on their teams", he said.

Negative results keep coming, and speculation about De Zerbi's future is growing. Tottenham's fans now await a swift turnaround that returns the team to the winning path.

Approaching his 20th birthday, Lewis-Skelly boasts an impressive resume that includes a Premier League winner's medal and a Champions League final start. Having amassed 81 senior appearances and earned six England caps, the teenager has already faced some of the world's finest talents across both defensive and midfield roles.

Given his rapid development into a regular under Arteta, the Arsenal academy product could have selected from a plethora of world-class attacking and central operators. Instead, he singled out Matheus Fernandes based on their battles during the Portuguese midfielder's brief stint at West Ham.

During a recent appearance on the Men In Blazers podcast, the Gunners prodigy was asked to identify his most formidable top-flight adversary. He quickly pointed to the current Tottenham man, specifically highlighting his performances in east London.

"Mateus Fernandes, when he was at West Ham," Lewis-Skelly revealed without hesitation.

The 19-year-old also took time to discuss the recent arrival of Brazil international Bruno Guimaraes at the Emirates Stadium. Viewing the marquee signing as an invaluable opportunity for growth, he praised his new team-mate's pedigree.

"Bruno brings energy, experience, intensity," the England international said. "When I heard he was joining I was super happy because it’s someone to learn from and pick the brain of. He’s another winner, he’s someone who plays in a similar position to you, so you can always learn from him. Being a sponge to Bruno is going to be really impactful."

While Lewis-Skelly clearly rates him highly, Fernandes has endured a tumultuous spell since arriving in English football from Sporting CP in 2024. After suffering back-to-back relegations with Southampton and West Ham, the midfielder secured an £85 million summer switch to Tottenham.

His start to life under Roberto De Zerbi has been complicated. During a recent 3-2 defeat against Aston Villa, Fernandes was hooked at half-time for Mohammed Kudus following an underwhelming display. Defending his tactical decision, the Spurs boss demanded better from his big-money signing.

"I have a big confidence in Mateus, but I didn’t like the performance of Mateus today. Otherwise I couldn’t change," De Zerbi explained. "He knows. But it’s normal. It’s not an attack on Mateus, I love Mateus, it’s not a problem. But I think for Mateus, we need more from Mateus. Because he can, even in that position."

Moving forward, Lewis-Skelly faces fierce competition for minutes at Arsenal following Guimaraes's arrival. Despite starring at left-back during his breakthrough campaign, the youngster views himself centrally and aims to absorb as much knowledge as possible from his experienced peers to cement a permanent spot in the middle of the park.

Ultimately, his tactical versatility remains a crucial asset for Arteta's title-chasing squad. Reaffirming his selfless mentality, the teenager concluded: "I’m a midfielder. But at the end of the day it’s all down to the team needs. No player, no individual is bigger than the team goal. Whatever has to help the team, I’ll do it."

Tottenham are reportedly preparing to reignite their pursuit of Forest midfielder Gibbs-White ahead of the January transfer window, as per Football Insider. Spurs previously attempted to sign the England international in 2025 by triggering a £60 million release clause.

However, that proposed move spectacularly collapsed after Forest challenged the approach and threatened legal action. Gibbs-White subsequently committed his future to the City Ground by signing a new contract, but Tottenham's long-standing interest has never faded.

According to report, the creative midfielder remains one of the north London club's top long-term priorities. They are now weighing up another approach in an upcoming window to finally secure their man.

Any successful bid for Gibbs-White will require a massive financial commitment. Football Insider claims that the midfielder's current valuation is believed to be in the region of £125m.

That eye-watering price tag directly reflects his tremendous form and crucial importance to Forest. He netted 15 Premier League goals last season and has been the division’s leading scorer in the 2026 calendar year with 13 strikes so far.

Furthermore, Forest have very little financial incentive to sanction a sale. The club already eased any immediate economic pressure by cashing in heavily on Elliot Anderson, who recently moved to Manchester City.

From a tactical perspective, Gibbs-White represents an ideal target for Tottenham. He offers proven Premier League experience, an eye for goal, and the versatility to operate effectively as a traditional No.10 or an advanced midfielder.

De Zerbi could certainly use that creative spark, with Spurs struggling badly to find their attacking rhythm in the early stages of this season. The north London outfit spent more than £400m during the summer, yet their campaign has started poorly.

The Lilywhites currently sits at the bottom of the Premier League table after failing to win any of their first five matches. They have recorded three losses and two draws, managing to score only two goals - both of which came during their 3-2 home defeat to Aston Villa.

While the tactical fit makes perfect sense for Tottenham, the proposed fee remains a significant obstacle. Spending £125m represents a drastically different decision from their failed £60m pursuit in 2025.

Committing another nine-figure sum mid-season would place enormous pressure on both the player and the club’s recruitment department to deliver immediate results. There is also no guarantee that Forest will even come to the negotiating table.

With Gibbs-White firmly under contract and shining as one of their most important assets, Forest hold all the cards. Spurs will have to decide if they are willing to break the bank to finally land their primary target this January.

Tottenham's miserable start to the new Premier League season continued on Saturday with a 3-2 defeat against Aston Villa. The winless Spurs have now dropped back to second bottom, even at this early stage of the season.

On Sunday, FC Fulham need only a point to send Bayern Munich superstar Harry Kane's former club to the bottom of the Premier League table.

De Zerbi kept Spurs up last season, but despite huge investment in the summer transfer window, they have clearly gone backwards. The pattern is obvious: Tottenham look desperately unstable.

Good spells are followed by glaring collapses. In the basement battle with Villa, Spurs started well at home, but Johan Manzambi's 1-0 in first-half stoppage time badly rattled the team.

"It is hard to explain because in my 14-year career as a coach I have never seen a team like ours," De Zerbi told talkSPORT. "So fragile, so inconsistent. Either you are good or you are bad. You cannot play very well in the first 30, 40 minutes and then concede goals in this way. That is hard for me to accept."

When asked why his side are so unstable, the 47-year-old admitted he had no answer.

Getty Images

How did Tottenham strengthen in the summer?

De Zerbi suggested his players may have "run out of energy" after Mohammed Kudus's supposed equaliser was ruled out for offside (60), before shifting the focus to another problem.

"We need leaders who drive the team on and really lead it," said the Italian, without naming names. "It was the same against Newcastle, it was the same in Liverpool, it was the same against Everton - we have to find solutions!"

The first international break now gives De Zerbi time to look for answers. But with so many players away on international duty, any collective review of the failed start to the season, with only two points from five games, is out of the question.

Tottenham spent more than €360 million in the summer on stars including Sandro Tonali, Mateus Fernandes, Savio and Jan Paul van Hecke, to name only the most expensive transfers. Former Bundesliga goalscorer Omar Marmoush also arrived on loan, while Liverpool legend Andy Robertson joined on a free transfer. Tottenham's Premier League season continues on 10 October with an away game at Manchester United.

Premier League: what is the situation at the bottom of the table?