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The centre-back has been out of action since suffering a knee injury during a 1-0 defeat at Sunderland last month, a match that marked Roberto De Zerbi's debut in the Spurs dugout. While the defender cannot physically take to the pitch, his role as a leader has been called into question due to his impending absence from north London during a relegation decider.

Despite his injury, Romero had previously been a visible presence on the touchline, even joining in the celebrations when Mathys Tel scored a vital goal against Leeds United earlier this month. However, the 28-year-old has now chosen to return to his homeland to witness Belgrano take on River Plate in a historic Argentine league championship final. The timing is particularly sensitive as Tottenham face the very real threat of being relegated to English football's second tier on the same afternoon.

The defender’s choice was confirmed by South American football expert Tim Vickery during an appearance on talkSPORT, leading to an immediate and fierce reaction from host and Spurs fan Paul Hawksbee. The broadcaster was clinical in his assessment of the Tottenham captain, suggesting that the player’s priorities lay far away from the Premier League survival scrap.

Explaining his stance, Hawksbee said: "Good club captain, then. Not at Tottenham's biggest game since 1976 – fantastic. True to the end, good old Cristian. I'll be wearing my River Plate shirt at the weekend. I think that's terrible. He goes and watches the club he supports as opposed to the club captain of a team that's threatened with relegation, where he's not there with the lads and all the other injured players. But you know, I mean, as I said, it's true at the end; I always thought that Cristian Romero was just passing through and that Tottenham were a distraction from Argentina. But I am quite bitter."

Vickery attempted to provide context regarding why the fixture in Argentina holds such personal weight for Romero. The World Cup winner began his career at Belgrano, joining the youth ranks in 2014 before making his senior debut two years later. For Romero, this is not just a secondary interest but a connection to his roots at a moment that could define the history of his former club.

Vickery noted the gravity of the match in South America, stating: "I knew this would wind you up. Belgrano are Romero's club. It's the club where he started, and he's a fan. Belgrano have never won the Argentine Championship, and they are going to River Plate, who have won more than anyone else, so this is historic. 15 years ago, these two met in the play-off that relegated River Plate, and if Tottenham going down is off the scale, River Plate going down is even more off the scale."

De Zerbi is hoping to guide Spurs to Premier League survival. Since his appointment, the Italian coach has overseen six matches, recording two wins, two draws, and two defeats as he attempts to steer the north London side away from relegation danger.

Tottenham’s fate remains hanging in the balance heading into the final round of the season. A defeat away to Everton, combined with a West Ham United victory over Leeds United would see Spurs relegated to the Championship. However, a win over Everton would guarantee Tottenham’s Premier League status. Even a draw will be enough for Spurs to survive, given their significantly superior goal difference compared to West Ham (-10 against -22).

The leaked 2026-27 home shirt is one for the traditionalists, stripping away some of the heavier colour blocking seen in previous seasons to focus on a crisp, clean aesthetic. The base is predominantly Lilywhite, featuring navy blue accents for the side panels, sleeve cuffs, and the Nike Swoosh.

The standout design feature is a highly subtle, tonal diagonal striping running across the torso, which is directly inspired by Spurs' famous mid-1980s Hummel kits. To complete the look, the traditional cockerel crest sits plainly on the left chest, and the bright red AIA sponsor logo remains the centrepiece, marking the final stretch of their long-term main sponsorship deal.

In stark contrast to the minimalist home kit, the leaked 2026-27 away shirt introduces an incredibly vibrant and chaotic look. Nike has utilised a deep navy Obsidian base for the torso, but has completely covered the front panel in a high-energy, digital graphic pattern. This pattern consists of sharp, jagged diagonal lines that glow in neon shades of electric pink, purple, and bright orange, creating a high-speed, futuristic light effect.

To maintain clarity against such a busy background, the Spurs crest, Nike Swoosh, and AIA sponsor logos are all rendered in stark, solid white, while the upper back of the shirt remains solid navy to ensure player names and numbers are easily legible.

De Zerbi has raised the stakes ahead of the final day of the season, insisting that staying in the Premier League is a bigger achievement than winning European silverware. Spurs find themselves in the unthinkable position of fighting for their top-flight lives just a year after competing on the continent's big stage.

"Sunday is the final for Tottenham, not in Bilbao against Man United [last season], but this is the most important game," the Italian said. "We play for something more important than the trophy - the pride, the history of the club, the dignity are more important than the trophy. The trophy you can win, but the most important thing is to keep the dignity, to keep the pride."

While rivals Arsenal celebrate ending their 22-year title drought, the tension has ramped up in the white half of north London following a damaging 2-1 defeat to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday night. A long-range strike from Enzo Fernandez and a second-half goal from Andrey Santos left Spurs reeling, and despite a late Richarlison strike, they were unable to find the equaliser that would have practically guaranteed safety.

The result leaves Tottenham just two points clear of 18th-placed West Ham going into the final weekend. While De Zerbi’s side boast a vastly superior goal difference, the psychological pressure is mounting as they prepare to host Everton, with the Hammers facing Leeds United on the final matchday. Emphasising the stakes, De Zerbi added: "I have lived the last 45 days just for one thing. Every one of the players, their focus is on the target [of survival] - they are working harder during the week and every one of us wants to achieve that goal."

James Maddison impressed off the bench for Spurs, but De Zerbi later noted that the midfielder is still limited to 20-minute cameos while recovering from an ACL injury. Even in his brief stint, Maddison's creative spark nearly rescued a point late on when Micky van de Ven appeared to be fouled in the box by Marc Cucurella.

Despite heavy protests from the Spurs players, referee Stuart Attwell ruled that the ball was not in play when the contact occurred. De Zerbi, however, refused to use the incident as an excuse for the defeat. "If we talk about the penalty then we lose focus and we lose energy. My focus is on the best 11 I can get and to prepare them in the best way. It's a big day for us," he noted, while praising the "fantastic" support of the traveling fans.

While Spurs occupy the crisis headlines, Chelsea interim boss Calum McFarlane was pleased with how his side responded to their recent FA Cup final loss. Despite resting key men like Reece James and Levi Colwill due to fitness concerns, the Blues did enough to secure the London derby bragging rights and push their rivals closer to the trapdoor.

"It was good to get the win," McFarlane said. "It was obvious from minute one that we didn't always have the energy we needed after the psychological and physical load the FA Cup final put on us. I thought we deserved the 2-0 lead, and Spurs showed more energy towards the end. They had more time to prepare for the game. We just needed to dig in for the result."

De Zerbi has raised the stakes ahead of the final day of the season, insisting that staying in the Premier League is a bigger achievement than winning European silverware. Spurs find themselves in the unthinkable position of fighting for their top-flight lives just a year after competing on the continent's big stage.

"Sunday is the final for Tottenham, not in Bilbao against Man United [last season], but this is the most important game," the Italian said. "We play for something more important than the trophy - the pride, the history of the club, the dignity are more important than the trophy. The trophy you can win, but the most important thing is to keep the dignity, to keep the pride."

While rivals Arsenal celebrate ending their 22-year title drought, the tension has ramped up in the white half of north London following a damaging 2-1 defeat to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday night. A long-range strike from Enzo Fernandez and a second-half goal from Andrey Santos left Spurs reeling, and despite a late Richarlison strike, they were unable to find the equaliser that would have practically guaranteed safety.

The result leaves Tottenham just two points clear of 18th-placed West Ham going into the final weekend. While De Zerbi’s side boast a vastly superior goal difference, the psychological pressure is mounting as they prepare to host Everton, with the Hammers facing Leeds United on the final matchday. Emphasising the stakes, De Zerbi added: "I have lived the last 45 days just for one thing. Every one of the players, their focus is on the target [of survival] - they are working harder during the week and every one of us wants to achieve that goal."

James Maddison impressed off the bench for Spurs, but De Zerbi later noted that the midfielder is still limited to 20-minute cameos while recovering from an ACL injury. Even in his brief stint, Maddison's creative spark nearly rescued a point late on when Micky van de Ven appeared to be fouled in the box by Marc Cucurella.

Despite heavy protests from the Spurs players, referee Stuart Attwell ruled that the ball was not in play when the contact occurred. De Zerbi, however, refused to use the incident as an excuse for the defeat. "If we talk about the penalty then we lose focus and we lose energy. My focus is on the best 11 I can get and to prepare them in the best way. It's a big day for us," he noted, while praising the "fantastic" support of the traveling fans.

While Spurs occupy the crisis headlines, Chelsea interim boss Calum McFarlane was pleased with how his side responded to their recent FA Cup final loss. Despite resting key men like Reece James and Levi Colwill due to fitness concerns, the Blues did enough to secure the London derby bragging rights and push their rivals closer to the trapdoor.

"It was good to get the win," McFarlane said. "It was obvious from minute one that we didn't always have the energy we needed after the psychological and physical load the FA Cup final put on us. I thought we deserved the 2-0 lead, and Spurs showed more energy towards the end. They had more time to prepare for the game. We just needed to dig in for the result."

According to the report, Palhinha wants to return to Sporting, where he previously played in the youth setup. If the transfer goes ahead, he will sign a three-year contract and could replace captain Morten Hjulmand in central midfield. The Dane is linked with a move to a top European club this summer.

A Bola reports that Bayern's transfer fee demands remain the biggest obstacle. The Portuguese midfielder is under contract at FCB until 2028, having joined from Fulham in 2024 for €51 million, and while he has no future at S?bener Stra?e, the German champions could still recoup a profit on the two years left on his deal.

A Bola adds that Sporting are weighing both a permanent transfer and a loan move with an option to buy, while city rivals Benfica are also monitoring the situation.

Tottenham wants to keep Palhinha and holds a €30m buy-back option. New manager Roberto De Zerbi is ready to activate it, yet the midfielder reportedly prefers a return to Lisbon.

That stance would not change even if the club avoids relegation after a difficult campaign. Palhinha has started regularly for the Spurs, scoring six goals and providing three assists in 43 appearances.

In hindsight, Palhinha's move to Bayern was ill-fated. Bayern had tried to sign him in summer 2023, when Thomas Tuchel was still in charge, but the deal collapsed at the death. A year later, under Tuchel's successor Vincent Kompany, the move finally went through—only for Palhinha to find himself surplus to requirements at Säbener Straße within twelve months.

He has made 95 competitive appearances for Sporting's first team, and after leaving Lisbon for Fulham in 2022, he established himself in the Premier League.

According to the report, Palhinha wants to return to Sporting, where he previously played in the youth setup. If the transfer goes ahead, he will sign a three-year contract and could replace captain Morten Hjulmand in central midfield. The Dane is linked with a move to a top European club this summer.

A Bola reports that Bayern's transfer fee demands remain the biggest obstacle. The Portuguese midfielder is under contract at FCB until 2028, having joined from Fulham in 2024 for €51 million, and while he has no future at S?bener Stra?e, the German champions could still recoup a profit on the two years left on his deal.

A Bola adds that Sporting are weighing both a permanent transfer and a loan move with an option to buy, while city rivals Benfica are also monitoring the situation.

Tottenham wants to keep Palhinha and holds a €30m buy-back option. New manager Roberto De Zerbi is ready to activate it, yet the midfielder reportedly prefers a return to Lisbon.

That stance would not change even if the club avoids relegation after a difficult campaign. Palhinha has started regularly for the Spurs, scoring six goals and providing three assists in 43 appearances.

In hindsight, Palhinha's move to Bayern was ill-fated. Bayern had tried to sign him in summer 2023, when Thomas Tuchel was still in charge, but the deal collapsed at the death. A year later, under Tuchel's successor Vincent Kompany, the move finally went through—only for Palhinha to find himself surplus to requirements at Säbener Straße within twelve months.

He has made 95 competitive appearances for Sporting's first team, and after leaving Lisbon for Fulham in 2022, he established himself in the Premier League.

When Jeglertz arrived in Manchester last summer, his stock was rather low. Despite having accolades like a Champions League triumph and two Manager of the Year awards in Sweden on his resumé, the 54-year-old came into the Man City job fresh off the back of serious disappointment at the 2025 European Championship. Leading a Denmark side that featured Bayern Munich star Pernille Harder, he failed to guide the team to any points as they crashed out in the group stages.

However, the manner in which Jeglertz has responded to that underwhelming summer has been outstanding. Taking charge of a City team that had not won the WSL title for 10 years, and had severe scar tissue from the way their 2023-24 charge collapsed, he has been able to guide this group through any of the negative side effects of those disappointments via great player-management and excellent coaching.

Jeglertz's tactical tweaks were extremely effective. They have allowed Vivianne Miedema to flourish, forming a wonderful partnership with the incredibly prolific Khadija Shaw which has been the centrepiece of a relentless attack, but not the only factor in it. His ability to provide a foundation to his players and then let themselves be expressive on top of that has worked a treat.

What this team looks like going forward is the big question. With Shaw seemingly on her way out, adaptation and recruitment will have to be spot on. But City fans can take confidence from how emphatically Jeglertz has proven his worth as a coach this season after the disappointments of last summer.

When Leicester City dismissed head coach Amandine Miquel just 10 days before the start of this WSL season, it didn't feel like a good omen for the year ahead. Fast-forward nine months and that hunch has been proven correct, in a campaign that will end with the Foxes facing Charlton Athletic in the relegation play-off next week.

Despite the debilitating number of injuries endured last term, Miquel showed why she is one of the best up-and-coming coaches in the women's game by steering Leicester to safety with impressive comfort, relatively speaking. To part ways with her made little sense in general, never mind as pre-season came to a close and the new campaign was just about to start.

In came Rick Passmoor, a man with tons of experience across a lengthy career, but taking his first lead job at the elite level since 2017. There were some good early results, with a win over Liverpool and a draw against Everton seeing Passmoor earn the role on a permanent basis after initially coming in as an interim. But Leicester have not won a game in 2026, losing all 11 that they have played to be condemned to last place in the WSL and that relegation play-off.

Everything rides on next week, then, when they travel to London to take on Charlton. Relegation would be devastating for a side that has been at the top table since promotion in 2021, while the additional impact that demotion to the third tier for the men's team may have could also be concerning.

Last time Man City were firmly locked in a WSL title race, Shaw had to watch the climax of it all from the sidelines. After being a key player throughout the 2023-24 season, scoring 21 goals in just 18 games, a foot injury would prevent her from being involved at the very end as City threw away their lead at the top and Chelsea nipped in to win a fifth successive WSL title.

Last year, injury struck again, with Shaw one of the many players who couldn't be involved a large portion of the season, preventing City from competing for that trophy again. They looked primed to do so as the halfway point of the campaign neared, until their list of absentees grew to such a length that it was going to be impossible.

This time around, it was different. Shaw was ever-present to help City exorcise all of those demons and win the WSL for the first time in 10 years. She picks up a third successive Golden Boot for her efforts, after netting 21 goals in 22 games, as well as that title-winning medal she and her team-mates have craved for so long.

It looks like playing a key role in delivering that trophy will be her parting gift, too. Shaw's contract in Manchester expires this summer and all signs point to her not only leaving on a free, but joining WSL rivals Chelsea, too. It's a huge blow for a club that has just enjoyed a remarkable high, and one has to wonder what stumbling blocks in negotiations could be so big to prevent City from giving perhaps the best striker on the planet the renewal she desires, especially when all reports suggest she wants to stay.

Looking at Manchester United's season across all competitions, there are reasons for encouragement. A run to the Champions League quarter-finals, on their debut in the competition proper, was impressive, as was the fact the Red Devils made another major cup final. The summer signings of Jess Park and Julia Zigiotti Olme have been particular success stories, too.

However, in the WSL, it's been a massively disappointing year for United. Marc Skinner's side started the campaign well, going unbeaten through the first seven games, before a lack of depth showed in November, when the squad was struggling to cope with the double gameweeks playing in the Champions League presents.

That limited summer investment has to be factored into United's performances this season, no doubt, but the club did somewhat make up for it in January and the signings made, though appearing good on paper, haven't made the desired impact. Ellen Wangerheim's regular use out wide, when she is a natural centre-forward, has raised questions of Skinner, while the inability to get more out of Lea Schuller, a serial goal-scorer throughout her career, is a concern.

It was expected that United's trip to Chelsea on the final day would have a lot riding on it, in a potential one-game shootout for the final Champions League spot. However, the Red Devils were only able to win one of their five WSL matches going into that season-closer, ruling them out of contention for European football prematurely.

Without a league victory over any of the division's top five, combined with disappointing results against West Ham and Brighton during that poor run-in, has led to a rise in discontent among the fanbase and placed further pressure on Skinner as the club assesses a mixed year.

United have backed the manager throughout and he is under contract until 2027, with the option for another year. But despite the highs that have come this season, it's hard not to ask questions of the manager given how disappointing the WSL campaign has been.

Vivianne Miedema is back. The last few years have been difficult for the WSL's all-time top goal-scorer, since her devastating ACL injury in late 2022. Further knee surgeries have followed, with other smaller injuries here and there limiting her ability to rediscover her best, which is at a world-class level. This season, though, the Dutchwoman has hit double figures for goals and double figures for starts for the first time in the WSL since the 2021-22 campaign to play a key role in Man City's title triumph.

Only Shaw and Alessia Russo have been directly involved in more goals this season than Miedema, who also has five assists to her name. Her partnership with the former has been a joy to watch, with that two-pronged attack from central areas causing serious problems for so many of City's opponents.

The bittersweet nature of it all is that it looks like this will be the only full season of that Miedema-Shaw duo, with the latter seemingly set to move on. How Jeglertz adapts if indeed that proves to be the case will be interesting. Does Miedema become the No.9? Or does the club recruit another centre-forward to allow Miedema to continue to thrive as the No.10?

Either way, the good news is that the Dutchwoman is fully fit again and back playing at an elite level. That's a huge positive that the new WSL champions can build on.

Twelve months ago, Chelsea looked unstoppable. The Blues didn't lose a single game in a domestic fixture in Sonia Bompastor's first year in charge, winning the League Cup, FA Cup and WSL, enjoying the first unbeaten campaign in the latter's history in a 22-game season. To follow that up, then, with a season like this one has been really disappointing.

After a run of six successive WSL triumphs, there is an appreciation that such a streak had to come to an end at some point, and that to enjoy such a sustained period of success has been incredible. But, in the words of vice-captain Erin Cuthbert earlier this season: "That doesn't make it any better or it doesn't give me any softer emotions towards [losing the title]."

Chelsea have had to deal with a lot of injuries this term and that has certainly played a part, while the lack of January investment was a real surprise given that and the fact several players were coming to the end of their respective contracts, with Catarina Macario and Guro Reiten departing for the NWSL before the season's end to further deplete the already-stretched depth in the squad.

It's a big summer for Chelsea now, after what has felt like a transitional season. Millie Bright has retired, Macario and Reiten have left and there are a whole host of names who are out of contract, including Sam Kerr and Lucy Bronze. As such, it's a transfer window in which Bompastor is likely to really make her mark on this team, to further shape them in her image.

Getting those moves right will be vital in order for Chelsea to re-establish themselves at the top of the WSL. To have won the League Cup despite everything is a positive, but the way the Blues collapsed in their FA Cup semi-final defeat to Man City, conceding twice in the final five minutes, was an encapsulation of the work that Bompastor has to do to return this team to where it has been.

It looks like Tottenham are back on track. In Martin Ho's first season in charge of the club, the former Manchester United assistant has made a wonderful impact, guiding Spurs to their best-ever season in the WSL, one that has matched their previous best finish of fifth while setting a new record points tally.

Admittedly, we've been here before. Just two seasons ago, Robert Vilahamn came in and guided the club to a sixth-placed finish and a first major final, in the FA Cup. A year later, his impact waned as Spurs slipped to 11th in the 12-team standings, leading to his departure.

What makes it different under Ho? Next season will tell us more, but Tottenham have felt more consistent in games against the teams below them and more of a threat in clashes with those above them, even if the results might not suggest the latter. It's also worth noting that Spurs were one of the most significantly impacted teams during the Asian Cup, losing both of their starting centre-backs for the tournament and then Clare Hunt for the rest of the season after an injury during it.

Throw in the positive impact of all four January signings - and all six of the season's new arrivals overall, none of whom are older than 24 - and there are a lot of reasons to feel like Spurs can kick on from here, rather than endure a slide down the standings similar to last year.

Transfer fees in women's football went crazy last summer. After Naomi Girma became the first player to be slapped with a million-dollar price tag in January 2025, Olivia Smith became the first million-pound player a few months later, and the ball was then well and truly rolling, as seven-figure fees for Lizbeth Ovalle and Alyssa Thompson followed. Grace Geyoro's move to London City Lionesses on WSL deadline day, though, surpassed them all, as she left Paris Saint-Germain in a world-record transfer.

Geyoro had been linked with a move to Chelsea in previous windows and arrived in another corner of London as a genuinely world-class player. In 11 seasons in Paris, plus eight years in the France national team, she had proven her quality time and time again, even ascending to become the captain of PSG before her departure.

That the 28-year-old has struggled to really make her mark on the WSL, then, has been a real surprise. London City have not been competing at the top of the table, sure, but the newly-promoted side have not had a bad season, sitting comfortably in mid-table throughout. But stand-out moments from Geyoro, who ended the year with one goal and no assists from 19 games, have been hard to come by.

Perhaps next season will be different. This is Geyoro's first spell out of her home country and the impact that settling into a new environment with a new language, a new culture and a new playing style can be overlooked. But it's hard to ignore how quiet a first season in the WSL that the most expensive player in women's football history has endured.

After showing glimpses of their potential last season, Brighton have gone up another level this time around in the second year of Dario Vidosic's tenure. Since the turn of the year especially, it feels like things have really clicked for the Seagulls, giving fans plenty of optimism that next season could see their upward trajectory continue.

Brighton's last six games of the campaign read as much: Victory over Arsenal in the FA Cup quarter-finals; a 3-2 win over champions-elect Man City, to delay their title celebrations; a point at Manchester United, after the Red Devils scored in the 94th minute; another draw against the Gunners, to end their title charge; victory over Liverpool in the FA Cup semi-final, from 2-0 down; with a dramatically late defeat to Spurs on the final day the only disappointment.

"We have had some really good performances the whole season but maybe haven’t just been getting the results we deserve,” Fran Kirby, the former England international whose role in Brighton's project cannot be understated, told the Argus during that run. “It is all coming together in terms of the style we want to play, the way we play and the culture in the group.”

There are still areas for this team to improve, of course, and the summer transfer window will be interesting, especially given how well this club tends to operate in the market. But there is so much reason to be optimistic, and intrigued, about how Brighton's 2026-27 season could go, all while FA Cup glory remains on the table.

When Manchester United and Man City engaged in a truly stunning deadline-day deal back in September, eyebrows were raised more in the direction of United than City. The Red Devils received more cash for Grace Clinton than they paid for Jess Park, as the two England internationals swapped clubs, but it felt counter intuitive to what United needed. This was a side crying out for greater depth ahead of their first season in the Champions League proper. A one-in, one-out deal, then, wasn't the answer, even if Park was a good player.

However, almost a year on, while that point still stands and a lack of depth was a key factor in United's shortcomings this term, it's clear that it was indeed Park and the Red Devils who came out of this deal better. That's because Clinton, after being such a revelation in the two years prior that she broke into the England team and became a relatively regular starter in Sarina Wiegman's side, has had a season to forget.

A big part of that has been bad luck. Clinton arrived at City with a niggle and has dealt with a few more since, thus limiting her ability to break into Jeglertz's XI. The performances of the team have also made that more difficult, especially given City haven't had European competition to make the need for rotation greater. But to have ended the WSL season having started just twice will be of immense disappointment for Clinton.

How will next season look for the Lionesses midfielder? One would imagine it should be quite different, given Jeglertz and the club clearly wanted her, plus the fact there should be more games on the schedule due to Champions League participation. But it will also depend on the 23-year-old, whose talented is undisputed, staying fit. This move can still be a success for player and club, but the first season has been tough.

Frank and Postecoglou are set to reignite their rivalry this summer, but this time the battle will take place in the television studio rather than the technical area.

Both managers, who have recently spent time in the Tottenham hotseat, have been snapped up by rival broadcasters for the 2026 World Cup. Frank has agreed to join the BBC as one of their headline analysts, while Postecoglou has signed a deal to provide expert opinion for ITV.

For Frank, the move marks his first public appearance since he was sacked by Spurs in February. The 52-year-old endured a difficult spell in north London, winning just 13 of his 38 games.

His win ratio of 34.2% stands as the worst for any permanent manager in the club’s history, though the subsequent failure of interim boss Igor Tudor has perhaps softened the blow to his reputation.

Postecoglou has similarly kept a low profile after his own brief, 39-day stint at Nottingham Forest ended in October following a home defeat to Chelsea.

The recruitment of Frank and Postecoglou is part of a wider talent war between the two major UK broadcasters. The BBC is understood to have bolstered its ranks by adding former Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud to a panel that already boasts legendary figures like Wayne Rooney, Alan Shearer, and Joe Hart.

The inclusion of Giroud adds a continental flair to a team tasked with covering the expanded 48-team tournament across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

ITV has responded by securing the services of Andros Townsend to join their heavy-hitting roster. The former England international will sit alongside the established trio of Gary Neville, Ian Wright, and Roy Keane.

The logistical approaches of the two broadcasters could not be more distinct. ITV is leaning into the glamour of the host nation, setting up a glass-walled studio in Brooklyn with views of the Manhattan skyline. Presenters Mark Pougatch and Laura Woods will be based in New York for the duration of the tournament, benefitting from a significantly larger commercial budget.

In contrast, the BBC has opted for a more conservative and environmentally conscious strategy. Their primary presentation team, including Mark Chapman, Gabby Logan, and Kelly Cates, will remain at their Salford studios until the quarter-final stage.

Tottenham had only won at home twice all season long and it took them a while to get going amid another nervy atmosphere. They almost fell behind when Antonin Kinsky was forced to claw Joe Rodon's header off the line, and that seemed to spark Spurs into life. Tel burst into the penalty area and saw his strike deflected over before Pedro Porro's goal-bound drive was blocked just short of the goal-line, and moments later Joao Palhinha battled through a crowd of players in the box but conspired to sky his shot.

The hosts finally found the moment of quality they had been desperately searching for six minutes into the second period as Tel controlled a clearance on the edge of the Leeds box and whipped a powerful, pinpoint finish into the far top corner. It should have been 2-0 shortly afterwards, but Richarlison volleyed over after being picked out in space.

However, Tottenham's hopes of seeing out a vital victory against an opponent that had very little to play for would go out the window. With 20 minutes left to play, Tel hesitated under a dropping ball in the penalty area and made the inexplicable decision to attempt an acrobatic clearance - making contact with the onrushing Ethan Ampadu rather than the ball. After a VAR check and a lengthy review on the pitch-side monitor, referee Jarred Gillett pointed to the spot and Dominic Calvert-Lewin buried it with aplomb.

Things almost went from bad to worse for Spurs during 13 minutes of stoppage time, but Kinsky was able to miraculously push Sean Longstaff's fierce effort onto the crossbar to preserve the point. There was still time for Leeds to survive a huge penalty shout at the very end of the additional period, as Lukas Nmecha was adjudged to have got just enough on the ball in a challenge on James Maddison.

The result means Tottenham are just two points clear of West Ham in 18th with two games to play, and they face a daunting trip to Stamford Bridge next to take on London rivals Chelsea.

GOAL rates Spurs' players from the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium...

Antonin Kinsky (7/10):

Reacted well to just about keep out Rodon's downward header. Given no chance by Calvert-Lewin from the spot but made a huge late save to preserve the point.

Pedro Porro (7/10):

Looked to bomb forward as often as possible or create from an inverted position and saw a crisp goal-bound effort blocked just short of the line.

Kevin Danso (5/10):

Made a crucial intervention to cut out Mathys Tel's dangerous cross into his own box, but booked for cynically ending a Leeds counter and didn't impress in his duels.

Micky van de Ven (6/10):

A calm presence and helped his side build nicely from the back at times. Made a huge late challenge to deny Nmecha.

Destiny Udogie (6/10):

Enjoyed his battle with Dan James and often had the better of it. Maybe lucky to avoid conceding a penalty.

Tottenham had only won at home twice all season long and it took them a while to get going amid another nervy atmosphere. They almost fell behind when Antonin Kinsky was forced to claw Joe Rodon's header off the line, and that seemed to spark Spurs into life. Tel burst into the penalty area and saw his strike deflected over before Pedro Porro's goal-bound drive was blocked just short of the goal-line, and moments later Joao Palhinha battled through a crowd of players in the box but conspired to sky his shot.

The hosts finally found the moment of quality they had been desperately searching for six minutes into the second period as Tel controlled a clearance on the edge of the Leeds box and whipped a powerful, pinpoint finish into the far top corner. It should have been 2-0 shortly afterwards, but Richarlison volleyed over after being picked out in space.

However, Tottenham's hopes of seeing out a vital victory against an opponent that had very little to play for would go out the window. With 20 minutes left to play, Tel hesitated under a dropping ball in the penalty area and made the inexplicable decision to attempt an acrobatic clearance - making contact with the onrushing Ethan Ampadu rather than the ball. After a VAR check and a lengthy review on the pitch-side monitor, referee Jarred Gillett pointed to the spot and Dominic Calvert-Lewin buried it with aplomb.

Things almost went from bad to worse for Spurs during 13 minutes of stoppage time, but Kinsky was able to miraculously push Sean Longstaff's fierce effort onto the crossbar to preserve the point. There was still time for Leeds to survive a huge penalty shout at the very end of the additional period, as Lukas Nmecha was adjudged to have got just enough on the ball in a challenge on James Maddison.

The result means Tottenham are just two points clear of West Ham in 18th with two games to play, and they face a daunting trip to Stamford Bridge next to take on London rivals Chelsea.

GOAL rates Spurs' players from the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium...

Antonin Kinsky (7/10):

Reacted well to just about keep out Rodon's downward header. Given no chance by Calvert-Lewin from the spot but made a huge late save to preserve the point.

Pedro Porro (7/10):

Looked to bomb forward as often as possible or create from an inverted position and saw a crisp goal-bound effort blocked just short of the line.

Kevin Danso (5/10):

Made a crucial intervention to cut out Mathys Tel's dangerous cross into his own box, but booked for cynically ending a Leeds counter and didn't impress in his duels.

Micky van de Ven (6/10):

A calm presence and helped his side build nicely from the back at times. Made a huge late challenge to deny Nmecha.

Destiny Udogie (6/10):

Enjoyed his battle with Dan James and often had the better of it. Maybe lucky to avoid conceding a penalty.