Inside Futbol

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Tottenham Hotspur star Mathys Tel is on Roma’s transfer wish list for the January transfer window as they seek forwards.

The 20-year-old centre forward was the centre of attention during the last winter transfer window and Spurs managed to agree to a loan with an option to buy a deal to sign Tel from Bayern Munich.

During the summer, Bayern Munich were eager to cash in on Tel, but Spurs did not want to pay the €50m they agreed and in the end the Germans settled for €35m.

The 20-year-old has yet to nail down a spot in Thomas Frank’s starting lineup this season, starting three games in the Premier League so far.

Tel made a slow start to the campaign and last weekend he scored his second goal of the season against Manchester United after coming off the bench.

Despite the young attacker’s limited impact in north London, his stock remains high and he is now attracting interest from Italy ahead of the winter window.

Italian giants Roma are interested in signing Tel, with their boss Gian Piero Gasperini keen on adding forwards to his squad in January.

Attacker Club Joshua Zirkzee Manchester United Mathys Tel Tottenham Hotspur Mika Godts Ajax Yuri Alberto Corinthians Jeremy Arevalo Racing Santander Attackers on Roma’s radar for January

According to Italian daily Leggo (via La Roma 24), Tel is high on Roma’s transfer wish list and they might try to sign him in January.

Tel left Bayern Munich to get regular first-team football, which he is currently not receiving at Tottenham and it has been suggested that he is prepared to move.

It is, however, not clear whether Frank will be ready to let Tel leave without bringing in a replacement for him.

Also unclear is what type of deal Roma would put on the table and whether it would be acceptable for Spurs.

Tel has featured in a total of 31 games so far in his career at Tottenham and has netted five goals with two assists to his name.

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Mikey Moore has insisted that talk he was ready to bring his Rangers loan to an early end and return to Tottenham Hotspur was wide of the mark.

The Gers signed highly rated 18-year-old Moore from Tottenham on loan in the summer window, seeing off competition from English Championship clubs and he arrived with high expectations, but his performances during his early days at Rangers failed to convince.

Former Scotland star Andy Walker dubbed Moore awful while slamming Rangers’ recruitment, and ex-Rangers star Ross McCormack said the Gers should be starting Findlay Curtis over the Spurs talent.

However, in recent weeks Moore has managed to shut up his critics with his performances and ex-Gers assistant manager Alex Rae admitted that he is showing signs of fulfilling expectations.

It was suggested that Moore was considering a return after a tough start in Scottish football, but the Spurs star insists that has never been the case.

Moore scored in Rangers’ win over Dundee on Sunday and he added that he was confident that the situation for him in Scotland would change if he kept focusing on his job.

He stressed that he has managed to change the scenario a little bit, but he will work hard to become a better player.

When asked about claims regarding him considering a return to London, Moore said at a press conference (2:35): “A lot of stuff goes in the media that is never true.

Club Years Tottenham Hotspur 2024- Rangers (loan) 2025- Mikey Moore’s career history

“I was never ready to go back.

“I always knew that at some point it would change and I have changed it for myself a little bit in the last few weeks, but I need to keep building and playing even better than I am.

“So I am picking up goals and assists; I said in midweek that I need to, so I am happy with a goal today.”

Moore’s form has improved since the arrival of Danny Rohl at Ibrox and he is clocking regular minutes for Rangers.

Tottenham are sure to be watching very closely to see how Moore does at Rangers, with the talent rated highly in north London.

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Alex Rae believes that there are now signs at Rangers of Tottenham Hotspur loan star Mikey Moore living up to his exciting reputation after it took him time to settle.

The 18-year-old is a Tottenham Hotspur academy product and last season clocked 17 appearances for the London outfit while making three goal contributions.

Several clubs showed interest in loaning Moore in the summer window, including Championship outfits Charlton Athletic and Birmingham City, but he snubbed them in favour of Rangers.

However, the Spurs loanee’s start at Ibrox left Rangers fans wondering why he was being selected and one former striker suggested he should not be starting ahead of Findlay Curtis.

Under new manager Danny Rohl, Moore has featured in the last three games and Rangers legend Barry Ferguson has seen improvement.

That sentiment has been echoed now by former Rangers star Rae, who believes Moore is getting to grips with life north of the border.

Rae is of the view Moore is now showing what he can do after initially seeming ‘miles off it’.

“In hindsight, if you look at Mikey Moore in the previous games, I think he is really starting to assert the ability that everyone spoke about when he first came up”, Rae said on Clyde 1’s Superscoreboard (47:00).

Loanee Max Aarons Derek Cornelius Nasser Djiga Jayden Meghoma Mikey Moore Rangers’ loan stars

“I feel as if he has settled in now. He knows what the expectations are. Absolutely it’s taken him time.

“If you’d looked at the initial opening games that he had with Rangers you think ‘this boy is miles off it’.

“Then you hear from the fans who say ‘you bring all these World Cup Willies up from the top teams but they never quite do it’.

“Well, I think we’re seeing shoots of this boy showing the potential that he is actually capable of.”

Moore will be looking to continue on his upward curve over the coming weeks, with Tottenham likely to be watching closely.

Whether Spurs might consider recalling Moore in January remains to be seen and is sure to be heavily dependent upon his playing time at Rangers.

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Fixture: Tottenham Hotspur vs Manchester United

Competition: Premier League

Kick-off: 12:30 UK time

Thomas Frank has named his Tottenham Hotspur lineup to welcome Manchester United to north London in the Premier League this afternoon.

Frank watched his side crush FC Copenhagen 4-0 in the Champions League in midweek, but there are still question marks about Spurs’ recent domestic performances.

They were comfortably knocked out of the EFL Cup by Newcastle United and produced a poor display in a league loss to Chelsea.

One former Spurs player has suggested Brennan Johnson needs to work on the defensive side of his game, though there have also been encouraging signs from Randal Kolo Muani.

Now there is another big test for Frank’s new-look Tottenham as Champions League spot rivals Manchester United arrive in town, with the Spurs boss feeling they are getting better.

Ruben Amorim’s side played out a 2-2 draw at Nottingham Forest in their last match to stretch an unbeaten run to four games, marking real progress for the Red Devils.

Manchester United’s recent record against Spurs though is nothing less than shocking and Tottenham have won five of the last seven encounters, drawing the other two.

Tottenham have Guglielmo Vicario between the sticks this afternoon, while in defence, Frank plays a back four of Pedro Porro, Cristian Romero, Micky van de Ven and Djed Spence.

The midfield engine room is likely to be a key battleground and Tottenham play Joao Palhinha and Pape Matar Sarr, while Xavi Simons adds creativity.

Richarlison, Brennan Johnson and Randal Kolo Muani lead the attack.

If Frank needs to try to influence the game during the 90 minutes with his substitutes then he has options to call for and they include Mathys Tel and Destiny Udogie.

Tottenham Hotspur Lineup vs Manchester United

Vicario, Porro, Romero, Van de Ven, Spence, Palhinha, Sarr, Simons, Johnson, Richarlison, Kolo Muani

Substitutes: Kinsky, Danso, Tel, Udogie, Odobert, Bentancur, Scarlett, Akhamrich, Rowswell

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Former Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Danny Murphy is keen to see Micky van de Ven go forward more as he feels he has goals in his locker and floated the possibility he could play at left-back.

The defender scored a wonderful solo goal after running out from the back to give ten-man Tottenham a three-goal lead against FC Copenhagen in the 64th minute on Tuesday night.

Spurs eventually won the match 4-0 to keep themselves well in contention to book their spot in the next phase of the Champions League and ease some pressure on Tottenham manager Thomas Frank, who came in for criticism following their 1-0 defeat to Chelsea on Saturday.

Murphy was more than impressed by the performance of the Dutch defender, who he feels has got the attributes in his locker to play attacking football and go forward.

However, he cautioned that doing it against better opposition could sometimes lead to Tottenham being exposed.

“He has just got that type of attribute in his locker, he has got the pace and the willingness to run with he ball”, Murphy said on talkSPORT (4th November, 22:05).

“Sometimes it can cause you problems if you are against better opposition.

“[Against] Chelsea – he tried to take on [Moises] Caicedo, doing a similar thing on the edge of the box that he did there tonight before he got the goal.

Club Years Volendam 2019-2021 Wolfsburg 2021-2023 Tottenham Hotspur 2023- Micky van de Ven’s career history

“So, if you are comparing it, he is a bit of a risk taker. He is that type of a centre-half.”

Murphy admits he wants to see the Dutchman more involved in Tottenham’s attacking play and floated the idea that Van de Ven could play at left-back, where he thinks he would make life tough for opposition wingers.

“I would like to see him go forward more.

“I know he has played left-back for his country on occasions as well, probably because the manager has seen that positive in it.

“Imagine trying to play against him as a winger when he is flying past you as a left-back.”

During Ange Postecoglou’s spell as boss, Van de Ven admitted he liked the attacking set-up preferred by the Australian.

Van de Ven had his partner, Cristian Romero, beside him in the Tottenham defence against Copenhagen.

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Danny Murphy thinks Tottenham Hotspur attacker Brennan Johnson needs to be proactive instead of reactive when it comes to the defensive side of his game.

A blot on an otherwise perfect night for Tottenham against FC Copenhagen in the Champions League, as Spurs won 4-0 on home turf, was the winger’s red card in the 57th minute.

He was guilty of a late tackle on a Copenhagen player and was shown a straight red card for having used his studs.

Murphy feels that the 24-year-old was a little bit unlucky to be dismissed in the game, but admits he has been concerned about more reactive than proactive defensive work from Johnson.

The former Tottenham star is keen not to label Johnson as lazy, but wants to see him address the defensive side of his game.

“I think he was a bit of unlucky with the sending off, if I am honest”, Murphy said on talkSPORT (4th November, 22:09).

“But I did talk about his reactionary defensive work too often in games I have seen.

Club Years Nottingham Forest 2019-2023 Lincoln City (loan) 2020-2021 Tottenham Hotspur 2023- Brennan Johnson’s career history

“He is not lazy but a lot of his defensive work is reacting to stuff rather than being proactive, so he finds himself chasing people a lot and really struggling to get back into situations, so he is diving in and lunging in.

“It is something he needs to work on.”

The focus of the Tottenham coaching staff is likely to be more on what Johnson adds going forward than defensively, but Thomas Frank is sure to want to see the 24-year-old improve his defensive work.

Ange Postecoglou stressed during his time in charge of Tottenham that he felt Johnson had a lot of growth left in him as a player.

Johnson has scored four goals so far for Tottenham this season, having featured in 16 games, and will be looking to add to that number in the coming weeks.

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Randal Kolo Muani ‘could be a player’ for Tottenham Hotspur, former Spurs star Danny Murphy feels, after he watched the on loan striker in action against FC Copenhagen.

Tottenham managed to beat off competition from other clubs, including Juventus, to sign Kolo Muani from Paris Saint-Germain on loan in the summer.

Kolo Muani was bright on Tuesday night against Copenhagen and though he was not able to add to the scoresheet, he contributed towards Wilson Odobert’s second goal as Tottenham beat the visitors 4-0 to make progress in the Champions League.

Murphy, who saw Kolo Muani at close quarters on the night, was impressed with the striker and insisted that some missed chances were not a true reflection of him, explaining Tottenham may have a player.

“You see a couple of really poor misses from Muani and that doesn’t do his performance justice”, Murphy said on talkSPORT (5th November, 22:06).

“He could be a player for Tottenham.”

Tottenham currently have their main striker, Dominic Solanke, out through injury, which has been causing problems for them in the forward areas.

With Kolo Muani stepping up, Murphy feels that their issues in attack could soon be solved.

Game Competition Manchester United (H) Premier League Arsenal (A) Premier League Paris Saint-Germain (A) Champions League Next three Tottenham Hotspur fixtures

“I know they have got some problems up-front at the minute, but he is getting fitter and stronger and he was an absolute handful.

“He looks a decent player.”

While Kolo Muani is showing glimpses of being able to make a real impact for Tottenham this season, there has been renewed focus on another summer signing in the shape of Xavi Simons.

One former Netherlands star recently suggested that Simons runs too much with the ball and is easily dispossessed.

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Fixture: Tottenham Hotspur vs FC Copenhagen

Competition: Champions League

Kick-off: 20:00 UK time

Thomas Frank has selected his Tottenham lineup to welcome Danish side FC Copenhagen to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in the Champions League this evening.

Spurs were beaten by rivals Chelsea in the Premier League at the weekend and put in a poor performance in front of their fans.

They have now lost back to back games, also exiting the EFL Cup away at Newcastle United with a meek display.

Frank will know how important getting back on track tonight will be, especially as Manchester United are Spurs’ next league opponents at the weekend.

Tottenham do start as firm favourites to see off Copenhagen, who were thrashed 4-2 at home by Borussia Dortmund in their last Champions League outing.

The Danes have lost two and drawn one of their three Champions League league phases clashes so far, including a 2-0 defeat on the road at Qarabag.

In goal for Tottenham this evening is Guglielmo Vicario, while at the back Frank goes with Pedro Porro, Cristian Romero, Micky van de Ven and Destiny Udogie.

In midfield tonight for Spurs is Rodrigo Bentancur and Pape Matar Sarr, while Xavi Simons will look to create for Wilson Odobert, Brennan Johnson and Randal Kolo Muani.

If Frank needs to try to influence the game from the bench or replace tired legs then he has options to turn to and they include Richarlison and Djed Spence.

Tottenham Hotspur Lineup vs FC Copenhagen

Vicario, Porro, Romero, Van de Ven, Udogie, Bentancur, Sarr, Simons, Odobert, Johnson, Kolo Muani

Substitutes: Kinsky, Austin, Danso, Palhinha, Richarlison, Spence, Scarlett, Kyerematen, Akhamrich, Rowswell

Lewis Storey/Getty Images

Former Netherlands winger Rene van der Gijp thinks that Tottenham Hotspur new boy Xavi Simons just runs with the ball too much.

The north London club looked at signing a quality creative force in the summer transfer window, as the likes of James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski are out injured.

England international Eberechi Eze was their first choice, but he decided to go to their arch-rivals Arsenal, and quickly after that move, Spurs went for Simons, who was at RB Leipzig.

Tottenham paid a hefty £51.8m for the 22-year-old Dutchman, who spent time at Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain in his youth days.

Simons started at Spurs with an assist against West Ham United in September, but since then, he is yet to contribute to any goals in all competitions.

Ex-Dutch winger Van der Gijp thinks that the clear issue with Simons is that he is running with the ball too much during games.

Van der Gijp believes Premier League defenders have worked out they can easily pick his pocket when he is running with the ball.

Club Paris Saint-Germain PSV Eindhoven RB Leipzig Tottenham Hotspur Clubs Xavi Simons has played for

“He just runs too much with the ball”, the 64-year-old was quoted as saying by Dutch outlet Voetbal Primeur.

“Opponents have said, as soon as he starts running with the ball, just run into him. Done.”

Tottenham manager Thomas Frank admitted recently that even though Simons is adapting quickly to life in the Premier League, he will need to up his intensity.

Frank’s side were beaten at home by Chelsea at the weekend and Simons came on as an early substitute, then himself being replaced later in the game by Wilson Odobert.

Tottenham will need Simons to step up in the coming weeks as they bid to make sure they stay near the top of the Premier League table.

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Fixture: Newcastle United vs Tottenham Hotspur

Competition: EFL Cup

Kick-off: 20:00 UK time

Tottenham Hotspur have officially named their starting lineup and substitutes to take on Newcastle United at St James’ Park in the EFL Cup tonight.

Spurs did win a trophy last term, in the shape of the Europa League, but with that off the table, many will feel a domestic cup would be their best bet to win silverware in back to back seasons.

Boss Thomas Frank insisted at the weekend that he does not see Tottenham as title challengers, something which backs up the importance of the domestic cups.

Progressing in the EFL Cup though will be a tough task, with Newcastle away a difficult assignment for Frank and his men.

That is something that Spurs defender Micky van de Ven appreciates and he has pulled no punches on how tough tonight will be. – Van de Ven is on the bench this evening.

Tottenham head into tonight’s game on the back of a comfortable 3-0 win away at Everton in the Premier League at the weekend.

Between the sticks for Spurs tonight is Antonin Kinsky, while Pedro Porro, Kevin Danso, Joao Palhinha and Djed Spence form the back four.

Whoever wins the midfield battle will have one foot in the next round and Tottenham go with Pape Matar Sarr, Lucas Bergvall and Rodrigo Bentancur to give them the edge, while Brennan Johnson, Xavi Simons and Richarlison will pose an attacking threat.

Frank has quality on the bench to call for if needed and his options tonight include Randal Kolo Muani and Mathys Tel.

Tottenham Hotspur Lineup vs Newcastle United

Kinsky, Porro, Danso, Palhinha, Spence, Sarr, Bentancur, Bergvall, Simons, Johnson, Richarlison

Substitutes: Austin, Gunter, Tel, Kudus, Van de Ven, Kolo Muani, Scarlett, Olusesi, Rowswell