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Tony Cascarino has told Roberto De Zerbi that one Tottenham star is ‘not the answer’ and urged him to sign a former Arsenal player to replace him.

This comes after Tottenham kicked-off the new Premier League season in the worst possible way, with a 3-0 defeat at Brentford on Saturday.

Goals from Keane Lewis-Potter, Vitaly Janelt and Michael Kayode sealed a deserved win for the Bees against a Spurs side that have so far spent over £228million this summer.

Janelt’s goal came after Mathias Jensen’s shot from the edge of the box was parried straight to the feet of the German by goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky.

Kinsky, who was infamously subbed off after just 17 minutes of Spurs’ Champions League defeat to Atletico Madrid last season, has been promoted to No.1 keeper, with Guglielmo Vicario loaned out to Juventus.

But following this latest blunder, the young Czech star has once again come under stern criticism, not least from former Chelsea striker Cascarino, who told talkSPORT:

‘Watching them yesterday was scary and the goalkeeper Kinsky for the second goal, you cannot… I’m watching goalkeepers who can’t catch the ball. Catching the ball!

‘He could palm it around the post or whatever but it’s, to me, an effort that goalkeepers used to catch.’

Asked if he thought it was the right decision for De Zerbi to stick with Kinsky as his No.1 goalkeeper, Cascarino replied: ‘No, I thought they needed a new goalkeeper.

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‘They could have got Emiliano Martinez out of Aston Villa because he looks like he could go. I’d have taken him an experienced goalkeeper, a lot more solid.

‘I wasn’t a fan of Vicario. It’s been a tough period for Spurs, but Kinsky doesn’t look like the answer to me.

‘We’ve all had bad games. I’ve had plenty of them in my career, but when you do certain things, a simple catch that ends up making it 2-0 for Janelt, who was on the end of that effort that he just blocks basically.

‘He’s basically set up Janelt to just knock it in the back of the net.’

Martinez, who spent eight years at Tottenham’s arch-rivals Arsenal, is looking to leave Villa Park this summer and is almost certain to do so afterUnai Emery signed highly-rated Japan keeper Zion Suzuki.

The 33-year-old has played a key part in Villa’s success this decade, including last season’s Europa League triumph, and played a huge role in Argentina’s World Cup triumph four years ago.

A transfer to Juventus was on the cards but the Italian giants opted to sign Vicario on loan instead, with Villa holding out for £10m for the shot-stopper.

Tottenham have already signed one goalkeeper this summer, bring in veteran Martin Dubravka from Burnley to support Kinsky. He could well make his debut on Wednesday night, when Spurs host Charlton in the Carabao Cup.

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Roberto De Zerbi named three Tottenham players who are not in good enough ‘physical condition’ while singled out another for making mistakes in a punishing defeat to Brentford on Saturday.

It was a nightmare start to the Premier League season for Spurs as they were hammered 3-0 by their London rivals.

Keane Lewis-Potter, Vitaly Janelt and Michael Kayode scored the goals at the Gtech Community Stadium as the Bees soared to a dream opening weekend win.

De Zerbi was unsurprisingly disappointed with his side after spending well over £200m on new signings already this summer, with more expected to arrive before the transfer window closes.

The Italian criticised the lack of fight his team showed and named three new signings – Marcos Senesi, Jan Paul van Hecke and Sandro Tonali – as not being physically prepared for the contest.

‘Bad game,’ De Zerbi told the BBC. ‘We lost and suffered the difference in the duels. It was the key of this game. We didn’t fight in the right way. Maybe credit to them because it’s the best quality Brentford have.

‘Our physical condition was not at the right level for all players because many came later after the World Cup and there were many new players in the squad and first XI. But we have to analyse this game better because we can’t play this way in this type of game.

‘I am surprised by the result and performance. I knew we were not in the right condition. We can’t find an excuse. I am sorry for the result and performance. We are starting a new project and we couldn’t find the principal.’

He added: ‘Marcos Senesi, Jan Paul van Hecke and Sandro Tonali are not in the best physical condition. We knew that before the game. We have to improve on that and many other things, like organisation and pressing.

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‘We can improve quickly but first, we have to understand this game better. I know their physical condition and new players but we have to put something more. We had to fight more. Players know I have a lot of confidence in them and we hope to improve quickly.’

‘I think we made a lot of mistakes in the timing of the pressure with Mikey Moore in the left centre, we arrived too many times late,’ said the former Brighton boss.

‘We lost too many duels to compete with Brentford, I’m sorry for that, I’m sorry for the defeat. I know we have to improve in the physical condition, we have to improve in the organisation because there were many new players.’

Lucas Bergvall was substituted at half-time and De Zerbi admitted that he expected the midfielder to struggle, but his replacement, Rodrigo Bentancur, was not ready to start.

‘I was surprised, I was suffering for this defeat, but we are working,’ he said. ‘If you analyse last season, the defensive line, [Pedro] Porro, [Kevin] Danso, Micky van de Ven and [Destiny] Udogie. And today, Archie Gray, Jean Paul van Hecke, [Marcos] Senesi and [Andy] Robertson, four new players.

‘Two midfielders – Rodrigo Bentancur and [Joao] Palhinha. Today, two midfielders, Bergvall, why not Bentancur? Because he came late in the pre-season. In the pre-season, we worked with Lucas Bergvall.

‘I think at the beginning of the season, at the beginning of the new project, it was good, it was right to play with Lucas Bergvall.

‘But I knew before the game, Lucas Bergvall, in this type of game, maybe he could suffer more than Rodrigo Bentancur, 9 years older, and Lucas, 20. I knew before the game, but at the end you have to think.

‘We go, and we try to build something good for the club. We need also Archie Gray, we need also Lucas Bergvall, or we work for today. And tomorrow, I don’t know.’

Bergvall gave the ball away in the build-up to Janelt’s goal, but De Zerbi defended the Swede’s performance.

‘Lucas Bergvall, the second goal. I think he didn’t play bad today, even if I substituted in the half-time,’ he said.

‘But Lucas Bergvall in the next two years, he will not lose that ball in that moment of the game. But there are steps to become better.’

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Glenn Hoddle believes Roberto De Zerbi ‘dug out’ Mikey Moore after Tottenham’s 3-0 defeat to Brentford on Saturday night.

Spurs were convincingly beaten by Brentford in their Premier League opener as goals from Keane Lewis-Potter, Vitaly Janelt and Michael Kayode sealed a deserved win for Keith Andrews’ side.

De Zerbi handed starting debuts to Andy Robertson, Marcos Senesi, Jan Paul van Hecke and Sandro Tonali, while £85 million summer signing Mateus Fernandes was brought on as a half-time substitute.

However, Spurs struggled to trouble Brentford’s defence and speaking after his side’s defeat, De Zerbi named Moore when highlighting the poor approach to pressing from his players.

‘We were not ready to fight in the duels,’ De Zerbi said.

‘I think we made a lot of mistakes in the timing of the pressure with Mikey Moore in the left centre, we arrived too many times late.

‘We lost too many duels to compete with Brentford, I’m sorry for that, I’m sorry for the defeat. I know we have to improve in the physical condition, we have to improve in the organisation because there were many new players.’

When asked about De Zerbi’s comments, Hoddle told Premier League Productions: ‘I think they struggled a little bit having Archie Gray and Mikey Moore down that right side, they weren’t pressing together, I think that’s what he’s alluding to, but he’s dug him out a little bit there.

‘If you’re going to press you have to press together, it’s no good one person going on his own. Brentford’s first goal I’m thinking, ‘Richarlison, don’t go to the goalkeeper’, but he did, presses him, waste of energy. They were not doing that well.’

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Hoddle also believes that Spurs should have abandoned their game plan in the first half and played more direct in an attempt to pin Brentford back in their own half.

‘They weren’t up for the 50-50s, they weren’t competing, the press wasn’t good, I couldn’t understand the press, they were all getting there late,’ Hoddle said.

‘But the other thing, you go to Brentford, a tough place to play, and for the first 20 minutes you know you’re going to come under the cosh, now they’ve tried to play like they’ve played in pre-season and perhaps how they’ve prepared for the game, played every goal kick short, and play out, and they know Brentford will come and press you, so why not just for 20 minutes play longer, every goal kick on the halfway line, go and play in their half for 20 minutes, then as the game opens up you start playing through the lines and opening the game up.

‘But from the first minute it was like, ‘this is the way we’re going to play with the ball’, and Brentford went ‘thank you very much’, and Brentford pressed the life out of them.

‘Sometimes you’ve just got to change or you’ve got to prepare that way. If you’re at home against Brentford, different story, first game of the season they’re up for it, play differently, play in their half for 20 minutes.’

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Tottenham have been urged to hijack Arsenal’s pursuit of Victor Osimhen to bolster Roberto De Zerbi’s attacking options ahead of the new season.

Spurs have already strengthened significantly since last season after they narrowly avoided a disastrous relegation from the Premier League.

The north London club have already broken their transfer record twice to sign two key midfielders, with Mateus Fernandes and Sandro Tonali arriving from West Ham and Newcastle United for a combined £185million.

Brighton defender Jan Paul van Hecke arrived for £52m, while Marcos Senesi, Andy Robertson and Martin Dubravka were all brought in on free transfers to add much-needed depth to their backline.

With just under three weeks to go until the end of the summer window, Tottenham have now made it a priority to add depth in forward areas.

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The club have long been linked with a move for City winger Savinho, while they have also been credited with interest in Liverpool forward Cody Gakpo as well as Chelsea winger Pedro Neto.

But former Spurs defender Toby Alderweireld believes the club need to focus on a centre forward and urged them to consider an audacious deal for Galatasaray striker Osimhen, who has attracted interest from Arsenal in recent days.

‘Spurs could use a striker like Victor Osimhen – they need his goals because it’s what they lacked last season as well,’ Alderweireld told Hajper.

‘The only concern for clubs like Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United is maybe his age.

‘He’s not the youngest player anymore and it seems like everyone wants to find a 23-year-old superstar who can bang in goals for the next seven or eight years, and I understand that, but you also need a good mix.

‘That’s why it can be important to sign proven players who know how things go so they can bring on the younger, potential superstars alongside them, because they can set the best example.

‘I think about my time at Ajax. The mix was on another level. We had Dušan Tadic and Daley Blind and Frenkie De Jong and Matthijs de Ligt coming through. That’s what you need.’

Osimhen has scored an impressive 61 goals in 75 matches for the Turkish side, and made his move from Napoli permanent for £65m last summer after an initial season-long loan.

But reports over the last week have suggested that a move to Arsenal has been floated after Galatasaray approached the Gunners to discuss deals for Gabriel Martinelli and Ethan Nwaneri.

At present, there are said to be no ‘active negotiations’ over a deal for Osimhen, although Mikel Arteta’s side have been keen all summer to add more attacking firepower to their side.

Speaking last week about Arsenal’s reported interest in his services, Osimhen said: ‘There are always rumours during the transfer windows.

‘I’ll focus on my job. I’m focused on my work. We’ll see and think about what comes next then.’

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Tottenham Hotspur and Aston Villa are interested in signing Nicolas Jackson but Chelsea are demanding a £60 million transfer fee, according to reports.

Jackson scored 11 goals in 34 appearances during his loan spell with Bayern Munich last season but the Bundesliga champions opted not to sign the striker on a permanent deal for €65m (£55.5m).

After making four appearances for Senegal at the World Cup this summer, Jackson has now returned to Chelsea for pre-season and Xabi Alonso has been given the final say over the 25-year-old’s future at Stamford Bridge.

According to RMC Sport, Chelsea and Alonso are open to selling Jackson before the end of the transfer window but the club want £60m for the striker.

The report adds that Tottenham, Aston Villa and Atletico Madrid are all interested in signing Jackson.

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However, Chelsea’s £60m valuation is proving problematic and has been described as a ‘main obstacle’ preventing Jackson’s exit.

Jackson was left out of Chelsea’s squad for their final pre-season friendly on Saturday as Alonso’s side sealed a 3-1 win against Real Sociedad at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea have already strengthened their striker options this summer with the £5m signing of Danny Welbeck from Brighton earlier this month.

Meanwhile, Chelsea are open to offers for Liam Delap, who was also not part of the squad for the friendly against Real Sociedad this weekend.

Serie A side Como, who are managed by Cesc Fabregas and have already signed Trevoh Chalobah this summer, have made an approach to sign Delap.

However, the 23-year-old’s preference is to join a club in the Premier League. Chelsea are demanding a £40m fee for the striker, who they signed for £30m from Ipswich Town last year.

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Tottenham have their eye on a Premier League right-back after selling England star Djed Spence to Inter Milan, according to reports.

Despite impressive performances at the World Cup, Spurs have opted to cash-in on Spence, agreeing a £30million deal with the Italian giants.

The full-back is capable of playing on both flanks but with World Cup winner Pedro Porro on the right and new signing Andy Robertson on the left, Roberto De Zerbi could not guarantee Spence regular minutes this season.

The transfer is set to be announced imminently, with the 26-year-old posting a goodbye message to Tottenham fans on social media after four years in north London, in which he made 85 appearances and won the Europa League.

But Spence’s departure has left De Zerbi short on right-back options, with Porro the only natural player in that position.

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Young midfielder Archie Gray is capable of playing there but it is a far from ideal situation and it may prompt the Lilywhites to delve into the transfer market before deadline day.

To that end, the Daily Mail report that Tottenham are among the clubs who hold an interest in Crystal Palace’s Daniel Munoz.

The 30-year-old has been one the best right-backs in the Premier League since moving to Selhurst Park in 2024, recording 27 goal contributions in 108 appearances.

He was named player of the match in the 2025 FA Cup final when the Eagles beat Manchester City and played a key role in the Community Shield and Conference League triumphs last season.

Munoz also starred for Colombia at the World Cup this summer, scoring twice and conceding just one goal in five games.

The defender has two years left on his contract and while Palace would surely not want to lose him, reports suggest they value him at upwards of £20m.

Munoz has previously shared his dream of playing for a club like Manchester United but it remains to be seen whether he would want to sacrifice Europa League at Palace for no European football at Spurs.

Everton are also said to be interested in his services and may make an offer if the Eagles indicate they are open to a sale. Relations between the clubs are good following the swap deal involving Brennan Johnson and Dwight McNeil.

However, the Toffees have some reservations given Munoz predominately plays as a wingback rather than the orthodox full-back that David Moyes wants to sign.

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Liverpool forward Cody Gakpo has reached an agreement to join Tottenham Hotspur, according to reports in the Netherlands.

The Netherlands international is one of Roberto De Zerbi’s top attacking targets alongside Manchester City winger Savinho.

Gakpo, who was signed in a deal worth up to £45 million from PSV four years ago, has scored 50 goals in 180 appearances for Liverpool and has helped the club win the Premier League title and the Carabao Cup during his time at Anfield.

According to Voetbal International, Gakpo has now agreed a deal in principle to join Spurs before the end of the summer transfer window.

Meanwhile, the BBC reports that Liverpool are demanding a transfer fee in excess of £60m for Gakpo, however, the club will not approve a sale unless a replacement is signed.

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Liverpool have held extensive talks with Paris Saint-Germain to sign Bradley Barcola but are unwilling to meet the French club’s €150m (£128m) valuation.

Elsewhere, reports in Brazil on Thursday claimed that Spurs have submitted an £85m bid to Manchester City for Savinho.

The 22-year-old winger, who started just seven Premier League games last season, has already reached an agreement on personal terms with Spurs.

On Thursday, Savinho missed City’s training session ahead of their Community Shield game against Arsenal this Sunday due to illness.

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Tottenham have joined Manchester City in the race to sign Chelsea winger Pedro Neto, according to reports.

Roberto De Zerbi’s side have already strengthened significantly since last season after they narrowly avoided a disastrous relegation from the Premier League.

Spurs have already broken their transfer record twice to sign two key midfielders, with Mateus Fernandes and Sandro Tonali arriving from West Ham and Newcastle United for a combined £185million.

Brighton defender Jan Paul van Hecke arrived for £52m, while Marcos Senesi, Andy Robertson and Martin Dubravka were all brought in on free transfers to add much-needed depth to their backline.

With just under three weeks to go until the end of the summer window, Tottenham have now made it a priority to add depth in forward areas.

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The club have long been linked with a move for City winger Savinho, while they have also been credited with interest in Liverpool forward Cody Gakpo.

But Fabrizio Romano now reports that Spurs also hold an interest in Neto, who is on their shortlist of wingers who they may look to sign before the end of the window.

Neto has scored 19 goals in 103 appearances in all competitions since signing for Chelsea from Wolves in August 2024.

The Portugal international has attracted interest from City already this summer, with Enzo Maresca keen to be reunited with the winger after their time working together at Stamford Bridge.

Reports earlier this week suggested Neto was left off Chelsea’s ‘untouchable’ list going into the summer transfer window but is still a ‘highly regarded member of the squad’.

As a result, it will take a ‘very large bid’ of around £70m for Chelsea to consider selling Neto so close to the start of the new Premier League season.

Spurs and City appear to be the clubs leading the race to secure Neto’s signature, although former Arsenal striker Jeremie Aliadiere has urged the Gunners to consider a move for Neto after missing out on Vinicius Junior.

‘I just think: Yes, we’re champions, yes, we’ve made a lot of money. But at some point, you’ve got to balance the books as well,’ Aliadiere told Metro via Football Betting.

‘When you think about the money that Arsenal already spent after Guimaraes’ arrival, what we’ve spent last year, plus we’ve only had Trossard leaving for money.

‘Only the club will know financially where they are, but will they be able to go and spend 150 million on a new winger, or is it maybe financially more reasonable to go for a lower option?’

Aliadiere continued: ‘Pedro Neto could be a great option. He’s played in the Premier League for many years, is established, knows the league, a very, very good player.

‘And don’t forget, we’ve already signed a left winger with Christos Tzolis. He’s a left winger, so you’re just adding top talent.

‘We’ve spent 40million. ‘You can’t just spend 40 million and then just stick him on the bench and never play him. So I think you’ve got to keep every option open and see what is best financially for the club.’

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Barcelona have made an approach to sign Tottenham Hotspur right-back Pedro Porro, according to reports in Spain.

Porro has spent four seasons in the Premier League after his initial loan move from Sporting CP in January 2023 was made permanent for £39.7 million six months later.

This summer, Porro was a key part of Spain’s squad which won the World Cup as the 26-year-old started in all but one of his nation’s games at the tournament.

Barcelona, meanwhile, have seen their right-back, Jules Kounde, linked with a move to Arsenal this week as Mikel Arteta is keen to recruit another defender before the end of the summer transfer window.

Speaking on his Jijantes show on Tuesday night, Gerard Romero revealed that Barcelona have sounded out Porro as a potential replacement for Kounde.

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‘Contact has been made in recent days with Pedro Porro, with the full-back’s entourage,’ Romero said.

‘He is one of the highest paid players at Tottenham, he renewed very recently, but Barcelona have sounded out his entourage in the event that Jules Kounde leaves.

‘Kounde has many offers from the Premier League, so far the player hasn’t shown any signs of wanting to leave but it’s a case that’s half open, so anything can happen.’

In June, Porro signed a new contract with Spurs which keeps him tied to the club until 2031.

‘Pedro is a very important player for us, who has consistently shown his ability to influence matches in both defensive and attacking situations,’ said Spurs head coach Roberto De Zerbi.

‘As well as his technical quality, I also love his mentality. Every day he wants to work, to learn and to improve, and these are the characteristics that help players reach the highest level.

‘He understands football in a very intelligent way, and brings energy, intensity and personality to the team.

‘This new contract is good news for everyone at the club. We believe in Pedro, and I am excited to continue working with him and helping him achieve even more in the coming years.’

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Tottenham have opened talks with Monaco over a deal for Folarin Balogun, according to reports in France.

Monaco signed Balogun in a £35 million deal from Arsenal three years ago and the 25-year-old has scored 31 goals in 91 games for the Ligue 1 side.

Balogun also impressed at the World Cup this summer with three goals in four appearances for the United States.

Balogun was also at the centre of controversy at the World Cup after United States President Donald Trump personally called FIFA president Gianni Infantino to ask for the striker’s red card against Bosnia and Herzegovina to be overturned.

Balogun’s one-game World Cup ban was suspended for a year, which allowed him to play in the last-16 stage but the United States were beaten 4-1 by Belgium.

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According to L’Equipe, Tottenham have now made a move for Balogun ‘in recent hours’ and the Premier League club have ‘laid the groundwork’ for a deal worth €60 million (£51.2m).

The report adds that Newcastle United and clubs in Spain have also registered their interest in Balogun this summer.

Spurs’ move for a new striker comes after Dominic Solanke missed their 1-1 draw with Getafe last Saturday due to an ankle problem.

Solanke started just 12 games in all competitions last season after undergoing ankle surgery last September.

Roberto De Zerbi has also raised doubt over Richarlison’s future as the Brazilian has just a year left on his contract with Spurs.

‘He’s unbelievable in terms of attitude and behaviour. But, in the end, we have to respect what he wants to do,’ De Zerbi said last week.

‘I didn’t understand well because sometimes he says he wants to stay, sometimes he wants to leave. We have to speak anyway. There is not any problem. He’s a lovely guy.’

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