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The ex-Chelsea star has called for his former club to complete a shock summer signing

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Joe Cole has called for Chelsea to steal a player from London rivals Tottenham Hotspur this summer, with the two clubs going in opposite directions in the Premier League this season.

The Blues have endured a tough run of form of late but have their sights set on Champions League qualification under Liam Rosenior, after they were dumped out of the competition with a whimper at the hands of PSG in midweek. Spurs, meanwhile, are embroiled in a relegation battle but showed promising signs in midweek as they beat Atletico Madrid in their last 16 second leg but were also eliminated from the competition on aggregate.

Very rarely does a player swap Tottenham for Stamford Bridge but according to Cole, a three-time Premier League title winner with the Blues, the west London outfit should launch a shock raid on their rivals for one of their top stars this summer.

Joe Cole says Chelsea should sign Micky van de Ven this summer

Speaking on the Dressing Room podcast, Cole called for Chelsea to sign Micky van de Ven from Spurs this summer – naming the Dutch centre-back as the one player he would steal from another team if given the choice.

Cole said: “Micky van de Ven from Tottenham. I think he’s looking like he wants to leave and I think he would be a brilliant addition for Chelsea. They want to play that high line and you need a defender with pace and, you know, a good one-on-one defender. He’s brilliant.”

While it would be a bold call for Chelsea to go in one of their bitter rivals’ star players this summer, it reflects a reality that Van de Ven is highly unlikely to stay in north London if Spurs go down and might seek a big move this summer regardless of the outcome of the Lilywhites’ season. The £35million 2023 signing has been accused by some of ‘downing tools’ in recent weeks and made high-profile errors in recent defeats to Crystal Palace and Atletico Madrid, but looks set to be in high demand this summer amid previous links with Liverpool and Real Madrid.

A new centre-back will be high on Chelsea’s list of priorities this summer. Levi Colwill has been out all campaign with an ACL injury and Trevoh Chalobah recently joined him on the treatment table, with the futures of Tosin Adarabioyo, Benoit Badiashile and Axel Disasi uncertain.

A look at the pundit predictions for Tottenham’s relegation six-pointer with Nottingham Forest.

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Tottenham have the biggest game of their season this weekend, welcoming relegation rivals Nottingham Forest to North London. Just one point separates the two sides, and while they are both currently above the relegation zone, they are both too close for comfort.

Spurs are one point above the drop, while Forest are only four goals above West Ham in the final drop spot. Both sides won in Europe during the week, though Forest needed a penalty shootout to win the overall tie.

Ahead of the relegation six-pointer, we have rounded up the predictions from BBC Sport’s Chris Sutton and SportsKeeda’s Paul Merson,

Chris Sutton

“People have been panning Tottenham boss Igor Tudor but they will look upon him in a different light if his side win this game. Maybe he just needs to identify the opposition's threat a little bit better than he does opposing managers - that clip of him mistaking someone else for Arne Slot at Anfield last week did make me chuckle.

“Nottingham Forest's issue is that they don't score enough goals, and that lack of attacking threat might just cost them here. I know I keep mentioning it, but Forest manager Vitor Pereira has still not won a Premier League game all season, after 12 attempts with Wolves and Forest.

“I don't think he will win this week, either, although this is going to be an extremely tight game. Spurs' first aim will be to avoid any calamities like their red card against Crystal Palace in their previous home league game.

“They have a few injuries, but they still have a fair bit of quality in their team. Tottenham also have a bit of positivity and momentum after Wednesday's home win over Atletico Madrid, even though it wasn't enough to turn around their Champions League tie. Now they need to build on that. Prediction: 1-0.”

Paul Merson

“Tottenham were decent against Liverpool and played well in the second leg at home to Atletico. Spurs controlled that game well and were not cut open at the back like in the past.

“Xavi Simons worked hard and did well in the last game. Archie Gray was excellent too. Tottenham need these players to carry that form into this weekend because this is such a huge game coming up.

“Nottingham Forest are playing in the Europa League tonight. That tie against Midtjylland is at 0-0. I expect Forest to play their best team in that game and it's also away from home.

“Tottenham fans will want to see fight from their team in this game. The fans will stick with the team, if they can give 100 per cent on the pitch. I remember it happened with Everton last season. The fans supported them and helped massively in the relegation battle.

“If this game was two or three games ago, I would have fancied Forest to win. But having witnessed Spurs turn it around in the last couple of games, I have to back them. If Forest score first, it's a different game. But I don't think that will happen. Prediction: Tottenham Hotspur 2-0 Nottingham Forest.”

Tottenham are said to have a preferred candidate in their managerial search ahead of the summer.

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Tottenham have a huge summer ahead, needing to find a new manager and get their player recruitment spot on, and that’s whether they avoid the drop or not. As things stand, Spurs are just one point ahead of the relegation zone heading into a six-pointer with Nottingham Forest below them this weekend.

Igor Tudor finally has his first win, though it didn’t mean an awful lot given the second leg victory over Atletico Madrid on Wednesday night was not enough to overcome a heavy first leg defeat.

But it does mean Spurs have back-to-back positive results heading into that all-important home clash with Forest. Victory in that game would go a long way to easing relegation fears, but league wins have been hard to come by for Spurs.

Whether Spurs stay up or not, they are going to need a new manager this summer, with Tudor only at the club on an interim basis, and it’s net yet clear whether he will make it until the end of the season.

Spurs will have some options this summer, and according to a fresh report from Football Insider, they already have a preferred candidate. Former Marseille and Brighton boss Robert De Zerbi is said to be the prime candidate, and Everton’s former chief Keith Wyness agrees.

He told Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast: “Well, as you say, there’s been a lot of rumours that Spurs have already been having discussions out in the marketplace.

“Harry Redknapp even going public to say that he spoke to Daniel Levy, and he would have been called back. Well, that’s great, Harry, because no one will ever know if that was going to be the case or not.

“Good old Harry for that one. But no, think realistically, if it was to be anybody, I think De Zerbi is the favourite. And I think he would be the one that makes most sense. I don’t think there’s anybody else.”

A look at the early injury news surrounding Tottenham and Nottingham Forest ahead of their Premier League clash.

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Tottenham return to Premier League action on Sunday when they face relegation rivals Nottingham Forest in a six-pointer. Spurs are just one point ahead of Forest, and indeed the relegation zone, at this stage, with West Ham currently the team in the last drop spot.

A win here for either side would be a huge safety boost, while the loser is likely to be plunged into a dangerous position. Here we round up the latest injury news surrounding both sides, but keep in mind Forest play in the Europa League on Thursday night, so things could change a little on their end.

John Victor - Out

Victor is out for the season with a serious knee injury.

Nicolo Savona - Out

Savona has had surgery and will be out for a while. Pereira said at the start of the month: “I think tomorrow is the surgery [on his knee]. I really don’t know [if he will play again this season]. After the surgery, [the medical team] will inform us, but it is difficult.”

Chris Wood - Out

Wood is out until some time in April. Pereira has said: “I hope he will recover as soon as possible because he is very important for us... I don't know exactly when he can return. The information I have... he is working hard to come back as soon as possible.”

Stefan Ortega - Doubt

Ortega could be back in contention this weekend.

Willy Boly - Out

Boly has a knee injury and it’s unclear when he will return at this stage.

Jair Cunha - Doubt

Pereira said last week: “Jair had something with his foot. I don’t know the problem... It was a pity because we had to make a sub after five minutes. We had prepared the game to play with him, but it was not possible. With Jair or without him, we must be ready to fight again.”

Dominic Solanke - Doubt

Tudor said before the Atleti game: “Dom has some small problems, so we’ll see tomorrow how he is.” Solanke did not make it, so he will remain a doubt here.

Joao Palhinha - Doubt

Palhinha didn’t make it for the Atletico Madrid second leg, so he will be a doubt here.

Yves Bissouma - Out

Bissouma missed the Liverpool game with a muscular injury and will almost certainly remail out here.

Wilson Odobert - Out

Odobert is out for the season. It has been confirmed: “We can confirm that Wilson Odobert has sustained a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee... Wilson will see a specialist next week before undergoing surgery, and will then commence his rehabilitation with our medical staff.”

Lucas Bergvall - Out

Frank said before his departure: “Unfortunately, Lucas picked up an ankle injury, so we keep being very unlucky with injuries, and it looks like it could be a longer one. He's been assessed over these two days, so [in terms of a return] timeframe, I'll know more about the next couple of days.” Bergvall is back training but not expected back until April.

Ben Davies - Out

Davies has undergone ankle surgery and will be absent until some time in April.

Rodrigo Bentancur - Out

Bentancur has undergone surgery on his right hamstring and he will be absent until at least after the March international break.

Mohammed Kudus - Out

Kudus has been ruled out for months with a hamstring issue. Frank confirmed: “Mohammed, unfortunately, is a bigger one to the tendon in the quad. That is one where we expect him back after the March international break.”

Dejan Kulusevski - Out

Tudor said recently: “He's had really big problems as you know, but he's positive and also the doctors are positive, so we'll see next week how he’s going. We hope [he can play this season]. In this moment, we don't know.”

James Maddison - Out

Maddison is out for much - if not all - of the season with a knee injury. Frank said in December: “It's very early stages. It's still a long-term injury, so it's good to see him out there, but very early stages. There's no specific time frame. It will be a long time, unfortunately, before he's available.”

A look at Tottenham’s survival bid after their huge point against Liverpool.

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Tottenham picked up a huge point on Sunday, with Igor Tudor finally ending his losing start to life at the club. Richarlison produced a late equaliser at Anfield to ensure a one-point cushion remains between Tottenham and the bottom three.

The pressure was on after Leeds United, West Ham and Nottingham Forest all across Saturday and Sunday, and Spurs were the last to play. But they managed to match the results of the others and ease relegation players at least for a week.

Here we take a look at where Spurs are expected to end up, according to the predicted table, and examine the run-ins to see who might have the advantage.

The current table

Here is the current relegation battle picture. We have left Wolves out, given the certainty of their relegation.

The predicted final table

Here is the predicted final table, according to OPTA’s simulations.

Run-ins compared

For this purpose, we will leave out Burnley given the likelihood they are going to be relegated.

Leeds United’s run-in

Brentford (H), Man Utd (A), Wolves (H), AFC Bournemouth (A), Burnley (H), Tottenham (A), Brighton (H), West Ham (A).

Tottenham’s run-in

Liverpool (A), Nottingham Forest (H), Sunderland (A), Brighton (H), Wolves (A), Aston Villa (A), Leeds United (H), Chelsea (A), Everton (H).

Nottingham Forest’s run-in

Tottenham (A), Aston Villa (H), Burnley (H), Sunderland (A), Chelsea (A), Newcastle United (H), Man Utd (A), AFC Bournemouth (H).

West Ham’s run-in

Aston Villa (A), Wolves (H), Crystal Palace (A), Everton (H), Brentford (A), Arsenal (H), Newcastle United (A), Leeds United (H).

Liverpool star Dominik Szoboszlai scored another impressive free kick but may have been helped by one Tottenham star.

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Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario once again found himself at the centre of matchday action at Liverpool on Sunday evening.

Spurs picked up a late point to end interim boss Igor Tudor’s losing streak but spent much of the match 1-0 down. The Reds opened the scoring after just 18 minutes with Dominik Szoboszlai netting a trademark free kick.

As good as that striker was, Vicario was slow to react with fingers pointed at his footwork. The Standard rated the player a 5/10 for his efforts and wrote: “Restored to the starting lineup, he will feel he should have done better from Szoboszlai’s free-kick. Made an excellent save to push Gakpo’s effort onto the post, but was unconvincing with the ball at his feet. Lucky not to give away a corner after carrying the ball over the line as he swept up a Liverpool attack in the second-half. Involved in the equaliser.”

That sentiment was shared by former Tottenham man Jamie Redknapp with the pundit impressed at how Vicario managed to dust himself off and become a matchwinner for Spurs.

Jamie Redknapp praises ‘unbelievable’ Vicario transformation

Redknapp told Sky Sports: “This one [the Liverpool goal] I can’t help but look at the goalkeeper, his foot pattern is wrong. It’s a negative step to start, it’s a little one and then another little one instead of taking one big step. It’s just completely wrong. If you see someone trying to the high jump they aren’t going to go small steps, they’re going to big steps to get that trajectory and reach for it.

“He’s been poor but he made an unbelievable save from Gakpo to keep his side in it, when he palmed it onto the post. They’re big moments. In fairness, he reacted well and kept his side in when they needed him.

“You felt, at this point in the match, if Liverpool go 2-0 up, it could be four or five because they are so frail. It’s a brilliant save. Unbelievable when you look at it from behind the goal because he has to be strong and alive, his confidence is low from the one he conceded before. That’s beautiful, an excellent save that has kept his side in the game. They’re going to need him to make a lot of saves like that before the end of the season because, as much as it’s a good point, Spurs have an awful lot to do.”

In other news, Jamie Carragher drops new Tottenham relegation verdict as he slams 'sleepwalking' Liverpool.

Relegation to the Championship would make for a complicated summer transfer window at Tottenham Hotspur.

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Tottenham Hotspur midfielder James Maddison could reject an immediate summer exit to a Premier League rival, even if his side is relegated to the Championship at the end of the season.

Spurs are in freefall under interim boss Igor Tudor and are set to become embroiled in a relegation dogfight between now and the end of the top flight campaign. A drop down to the second tier would come with an inevitable mass exodus of important first team stars this summer.

Maddison has not played for Tottenham this season due to a serious ACL injury. The England international has 222 Premier League appearances to his name and might have been considered one of the first candidates to push for an exit.

However, Football Insider suggests that the 29-year-old could be happy to remain at Spurs in the Championship, which would allow him to become a linchpin in midfield. Spurs have missed Maddison’s creative intelligence this season.

The player does have 47 appearances in the Championship to his name, with 15 goals and eight assists. The outlet claims that Aston Villa are monitoring a summer transfer for the player but that Maddison could elect to complete his full comeback in North London and then potentially look to leave in January.

James Maddison tipped to stay at Spurs if club drop to Championship

Former Tottenham scout Mick Brown told the outlet: “While most of the Spurs squad would be expected to move on, and the midfielder would be available at a bargain price, he could decide to stick with his current club. Maddison is going to be an interesting one. If the reports on his recovery are positive and he returns for Tottenham in pre-season, there could be an opportunity to bring him in on a bargain deal.

“If Tottenham are relegated, they’re going to struggle to keep hold of players and they’ll have to sell, so the opportunity will be there for clubs like Villa. From Maddison’s point of view, though, I think there’s a strong possibility he could stay at Spurs.

“The major factor for him is getting back fit and playing, and I would think he needs a good pre-season to get back playing first and foremost. If he can do that and get back to form early in the season with Tottenham, whichever league they might be in, then it might be something he looks at in January.”

Despite not having played this season, former Spurs boss Thomas Frank had lavished praise on the midfielder when head coach at Brentford and acknowledged his importance to the club. In January 2024, Frank said: “I’m pretty sure he [Postecoglou] will say that he [Maddison] is a key player for them if he hasn’t already said it.

“I think they are a different team with and without Maddison. I think he’s been a game-changer for them this season. They have a lot of other good players, Spurs, so it’s not that they can’t replace him, but the dynamic in the team, they just change.

“He is the one that can do something out of nothing with a pass, shot, cross, action. So, that’s a key player they got back.”

In other news, 'I'd Take It': Ex Tottenham manager forced to address links when cornered at Cheltenham Festival.

West Ham could struggle to hold on to key players should the club be relegated to the Championship instead of Tottenham Hotspur or Nottingham Forest.

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Tottenham Hotspur are in the tricky predicament of planning for a summer transfer window which could be in preparation for either a Premier League or Championship campaign.

Spurs sit 16th in the top flight and just one point above the drop zone going into the weekend’s fixtures, and are on a poor run of form. Interim manager Igor Tudor has lost all of his first four fixtures in charge with the North London outfit in freefall.

Should the club be relegated to the Championship, big-earning first team stars will need to be offloaded and recruitment focused on competing in a tricky second tier. However, should Tudor avoid the drop, those losses will not happen and Spurs can rebuild for a top flight campaign.

Tottenham to target West Ham duo if Hammers relegated

According to SportsBoom, Tottenham are ready to capitalise on a Premier League rival’s misery, should they avoid relegation. West Ham and Nottingham Forest are both currently below Spurs in the division, with the Hammers in 18th.

Should West Ham be relegated, just like Spurs would, the London outfit will need to offload some of their best stars. Tottenham have been linked with interest in Jarrod Bowen and Crysencio Summerville in recent months and SportsBoom believes those links could come back to life in the summer.

Spurs have struggled for attacking impetus this season. The club spent £55 million on West Ham winger Mohammed Kudus last summer and, despite some promising performances, the Ghanaian managed just two goals and six assists in the Premier League before an injury in January.

Xavi Simons, Conor Gallagher, Mathys Tel and Richarlison can all also be deployed on the flank but have largely failed to impress this term. West Ham are also in a relegation fight, but Summerville and Bowen are stepping up to the plate.

Summerville has hit a purple patch of form after a slow first season and a half at the London Stadium, with seven goals across all competitions since the turn of the year. Meanwhile, Bowen has now hit double figures with 10 goals this season.

It’s added that a number of Premier League clubs are considering moves for the duo, who look almost certain to leave West Ham should the club be relegated to the Championship.

In other news, Liverpool set for two fitness boosts ahead of Tottenham clash.

A look at the pundit predictions for Tottenham’s Premier League clash with Liverpool.

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Tottenham take their crisis show to Liverpool this weekend, with Igor Tudor seemingly keeping hold of his interim role for now. Tudor has had a disastrous start to life at Spurs, losing all of his games so far, and pressure is already building on his position.

Spurs are just one point ahead of the drop zone and it feels as though this is a real low point in the club’s proud history. Slipping into the relegation zone would be an even bigger low, and Spurs have their work cut out against a Liverpool side that will want to bounce back from a mid-week defeat to Galatasaray in the Champions League.

Here we round up the pundit predictions for the game from SportsKeeda’s Paul Merson and BBC Sport’s Chris Sutton.

Chris Sutton

“How on earth can anyone back Spurs to get anything at the moment? Igor Tudor is making me look like I was a competent manager when I was in charge of Lincoln. The Spurs fans in Madrid were singing about playing Lincoln away next season - the Imps are top of League One - can you imagine me up against Tudor in the dugout?

“He has taken over a difficult situation but he has gone about things in a very odd way. It might be the done thing in Croatia or Italy to go into a club and tell the players some truths and say they are rubbish, but it is one thing doing it behind closed doors, and another to do it publicly.

“There just seems to be so many things wrong at Spurs. They sacked Thomas Frank, thinking they were going to get this short-term fix from Tudor, but they have got a guy who has had a short-term shocker. Liverpool are far from convincing either, mind you. It's not impossible that Spurs scramble a win here because Arne Slot's side were lousy in Turkey on Tuesday.

“Slot has got the second leg against Galatasaray to think about, and they will make changes, but they surely can't lose to Tottenham, can they? Prediction: 2-0.”

Paul Merson

“It's just a matter of by how many goals Liverpool can win! How long is Igor Tudor going to be around? My question is who wants the Spurs job at the moment?

“Tottenham will wait it out. They will get the Liverpool game out of the way before making a decision on Tudor. No one expects Spurs to win this game. I won't be surprised if they sack Tudor on Sunday. Time is running out and at some point they must make a change, so why not at the earliest?

“If Tottenham lose at Anfield, I will be shocked if Tudor is still in charge of the team for next weekend's massive relegation six-pointer against Nottingham Forest. I'm expecting Arne Slot to go with his best team for this game. I expect Liverpool to turn it around against Galatasaray in the second leg next week. But let's admit it, they have a better chance of finishing inside the top five rather than winning the Champions League.

“Tottenham will be hoping Fulham can do them a huge favour by beating Forest this weekend. If Forest win that game and beat Spurs next weekend, Vitor Pereira's team will be safe. Spurs are in trouble if that happens. Prediction: Liverpool 3-0 Tottenham Hotspur.”

The former Burnley and Everton boss is somewhat of a relegation specialist and could be targeted by Tottenham Hotspur.

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Tottenham Hotspur have been handed a hint over the position of former Burnley and Everton manager Sean Dyche with the 54-year-old touted as a possible replacement for Igor Tudor.

Results at Spurs have somehow gone from bad to worse under the Croatian. Defeats in the Premier League against Arsenal, Fulham and Crystal Palace were made even more miserable after a 5-2 defeat to Atletico Madrid in the Champions League on Tuesday night.

Tottenham sit 16th in the Premier League and just one point off the drop zone with serious questions being asked as to whether Tudor has what it takes to lead a relegation dogfight. Should Spurs look for another managerial change, Dyche is one name heavily linked.

The ex Burnley man has earned a reputation as a survival specialist but the sinking ship at Spurs may not prove all that tempting for the manager. Transfer specialist Pete O’Rourke took to social media platform X on Thursday and wrote: “Sean Dyche is thought to be unwilling to take the role of Tottenham boss if they axe Igor Tudor. Spurs have been strongly rumoured to be interested in Dyche due to his proven track record in handling difficult situations and dealing with the challenges of survival battles.”

Sean Dyche confirms ‘top level’ offers since Nottingham Forest sacking

Dyche was sacked by Nottingham Forest in February after just four months in the job, having taken over from Ange Postecoglou. Forest then appointed Vitor Pereira as their fourth head coach of the campaign.

Dyche has since confirmed approaches for his services since leaving the City Ground but has not named specific clubs. Asked about his future plans on The Football Boardroom podcast, he said: "I know what I am. I could branch off this minute now and do what you're doing now and be quite happy. "You know, I've done my bit so if I do more, great. If I don't do more, I won't be crying over it. I won't be, you know, but you're left with this moment or that moment.

"Okay, yeah, not bothered about that. I've given my lot, I always do. So I've got no problem with that. So if I choose to step away, it will be my choice. It won't be because no one will employ me.

"I could certainly, I've had offers already by the way, so that's not a problem. Top level [offers] but the point is, you go, 'Do I need that? Do I want to make a decision? Not at the moment.'"

In other news, Harry Redknapp nominates two candidates to save relegation 'favourites' Tottenham.