The Spurs Web

Tottenham Hotspur are targeting a move for Jonathan David, making an important financial offer to the Canadian striker as they seek a January agreement to secure him on a free transfer next summer.

Tottenham’s transfer ambitions and January priorities

Tottenham Hotspur are expected to be one of the busiest clubs in the upcoming January transfer window. With the squad having been stretched due to a series of injuries, there is a growing sense of urgency around the club’s need to reinforce key areas.

One position where the need for depth is pressing is at centre forward, where Dominic Solanke has been the main option for Ange Postecoglou.

However, with Will Lankshear still developing and Richarlison sidelined with injury, the club appears to be searching for a more reliable backup option.

Among the list of potential signings, Jonathan David has emerged as a key target for Tottenham. The 24-year-old has been in fine form for Ligue 1 club Lille, catching the attention of several top European clubs, including Barcelona.

Tottenham transfer news: Pursuit of Jonathan David

According to news reports from Sport, Tottenham have placed an “important financial offer” on the table for David, with the aim of reaching a transfer agreement in January for a summer move.

The news outlet also reports that while David’s preference is reportedly to join Barcelona, the La Liga side’s interest has cooled due to doubts over his ability to perform without space, an issue highlighted by both Barcelona manager Hansi Flick and sporting director Deco.

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This shift in Barcelona’s stance has opened the door for Tottenham, who are determined to secure the striker before any other suitors can act.

David’s current situation is an ideal scenario for Tottenham. With only six months left on his contract, the striker is in a strong position to move on a free transfer in the summer, and Tottenham are reportedly looking to take advantage of this.

Jonathan David is a key signing for Tottenham

Jonathan David’s statistics this season provide compelling evidence of why he is such an attractive option for Tottenham. With 17 goals and three assists from 23 games, the 24-year-old has been a standout performer for Lille, showing his clinical ability in front of goal.

If Tottenham are able to secure David’s signature, they would be landing a player who has consistently delivered in one of Europe’s top leagues.

His ability to score goals in a variety of ways would give Tottenham more options in attack, complementing the likes of Heung-min Son and Dejan Kulusevski. Moreover, David’s age means he could be a long-term investment for the club, fitting into Postecoglou’s plans for the future.

From a financial standpoint, David’s situation makes him a smart acquisition for Tottenham. With Lille set to lose him for nothing in the summer, Tottenham can negotiate a reasonable deal that will not break the bank, making it a highly cost-effective option.

Cristian Romero has pointed the finger at Daniel Levy and the Tottenham hierarchy for the team’s struggles this season, insisting that the club have not matched the investments of the top sides in the Premier League.

Fans pointing the finger at Daniel Levy and Tottenham board

Based on the sentiment on social media, it seems like many Spurs fans are aiming their anger at Daniel Levy and the club’s hierarchy rather than Ange Postecoglou for the team’s poor performances this campaign.

There seems to be a clear sentiment that the Tottenham chairman has failed to back the Australian sufficiently, just as he has with many of his predecessors in the past.

According to reports, the sentiment is shared in the Spurs dressing room, with some players believing that the squad is simply not strong enough to compete in the top end of the table.

Cristian Romero publicly calls out Tottenham hierarchy

Romero has now publicly acknowledged that Spurs have simply not added as much quality to their squad as many of the big clubs in the division.

The Tottenham vice-captain insisted that over the last few years, the same people have been responsible for the Lilywhites’ struggles, even though the players and coaching staff have been the ones to pay.

When asked if f Tottenham had fallen behind their top six rivals in terms of investment and squad strength to compete for titles, Romero told Telemundo Deportes (as relayed by talkSPORT): “The truth is, I would say no comment, but… Manchester City competes every year, you see how Liverpool strengthens its squad, Chelsea strengthens their squad, doesn’t do well, strengthens again, and now they’re seeing results.

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“Those are the things to imitate. You have to realise that something is going wrong, hopefully, they realise it. The last few years, it’s always the same: first, the players, then the coaching staff changes, and it’s always the same people responsible.

“Hopefully, they realise who the true responsible ones are, and we move forward because it’s a beautiful club that, with the structure it has, could easily be competing for the title every year.”

Cristian Romero’s words will have repercussions at Tottenham

We almost never see players directly calling out the club’s hierarchy in football but some Spurs fans will feel that it has been a long time coming.

It will be interesting to see how Daniel Levy and the Tottenham decision-makers react to this statement.

The Argentine sounds like a man who has nothing to lose and has made up his mind to leave at the season if the club do not get their house in order.

Tottenham and Rangers have not engaged in many competitive games against one another, but there will be hope that this Europa League matchup returns as an auspicious fixture.

Tottenham vs Ranger head-to-head record

You have to go quite far back to find the last time Tottenham Hotspur played Rangers in a competitive fixture. The two sides have only played each other in non-friendly fixtures twice and that was partly due to it being a two-legged tie.

This was a tie in the 1962-63 European Cup Winner’s Cup tournament, which Tottenham won home and away, 5-2 and 3-2 respectively. For those who know Tottenham’s history, this was, of course, significant as Tottenham went on to win the competition, becoming the first English side to win a European trophy.

Rangers have hosted Spurs several times since, but all during different pre-season friendly tournaments. In fact, of the 14 times Rangers and Tottenham have played each other in any manner, 9 of those fixtures took place at Ibrox Stadium (4 at White Hart Lane and once in Toronto).

Tottenham Record in last 12 games:

Wins: 7

Draw: 1

Losses: 4

Goals for: 17

Goals against: 12

These friendly matches range back to 1968, so little can be drawn from the games. However, Spurs fans will be hoping that if Tottenham can defeat Rangers, it may be some kind of cosmic sign that history can repeat itself and a European trophy is in sight.

Can Ange Postecoglou teach Spurs the trick to beating Rangers?

Of everyone at the club, Ange Postecoglou will be most familiar with the challenges presented by a trip to Rangers.

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As manager of Celtic, Postecoglou faced his Old Firm rivals 11 times across the two seasons he was in charge.

Postecoglou’s Celtic Record vs Rangers:

Wins: 6

Draws: 2

Losses: 3

Goals for: 19

Goals against: 13

Even if you only consider the games played away at Rangers, Postecoglou still oversaw 3 wins, 2 losses and a draw.

Rangers have changed manager since Postecoglou’s time in Glasgow so there will not necessarily be tactical similarity. However, with Spurs’ younger players likely to be handed minutes, Ange may be able to use his personal experience to help prepare them for the tone of Thursday’s game.

Tottenham’s cup run can be the route to claw back form

Tottenham have two monumental cup fixtures ahead of them in the next two weeks. A win against Rangers will put them in a strong position to proceed in the Europa League, before a home tie against Manchester United in the Carabao Cup.

Spurs have challenging Premier League fixtures ahead of them and until they can reinforce the squad in January, it is a big ask to expect them to achieve regular wins.

However, success in the cups can give fans and the squad belief there is still much to play for this season and could bolster their confidence for the second half of the season.

Tottenham Hotspur head to Glasgow for a high-stakes Europa League clash against Rangers, but with form dipping and injuries mounting, the question remains—can Ange Postecoglou’s side find a way to secure a vital win? Let’s take a look at how to watch Rangers vs Tottenham on Thursday evening.

Rangers vs Tottenham: A tale of contrasting forms

Tottenham enter this crucial Europa League encounter on the back of a challenging run. The Lilywhites endured a dramatic 4-3 defeat to Chelsea in their last Premier League outing, a result that stretched their winless streak to four matches across all competitions.

What started as a promising European campaign has also faltered, with Spurs failing to secure victories in their last two Europa League fixtures—an away loss to Galatasaray followed by a frustrating draw at home to AS Roma.

The north London side initially breezed through the group stage, claiming three consecutive wins, but the recent slump has left them with ten goals scored and six conceded, trailing Rangers only on goal difference.

Rangers themselves boast a similar record in Europe, with three wins, one draw, and one defeat from their five matches, but their superior goal tally has them sitting in the coveted eighth spot that offers direct passage to the knockout phase.

On paper, the Scottish arrive in better shape, having won four of their last five matches in all competitions, a stark contrast to Tottenham’s struggles.

With both teams’ fates hanging in the balance, this match promises to be an intense battle under the lights at Ibrox Stadium.

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How to watch Rangers vs Tottenham

When and where is the game?

The match is set to take place at Ibrox Stadium on Thursday, 12 December 2024. Kick-off is scheduled for 8:00 pm UK time.

How to watch Spurs vs Rangers

Fans in the UK can catch the action live on TNT Sports 1.

Tottenham and Rangers team news

Tottenham’s squad faces significant challenges ahead of the game. Key players Wilson Odobert, Guglielmo Vicario, Mikey Moore, and Richarlison have all been ruled out due to injuries.

Cristian Romero is also unlikely to feature as he picked up a knock in the game against Chelsea, while Brennan Johnson remains a doubt.

However, there is good news for Rodrigo Bentancur, who is eligible to play as his ban does not apply to UEFA competitions, and Micky van de Ven could also make a return.

Rangers, meanwhile, have their own injury concerns. Neraysho Kasanwirjo and Rabbi Matondo are doubtful due to ongoing recovery from knee and hamstring injuries respectively, while Oscar Cortes and Tom Lawrence are touch-and-go after picking up knocks in recent weeks.

The Spurs Web prediction

The stakes could not be higher for both sides. Rangers come into this game buoyed by strong domestic form, with four wins in their last five matches.

Tottenham, on the other hand, are desperate to break free from their recent struggles and reignite their season.

History leans slightly in Tottenham’s favour, with the previous head-to-head meeting resulting in a victory for the Lilywhites.

However, with Rangers riding high on confidence and Tottenham’s defence still finding its footing amidst injuries, this promises to be a tightly contested affair.

With all considered, our prediction is a 2-1 win for Tottenham.

Cristian Romero picked up another injury in Tottenham’s 4-3 loss to Chelsea and Jamie Carragher is not happy with the way the Argentine hurt himself.

Cristian Romero’s return to the side was short-lived

Tottenham fans were delighted to see Romero and Micky van de Ven in the starting eleven against Chelsea, but unfortunately, neither player lasted the 90 minutes.

The Argentine, in particular, suffered a big blow, coming off with an injury to his quad just 15 minutes into the encounter.

It is a different injury from the one the centre-back recently recovered from and it is rumoured that Romero could now be out for another six weeks.

Jamie Carragher was appalled by Cristian Romero injury

Carragher pointed out that the 26-year-old actually got injured while playing a dangerous flick and drag-back inside the Tottenham box to Dejan Kulusevski.

To spare Romero’s blushes, the Swede got to the ball ahead of the Chelsea players, but the former Liverpool defender could not believe what he saw from the Tottenham vice-captain.

Carragher told Sky Sports (08/12/24 – 16:48) about that piece of action: “Absolutely ridiculous. In a big game, you need points from, and he’s hurt himself doing it (too).”

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Postecoglou encourages Spurs to play that way

While pundits will continue criticising moments like this and the goalkeeper playing it short despite having men around him, we know that Ange encourages the Spurs players to play this way.

The idea is not to make dangerous passes but to give the defenders freedom to make mistakes and express themselves on the pitch.

In fairness to Postecoglou and the side, we have not conceded too many goals over the last 18 months as a result of a poor pass out from the goalkeeper or the centre-backs, while we have created many chances playing that way.

Tottenham have received positive news on two of the three players who were forced off with injuries and illness during the London derby on Sunday, but the Cristian Romero injury doesn’t sound so good.

Injury concerns continue to mount for Tottenham

Wilson Odobert, Richarlison, Mikey Moore, Guglielmo Vicario and Ben Davies are already on the treatment table, while Rodrigo Bentancur is serving his seven-match suspension at the moment.

To make matters worse, Yves Bissouma is now also suspended for the clash against Southampton on Sunday after picking up his fifth yellow card of the season (Alasdair Gold).

Further, Romero only lasted 15 minutes on his return to action, being forced off with a quad injury, while Brennan Johnson and Micky van de Ven were also forced off in the second half.

Tottenham send Cristian Romero for scan after injury

The Standard have now revealed that Spurs are still waiting to find out the extent of Romero‘s injury, with the Argentine waiting for the results of the scans he had on Monday.

However, the outlet provides a positive update on Van de Ven and Johnson after they were forced off with cramps and illness respectively.

It is explained that the hope at Hotspur Way is that both the centre-back and the winger will be fine to make the trip to St Mary’s.

Postecoglou will have fingers crossed on Cristian Romero injury

Given the injuries Tottenham are dealing with at the moment, the last thing they need is to have Romero ruled out for a few weeks.

Apart from the defensive security that the 26-year-old offers, he is also crucial to the way Spurs play out from the back and offers a lot to the side from a leadership perspective.

Jamie Carragher and Jamie Redknapp are both in complete disbelief at what one Tottenham man did in the club’s 4-3 loss to Chelsea on Sunday.

Lack of defensive discipline cost Tottenham

Overall, Tottenham had some good spells against Chelsea and created as many if not more opportunities than their London rivals.

However, some poor decision-making in both boxes cost them the game, not least the two penalties that they gave away in the second half.

Yves Bissouma’s tackle on Moises Caicedo on 61 minutes was particularly frustrating, with the Mali international deciding to lunge in from nowhere even though he was always going to be second to the ball and the Chelsea man was running to the byline.

Jamie Carragher and Jamie Redknapp slate Yves Bissouma

Carragher sympathises with Ange Postecoglou for Bissouma’s rush of blood to the head, describing the midfielder’s tackle as ‘braindead’.

The pundit told Sky Sports (as relayed by The Daily Mail): “Some of the things Spurs players do are absolutely ridiculous. It’s a certain penalty. That is absolutely brain-dead. Who’d be a manager?”

Redknapp said about the tackle: “Caicedo when he went central just started to run the game. Bissouma had 27 seconds of madness. He’s not showing enough pace to get back in there. He dives into a ridiculous tackle. Absolutely ridiculous.”

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Redknapp was also critical of Pape Matar Sarr‘s clumsy tackle on Cole Palmer that led to Chelsea’s second spot-kick.

The former Tottenham man said about the foul: “You know how skilful he [Palmer] is. That is so clumsy, that is so bad because this was the moment that cost them the game. Ridiculous challenge, you just cost your team. That’s two ill-disciplined [tackles] from your two defensive midfield players.”

Yves Bissouma apologises to fans, teammates and staff

Bissouma realised almost instantly that he had made a grave error, with the Tottenham man burying his head in his hands as soon as the referee blew the whistle.

The Mali international has since taken to social media to apologise to the fans, his teammates and the coaching staff for costing his side points.

The 27-year-old vowed to learn from his mistake and promised everyone that he would showcase the ‘real’ Bissouma from now on.

Heung-min Son’s agent has now addressed the speculation over the South Korean’s future and has now provided an update on the forward’s contract talks with Spurs.

Tottenham plan to trigger Heung-min Son contract extension

Heung-min Son’s current deal runs out at the end of the season but reports over recent weeks have revealed that the Lilywhites will activate the one-year option to extend his contract, thus taking it until 2026.

According to some sources, Son‘s camp are surprised by this development as they expected the club to offer the 32-year-old a long-term deal.

Some Saudi Pro League clubs are thought to be plotting a move for the forward next summer, while more recently, it emerged that Galatasaray are expected to make a move to sign the Tottenham man in January.

Heung-min Son agent speaks on contract and transfer rumours

The Tottenham captain’s agent has now been speaking to the Korean media about the rumours of a potential Spurs exit.

He categorically denied the speculation of an impending transfer for his client and revealed that the discussions with the North London club regarding a new deal are ongoing.

Son‘s agent told Korean media outlet Segye Ilbo (as relayed by Football Asian): “It is not true that Son Heung-min first requested a Spanish club or that he will go to Turkey. We have not yet “finished talking with Tottenham.”

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Spurs want to bide their time in contract talks

It is evident that Tottenham have activated the one-year extension in Son’s contract to buy themselves some time in the discussions.

With the Spurs captain committed to the project, one would expect him and the club to reach an agreement on a long-term deal by the end of this season.

Amid mounting scrutiny following a series of disappointing results, Ange Postecoglou finds himself under the spotlight; yet, Tottenham Hotspur have opted to stand by their manager for the time being, demonstrating their belief in his long-term vision.

Will Tottenham sack Postecoglou?

Tottenham’s recent run of results has been far from what fans would have hoped for, with the team managing just one win in their last seven matches.

This disappointing sequence has left the club languishing in the bottom half of the Premier League table, fuelling frustration among the fanbase.

Supporters’ reactions have been mixed, with some questioning Postecoglou’s tactics while others remain hopeful about his potential to steer the club out of trouble.

Tensions reached a boiling point following last week’s defeat to Bournemouth, where Postecoglou clashed with travelling fans.

Despite this, the home supporters showed solidarity during their subsequent loss to Chelsea, even chanting the manager’s name as Spurs surrendered a two-goal lead in dramatic fashion.

The atmosphere at the club remains delicate, though, as Daniel Levy, the chairman, observed from the stands without facing the usual vocal criticism from the crowd.

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Adding to Postecoglou’s woes, Tottenham have been severely impacted by injuries to key players.

Central defenders Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero, both instrumental to the team’s early-season form, have been sidelined, forcing Postecoglou to rely on a makeshift defensive setup.

This disruption has undoubtedly hindered the team’s progress, leaving the manager to navigate an increasingly challenging period with a depleted squad.

Tottenham’s vote of confidence in Postecoglou

Despite the growing pressure, Tottenham Hotspur have decided against making any hasty decisions regarding Ange Postecoglou’s future.

According to a report by The Telegraph, the club remains committed to supporting the head coach, with no plans for knee-jerk reactions. Instead, there is a focus on aiding Postecoglou and his players in reversing their fortunes.

The Australian manager is under scrutiny after a run of just one win in seven matches, including a heart-wrenching 4-3 defeat to Chelsea, but the club believes in his ability to turn things around.

The Telegraph states, “Tottenham Hotspur are not planning to make any knee-jerk reactions over the future of Ange Postecoglou, despite pressure building on the club’s head coach following a disappointing run of results.”

The upcoming fixtures are crucial for Postecoglou’s tenure, with challenges across multiple competitions. Tottenham are set to travel to Rangers in the Europa League, visit Southampton in the Premier League, host Manchester United in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals, and face Liverpool at home—all before Christmas.

While these matches could prove pivotal, the club maintains its confidence in Postecoglou, highlighting their belief that results can improve with the right support.

So, the answer to ‘Will Tottenham sack Postecoglou?’ appears to be no for now.

Why sticking with Postecoglou is the right call

In my opinion, sticking with Postecoglou is the correct decision. His early work at Tottenham showed promise, and it is important for the club to give him the time and resources to build on that foundation.

The talks of January reinforcements are a positive sign, and with the right players coming in, Tottenham could well see a turnaround in their fortunes. Stability and patience are crucial in football, and Tottenham’s faith in Postecoglou could yet pay dividends.

Daniel Levy might soon get his wish as an upcoming decision by the FA and the Premier League on the Saturday 3 pm blackout could further boost the coffers of Spurs and the other top-flight sides.

What is the 3 pm blackout?

The Saturday 3 pm blackout was first put in place in the 1950s, with the law entailing that the afternoon fixtures on Saturday cannot be televised across the UK.

The law was introduced to protect attendances across the lower leagues, but many now argue that the rule has now passed its sell-by date.

All the other nations apart from the UK, which previously had a similar law, have now scrapped it, and it now turns out that the same could happen on these shores as well.

Could the 3 pm blackout be scrapped?

According to The Times, the FA and the Premier League are likely to end the broadcast embargo when the next media rights cycle begins.

That means that starting from the 2026-27 season, we could see Saturday 3 pm games back on live television in the UK.

This could mean good news for Spurs and the other Premier League clubs as the report suggests that the current £6.7 billion TV rights deal could further increase in value as a result.

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Why Daniel Levy will be a happy man at Spurs

Needless to say, Daniel Levy as well as the heads of all the other Premier League sides will be quite pleased to see their broadcast income go up.

The Spurs chairman, in particular, has spoken about the need to do away with the broadcast embargo in the past, insisting that the rule is not relevant any longer.