Cartilage Free Captain

You might look at Tottenham Hotspur’s renewed interest in Manchester City winger Savinho as reheating an old rumor from last summer, but as far as I’m concerned the Bat Country gods can reheat this rumor multiple times and serve it up to me in a trough as the finest vintage transfer slop in the world. The latest, from Fabrizio Romano, suggests that negotiations are underway to bring the 22-year-old winger from Manchester City to North London, and that Savio wants to come.

I love it. This was the one signing I wish had gotten done last summer because Savinho is an outstanding prospect. It sure looked like he was on his way last summer before Manchester City pulled the plug after a couple of injuries, claiming they needed Savinho for depth. Then they basically parked him on the bench — he played only 821 minutes and scored his two goals in the EFL Cup against Huddersfield and Brentford.

None of this should be viewed as a knock on Savio, who is (still) one of the brightest young winger talents in the Premier League right now. The fact that City basically wasted a year of his development is stupid, and they’re dummies who should just sell him to us this summer as punishment for the crime of being stupid doody-heads.

Would I take Savio as Tottenham’s big winger signing this summer? You bet your ass I would. He’s got all the tools needed for success, he’s only 22, can play on either flank (and in the middle), and I think he would absolutely cook with good service under Roberto De Zerbi’s tactics.

There’s no mention of transfer fee, which I say suggests that this is the major sticking point in negotiations, but if it takes £50m to sign him, then Spurs should just do it. He has a higher pedigree than Wilson Odobert and Mathys Tel and I would say a MUCH higher ceiling. What he needs is first team minutes, and there are few big clubs as prepared to offer them as Spurs this coming season. Let’s get this one through the door.

good morning hoddlers!

It’s the offseason, which means it’s running season. But does running season ever take time off? No!

You might remember that your hoddler-in-chief ran his latest marathon on 4 April in 3:02. Three minutes north of the sub-three barrier. I’m not giving up hopes in my chase for a sub-3 and I think it’s doable. It’s just going to require some more work.

I’m currently in-between training blocks (assuming I’m running another marathon in the autumn, which I haven’t decided on yet). There are a couple stages to this, but I’ve finished the first one which is the recovery phase.

The recovery phase lasted a couple weeks longer than I anticipated due to a weeklong holiday and an illness. But I set a goal: To run another half marathon before June. I didn’t want to race it, I just wanted to run the distance and keep my racing edge.

So I woke up at 4.30am on Sunday and ran a half marathon two hours later.

Distance: 13.1 miles

Time: 1:27.42

Average pace: 6:41/mi

While I ran 14 miles the other week, this race was the most intense run I’ve done since marathon day. Thirteen sustained miles at a sub-7 pace, with the first 10 around a 6.35/mile pace. It was only in the final three miles where I learnt that my legs still aren’t fully there.

This was actually a pretty frustrating morning, all things considered. Here’s a list:

A mass start of runners on a narrow trail as opposed to a staggered start time. A

A group of 10K and 5K runners further up ahead who I had to dodge both coming and going (and several of whom wouldn’t move after I called on them to pass).

I was in a leading pack with two different runners. They made me lead for the first eight miles of the race so I had to all the heavy lifting. This includes dodging the 5K and 10K runners, navigating rocks and puddles and large cracks, finding the easiest path and spotting two deer crossing the trail. They eventually sped ahead after Mile 8 which, fine, I had no interest in chasing after then. But if they could run that fast they should’ve helped out.

A flock of territorial geese.

Even though my legs didn’t have it that day, and despite some of the troubles on the trail, I’m really pleased with the day. My time was only 45 seconds slower than my personal best which, considering I wasn’t running at a half marathon effort, I’m very excited about.

So what’s next? I’m going to take it easy the next week or so and possibly switch back to running four days a week and lifting twice a week. And then I’m thinking about a short training session to get that half marathon personal best, which might transition to the next full marathon training block. Still lots to be decided.

Fitzie’s track of the day: ideations on rain, by Duval Timothy

And now for your links:

The Telegraph: “England land in US as Harry Kane admits: We are expected to win World Cup”

BBC: “Southampton owner will not sack head coach Eckert”

The Guardian: “Michail Antonio: ‘In football, no one really cares about you as long as you perform’”

Remember David Bentley? That’s a name that should take you back. Back in 2008, Bentley was one of the hottest names in English football after a hot streak at Blackburn Rovers that saw him score 8 goals and tally 13 assists in 2007-2008. He was considered one of the best young footballers in England, and in the summer of ‘08 Tottenham snapped him up for what was then a fairly astronomical fee of £15m.

Well, to say Bentley flamed out would be putting it mildly. He scored exactly two goals in three seasons (though to be fair one of them was this goal in a North London Derby that ended up 4-4 and that should cement his place in Spurs lore forever).

Bentley was sent out on loan for a few seasons, was released by Spurs in 2013, and eventually retired from football in 2014. Now he’s back — in a video posted on his personal Instagram, Bentley announced that he was just coming out of a meeting with Roberto De Zerbi and that he’s apparently been hired as Tottenham’s new “Positivity Coach” and Player Liason.

Now, I have no idea what a Positivity Coach is or does, but I imagine he’s being hired to touch base with players and make sure the vibes are in the proper alignment and in cohesion with the zodiac or something. Whatever. Doesn’t really matter, does it? It’s good when the club brings back former players in leadership roles, and while Bentley will probably never top the list of Spurs fans’ all time favorite players, he’s proper COYS through and through (despite being an Arsenal academy grad).

You can see in this video how excited he is to join the club in this new role and how much respect he has for Roberto De Zerbi as a manager. I’m all for it! Let Old Man Bentley be a Vibes Guy for the club, sounds good to me! He can hang out with Ledley and Michael Dawson and drink beers while reminiscing about the good old days, and then put his arms around the shoulders of guys like Pape Sarr and Archie Gray. Positivity Coach? Thumbs up from me.

Remember all of those reports coming from A Bola and other outlets in the Portuguese media that suggested that Joao Palhiniha was keen on a return to Sporting, his old club, at the conclusion of his season-long Tottenham Hotspur loan? Welllllllllllll Fabrizio Romano has something to say about that, and that is that Tottenham would be Joao’s first choice of clubs should he have any say over the matter.

So this kinda makes sense, honestly. Palhinha’s agent is likely doing his job and securing multiple options for Joao. Bayern sure seem like they’re keen to get rid of him entirely, so staying in Germany doesn’t seem to be the answer. Roberto De Zerbi has mentioned in press conferences and interviews that he’d like to keep ahold of Joao next season; Tottenham have a €30m purchase option at the conclusion of his loan but those are generally guidelines, and if they’re interested Spurs will probably try to negotiate that price down.

But the Sporting rumors also appear to be a thing; Romano suggests that they’re his backup plan should a deal not work with Tottenham or if Spurs decide they’d like to move in a different direction.

I’m a little torn on this. I like Palhinha and he’s been pretty good for us in what has been a terribly constructed midfield. I think he could be a plus add for Spurs if they pair him with a dude who can actually pass, and it’s nice to have a defensive midfielder who can pop up now and then with a goal. He’s also a solid leader and a nice guy, so he’s not at all without value.

What we don’t know is whether De Zerbi agrees or if he feels like he needs to make room in the squad for new additions. But it sounds like, if we want him, we can get Palhiniha permanently. Or maybe just on loan again. Who knows!

The future of Luka Vuskovic is going to be one of the hot topics for Tottenham Hotspur and its supporters this summer. Vuskovich is under contact at Spurs until 2030 and after an incredible loan at Hamburg this past season is one of the hottest and most in-demand young central defenders in world football.

We suggested earlier this week that Luka’s short-term future might hinge on what Spurs end up doing with Cuti Romero. While there are indications that Romero is committed to the club and wants to stay, a lot of Tottenham fans don’t necessarily feel the same after an injury shortened season that saw him pick up a number of disciplinary cards, though frequently enhanced by referee decisions. If Cuti is sold this summer, it seems likely that Vuskovic could be his replacement, either as a starter or (more likely) a reserve member, along with the incoming Marcos Senesi. If Cuti stays, there won’t be very many minutes for him and a loan seemed more likely.

Today, German reporter Florian Plettenburg tweeted what might be some clarifying tidbits about what Spurs may do with him, and with Plettigoal again ruling out a return to Hamburg on loan.

I’m not sure I buy this fully — I feel as though Luka has (or should have) more than the two options of “stay at Spurs with a new contract” or “get sold to a megaclub.” A loan to another high-level club seems like it should also be an option if Tottenham can’t promise him the minutes at Spurs next season to continue his development. Even if Hamburg isn’t an option, it feels like there are any number of clubs that would gnaw their metaphorical arms off for the chance to take Luka Vuskovic on loan for a season.

I also don’t like the idea that Spurs could potentially cash in on Vuskovic before he even plays a single match for the club. That feels more like Bayern Munich copium than anything else, which would make sense since Plettenberg is a Bayern reporter and Bayern have been publicly slobbering over the idea of poaching Luka this summer, when it feels like they have a very small chance of actually doing so.

So what do I know? Given the two options Plettigoal suggests, obviously I’d prefer the first one. I just have serious doubts that those are his only two choices. Even acknowledging that Vuskovich clearly has a bunch of agency in negotiations with the club, surely Spurs are more creative than that.

Sigh. I guess we’re doing this, huh? Arsenal Football Club a chance to do the double today, as they play in the Champions League Final against Paris Saint-Germain at Puskas Arena in Budapest, Hungary. Look, I don’t have to tell you to to root for, but I can tell you who NOT to root for. Rooting for the meteor to hit Hungary might be a bit cruel, but maybe we can at least wish that Gabriel steps on a LEGO in the training room before the match and causes him to say a very naughty word.

Anyway, if you plan to watch, or even hate watch, the match in the company of fellow traumatized Spurs fans, well this is the place to do it. Me, I will NOT be watching the match, I will be spending the day outside in what promises to be mild sunshine, touching grass and eating Mediterranean food. I find that a much more pleasurable use of my time.

Earlier this month we reported that Preston North End were currently “in negotiations” for the permanent transfer of Alfie Devine, who has a purchase option in his loan at the Championship club. Today there are a few more interesting details that have emerged.

Alfie had a pretty darned good loan at Preston this past season. He was a regular starter in the Championship, and scored 8G+6A in over 3000 minutes and 48 appearances. Pretty, pretty good. But it does seem as though his long-term future lies away from Tottenham Hotspur.

Today, the Lancashire Post is reporting that Preston have formally triggered a purchase option that was in Devine’s loan contract from last season, and that the clubs are (again) entering negotiations for a permanent transfer. The report also says that Wolverhampton Wanderers, who were relegated from the Premier League this season, and Scottish Premier League club Celtic are also interested in taking Devine off of Spurs’ hands this summer, suggesting he’s got a market and might not end up at Preston when all is said and done. The suggested fee has also increased — previously we said it was £4.5m, now it appears to have jumped to “north of £5m” which would double Preston’s transfer record. Not a huge change, but a significant one for Championship teams, certainly, and the fact that Preston are intending to trigger the option means that they think Devine will be a significant player for them now and in the future.

Who knows what the negotiations will entail — perhaps Preston want to spread the amortization of Devine’s fee out, and we can slip a sell-on or buy-back clause into his deal. Or maybe Devine suddenly having a market in the English second division has changed the calculus for everyone involved.

For fans who like seeing Tottenham Hotspur youngsters and academy graduates eventually move to the Spurs firs team, this might be a little disappointing, but not every promising young player will break into the first team, and getting a decent fee for Devine is still a win for the academy.

Sounds like Devine has a say on where his future lies and he is going to assess his options and take his time doing so. Unless something weird happens I think this might drag out a while, but who knows.

Short hoddle alert: Today is a short hoddle

We’re beginning to learn more about the fourth installment in the Paddington film franchise.

And let me tell ya, it’s time to get excited.

It was recently announced that Armando Iannucci, the man behind The Death of Stalin, VEEP, The Thick of It, I’m Alan Partridge, and In the Loop, and Simon Blackwell of VEEP are writing Paddington 4.

This is a dream come true.

Paddington rivals Godfather as the greatest film series of all time (yeah, come at me you Star Wards ands Lord of the Rings fans - I dare ya !!).

The marmalade-loving bear is back. The world is a better place for our bear and the Brown family.

What I’m most looking forward to is how those conversations with Mr Curry might go …

Fitzie’s track of the day:

And now for your links:

Jack P-B ($$): “Spurs survived. What do the Lewis family do now to avoid another season of struggle?”

BBC: “USA boss Pochettino holds initial talks with AC Milan”

This has been old news for a while, but it’s nice to get a confirmation from perhaps the premier football journalistic outlet in England —according to the BBC’s Nizaar Kinsella, Tottenham Hotspur is close to a full agreement to sign Marcos Senesi, who is leaving Bournemouth at the conclusion of his contract, on a free transfer.

We’ve known this is coming for a while, and I’m okay with it. Senesi is a solid depth signing in central defense, and he comes with the bonus of not costing a dime apart from wages (and we don’t know what his wages are). If confirmed he’ll be the second new signing of the summer after Andrew Robertson from Liverpool, and the transfer window hasn’t even opened yet.

Senesi turned down multiple offers from Bournemouth to sign a new contract, and so it’s maybe a bit weird that he’s leaving to join a club that just barely escaped relegation. But Spurs ARE a big club and are expected to improve, so sure! Welcome Marcos! Please help us improve. Senesi is an Argentina international, so if Cuti Romero DOES leave we’ll at least keep our Argentine defender quota stable.

I don’t mind this at all. Senesi is a good defender and although Spurs won’t have European competition and will be playing in fewer matches, he’s solid depth and a good rotation option, at a minimum.

The only weird thing about this report is that it says “personal terms are not quite agreed” and that’s… pretty much all they need to agree to? But if Kinsella says it’s close, then I believe him. Hopefully we get this one salted away pretty soon and we can move on to other targets (and outgoings).

”It’s been a long story with Dejan. He’s done everything he can to get ready [for the World Cup], but when it came to deciding [if he would make the squad] he wasn’t. The reason is that he hasn’t played football in a year, but even the medical assessments made this spring have pointed in the direction that he wouldn’t be ready.

“Cartilage injuries, like in Dejan’s case, are troublesome. They are difficult to treat. Plus, he has it in a place that gets a lot of stress. The injury simply hasn’t healed enough to handle that stress. I have high hopes for that and I really hope so.”