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The Tottenham Hotspur Stadium is preparing for one of its most emotional nights in recent memory. On December 9, club legend Son Heung-min will return to London after leaving for LAFC last summer, finally getting the in-person farewell he never had the chance to experience.

In a surprise announcement, Tottenham confirmed that Son will be honored before their Champions League match against Slavia Prague.

The club revealed that “Sonny will walk onto the pitch before the teams come out, where he will speak directly to the supporters who embraced him since his arrival in 2015.”

For many Spurs fans, this moment has been a long time coming. Son’s departure became official during the club’s preseason tour in South Korea, meaning he never got to say goodbye inside the stadium where he became an icon.

He quickly became LAFC’s most influential player before the team’s playoff elimination at the hands of Vancouver Whitecaps. That early exit opened the door for this winter trip back to London — but not a footballing return.

Rumors in South Korea suggested Son could return to Spurs on loan during MLS’s offseason.

He shut that down immediately in an interview with TV Chosun:

“I have never spoken to any club about a winter move. I deeply respect LAFC. As long as I wear this badge, there will be no loans or transfers. Never.”

His December visit is strictly a reunion — not the beginning of a comeback on the pitch.

December 9 won’t bring Son back in a Spurs shirt, but it will bring closure.

It will be a night of gratitude between a player who defined an era and a fanbase that treated him like family.

Thomas Frank says he wants the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium "to be a fortress", starting with his side's London derby against Fulham on Saturday.

Spurs have struggled at home in the Premier League this season, failing to win in north London since their victory over Burnley on the opening weekend.

Of the 17 ever-present sides across the last two seasons, none have won fewer home games (three), lost more home games (nine) or earned fewer home points (12) in 2025 than Tottenham, who last lost 10 home league games in a single calendar year in 2003.

But with more bragging rights on the line against Fulham, Frank is determined to make the most of their home advantage.

"I'm fully aware that I said from the beginning, it hasn't changed – I want our stadium, our home, to be a fortress," he said.

"To get there, we need to perform, we need to be the fans and us. We need to be both together, we need to feel that when we play at home: 'Wow, it is impossible to beat us here!' That's what we need to work towards.

"Any player, any team, needs to do what we can to play with confidence. The best performance is where you're just playing intuitively, you don't think about it.

“You do what you do, and before you receive the ball, you know that you need to take a touch forward, or you play forward, or you turn that way, or whatever you do. That's where you perform the best. I think that's key."

No side have earned fewer away points than the Cottagers in the English top flight this season (one), while only Wolves (one) have earned fewer at home than Spurs (five).

Marco Silva's side have lost their last five on the road in the Premier League, last having a longer such run between January and April 2019 (seven).

"Two different things. They have been much stronger away from home than at home, and they want to show a reaction at home," Silva told reporters when asked what to expect from Tottenham.

"Of course, they lost that away game in the north London derby – it's always very tough to do.

"We all know what it means, local derbies are important derbies for any team in this league. And, of course, they want to react at home, with their fans again.

"Our away form has not been so good. We want a reaction from our last away games as well. Of course, both teams want to win the game, and let's hope we can."

However, he has never scored in eight appearances against Fulham in the competition, only facing his current side and Aston Villa more often without scoring (nine each).

Having been involved in five goals in his first six Premier League games against Spurs (four goals, one assist), Jimenez has not scored or assisted in any of his last six against them.

Tottenham have lost 1-0 against Chelsea and 4-1 against Arsenal in their last two domestic London derbies. They have not lost three in a row in the same campaign since a run of four between September and October 2021.

Even so, Arsenal have built their campaign on resilience. They have conceded only five league goals so far, and their home form continues to resemble that of a title contender. Yet, there is an underlying concern: creativity from open play. Only 40% of their goals come from open-play sequences, and they average 7.9 chances per match — numbers uncharacteristic of a traditional champion and a reminder that efficiency alone may not be enough on derby day.

Control of the tempo:

Arsenal expect to dominate the ball, but their inconsistency in open-play creation remains a concern.

Away-day efficiency:

Tottenham must capitalize on their counterattacking moments rather than waiting for Arsenal mistakes.

Crucial absences:

With Gabriel out, Arsenal’s back line will be tested more than usual. Spurs, meanwhile, must manage space wisely to avoid being pinned deep.

Title ambitions vs. local pride:

Arsenal are fighting to stay clear at the top of the league. For Tottenham, a win would not only push them higher — it would send a message that they can compete with the very best this season.

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First-half goals from Elliot Anderson and Chris Wood were enough to get Nuno Espirito Santo's side back to winning ways, despite the hosts dominating for large periods at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Anderson's deflected strike opened the scoring in the fifth minute after Spurs failed to deal with a corner, while Wood headed his 19th league goal of the season to double Forest's lead in the 16th minute.

They eventually made their dominance count with Richarlison's header halving the deficit three minutes from time, but it proved too late as they suffered a fourth defeat in five league games.

Postecoglou's team has collected just 18 points since beating Manchester City 4-0 on 24 November (AEDT), with only the bottom three sides recording fewer during that time.

"We conceded two poor goals and gave ourselves a mountain to climb. I still think we didn't deserve to lose on the balance of play.

"Our football was good, there's no denying that. We created loads of opportunities, we had them pegged in. But like I said, it was really disappointing to concede the two goals like we did.

"It's hurt us all year, we've let ourselves down. It's a game we should have won tonight. There shouldn't have been a slow start.

"That's the frustrating bit. It's not the only time it's happened this year. We have to accept the fact we haven't been at the level we should be.

"I don't like losing, we've lost too many games. We've got to keep working and try and rectify these things, so the football we play gets the results it deserves."

Spurs were fresh from UEFA Europa League heroics last week, when they booked a place in the semi-finals after securing a hard-earned 2-1 aggregate victory over Eintracht Frankfurt.

Kulusevski acknowledged fatigue may have been a factor against Forest, but insisted it was no excuse for Spurs being slow out of the blocks.

"[It was a] sloppy start," he said. "We conceded three goals in 10 minutes. Yes, one was offside, but then after that, it is difficult to get back in.

"We also played on Thursday night [Friday morning AEST], but you have got to be ready from the start. You come back from a long trip at five in the morning, but if you are not on it then you will pay. That's what we did.

It is set to be a season-defining showdown for Spurs, who are 14th in the Premier League table and eight points off the top 10.

Postecoglou has subsequently come under intense criticism, with reports suggesting the likes of Andoni Iraola, Marco Silva and Oliver Glasner are being lined up to replace him at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Spurs could still salvage something from their season by going all the way to Europa League glory, and landing their first silverware since the 2007-08 EFL Cup, while also securing continental football next term.

"The lads are really keen to bring success to the club," he said. "Keep driving the principles of what we started this whole journey with, in terms of the football we want to play, really stick together as they have through the toughest of periods.

"Hopefully, we've worked our way into a position where we can make an impact on our season; a really disappointing season for us. I just think there's a real determination to take the opportunity that they've earned at this point.

"There's got to be more in it for us and, for us, what is the most important thing as a group is that we've been through a really tough time, but we're still in a position where we can make an impact, and you don't know how often you get those opportunities.

"We're in a quarter-final and I don't know how many times the club has been in a quarter-final in European competition. You don't want to let that slip you by, or have the wrong mindset going into it.

"I think the players are handling it well in terms of how they're trying to embrace this challenge. They're going to face a top team, but they have the capabilities to overcome that."

It is set to be a season-defining showdown for Spurs, who are 14th in the Premier League table and eight points off the top 10.

Postecoglou has subsequently come under intense criticism, with reports suggesting the likes of Andoni Iraola, Marco Silva and Oliver Glasner are being lined up to replace him at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Spurs could still salvage something from their season by going all the way to Europa League glory, and landing their first silverware since the 2007-08 EFL Cup, while also securing continental football next term.

"The lads are really keen to bring success to the club," he said. "Keep driving the principles of what we started this whole journey with, in terms of the football we want to play, really stick together as they have through the toughest of periods.

"Hopefully, we've worked our way into a position where we can make an impact on our season; a really disappointing season for us. I just think there's a real determination to take the opportunity that they've earned at this point.

"There's got to be more in it for us and, for us, what is the most important thing as a group is that we've been through a really tough time, but we're still in a position where we can make an impact, and you don't know how often you get those opportunities.

"We're in a quarter-final and I don't know how many times the club has been in a quarter-final in European competition. You don't want to let that slip you by, or have the wrong mindset going into it.

"I think the players are handling it well in terms of how they're trying to embrace this challenge. They're going to face a top team, but they have the capabilities to overcome that."

Enzo Maresca did not play down the magnitude of Chelsea's upcoming Premier League clash with Tottenham Hotspur on Thursday, labelling it a "huge" game.

Chelsea find themselves in the top four heading into the match at Stamford Bridge, but could be out of the Champions League places by the time kick-off comes around.

The Blues are a point ahead of Manchester City, who face Leicester City on Wednesday, with Newcastle United and Brighton also within striking distance.

Chelsea have lost just one of their last 12 Premier League games against Spurs (W9 D2), winning the last three in a row by an aggregate score of 10-4.

Ange Postecoglou's side are 14th in the standings, though Maresca said their position in the table meant nothing heading into the London derby.

"It's a huge game. We know how important it is for the fans and the club. It is also important for us to try and finish where we are now," Maresca said.

"Tottenham have a lot of good players, but no matter who is playing, it's going to be a derby, and it's the Premier League and you can struggle against any team.

"We want to be direct and quick when they press higher. We cannot be direct and quick if they sit back.

"In our last three home games, they have all been games with every player behind the ball. When you have players who love to run behind, it is easier.

"If we win, you can build momentum for the end. They are all important games. We need to win as many games as we can, and we will see where we finish."

Maresca was also on hand to discuss the future of Jadon Sancho, who is currently on loan at Chelsea from fellow Premier League side, Manchester United.

Sancho's move to Stamford Bridge included an obligation for the Blues to buy him at the end of the season if they finish 14th or higher in the table.

The reported fee is expected to be between £20-25million, though the 25-year-old has failed to impress for Chelsea this season.

He has registered just seven goal involvements (two goals, five assists) in 23 appearances in the Premier League this campaign.

Sancho's last contribution came with an assist for Cole Palmer in Chelsea's 1-1 draw with Crystal Palace in January, with Maresca left wanting more from the attacker.

"You probably have more news than me in terms of Jadon. For me, his situation does not change, it is exactly the same," Maresca added.

"For sure, he can do better in terms of numbers, no doubt, but it is not only about Jadon. We have more players in the same situation.

"I do not need to give Jadon a message, I speak with him every day. I had a conversation with him yesterday.

Enzo Maresca did not play down the magnitude of Chelsea's upcoming Premier League clash with Tottenham Hotspur on Thursday, labelling it a "huge" game.

Chelsea find themselves in the top four heading into the match at Stamford Bridge, but could be out of the Champions League places by the time kick-off comes around.

The Blues are a point ahead of Manchester City, who face Leicester City on Wednesday, with Newcastle United and Brighton also within striking distance.

Chelsea have lost just one of their last 12 Premier League games against Spurs (W9 D2), winning the last three in a row by an aggregate score of 10-4.

Ange Postecoglou's side are 14th in the standings, though Maresca said their position in the table meant nothing heading into the London derby.

"It's a huge game. We know how important it is for the fans and the club. It is also important for us to try and finish where we are now," Maresca said.

"Tottenham have a lot of good players, but no matter who is playing, it's going to be a derby, and it's the Premier League and you can struggle against any team.

"We want to be direct and quick when they press higher. We cannot be direct and quick if they sit back.

"In our last three home games, they have all been games with every player behind the ball. When you have players who love to run behind, it is easier.

"If we win, you can build momentum for the end. They are all important games. We need to win as many games as we can, and we will see where we finish."

Maresca was also on hand to discuss the future of Jadon Sancho, who is currently on loan at Chelsea from fellow Premier League side, Manchester United.

Sancho's move to Stamford Bridge included an obligation for the Blues to buy him at the end of the season if they finish 14th or higher in the table.

The reported fee is expected to be between £20-25million, though the 25-year-old has failed to impress for Chelsea this season.

He has registered just seven goal involvements (two goals, five assists) in 23 appearances in the Premier League this campaign.

Sancho's last contribution came with an assist for Cole Palmer in Chelsea's 1-1 draw with Crystal Palace in January, with Maresca left wanting more from the attacker.

"You probably have more news than me in terms of Jadon. For me, his situation does not change, it is exactly the same," Maresca added.

"For sure, he can do better in terms of numbers, no doubt, but it is not only about Jadon. We have more players in the same situation.

"I do not need to give Jadon a message, I speak with him every day. I had a conversation with him yesterday.

Former Tottenham Hotspur defender Jan Vertonghen has confirmed he will retire from professional football at the end of the 2024-25 season.

Vertonghen, who now plays for Anderlecht in his home nation, has been limited to just five appearances across all competitions after Achilles and ankle problems.

The 37-year-old retired from international football last July, ending his career with Belgium as the Red Devils' all-time appearance maker with 157 caps for his country.

Vertonghen started his career with Eredivisie side Ajax before completing a move to Spurs in 2012, and would spend eight years in north London.

The defender made 315 appearances for the club in all competitions, scoring 14 times and twice being named in the PFA Premier League Team of the Year.

He was also a key figure in Mauricio Pochettino's team that reached the Champions League final in 2019, a game they lost 2-0 to Liverpool in Madrid.

Following his spell with Spurs, Vertonghen joined Benfica on a three-year deal before signing on a free transfer with Anderlecht in 2022 after his previous contract was terminated.

Vertonghen cited an inability to properly prepare for games as key to his decision, and will hang up his boots after Anderlecht's final league game of the season against Genk.

"I have noticed that it is becoming more and more difficult to prepare myself physically for training sessions and matches and to show myself as the player I want to be," he said.

"Not only towards the fans and my fellow players, but also towards myself. That is why I will be stopping after this season."