London Evening Standard

Semenyo and Guehi were ineligible in the Champions League on Wednesday but both players are set to come straight back into the team.

Rodri was missing against Galatasaray due to suspension but he will also start at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, as City bid to respond to Arsenal’s win at Leeds on Saturday.

Pep Guardiola did not take his pre-match press conference due to a personal matter but he will pick the team and is expected to be in the dugout against Spurs.

Jeremy Doku has been ruled out for more than two weeks with a calf injury and Guardiola faces some big selection decisions.

Erling Haaland dropped to the bench in last weekend’s win over Wolves but started and scored in the Galatasaray win and will start.

Rayan Cherki impressed again against Galatasaray and Semenyo seems certain to start, so Omar Marmoush may be the fall guy up front.

Rodri and Bernardo Silva seem certain to start, so Phil Foden and Tijjani Reijnders are vying for the other spot in midfield.

Ruben Dias is closing in on a return but is not yet ready to make his comeback so Abdukodir Khusanov will be alongside Guehi at centre-back.

On Doku’s injury, Guardiola’s assistant Pep Lijnders said on Friday: “Its similar to last injury. Only that time it was lateral, this one is on the centre. It was 18 days. I think this time it will be a little bit shorter as he’s a robust player.”

Spurs have cruised into the Champions League knockout stage but remain grounded in the Premier League

Eyes on: Thomas Frank

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Sam Tabuteau

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There is life yet in this transitional Tottenham season, but another shot at salvation must be translated into momentum if Thomas Frank is to stay the course in north London.

The Dane’s job came under more pressure last weekend after his side salvaged a point in stoppage time away to 19th-placed Burnley.

However, another spirited performance in the Champions League, sealing their place in the round of 16 with a 2-0 win away to Frankfurt, has provided a glimmer of hope.

Spurs failed to capitalise on their dominant victory over Borussia Dortmund last week, but must now build on their latest Champions League success by toppling Premier League title contenders Manchester City.

One of the resounding victories of Frank’s tumultuous reign came away to City just two games into the season, and Spurs have a good recent record against Pep Guardiola’s side.

Thomas Frank is juggling multiple injuries

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As it was two seasons ago, though, the atmosphere inside the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium will be somewhat conflicted.

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With City battling Arsenal for the title, there has been the suggestion that some Spurs fans would rather see their team drop points than win and hand their north London neighbours an advantage in the title race.

A 75th-minute walkout has also been planned by the supporters’ group Change for Tottenham in protest against the club’s board, but Frank is paying no attention. He has continued to remain calm and focused while dissent swirls around the club.

“I don't know (if Spurs fans want to lose). I know that the Spurs fans will, how can you say, will support the team and understand the conflict,” Frank said in his pre-match press conference on Friday.

“But I'm not in doubt they'll be happy if we perform well, and beating City is important for us. It's all about us, and we, the staff, the players, will do everything we can to put a top performance out there.”

There will be no snap decisions in the final days of the transfer market, despite as many as nine senior players potentially missing out against City through injury.

Micky van de Ven is “touch and go”, having not travelled to Frankfurt with an unspecified minor injury. But even with James Maddison, Dejan Kulusevski, Rodrigo Bentancur, Mohammed Kudus, Lucas Bergvall, Ben Davies, Richarlison and Pedro Porro all out, short-term fixes will not be prioritised ahead of Deadline Day.

“I think the best clubs, they take good, calm, sensible decisions,” Frank said. “Also, when it's a little bit windy, not going as well as we want it to, because I think that's key for what we want to build. It's absolutely key.”

Spurs are eight points above the relegation zone, and even talk of potentially being dragged into a battle towards the bottom of the table has led more supporters to make up their minds about Frank.

Calculated and unwavering in his belief in the long-term ambitions of the club as he talked up the Lewis family’s commitment to financing a rebuild, Frank is keeping his head down and pushing on.

“I think the fans and everyone should not be in doubt of that,” Frank continued. “They are really, really committed to this is going to be successful.

Tottenham have been cruising in Europe

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“We all want it to be a bit better, but all the processes and all the things beginning to tick behind the scenes, I am not in doubt we will see big benefits of that in the future.

“I am not in doubt that we will improve and do better throughout the season. I am not in doubt we will take a good, massive step forward in the summer as well.”

However, with Spurs circling closer to the bottom three, Frank has to be careful not to bury his head in the sand.

Spurs need to look to the long-term to build sustainable success, but if results continue to slide, Frank will inevitably run out of time.

As Spurs chief executive, Vinai Venkatesham, put it in his open letter to fans two weeks ago, actions speak louder than words.

As much as the board want to back Frank, results don’t lie, and if relegation chatter starts to intensify, they may well be forced into a decision.

Sooner rather than later, Frank needs to find momentum.

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Frank remains under pressure and a group of Spurs fans have organised a walkout in the 75th minute.

Spurs are in danger of being dragged into a relegation battle after a poor run of form in the Premier League but will hope to build on their midweek Champions League win against Eintracht Frankfurt.

City need to respond to Arsenal’s win at Leeds on Saturday, a result that leaves Pep Guardiola’s side seven points behind the leaders.

Guardiola does not have a good record against Spurs but knows his side cannot afford many slip-ups in the title race.

TV channel: In the UK, the game will be televised live on Sky Sports Premier League and Main Event.

Coverage on Sky Sports Premier League will begin at 4pm ahead of a 4.30pm kick-off, while coverage on Main Event will go live at 4.25pm.

Live stream: Sky Sports subscribers can also catch the contest live online via the Sky Go app and website.

Live blog: You can follow all the action on matchday via Standard Sport’s live blog, with expert analysis from Sam Tabuteau at the ground.

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Spurs can go Arsenal a favour in the title race

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Transfer news LIVE! Arsenal swap deal; Chelsea in Jacquet boost; new Man Utd target; Liverpool, Spurs latest

January window rumbles into final days ahead of Monday deadline

Targets: Jamal Musiala, Jeremy Jacquet, Julian Alvarez

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Alex Young @ alexwsyoung

Transfer news LIVE!

The January window is entering its final hours with just three days left for the likes of Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester United, Liverpool and Tottenham to add to their squads before Monday's deadline. The Gunners continue to be linked with a move for Atletico Madrid's Julian Alvarez, and are said to be weighing up offering both Gabriel Jesus and Gabriel Martinelli in exchange. Real Madrid's Eduardo Camavinga remains of interest, and now Bayern Munich’s Jamal Musiala is being linked.

Chelsea may also have to get clever in negotiations for Jeremy Jacquet. Rennes continue to hold out for around £57million to sell the defender, a price the Blues are not willing to meet, however a player could now be offered in part exchange with David Datro Fofana or Tyrique George surplus to requirements. Jacquet is said to have his heart set on the move.

Tottenham have sent young striker Dane Scarlett on loan to Hibernian, which could open the door for a new arrival, possibly Real Madrid winger Brahim Diaz or Al-Ittihad’s Moussa Diaby. Crystal Palace's striker carousel continues with the destination of Jean-Philippe Mateta still uncertain, but Evann Guessand has joined on loan amid interest in Jorgen Strand Larsen. Meanwhile, there is talk of a possible return to Old Trafford for Marcus Rashford despite the on-loan star enjoying life in Barcelona. Follow the latest transfer news, rumours and gossip live below!

Latest transfer news headlines

Premier League LIVE: Arsenal take lead at Elland Road

Today’s Premier League action has kicked off, and Arsenal have just taken the lead at Leeds through Martin Zubimendi following a corner.

Follow that match LIVE here, featuring insight and analysis from our Arsenal correspondent Matt Verri at Elland Road.

The Spaniard was assisted by Noni Madueke, who was bumped into the Gunners’ starting line-up when Bukayo Saka suffered an injury in the warm-up - more on that here.

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Chelsea's Disasi 'waiting' amid AC Milan, West Ham interest

Chelsea defender Axel Disasi is said to be “giving priority” to AC Milan over West Ham.

That comes from transfer guru Fabrizio Romano, who claims a new approach has been tabled by the Serie A club to rival an existing proposal from the Hammers.

Disasi and West Ham are both said to be “waiting” now, while Milan carry out discussions with Chelsea - who are in action against their London rivals later, with live coverage available here - and the player’s camp.

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Eagles lose out on Cherif

Meanwhile, Palace have lost out in their attempts to sign young forward Sidiki Cherif from French club Angers, with the 19-year-old electing to join Fenerbahce instead.

Cherif has agreed an initial loan deal reported to include a €4m fee, plus a €18m buy clause and €3m add-ons.

He will fly to Istanbul for a medical tonight, it is understood.

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Palace target on Wolves bench for 3pm kick-off

Crystal Palace target Jorgen Strand Larsen is on Wolves’ bench for the Old Gold’s home tie with Bournemouth, which has - alongside Leeds vs Arsenal, a match featuring some shock late team news - just kicked off.

It’s no real surprise that the Norwegian has not started, given he has failed to in each of Wolves’ last six Premier League matches before today.

However, Strand Larsen’s inclusion in the matchday squad comes amid reports that he is closing in on a £50 million move to Selhurst Park as a likely replacement for wantaway Palace forward Jean-Philippe Mateta, who will play no part in his side’s own match tomorrow.

Wolves boss Rob Edwards was questioned about Strand Larsen ahead of kick-off and said there’s been “a lot of noise” but that the striker has continued working hard in training and remains committed.

London Standard

Everton bid for in-demand Chelsea youngster

Chelsea forward Tyrique George is the subject of an official loan bid from Everton, according to Fabrizio Romano.

The 19-year-old England youth international is attracting plenty of interest from clubs in the Premier League and abroad (see post at 1.40pm GMT), and the Toffees are now said to be “leading the race” for his signature.

Everton’s loan offer is said to include an option to buy proposal for the Blues’ academy star.

We’ll have more on this from our Chelsea correspondent Dom Smith shortly - stick with us!

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Hull sign Premier League youngsters amid promotion push

Down in the Championship, Hull City have signed Premier League duo Toby Collyer and Lewis Koumas on loan for the rest of the season.

Collyer, 22, an England youth international, made six top-flight substitute appearances for Manchester United last season and now joins a Tigers side in the promotion picture, having spent the first half of this campaign on loan with struggling West Bromwich Albion in the same division.

Koumas, 20, a Liverpool youth forward and son of former Wales international Jason, has won nine caps with the Welsh senior set-up.

He was recalled from a loan at Birmingham City earlier this week, and spent last season on loan with Stoke City.

Hull returned to the second division in 2021/22 after winning League One the previous season.

They were last in the Premier League in the 2016/17 campaign - back when Liverpool legend Andy Robertson was still there - and finished a lowly 21st in the Championship last season, narrowly avoiding the drop, but are up in fourth ahead of today’s matches.

Carrick wants Rashford return at United - reports

Michael Carrick wants to bring Marcus Rashford back to Old Trafford if he is named as Manchester United’s next permanent head coach, it has been reported.

The Telegraph has claimed this to be the case, although Rashford and FC Barcelona, where the England international is currently enjoying a successful loan spell, have previously spoken of their desire to make his switch permanent in the summer.

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Former United midfielder Carrick, who has secured two big wins to begin his tenure in interim charge at the club, has made a strong early case to be given a shot at the full-time gig.

If that happens, it is said that he would push for Rashford - his teammate a decade ago - to be re-integrated at his boyhood club rather than sold, as has previously seemed to be the next step after he was ostracised by previous boss Ruben Amorim.

It comes after Carrick instantly moved to involve Kobbie Mainoo in United’s starting line-up, after the England youngster found himself similarly side-lined under Amorim.

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Pep on the move?

Pep Guardiola’s departure from Manchester City this summer is said to be a scenario more and more Premier League managers see happening.

The Times reports there is a “growing conviction” that this will be Pep’s last season with City, who he has led since 2016, despite the Spaniard’s contract running until 2027.

It comes after revelations that Enzo Maresca, one of Pep’s former assistants, had been spoken to by City on several occasions earlier this season, before he parted ways with Chelsea.

Guardiola, 55, has previously said he will take a break from coaching whenever he leaves City, but reacted rather spikily when asked in January - following Maresca’s departure from Stamford Bridge - if he would still be in charge at the Etihad next season.

”Oh my God, I have a contract,” he said.

“I’ve said it a thousand million times. I know you are bored of me, ten years here. You want [me to leave]? Yeah, I’m pretty sure of that.”

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What's happening in the Premier League today?

There was no lunchtime kick-off in the Premier League today, but there’ll be plenty of football underway shortly.

Three kick-offs at 3pm GMT (an hour from now!) include Leeds vs Arsenal, which you can follow live right here.

Can the Gunners bounce back from last weekend’s shock home defeat and increase the gap between themselves and the chasing pack?

Brighton host Everton and Bournemouth visit Wolves in the other mid-afternoon games, before two enticing Saturday evening clashes.

The first of those is a London derby between Chelsea and West Ham kicking off at 5.30pm GMT which you can read all about here ahead of our live coverage beginning later.

After that, 8pm marks the start of Liverpool vs Newcastle at Anfield, which we’ll also bring to you live!

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Frank makes Tottenham transfer admission ahead of January deadline

Thomas Frank has not ruled out Tottenham entering the loan market before the January transfer window closes, writes Sam Tabuteau.

Spurs have so far brought in Conor Gallagher and Brazilian left-back Souza this month, while letting last season’s top goalscorer Brennan Johnson leave for Crystal Palace.

It has been a frustrating window for Spurs, with injuries piling up and the club yet to address their lack of attacking depth.

Frank is adamant that Spurs will not be forced into snap decisions or short term fixes before Monday’s deadline.

However, he said that while the club would not sign players who he felt could not benefit the club in the long-term, he was not closed off to the idea of bringing in a player on loan.

“I’m definitely not saying ‘no’ to [a loan], or that it can’t happen,” Frank told reporters.

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In an attempt to reinforce the club’s ambition, Frank admitted that Spurs had held an interest in Antoine Semenyo before he joined Manchester City earlier this month, and said that it was signings of that calibre that Spurs were targeting as they headed into the final days of the market.

“I said it, the club worked relentlessly to try to do the best they can to improve the squad, especially Johan, Fabio and Vinai, and of course all the people behind them,” Frank said in his pre-match press conference ahead of Sunday’s game against Manchester City.

“I mean it, we can't be too obsessed with short term fix that's not helping on the long term, because if we don't do that, all the hard work we put in now can be limited for the future. And that's not that we (don’t) want badly short-term success as well.

“I can promise that the Lewis family is super committed to this project. They want to do everything, and I would go against my rule, hopefully only once, that there's no doubt it's clear that the club wants to sign Semenyo. They did everything.”

Frank went on to say that the January market was a difficult one to operate in, and said that if he felt Spurs could not identify the right signings, then they would wait until the summer to make wholesale changes to the squad.

“That's the quality players we are looking for to improve the squad. And if we can't find that, then it's definitely better to take the right decision. It's not the same that we're just getting quality players going forward, because we all know it's not that easy.

“And I'm sure if we're not, for whatever reason, able to get another player in, or players in this window, then for the summer, it's a big summer ahead, and I'm sure we'll see big improvements there.”

But while Frank acknowledged that supporters only want the best for the club, he added that the transfer market was not akin to the computer game ‘Football Manager’, and said transfers were a lot harder to negotiate in real life than they might appear.

“Yeah, the fans just want the best for the club. Just like I want (the best), the owners, the staff, the players, everyone wants the best for the club, but I also think it's fair to say that the transfer window is not football manager unfortunately. It is not. It would be a lot easier, but also a little bit more boring. We would not have as many good stories to talk about. In the last 30 days, you couldn't go to work basically because there is nothing to write about or talk about. So, it is very difficult the transfer market. It's an art, it's a craftsmanship.

“You need to be very good at it and then there's always, there needs to be a selling club that wants to sell, there needs to be a club that wants to buy and there's a player in the middle that also wants to come. So, that's always the challenge.

“What I'm happy with is that I think we've already done great business in getting Conor in. I think that's a great deal and a great player. Fits everything we want for this club and the commitment to show about Semenyo, I think it is a big step, so yeah again I’m just repeating myself, but I’m not in doubt it’ll be very good going forward.”

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