Football London

Roberto De Zerbi has spoken to the press ahead of Tottenham Hotspur's clash against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday night.

Roberto De Zerbi has provided an injury update ahead of Tottenham Hotspur's clash against Chelsea.

Speaking to reporters at Hotspur Way on Monday afternoon, the Lilywhites boss began by confirming that Guglielmo Vicario, who underwent hernia surgery in March, is available for selection. De Zerbi said: "Vicario is available to play. I decide tomorrow."

On whether it'll be a difficult to decide who starts between the sticks, with Antonin Kinsky in fine form, he said: "No, it is not difficult. It is easy. Vicario is number one, but we have to consider the physical condition, the momentum and everything.

"I have a big relationship with Kinsky and Vicario as well, and there will be no problem," added De Zerbi. The Italian then ruled out Dominic Solanke, who suffered a hamstring injury during the 1-0 win over Wolves last month.

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At the start of May, following the 2-1 victory against Aston Villa, De Zerbi told football.london that he hoped the striker would be ready to face Chelsea. But the Spurs boss has pushed back the return date.

"Solanke is not good yet," said De Zerbi. "Not available. He feels something, and I don't want to take the risk for this game. We hope for Sunday, he can be available for one part of the game."

On Tuesday night, Conor Gallagher will return to Stamford Bridge. The midfielder, whom Tottenham signed from Atletico Madrid in January for £35m, spent 18 years at Chelsea, earning his stripes in the academy before becoming a regular in the Premier League and on the international stage with England.

On Gallagher, De Zerbi said: "From Conor, I expect the same performance he has been doing. Great player, great personality. He doesn't speak too much, but he speaks on the pitch with his work and his personality."

Spurs are unbeaten in four games, winning two and drawing two. On the confidence in the team, De Zerbi said: "We didn't deserve to lose the first game at Sunderland, but we made eight points from the next four, and we deserved to get more points.

"But we can't remember how things were a month ago. To get one point is tough, because all teams fight on the pitch. I want to see the right spirit, character and courage on the pitch."

Tottenham can avoid relegation and seal a place in the Premier League next season with a win over Chelsea. As it stands, with two games to play, the Lilywhites are two points adrift of West Ham in the bottom three.

On whether the fight for survival has been a wake-up call, De Zerbi said: "No, listen, one thing at a time. Now we need to play two games.

"We need to make other points to achieve our target and then have the right time to talk about the problems we have had, but it's not time right now and to lose energy over it."

Although a draw at Stamford Bridge would likely be enough to secure English top-flight status for another year, it would not mathematically guarantee safety. If Spurs only manage to bank a point in west London on Tuesday evening, they will go down if, on the final day of the campaign, they lose to Everton and the Hammers beat Leeds United by a 13-goal difference.

The Tottenham Hotspur head coach could have a big decision to make in the days ahead in a crucial position in his starting line-up

Roberto De Zerbi made a big statement a couple of weeks ago about his Tottenham goalkeepers and the coming days will prove just how much he meant it.

The Italian was asked the week before the draw against Leeds United whether his compatriot Guglielmo Vicario would return to his position between the sticks when the 29-year-old returned to full fitness following his absence from hernia surgery.

"Vicario is still the first goalkeeper of Tottenham, because what Vicario showed this season is enough to consider him a top player for us. But we have to consider the physical condition, the period – how many games he missed and we will see when Vicario will be good," said the Spurs boss.

This weekend the north London club released images from training which appeared to show the Italy international finally back on the pitches of Hotspur Way.

So will Vicario return immediately between the sticks as Tottenham make the trip to Stamford Bridge on Tuesday night? The answer will likely be decided by two 'problems'.

The first is just how fit Vicario actually is. He has been out for longer than he or Spurs expected. The club announced that he should be back within the month after his surgery at the end of March. However, approaching two months later and the stopper's return to training has been later than planned.

The other problem for Vicario is a certain Antonin Kinsky. The 23-year-old has been on top form since stepping into the breach, putting that nightmare evening in Madrid far in the rearview mirror.

The Czech had already made a top save at Wolves to stop Joao Gomes' free-kick in the 98th minute and just days after De Zerbi's comments about Vicario, Kinsky made two fantastic stops against Leeds. The first was to prevent Joe Rodon's header from crossing the goal line and then at the end of the game the young keeper reacted superbly to deflect Sean Longstaff's powerful close range effort on to the crossbar and away.

"He's improving a lot. He’s a good goalkeeper," De Zerbi said after Kinsky's latest display. "I had no doubt in my first days in Tottenham because I knew him before coming here. He played in Madrid, he made that mistake, and it was tough for him. He has great personality, strong character and he deserves to play a game like today."

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Kinsky is match fit and sharp after five games in a row. After two months out, there is no opportunity for Vicario to reach anywhere near that sort of sharpness.

"But we have to consider the physical condition, the period – how many games he missed and we will see when Vicario will be good" was a key end to De Zerbi's statement on his compatriot. He could argue that Vicario is back in training but not yet "good".

Vicario does have the experience Kinsky lacks and is a vocal leader of the backline at a time when it is missing captain Cristian Romero. Many would have also said that while Kinsky is better with the ball at his feet, Vicario had the edge on Kinsky in the shotstopping stakes, but then came a string of excellent saves from the younger man in recent weeks.

It's also important to take into account that Kinsky has shown tremendous character to bounce back from that night in Spain and Spurs need that kind of battling mentality in these final two games of this campaign if they are to remain in the Premier League.

"I know myself, I know the way that my parents raised me, it doesn’t matter how difficult the moment is in life, that's the challenge, to deal with it, and it’s a nice feeling when you do that. While what happened was something that I didn’t wish for, these things happen, and it wasn't my first bad moment," he explained.

"Until the moment that I got here, when I was playing in the different divisions in Czechia, there have been moments like this. The only difference is that more people see it here. I’m not too worried about how those people feel about me. I care about how I feel about myself. I think this is why it hasn't affected me too much.

"I think for me, coming back in goal, even after something like that happens, I get confidence from the work that I put in if I know that I do the maximum every day I can. If there is a game that I’m not playing in, in the morning I do some warm-ups, and after the game I go on to the pitch because I have a lot of energy. For me, it’s another day to use wisely and get the most out of."

There is also the issue of Vicario's future at Tottenham beyond this month. He has been strongly linked with a return to Italy and Inter Milan, with reports in his homeland claiming the goalkeeper has already agreed personal terms with the Serie A giants.

It's worth noting perhaps that while De Zerbi made it clear that he "100 per cent" wants Tottenham to bring the on-loan Joao Palhinha back next season, he was unwilling to commit on Vicario's future at the club when asked about him.

"I don’t know. If you ask me if I’ve any ideas about next season, my answer is no," said the head coach. "For two reasons, one, I have no time to think about next season, and two, after two wins if I lose time thinking about next season’s squad I am being arrogant. You think after two wins, after a very tough period, you already consider yourself safe? No, no."

De Zerbi will hold his latest press conference on Monday afternoon at Hotspur Way ahead of the trip to Chelsea the following day. He will be asked about Vicario and the latest on the goalkeeper's fitness and potential selection. The Spurs head coach's response will be a crucial one.

The Tottenham Hotspur head coach is speaking to the media on Monday afternoon ahead of the Premier League game at Chelsea

Roberto De Zerbi is holding his press conference on Monday afternoon ahead of Tottenham's trip to Chelsea in the Premier League on Tuesday night.

Following West Ham's 3-1 defeat at Newcastle on Sunday evening, Spurs now know that a point from either of their remaining two matches should be enough to keep them in the Premier League, barring a huge goal difference swing towards the Hammers. A victory would mathematically secure their top flight status and De Zerbi will be hoping his team can prevent the tension sweeping into the last day of the season by picking up a rare victory at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday.

Tottenham have won only once at Chelsea in the Premier League era but have been better on their travels this season and come into the game on a four-game unbeaten streak under their new head coach. The Blues, who come into the derby off the back of Saturday's FA Cup defeat to Manchester City, will also have a new manager in the summer after the confirmation that Xabi Alonso will be taking the helm from July 1.

De Zerbi will provide updates on Monday on the fitness of Dominic Solanke and Guglielmo Vicario as well delivering the latest on captain Cristian Romero, who has taken his knee brace off and has been sprinting on the training ground pitches in a video he posted on social media.

Our Tottenham correspondent Alasdair Gold is among those putting the questions to the Spurs boss. Scroll down for his latest updates from the press conference at Hotspur Way.

Is this a wake-up call for Spurs?

No listen, one thing at a time. Now we need to play two games. We need to make other points to achieve our target and then have the right time to talk about the problems we have had, but it's not time right now and to lose energy over it.

On confidence in the team

We didn't deserve to lose the first game at Sunderland but we made eight points from the next four and we deserved to get more points. But we can't remember how things were a month ago. To get one point is tough, because all teams fight on the pitch. I want to see the right spirit, character and courage on the pitch.

On Conor Gallagher facing his old side

From Conor I expect the same performance he has been doing. Great player, great personality. He doesn't speak too much but he speaks on the pitch with his work and his personality.

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Tel's reaction in the week

Great reaction. Very mature guy, maybe more so outside the pitch than on it because he hasn't played that many games. He's a lovely guy, strong character and in the future he can play better and better and become a great player for us.

More on that goalkeeping decision

No, it is not difficult. It is easy. Vicario is number one but we have to consider the physical condition, the momentum and everything. I have a big relationship with Kinsky and Vicario as well and there will be no problem.

Team news

Vicario is available to play. I decide tomorrow. Solanke is not good yet. Not available. He feels something and I don't want to take the risk for this game. We hope for Sunday he can be available for one part of the game.

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Spurs have made a subtle change to their stadium

The north London club have made a little very recent change inside their stadium for the players. Click here to see whether you had noticed it or not.

De Zerbi will face two opponents at Stamford Bridge

Roberto De Zerbi and Spurs will face two opponents on Tuesday night. For more on what that means exactly, have a read right here.

The latest injury news

The latest on Spurs' eight injured players and potential return dates can be found by reading right here.

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Here's what Spurs need to do

You can find the permutations for Spurs in the Premier League and their final two games after the weekend's results by heading right here.

Welcome to Hotspur Way

Roberto De Zerbi will be with us shortly to look ahead to Spurs' trip to Chelsea.

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Calum McFarlane has spoken to the press ahead of Chelsea's clash against Tottenham Hotspur at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday night.

Calum McFarlane has provided an update on Romeo Lavia ahead of Chelsea's clash against Tottenham Hotspur. The 22-year-old midfielder was left out of the matchday squad on Saturday afternoon when the Blues lost to Manchester City in the FA Cup final.

Lavia had started three of the last four games for Chelsea across all competitions, rebuilding his fitness after a lengthy spell on the sidelines. The Belgian made his long-awaited return to action at the start of March and has since played 13 times.

Only six of the appearances were starts, and Lavia didn't complete a full game in either. After featuring in each of the Blues' last eight Premier League games in some capacity, he was an unused substitute in the draw to Liverpool at Anfield earlier this month.

Then, Lavia didn't even make the matchday squad for the FA Cup final at the weekend. Speaking to reporters at Cobham on Monday morning, the interim Blues boss confirmed the midfielder had suffered a knock.

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When asked to provided an update on Lavia, McFarlane said: "Romeo picked up a slight knock in the build-up to the game. Nothing major. But with Romeo, I didn't want to take that risk.

"He didn't want to take that risk. I thought he was brilliant in the games that he did play, in the same way Levi did. But you just have to be careful with players like that."

Mamadou Sarr and Benoit Badiashile were also left out at the weekend. On the Chelsea duo, McFarlane added: "They didn't make the squad. They're training really well, training really hard - we can use them in the next two games potentially.

"We've got a lot of players in those positions. You want to make sure you've got the right players in defence. There's nothing to report on those two."

Lavia, as well as Sarr and Benoit Badiashile, will hope to establish themselves as key players under Xabi Alonso next season. The 44-year-old has signed a four-year contract at Stamford Bridge and will begin his role as Chelsea manager on July 1.

football.london understands that Alonso will work closely with Chelsea's five-strong sporting leadership team in the summer transfer window. It's believed that he and the directors are aligned over the areas of the squad that need to be improved on at the end of the season.

The three Blues players that missed out on the chance to showcase their talent in the FA Cup final will hope to make an impression in either of the last two games of the season. Lavia, in particular, could become a key player for Chelsea under Alonso.

In an interview with the Evening Standard before the defeat to Pep Guardiola's side at Wembley Stadium, the Belgian pledged his allegiance to the Chelsea project. He insisted: "The day I lose belief, I will probably be the first one to leave this place.

"When you're in the building, never at any point do you see a loss of belief. On a personal note, I 100 per cent believe we will turn it around and get back to the Chelsea everyone knows."

Tottenham now know exactly what they must do in the final week of the Premier League season after West Ham's defeat on Sunday

Roberto De Zerbi knows that his Tottenham players have to bring in one point from their final two games to all but guarantee their Premier League safety.

West Ham fell to a 3-1 defeat to Newcastle at St James' Park on Sunday evening to make it three consecutive losses, after going down to Arsenal and Brentford in the previous fixtures. In contrast, Spurs have picked up under De Zerbi with a four game unbeaten run and seven points from their past three matches.

The result on Sunday leaves the Hammers two points behind Tottenham with just a single game to play, while the north London outfit have two matches to go, starting with Tuesday night's trip to Stamford Bridge.

In essence, Spurs need a point from either of their remaining games to stay up, barring a ridiculous set of results, for West Ham have a goal difference of -22 and that is 13 worse than De Zerbi's men's on -9.

Tottenham could guarantee their Premier League place next season if they could win at Chelsea in midweek. That is easier said than done because the Lilywhites have won just a solitary game in the Premier League era at that West London ground. It came in 2018 during the peak Mauricio Pochettino years, with Dele Alli scoring twice after Christian Eriksen's stunner from 25 yards had cancelled out Alvaro Morata's headed opener.

That victory represented the first time in more than 28 years that Tottenham had gone across the capital in the league and beaten Chelsea on their own turf. It has not been repeated since, with 21 defeats and 11 draws in all for Tottenham at that venue in the Premier League era around that sole triumph.

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Chelsea, who will have Xabi Alonso take over as manager in the summer, come into the game just three days after losing the FA Cup final to Manchester City while Spurs have had eight days to prepare and recover and they must make that count.

If they lose on Tuesday night then it all goes down to the final day of the season. West Ham face a home game against in-form Leeds United, who beat Brighton on Sunday and have not lost a Premier League game since March 3. The Hammer have to win to stand any chance of staying up if Spurs lose both their remaining games, and will have the London Stadium crowd behind them, but their visitors will not be on their holidays just yet.

At the same time on Sunday Spurs host Everton, who can still mathematically just about sneak into eighth place and a Conference League spot unless Chelsea were to win in midweek which makes it even more unlikely. Tottenham have had their struggles at home this season but have improved under De Zerbi and should have won both games against Brighton and Leeds.

So the route is clear for Tottenham. One point will do it, three will guarantee it and no points gained will leave their fate left to what happens across the capital. After a wretched season, Spurs have one job to do and that is to give something back to their suffering fans. They have to deliver.

Tottenham have just two games remaining with Roberto De Zerbi wondering if he will get any of his injured players back before the season ends

Tottenham's injured players are running out of time to help Roberto De Zerbi keep the club in the Premier League with just the two games remaining this week.

De Zerbi at least managed to get James Maddison back in action this week when the 29-year-old made his return for his first 20 minutes of action since last summer when his anterior cruciate ligament fully ruptured, requiring surgery and a nine month absence from fixtures.

His new head coach De Zerbi has had no let up from Spurs ' injury problems as within his first week at the club he lost Mohammed Kudus and Cristian Romero and then watched on at Wolves as Xavi Simons suffered his own anterior cruciate ligament injury which has ruled him out of the World Cup and beyond.

The 46-year-old Tottenham boss will be hoping for no fresh injuries as he prepares his team to travel to Chelsea on Tuesday night and then welcome Everton in a week's time on Sunday.

Here's the latest on those eight players who have been in the Tottenham treatment room.

Dominic Solanke

Solanke has had a season to forget when it comes to injury after he lost most of the first half of the campaign with a persistent ankle problem and then suffered a hamstring issue during the win at Wolves last month before Xavi went off with his ACL injury.

The 28-year-old striker missed the victory at Aston Villa and De Zerbi gave football.london an update on the England striker ahead of the draw against Leeds.

"About Solanke, he's improving very quickly. I don't know, for this game, I don't know if he can be available," he said. "We hope for the next game in Stamford Bridge."

Solanke posted an image of himself in an Instagram story which many took as a suggestion that he is almost ready to return but he is yet to be spotted in the training images released by the club.

Return date: Potentially Chelsea and if not a final day return against Everton

Guglielmo Vicario

Guglielmo Vicario underwent hernia surgery in March on a problem that has dogged him for months and it looks like he is finally back in training.

Spurs announced in the days before the operation that it had been deliberately timed for the international break and the three week absence of fixtures in order to "have as minimal impact as possible". The club added that they hoped the Italian would be able to "return to action within the next month".

That was not the case though as only this week have the club released an image of the goalkeeper appearing to be back in training. The problem for him is that even though De Zerbi has maintained the Italian is the club's number one, Antonin Kinsky has been in fine form and Vicario will not be sharp.

Return date: Potentially for Chelsea but it would be a huge decision to start him

Cristian Romero

You might have spotted Cristian Romero during the Leeds game looking anything but injured. The Spurs captain has been watching games high up in the stands so he can stretch out his knee brace but there he was in the dugout and then out of it. That's because, now out of his knee brace, he could be seen on Monday night delightedly racing from his dugout seat and tackling set piece coach Andreas Georgson after Mathys Tel's goal.

The 28-year-old had been injured after being pushed into Spurs goalkeeper Kinsky by Sunderland striker Brian Brobbey just over a month ago at the Stadium of Light in De Zerbi's first game in charge.

Argentinian media outlet Dario Cronica reported on Thursday that Romero made the decision to remain in England with the team as they fight relegation rather than travel back to his homeland, which has meant the Argentina FA instead sent a member of staff to London to aid his recovery ahead of this summer's World Cup in which he will once again be a crucial player for Lionel Scaloni.

The outlet reported that initially, Romero's plan was to travel to Buenos Aires, to the Lionel Messi Training Centre in Ezeiza, to complete his rehabilitation, but his desire to be around his Tottenham team-mates during their relegation fight meant that the Argentine medical team instead sent kinesiologist Luis Garcia to the English capital to complete the World Cup winner's rehabilitation process.

Romero included an image of himself working with Garcia in his latest Instagram post and the recovery timescale from his injury was estimated by the outlet to be between six and seven weeks. That would make a Spurs return unlikely with just those crunch games against Chelsea and Everton.

It would allow Romero though to be back in time for Argentina's friendlies against Honduras on June 6 and Iceland on June 9 ahead of their World Cup opener against Algeria on June 16 in Kansas.

Return date: Maybe too late for Spurs but not the World Cup

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Dejan Kulusevski

Dejan Kulusevski had hoped to be back playing in time for this summer's World Cup after his knee injury but we now know that will not be the case.

The Swede injured the patella in his knee back in May last year and after a couple of setbacks following his initial surgery, is yet to return to action for Spurs. At the end of last month he was spotted limping while in Spain meeting his international team-mates ahead of their World Cup play-off semi-final win against Ukraine and the 25-year-old revealed afterwards that he had undergone a small operation to clean out the knee.

Then exactly a year after his injury he found out from Sweden boss Graham Potter that he was not going to be given a spot in his World Cup squad with the hope that might play some part.

"I think we have to think about what is right for the team, that's important but also Dejan is in a place where he has had a long fight and he is making progress," said Potter at his press conference to announce the squad. "I think it's important now that this time he can really focus on getting himself ready for the start of the season. Dejan is at a stage where his rehab is so important and he has made some progress.

"I think the aim for him would be to start the next season with Tottenham, hit the ground running and to get back on the pitch and do the thing he loves. I think we have to be careful about that and ultimately that is the priority for him."

Potter added: "Once those games start, you're not in an area where you can do big 11 v 11 work, so it would be very, very difficult for him to get up to where we need him to be. Sometimes you have to take a decision of what does this look like. What is the impact for the player? What is the impact for the team?

"And it just felt in my stomach it was the right thing for us and for him, but of course now it's tough to see that, because he wants to be there and he wants to play, I understand.

"He is a professional person and he accepts it, of course but it is also very difficult as it is with all the guys. These things don't come along very often, it's a dream and you're ending a dream which is not a nice thing believe me."

Kulusevski's wife Eldina posted on Instagram on the same day, shared by the player: "For the past year I have been sitting in the front row. People see the damage. I've seen someone wake up every morning with a smile on their face, even though life has been moving in a circle of uncertainties and setbacks. A body that said no but a head that refused to give up.

"That exactly 365 days after the injury to receive the message that your World Cup dream will not come true this time, it hurts. If there's anything this year has shown me, it's that people with your heart never break through adversity, they build from them. You inspire us every day. Your time will come again."

De Zerbi shared text messages with Kulusevski after the win at Villa and the Italian is hopeful that the attacker will be with the squad to cheer them on against Everton next weekend.

Return date: Hopefully pre-season

Xavi Simons

Just as he was starting to sparkle under De Zerbi so Xavi became the club's fourth ACL injury victim in the past 16 months or so. You could throw in Rodrigo Bentancur if you wanted to add on a couple of years and a fifth player.

The Dutchman underwent his knee surgery this month and will now begin the long road back and as Maddison did, he looks set to document the steps along his journey to keep the Tottenham fans updated.

Xavi posted an image of himself after surgery on that right knee with the caption: "I went missin, on a mission just perfecting my craft. Intro done. Now we rise."

Return date: Early 2027 with the same nine month timeline

Mohammed Kudus

It all looked hopeful when Kudus returned to training in De Zerbi's first week after three months out with a serious quad tendon injury. Unfortunately he then suffered a setback that ended his season and left his World Cup hopes with Ghana in tatters.

"We can confirm that Mohammed Kudus has suffered a setback in his return from injury. The Ghana international forward suffered a significant quad injury during our Premier League fixture against Sunderland in January. He had returned to team training during the past week, however will now require further specialist review and, potentially, surgery. We will provide any relevant further updates in due course. We're all with you, Mo," read a statement from Spurs.

"I started not with too big luck!" said De Zerbi. "Yes, Kudus was in my head a crucial player, especially for the position, but we have to look forward anyway."

Reports have suggested surgery has been the decision for Kudus after a season that started so promisingly for him. The Ghanaian was in the dugout for the draw with Leeds to be around the squad.

Return date: Next season

Ben Davies

Davies underwent a second operation in January on the broken ankle he suffered in the Premier League defeat that month to West Ham United.

The 32-year-old Wales international was not involved in the World Cup play-off against Bosnia and Herzegovina and was even linked with potentially taking on a coaching role if Spurs went for another interim head coach before they managed to convince De Zerbi to join the club.

With his contract coming to an end this summer it may be that we don't get to see Davies in a Tottenham shirt again unless he either heals quickly or pens a new deal.

He did travel though in a club tracksuit on Sunday with the squad to Villa, in a non-playing capacity, watching the warm-ups and going on the pitch with the team as they celebrated at the final whistle and was in the dugout again for the Leeds game.

Return date: Unknown

Wilson Odobert

Odobert joined the ruptured anterior cruciate ligament crew after doing so in his left knee in February. He underwent surgery and is now working his way through the stages of his rehabilitation with the club's medical staff.

The Frenchman's time at Spurs has been fragmented by injuries and now the 21-year-old will follow in the footsteps of Maddison, Dragusin and Bentancur, and a little ahead of Xavi, in going through at least nine months or so out of the game.

He was among that group of injured Tottenham players watching the Leeds match beside the dugout on Monday night.

Rangers put Tottenham on notice over transfer as feelings made clear on move

Rangers boss Danny Rohl has made it clear that he would like to see Tottenham's Mikey Moore return to Ibrox for another loan spell. The youngster is heading back to Spurs after spending the 2025/26 season in Glasgow.

The 18-year-old netted seven goals and recorded four assists in 47 appearances for Rohl's side in his first taste of senior football, having come through the ranks in north London.

Moore grabbed an assist as Rangers thumped Falkirk 5-2 in their final game of the season on Saturday and Rohl spoke about the winger's future post-match, making it evident that would like him back. However, Rohl did express his desire for any potential move not to drag on into the summer.

There would be a desire for Roberto De Zerbi to take a look at Moore for himself given he was not Spurs head coach when the deal was sanctioned. Although Spurs are two points clear of the relegation zone with as many Premier League games left to play this season, there is also the consideration that Moore might be returning to a side in the Championship next season.

"I think we have to be patient, but also on the front foot with him," Rohl said after Rangers' season came to an end on Saturday. "We are clear, we will try everything. "Maybe, if there's a chance, and it makes sense to wait for him then of course, we will wait.

"But if you ask me, then I would have him straight in (for) pre-season. I prepare my team for a good start in the season. "Of course, it's important, you cannot allow to come so far from behind in a new season, we have to start really well, really strong. We have to work hard to get a great performance and a great start."

Rohl sees a bright future for Moore at Ibrox, but acknowledged that there are other things to consider such as Spurs' desires and what the player himself wants. "We are very clear as a club (with) what we want, there are still three parties, and we are just one of them," Rohl added.

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"Mikey, I think he fits really well here, I totally believe we can bring him to the next level as well. "He has his position, I think also the relationship with Tuur (Rommens) and Mikey next year could be a strong left side as well.

"But we have to do a lot of things right now, and this is our job to do."

The Tottenham Hotspur head coach takes his team across the capital for a crunch game against Chelsea on Tuesday evening

Anywhere but Stamford Bridge would be Tottenham's preferred destination for the final away day of their relegation battle but Roberto De Zerbi must put history aside to help save the north London club.

Ask any Spurs fan where their team just cannot win in the Premier League and the answer would either be Stamford Bridge or the Emirates. Take Tottenham out of the capital and no venue brings fear but mention Chelsea's stadium and the word 'hoodoo' follows swiftly behind.

For the Lilywhites have won just one solitary game in the Premier League era at that West London ground. It came in 2018 during the peak Mauricio Pochettino years, with Dele Alli scoring twice after Christian Eriksen's stunner from 25 yards had cancelled out Alvaro Morata's headed opener.

That victory represented the first time in more than 28 years that Tottenham had gone across the capital in the league and beaten Chelsea on their own turf. It has not been repeated since, with 21 defeats and 11 draws in all for Tottenham at that venue in the Premier League era around that sole triumph.

The Spurs team that day boasted the likes of Vertonghen, Trippier, Dembele, Son, Dele, Eriksen and Harry Kane even came off the bench. What De Zerbi would do to have the England captain on hand for this current iteration of Tottenham Hotspur.

But this is a very different Spurs, one that has lost its way and is left hoping that the Italian, as its fourth head coach in the past year, can get them punching again before they hit the canvas.

The early signs have been promising. They are unbeaten in four games with two wins and two draws, and those two stalemates at home against Brighton and Leeds would have been victories but for individual errors late on from Kevin Danso and Mathys Tel.

Even De Zerbi's opening narrow defeat at Sunderland could have gone either way and the Premier League's Key Match Incidents panel later admitted that Brian Brobbey should have been sent off for shoving Spurs skipper Cristian Romero into goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky, putting the Argentine out for the rest of the season with a knee injury.

Romero has cancelled plans to recuperate back home in South America so he can stay around the team for the fight ahead. He could be seen on Monday night racing out of the dugout to tackle set piece coach Andreas Georgson amid the celebration of Tel's goal.

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De Zerbi's biggest problem is the lack of attacking options at his disposal. He could have Dominic Solanke back in the frame for Tuesday night but remains without Xavi Simons, Mohammed Kudus, Wilson Odobert and Dejan Kulusevski. The Swede's one year anniversary of his knee injury at Selhurst Park was marked by the news that he had been left out of Graham Potter's World Cup squad after repeated setbacks meant he is yet to play a single minute of football this season.

Tottenham at least have James Maddison back in the fold. The England international played 20 minutes against Leeds on Monday night after nine months out with a cruciate ligament injury. De Zerbi will be hoping his midfield magician rediscovers his sharpness just when the north London club needs it the most.

Maddison has recorded five goal involvements in 13 games against Chelsea in the Premier League so he knows how to hurt the Blues, but he has a lot of cobwebs to shake off.

Spurs will be hoping for help from elsewhere. West Ham travel first to Newcastle late on Sunday afternoon and De Zerbi will be praying that Eddie Howe's men sign off at St James' Park in a positive fashion after their own stuttering season.

Then Tuesday brings the trip to Stamford Bridge. Tottenham will have had eight days to prepare while Chelsea come in three days after the cup final.

It is almost exactly a decade since the 'Battle of the Bridge', when Spurs' title hopes ended amid a flurry of yellow cards and melees. Present day Tottenham are fighting for something very different and they need to find a way to consign history to where it belongs - the rearview mirror.

Tottenham Hotspur could inadvertently help Arsenal sign a Premier League player valued at as much as £63million who has impressed the Gunners' recruitment team

Arsenal stand to benefit from Tottenham Hotspur staying in the Premier League at West Ham United's expense should they attempt to sign Mateus Fernandes this summer.

football.london understands the Gunners are interested in Fernandes, who has impressed their recruitment team over recent seasons. The Portugal international joined Southampton from Sporting two years ago after barely getting a game in Lisbon, but soon became a regular in the Premier League.

An impressive debut season ended in relegation with the Saints and then West Ham signed him for around £40millon last summer. Despite being involved in another relegation battle this term, Fernandes continues to impress.

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West Ham dropping down to the second tier could lead to the midfielder bouncing back up even higher this time around, with Arsenal in the market for a midfielder. The Times reports that West Ham would have to sell Fernandes to comply with the Championship's financial framework.

The division's clubs have voted through new Squad Cost Rules (SCR). As a result, they will have to cap their spending to 85% of their income.

Owners are only allowed to inject an additional £15million across any one season. West Ham's revenue would decline significantly after any relegation, which could happen before the final day of the season.

The Hammers are two points adrift of safety with as many games to play. They visit Newcastle United today before hosting Leeds United next Sunday.

West Ham would already be down when the Whites travel to the London Stadium, though, if they do not win this weekend. Failing to beat Leeds would give Spurs a chance to secure safety by beating Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday.

However, if Roberto De Zerbi's side do not earn all three points, it will go down to the final day, when they host Everton. West Ham can no longer catch Nottingham Forest, so only Spurs can save them.

As for Arsenal, their focus is understandably on the top of the table. However, what happens at the opposite end could take on greater importance this summer.

Fernandes signed a five-year contract with West Ham last summer, so he still has four seasons remaining on it. There reportedly is no standard release clause in the deal for a player whom the CIES Football Observatory values at up to £63million.

However, there are conflicting reports about such an option becoming active if they are a Championship club next season. Bypassing negotiations with West Ham would be ideal for the Gunners, especially given how their previous talks over signing Declan Rice cost them over £100million.

It has been confirmed that the talented Tottenham teenager will get his first senior international call-up for two games this month

Mason Melia is set to get his first call-up to the Republic of Ireland senior squad even though the 18-year-old is yet to make his Tottenham debut.

Melia arrived at Spurs in January after the north London club had agreed a deal with St Patrick's Athletic to bring him over once he turned 18, with the transfer worth an initial £1.6million - a record figure for the League of Ireland - with the potential for future add-ons to double it.

Tottenham handed the youngster a long contract until 2031 as they fended off various other top Premier League and European clubs to sign one of the brightest young talents in Irish football.

The Republic of Ireland U21 international arrived with 98 senior games with St Pat's under his belt along with with 25 goals and eight assists. However, he also arrived with a back problem and later a chest infection, delaying his debut for Spurs' U21s until last month.

Melia has scored goals for them and stepped up to train on occasions with Roberto De Zerbi's first team but has not yet made a matchday squad in the Premier League. However, he will now make his first steps into the Irish senior squad and work alongside former Spurs striker Troy Parrott, who has become a star for club and country with his exploits at AZ Alkmaar.

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Ireland boss Heimir Hallgrimsson has confirmed he will name Melia in his squad for the next two friendlies at home to Qatar on May 28 and away to Canada on June 5.

"Mason is in the next camp,” said Hallgrimsson in Spain on Friday ahead of a fringe squad friendly game against Grenada on Saturday. "I have to be honest, I haven't seen him play for Tottenham's U21s in their last games, but our U21s manager Jim Crawford has.

"Obviously I saw him last season in Europe for St Pat’s and he played really well there. He has the qualities that we are looking for in a sense of his running behind, he’s a hard working kid, he will fight for every scrap. All of those things he has we saw last year in the League of Ireland and Europe.

"Hopefully he will get a run of club games and start pre-season well, hopefully at Tottenham and hopefully they will still be in the Premier League."