Football London

Pedro Porro and eight Tottenham stars unlock £264m windfall as Johan Lange given transfer boost  Football London

Roberto De Zerbi will have been keeping tabs on the Tottenham Hotspur players at the World Cup this summer.

Roberto De Zerbi will soon welcome some big names back to Hotspur Way. A handful of Tottenham Hotspur players returned to the club's training base in north London earlier this month to begin preparations for the new season.

Although the Italian has had the chance to work closely with his squad, many of those likely to be among the first names on the teamsheet have been absent due to their participation in the World Cup. The likes of Andy Robertson and Rodrigo Bentancur are expected to be among the first back in action, having failed to lead Scotland and Uruguay, respectively, out of the group stage.

Meanwhile, due to welfare rules, the likes of Pedro Porro and Cristian Romero, who locked horns in the final on Sunday night, may not return to Hotspur Way until mid-August. Last summer, ahead of the Club World Cup, FIFPRO called for a mandatory four-week break at the end of each season.

After a meeting with player unions, FIFA announced: "There is a consensus that there must be at least 72 hours of rest between matches, and that players should have a rest period/holiday of at least 21 days at the end of each season."

FOLLOW OUR TOTTENHAM FB PAGE! Latest Spurs news, analysis and much more via our dedicated Facebook page

So, any Tottenham player who at least reached the round of 16 at the World Cup may not return to training at Hotspur Way until the start of August, missing out on valuable time on the pitch. The Lilywhites had strong representation in the semi-finals, meaning some may miss the entirety of pre-season.

Although the late arrivals of some could significantly dent preparations, the respite could prove crucial ahead of another long, fixture-filled campaign. De Zerbi will also hope that those who participated in the World Cup have learned valuable lessons that can be useful in the Premier League as Spurs look to avoid another relegation battle.

So, with that being said, football.london has rated how every Tottenham player performed on the international stage this summer.

Pedro Porro

Porro became just the fourth Spurs player in history to ever win the World Cup, following in the footsteps of Jimmy Greaves (for England in 1966), Hugo Lloris (for France in 2018) and Cristian Romero (for Argentina in 2022). The 26-year-old defender was superb throughout the tournament, scoring a particularly important goal in the semi-final against France.

football.london rating: 9/10

Cristian Romero

Romero almost led Argentina to glory again, but Lionel Scaloni's side fell at the final hurdle. The 28-year-old defender started all but one of the eight games, missing just the third group stage clash after qualification had already been secured.

He inspired a comeback for the history books in the round of 16, scoring the first of three goals in a 3-2 win over Egypt. Romero appeared to suffer an injury midway through the second half of the World Cup final, and he was replaced by Facundo Medina.

Now that the World Cup is over, De Zerbi must decide what to do with the Argentine centre-half. Although the transfer window doesn't close until September 1, the Tottenham boss will be keen to resolve Romero's future before the new Premier League season gets underway next month.

football.london rating: 8/10

Djed Spence

Tuchel raised eyebrows when he named Spence in the England squad, but the Tottenham defender enjoyed a brilliant tournament. After a pair of promising cameos off the bench in the round of 16 and quarter-final wins over Mexico and Norway, respectively, he earned a place in the starting lineup for the semi-final against Argentina.

Spence put on another great display, making an excellent slide tackle to deny Scaloni's side from scoring an equaliser just moments after Anthony Gordon's opener. Argentina didn't level proceedings until half an hour or so later through Enzo Fernandez before going on to win the tie in stoppage time.

football.london rating: 8/10

Jan Paul van Hecke

Despite playing a key role in what was a disappointing campaign for the Netherlands, crashing out in the last-32, Van Hecke made quite the impression at the World Cup. The Tottenham defender, who's recently signed from Brighton, proved exactly why Johan Lange forked out £52m for his signature earlier this summer.

football.london rating: 6/10

Micky van de Ven

Van de Ven featured as a left-back at the World Cup. The Tottenham defender held his own in a largely foreign position, being a centre-half on paper, but he was ultimately part of a disappointing campaign for the Netherlands.

football.london rating: 5/10

Kevin Danso

Danso played a bit-part role for Austria at the World Cup this summer. The Tottenham defender helped his country qualify for the knockout stages, only to face the eventual winners, Spain, in the last-32.

football.london rating: 5/10

Lucas Bergvall

Bergvall enjoyed a promising start to the World Cup, coming off the bench to help Sweden defeat Tunisia. After another couple of promising cameos in the group stage, the Tottenham midfielder was given his first start of the tournament against France in the last-32.

Les Bleu leapt out of the gates in the second-half, scoring twice inside eight minutes of the restart. Didier Deschamps' side blew Sweden out of the water; Bergvall was one of two players to take the fall, coming off a few moments later.

football.london rating: 5/10

Pape Matar Sarr

Sarr featured just twice off the bench in what was a very underwhelming campaign for Senegal. Despite winning just one game in the group stage, Pape Thiaw's side qualified for the last-32, only to be knocked out by Belgium in extra time.

football.london rating: 4/10

Rodrigo Bentancur

Bentancur played a key role in one of the biggest underachieving teams at the World Cup: Uruguay. The Tottenham midfielder started each of the three group stage games, drawing to Saudi Arabia and Cape Verde, as well as losing to Spain.

football.london rating: 3/10

Andy Robertson

Like Bentancur, Robertson also failed to lead his country out of the group stage. The Tottenham defender captained Scotland to a famous win over Haiti, as well as defeats to Morocco and Brazil.

Tottenham have agreed a deal with Manchester United as the club's transfer business under Roberto De Zerbi continues ahead of the new Premier League season

Tottenham have agreed a deal worth up to £8million with Manchester United to sell 18-year-old winger Tynan Thompson. Spurs are said to have included a 20 per cent sell-on clause within the deal.

Thompson joins the Red Devils for an initial £4m, with a further £4m available in add-ons. The teenager is said to have been told he will receive opportunities to force his way into the first-team picture at Old Trafford, and the add-ons are linked to first-team achievements.

Spurs also have matching rights on future bids. Following a difficult year with personal circumstances, Thompson's family wanted to relocate from the area.

FOLLOW OUR TOTTENHAM FB PAGE! Latest Spurs news, analysis and much more via our dedicated Facebook page

A United statement read: "Manchester United have agreed the signing of exciting young winger Tynan Thompson, subject to registration. The England youth international has joined from Tottenham Hotspur.

"The 18-year-old scored 13 goals and contributed six assists last season across Under-18s to Under-21s level, including seven goals in seven UEFA Youth League games. His performances earned him opportunities within Spurs’ first-team matchday squads.

"Everyone at United would like to welcome Tynan to the club and wish him the very best of luck for the future."

Spurs also released a short statement. "We have reached agreement with Manchester United for the transfer of Tynan Thompson," it said.

"The 18-year-old winger progressed through our Academy ranks to feature frequently for our Under-18s and Under-21s in recent seasons, and was named in our first team squad on three occasions in 2025/26. We wish Tynan all the best for the future."

The Croydon-born ace joined Spurs' academy at the under-12 level and went on to become an England youth international. He made his debut for the Three Lions' under-18 side in September 2025 during a 3-1 win over Uzbekistan.

Spurs had previously hoped to sign Thompson to a longer-term deal, with the attacker making it onto the bench for Champions League and Carabao Cup matches in the past.

Spurs could soon lose another academy prospect with Elijah Upson, son of ex-England international Matthew, said to be moving across north London to Arsenal. Chelsea, Manchester City and Everton, along with European heavyweights Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund and Bayer Leverkusen, have all been credited with interest.

The versatile defender can operate centrally or at right-back and appeared in six of Spurs' seven UEFA Youth League fixtures last term. He also started 13 of the Lilywhites' first 16 Under-18 Premier League matches.

Roberto De Zerbi told he made a big Tottenham transfer mistake but will finish in the top six  Football London

Premier League rules mean Tottenham cannot register any more specific transfers  Football London

The young Tottenham Hotspur coach has been rising up the football ladder and will now take another step with a switch to a promoted Premier League club

Stuart Lewis is set to leave Tottenham to become a first team coach at newly-promoted Premier League side Ipswich Town, football.london understands.

The highly-rated 38-year-old, who gained his UEFA Pro Licence this year, was promoted from the academy set-up last summer into a newly-created role as first team academy transition coach under then head coach Thomas Frank. Lewis retained that role under both Igor Tudor and then Roberto De Zerbi as he helped the young players adapt in training to the first team set-up.

However, football.london understands that Ipswich approached Lewis and Tottenham this summer to bring him across to work with their first team under new boss Gary O'Neill and the young coach has decided to take that step up to work with senior players on a consistent basis as he continues his development.

Lewis' star rose at Spurs as their under-18s coach. With him at the helm the club won three trophies in as many seasons in the U18 Premier League Cup as well as twice lifting the U17 version of the competition. They did so by playing a sweeping, attacking brand of football that fitted the club's ethos.

During his time with that age group, Lewis oversaw the development of a string of academy players who went on to make their debut for the first team, including the likes of Luca Williams-Barnett, Jun'ai Byfield, Mikey Moore, Will Lankshear, Jamie Donley, Alfie Dorrington, Damola Ajayi and Callum Olusesi.

FOLLOW OUR TOTTENHAM FB PAGE! Latest Spurs news, analysis and much more via our dedicated Facebook page

Many have long tipped Lewis to be the next to make the step up from Tottenham's academy levels to senior management and follow in the footsteps of Matt Wells and Ryan Mason as well as Kieran McKenna, who recently left Ipswich after guiding them to promotion.

Tottenham's sporting director Johan Lange had explained the appointment of Lewis to his hybrid role at the club last summer.

"To strengthen even more the bond between the first team and the academy is something that we have worked hard on for a number of years and with this new hire of Stuart coming into this new role we believe that it will be even even stronger in the years to come because we have some very, very exciting young players that will come through, push in the upcoming years and they need maybe a little bit of special attention as well to bridge that big gap that it is to go from academy football to the Premier League," said the Dane.

"We've had Dean Brill coming into a new role as assistant goalkeeper coach, he was head of academy goalkeeper coaching. Again, it shows that we want to show both players but also staff that not only coaches, can also be in the medical, performance analysis, scouting, in all the departments, that if you are coming into our academy, getting the DNA under the skin that we can have good, exciting pathways for coaches, specialists in this football club."

Now Lewis will take on his first full senior coaching at Ipswich after acting as the go-between for Spurs' academy and the first team. The north London club will not doubt be keeping a close eye on his progress in the years ahead.

The duo have been in top form down the right flank for Spain but missed a training session ahead of the World Cup final with some issues

Pedro Porro and Lamine Yamal are expected to be fit for Spain to take on Argentina in Sunday's World Cup final in New Jersey despite some minor issues.

The duo have been in fine form down the right side of the Spanish team during the tournament but both were left dealing with some little problems after the semi-final victory against France. Porro came off in the 85th minute with what was reported as muscle discomfort and Lamal was said to have minor issues and fatigue.

The Spurs defender then said in an interview with El Partidazo de COPE that "I know my body perfectly" and explained that he felt that "something wasn't right" but was able to clarify that nothing serious was found and emphasised that "I'm better, I'm very well".

Both players worked alone on Thursday away from the group as their team-mates trained ahead of Sunday's final against Argentina, with Spain boss Luis de la Fuente saying that the Tottenham right-back, who has scored twice in the knockout rounds, was dealing with "something minor" with muscle overload and would undergo further evaluation before the biggest game of his career so far.

However, both players have since trained with the group and their separate programme was said to be part of workload management as De la Fuente leant on the side of caution with two players who have been key to Spain's progression through the competition.

FOLLOW OUR TOTTENHAM FB PAGE! Latest Spurs news, analysis and much more via our dedicated Facebook page

"As far as I know, Lamine has nothing serious. I've just spoken with the medical staff, and everything looks positive," said the Spain head coach on the teenager.

In his interview, Porro called Yamal a "wonderful young man" with maturity and humility at just 19-years-old. As Spain prepare to take on Argentina, who include his Tottenham team-mates Cristian Romero and Marcos Senesi as well as Lionel Messi among their numbers, Porro said there was no way to plan for the latter, who he considers "the best of all time".

"I'd say it's impossible. Basically, we need to focus more on ourselves, I'd say, because the match against France was also more about that, countering their strengths," said the full-back, who signed a new long-term contract with Tottenham this summer.

Despite the crowd at the MetLife Stadium expected to be dominated by Argentina fans on Sunday, Porro will not be fazed by the noise, saying: "Not me, at least. I don't hear anything once I step onto the pitch."

Inside the very different worlds of Cristian Romero and Pedro Porro ahead of World Cup final battle  Football London

Newcastle must replace some key players this summer and one former Tottenham winger has urged them not to follow his old club's transfer strategy

Newcastle should veer away from following Tottenham's former transfer strategy of buying younger players, believes ex-England star Chris Waddle.

Waddle turned out down the wing for both clubs and has seen Spurs splash out £237million so far on more established players this summer, including Newcastle's own Sandro Tonali in a deal that could be worth £100million. The north London outfit also spent £85million on Mateus Fernandes from West Ham, £52million on Brighton centre-back Jan Paul van Hecke with free transfers also agreed for the experienced trio of Andy Robertson, Marcos Senesi and Martin Dubravka.

Newcastle, who sold Anthony Gordon to Barcelona earlier in the summer and have Arsenal interested in Bruno Guimaraes, have been linked with a string of younger players from across Europe in the transfer window and Waddle has warned that following that strategy did little previously for Tottenham.

"I'm looking at the players Newcastle are linked with, particularly the younger ones. It seems they're shifting towards a younger recruitment strategy, focusing on developing talent to sell on, much like Tottenham has done over the years. Many of the players they've been linked with are quite young and unproven.

"They could turn out to be top players, or they might not. The players you read about and who they are linked with show they are going down that younger, high-potential avenue.

"We'll wait and see, but they're getting rid of three players who are proven in the Premier League to three players who may come in who are unknown. That’s a massive gamble and I don't think it's helpful for Eddie Howe. I think his hands are tied," said the former England international in association with OLBG .

FOLLOW OUR TOTTENHAM FB PAGE! Latest Spurs news, analysis and much more via our dedicated Facebook page

"Howe will get on with it, and we know he's a good coach who has done great work at Newcastle. I'm sure he still has a lot of backing from the fans, who will be looking to the ownership for answers on why players are leaving, why the club is cashing in on them, and why they are bringing in replacements for less than the value of those they are offloading."

He added: "I’ve always believed that if you have the money and the backing, you should buy a player who is ready to perform in the Premier League. It might cost a bit more, but they are proven.

"I think that’s why Tottenham have started buying players who we know can play and handle the Premier League well.

"Over the years, they brought in Archie Gray and Steven Bergwijn, but neither consistently stayed in the team and that was three or four years ago. There’s a case for buying proven players depending on the size of your club, I think Newcastle needs to target players ready for the Premier League right now. I don’t understand the strategy of banking on development for two or three years down the line."

Roberto De Zerbi told to make surprising Cristian Romero decision amid Tottenham transfer talk  Football London