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Savinho breaks silence after Man City make final Tottenham transfer decision

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Savinho breaks silence after Man City make final Tottenham transfer decision - Football London
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Manchester City winger Savinho has taken to social media whilst continuing to be linked with a late switch to Tottenham Hotspur this summer transfer window.

Spurs have less than two weeks to finish their business and lock in their squad for the 2025/26 campaign. A great emphasis has been placed on Thomas Frank bringing in more influential attackers following the devastating injury blow to James Maddison in pre-season and the exit of Son Heung-min.

As reported by football.london, interest in Savinho is now established. The club see the Brazilian as an ideal replacement for their departed former captain.

Savinho's versatility to play on both attacking flanks could potentially become a handy tool for Frank, who could shift new signing Mohammed Kudus to play centrally.

But there is no guarantee a deal can be done before the September 1 deadline, especially if Man City are unwilling to sell. The latest claim via Guillem Balague is that they have decided they will not sell the player to Spurs.

For the first time since this information has emerged, Savinho has chosen to post to Instagram.

"Dreams are paths built by the heart," the 21-year-old's cryptic message read. That was the captain to four images of his collection of personal memorabilia from his career so far, Savinho in training and a pair of sky blue Nike total 90 trainers.

After scoring three and assisting 13 in all competitions in his debut campaign in England, Savinho has started the new season injured so did not feature in last weekend's opener for City vs Wolves.

It gave Pep Guardiola the chance to answer the media's questions on the interest in his player. The City boss made clear he does not want a transfer to take place.

"If Tottenham in that case or any other club wants a player, they should call the club right?" said Guardiola. "It's the same like we do. I'm only concerned right now, today, that Savinho will be with us until the end of the season.

"And hopefully for many, many years. He's 21 years old with the potential that he has. He's played a lot of minutes, he has to improve in the final decisions.

"But he's an extraordinary player, otherwise he would not have played more than 3,000 minutes.

"But in the end, as always, the desire of the players prevails above everything. But they have to arrive to an agreement with the club."

Spurs' Mikey Moore makes huge claim, Will Lankshear praise as Alejo Veliz and Alfie Devine score

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Spurs' Mikey Moore makes huge claim, Will Lankshear praise as Alejo Veliz and Alfie Devine score - Football London
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Tottenham have a huge group of players out on loan all trying to make a name for themselves across the game.

New Spurs head coach Thomas Frank has run the rule over all of the youngsters within his squad. After the club's tour to Hong Kong and South Korea, the Dane agreed to a whole host of them heading out on loan to clubs across the Football League - with Mikey Moore and Alejo Veliz having already gone to Scotland and Argentina respectively.

Tottenham now have 11 players out on loan with more likely to follow them before the various transfer windows close across the world in the coming weeks.

"I think it’s important that there is a fine balance," said Frank. "I think there’s a lot of learning training with the first-team boys here. I think that learning from the intensity, physicality, professional higher level players is very good and also part of having enough players in the squad.

"Then the next bit is the most important thing for any player is playing minutes, so that is that balance and we thought it was the right moment to get them out."

So how exactly did Tottenham's loan army get on at their respective clubs this week? football.london takes a look below.

Mikey Moore (Rangers)

Mikey Moore finally made his Rangers debut on Saturday evening after a long wait. He made the loan move to Ibrox at the beginning of the month, but was unable to make his bow as he had been waiting for international clearance, which only arrived when he turned 18 last week.

Moore was handed a start by Russell Martin in Saturday's Premier Sports Cup game against Alloa Athletic as the Glasgow club beat the League 1 side 4-2. He got an assist to his name with just 13 minutes on the clock as Nedim Bajrami opened the scoring.

"Performing well here to achieve what I want to at Spurs is a huge driving factor for me," said Moore in a press conference after Saturday's win. "I want to go and play in the biggest competitions and I want to hopefully be one of the best players in the world so it's massive for me.

"I've signed a new contract at Spurs but at the minute I'm focused on playing here so I'm just buzzing to go and play some massive games at this football club. I just want to play for this club and to become a better player. I think there are huge opportunities at this club and big games.

"It's a great club so I just want to play as many games as possible, score as many goals as I’m able to and excite as many people as I can."

Moore has a big game on Tuesday evening as Rangers host Club Brugge in the first leg of their Champions League play-off tie.

Will Lankshear (Oxford United)

Will Lankshear got on the scoresheet as he struck a low volley home to level the scores just nine minutes into Oxford United's 3-2 defeat at Hull City in the Championship.

United boss Gary Rowett told the Oxford Mail of the 20-year-old striker, who has now started all three matches he's been available for at Oxford: "I think Will scoring, he’s been really hungry in games. He did really well. I thought he showed he’s got that little bit of physicality.

"When he went out on loan last season, that was one area he knew he needed to improve. He didn’t get lots and lots of opportunities to show that, but I think he’s worked really hard for the team.

"We know he can score goals. I think that will give him a little bit of confidence. Even in the first couple of games, he’s been frustrated because he wants to get off the mark.

"I think there are some positives to take, but I think sometimes those positives feel a little bit further away when you don’t get anything out of the game."

Alejo Veliz (Rosario Central)

Alejo Veliz also got on the scoresheet as he grabbed his first goal of his loan spell back at Rosario Central, having started five matches in a row for the Argentine side.

In Saturday's match against Deportivo Riestra, Veliz scored with a powerful header from a deep cross to spark wild celebrations in front of the home crowd just nine minutes into the contest.

However, Rosario conceded a penalty in the 89th minute and ended up having to share the spoils.

Alfie Devine (Preston North End)

Alfie Devine scored a lovely goal for Preston in their 2-1 win against Leicester after rounding the keeper and sending home a curling shot from a tight angle to open his account for his new club just seven minutes into the game.

"I enjoyed it from when I first stepped on to when I came off," Devine is quoted as saying in the Lancashire Post. "Yeah, buzzing. I was questioning why he came out at first and then when I took it round him, obviously the angle was a bit tight and I just thought if I aim for the back post then it's either going in, or someone's tapping it in - luckily, it went in.

"The staff players, everyone, have made me feel welcome. That's important because when you feel like that, you go on to the pitch and perform as best you can. When I was first coming in, (the manager) got to explain how he wants things to go and I think it was a perfect match; today sort of showed that a little bit, I think.

"I think it was sort of a no-brainer coming here. Obviously, I know the area from being (round) here as well, so that helped. When I played against Preston last time they had a few loan boys playing and stuff, so I always knew that when I came here it would be a step forward for me, and it's proven to be."

Alfie Dorrington (Aberdeen)

Alfie Dorrington is up in Scotland as well as Moore, albeit playing for Aberdeen where he won the Scottish Cup last season.

Since his return on loan to the Dons, the 20-year-old centre-back has started both of his past two matches. On Saturday he got another 90 minutes under his belt and kept a clean sheet as Aberdeen won 3-0 at Greenock Morton.

Dorrington will play European football this week as on Thursday night Aberdeen host Romanian side FCSB, formerly known as Steaua Bucuresti, in the Europa League play-off first leg.

Yang Min-hyeok (Portsmouth)

Yang Min-hyeok had to watch on from the bench on Saturday as Portsmouth lost 2-1 at home to Norwich as the 19-year-old South Korean did not get the chance to come on.

He did play the full 90 minutes in midweek though as Pompey lost 2-1 at home to Reading in the first round of the Carabao Cup.

Ashley Phillips & Jamie Donley (Stoke City)

Both Jamie Donley and Ashley Phillips had to settle for just 24 minutes of action as they came off the bench together in Stoke's 3-0 victory at Sheffield Wednesday in the Championship on Saturday. Donley had a chance to score after coming on when a corner fell his way.

Both players got handed scores of 6.5 in Stoke-on-Trent Live's player ratings.

Donley's review said: "Might have scored when picked out for volley by Cresswell corner." Phillips got these words: "More useful minutes through the closing stages."

George Abbott (Wycombe Wanderers)

George Abbott came off the bench for 31 minutes in Wycombe's 1-1 draw at Doncaster on Saturday.

The midfielder, who celebrated his 20th birthday the day after, had played just over an hour in midweek of the 1-0 win at Leyton Orient in the first round of the Carabao Cup.

Wycombe are back in action on Tuesday night with a home game in League One against Exeter City.

Damola Ajayi (Doncaster Rovers)

Damola Ajayi was another who came on as a substitute in League One as the 19-year-old entered the fray on Saturday to come up against his Spurs academy team-mate Abbott.

The winger came on for the final 13 minutes of the game and will be hoping for more minutes in Tuesday night's match at Huddersfield.

Ajayi scored his first goal for Doncaster with a deflected low finish 22 minutes into the 4-0 win at Championship side Middlesbrough in the Carabao Cup first round last week.

Tyrese Hall (Notts County)

Tyrese Hall had to watch on as an unused substitute on the bench in League Two as Notts County lost 2-1 at Barrow on Saturday.

The 19-year-old did play 26 minutes though in midweek in the 1-0 defeat at Wigan in the Carabao Cup and will be hoping to get more minutes as Notts County host Shrewsbury on Wednesday night in the league.

Tottenham have perfect transfer welcome gift lined up for Eberechi Eze

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Tottenham have perfect transfer welcome gift lined up for Eberechi Eze - Football London
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Tottenham Hotspur are continuing to be linked with a move for Crystal Palace star Eberechi Eze.

The England international's future has been the subject of intense speculation all summer as a move away from Selhurst Park looks increasingly likely.

There have also been rumours that Arsenal have shown an interest in signing Eze, although recent speculation has suggested that Tottenham would be the 27-year-old's most likely destination if he were to join a new club before the September 1 deadline.

Eze was reported to have a £68million release clause in his contract at Palace earlier in the summer, although there have been reports that it is no longer in effect.

As a result, Spurs would need to agree a fee with Palace in order to have a chance of bringing Eze to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

If Tottenham were to agree a deal to sign Eze, they would have the perfect welcome gift to offer the playmaker upon his arrival.

Spurs would need to award Eze a squad number which he would wear during his time at the club, and one number has become available this summer.

The No.7 is available to new signings and was previously worn by Son Heung-min, who recently left the club to join Los Angeles FC in Major League Soccer.

It remains to be seen if Eze would take the number, with the Palace star currently wearing No.10 at Palace. That number is not available at Spurs, due to it being occupied by James Maddison.

Spurs have made six new signings so far this summer, with Mohammed Kudus, Mathys Tel, Kevin Danso, Luka Vuskovic and Kota Takai joining the club on permanent deals, while Joao Palhinha has signed from Bayern Munich on loan for the campaign.

Tottenham close in on Eberechi Eze transfer as Daniel Levy and Steve Parish plan further talks

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Tottenham close in on Eberechi Eze transfer as Daniel Levy and Steve Parish plan further talks - Football London
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Tottenham Hotspur are growing closer to signing Eberechi Eze from Crystal Palace with further talks planned between the two clubs in order to come to a final agreement, football.london understands.

Spurs have moved for the 27-year-old England international in recent weeks following James Maddison's anterior cruciate ligament injury suffered in the pre-season draw with Newcastle in South Korea. With negotiations between the two clubs led by the two chairmen and co-owners Daniel Levy and Steve Parish, there is now a growing positivity that a deal is almost there to bring Eze to north London.

football.london understands that further talks are planned between Spurs and Palace to reach a final agreement with the midfielder having informed the Eagles of his wish to join up with Thomas Frank's side and play Champions League football this season with Tottenham.

Palace boss Oliver Glasner had hoped that Eze, who played in the goalless draw at Chelsea on Sunday, would be involved in his side's first European match on Thursday night as they take on Fredrikstad in the UEFA Conference League, while Spurs hope to push a deal through for Eze in time for him to play a part against Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday in the Premier League.

Eze appeared to be saying a potential farewell to the Palace fans at Stamford Bridge at the weekend in case a deal was concluded this week with Spurs.

Glasner said after that draw with the Blues: "Eberechi Eze, as much as I know has a contract with Crystal Palace, he is a Crystal Palace player. He showed it today and as long as he is a Crystal Palace player and he performs like this, he will play for us and nobody has told me anything else.

"He was picked because he is a Crystal Palace player and he is a very good Crystal Palace player, he trained all week, so there was no reason not to pick him."

The next couple of days will decide whether it is Glasner or Frank who gets their wish and has Eze in their team for their next fixture.

Tottenham have just completed most important summer deal to avoid £34.3m Thomas Frank nightmare

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Tottenham have just completed most important summer deal to avoid £34.3m Thomas Frank nightmare - Football London
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Tottenham will hope to end the summer transfer window with seven new signings brought into Thomas Frank's squad. Mathys Tel, Kota Takai, Mohammed Kudus and Joao Palhinha are the players to have arrived thus far with the Spurs boss now actively looking to also strengthen in three other positions.

Following the serious knee injury to James Maddison, an addition in attacking midfield is being sought after with Crystal Palace's Eberechi Eze top of the club's shortlist. Negotiations for the Eagles talisman have been ongoing for the last week or so with a final agreement seemingly getting closer by the day.

Eze appears to be aware of that as well with his actions at the end of the 0-0 draw against Chelsea on Sunday suggesting that could have been his last game for Palace. Spurs are also actively looking to sign a new winger with talks for Manchester City's Savinho having taken place.

However, the Brazilian now looks more likely to stay at Etihad Stadium following a Pep Guardiola decision. Strengthening out wide seems less of a priority given the options currently at Frank's disposal, but it is likely that alternatives have been looked at.

Spurs are also keen to bring in a new centre-back especially if Luka Vuskovic seals a loan move for the 2025/26 season. Bayer Leverkusen's Piero Hincapie has been mooted as an option but it would likely take activating his apparent £52million release clause to agree a deal.

His teammate Edmond Tapsoba was a target for Spurs before they opted to sign Micky van de Ven and the Dutchmen has since formed a strong partnership with new club captain Cristian Romero.

The centre-back duo were key to Tottenham winning the Europa League and the hope will be they remain as part of the club's spine for the next few years with that now looking very likely after Romero signed a new four-year contract.

Confirmation of his extension arrived on Monday evening and given the speculation surrounding his future alongside his clear importance to the team, it is unlikely that Tottenham complete a more important deal.

The 27-year-old penning fresh terms is a huge statement of intent from both the player and Spurs with it seemingly clear he feels that more trophies can be won. It is also very likely he has received a pay rise up from the £8.58million he had taken in during the first three years of the contract he signed when initially joining permanently back in 2022.

The nightmare scenario of Romero leaving as a free agent next summer, after earning a reported £34.3million from his four-year deal, has now been avoided by Frank.

Tottenham handed Eberechi Eze transfer boost as Crystal Palace get £30m replacement green light

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Tottenham handed Eberechi Eze transfer boost as Crystal Palace get £30m replacement green light - Football London
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Tottenham could be about to strike a huge breakthrough in transfer negotiations with Crystal Palace for Eberechi Eze. The two parties are in direct contact over a permanent deal, likely to cost in the region of £60million, with the hope being he can feature in Spurs' next Premier League game against Manchester City.

A transfer looked to be entering a crucial stage this past weekend with Eze not featuring for Palace against Chelsea a real possibility. However, the decision was made by the player and Oliver Glasner that he would feature.

At the end of that goalless draw at Stamford Bridge, Eze appeared to say his goodbyes to the Palace supporters in the away end. If that was his final appearance for the Eagles, Eze was denied a dream farewell with his stunning free-kick disallowed for an infringement by Marc Guehi.

Oliver Glasner is of the belief that was not his last game however, with the Palace manager making his Eze transfer feelings perfectly clear.

Speaking about the England international on Sunday afternoon, he said: “He will come tomorrow to the Crystal Palace training ground, Tuesday off, we take Wednesday, and I expect him to be back playing for us against Fredrikstad.”

With two years remaining on his contract and Eze having made it clear that he wants to join, it is unlikely Palace will stand in his way. However, the deal stalling is a real possibility until Palace have signed a replacement with that aim appearing much closer following an update on Bilal El Khannouss.

Contact from Selhurst Park has been made for the Leicester City star with TBR Football claiming he favours a move to Palace over Everton, Leeds United and West Ham.

TBR Football's chief correspondent Graeme Bailey added: “I am told that El Khannouss has been considering his options and they are plentiful – varying from England, Europe and Saudi Arabia. However, Palace sources are very happy with how talks have gone, and they like the player.”

The Foxes now want £30million to sell the Morocco international after his relegation release clause, which was much cheaper, expired. Such a financial demand makes it likely that Palace will want a large portion of the Eze paid upfront while Spurs will hope they pay it through favourable instalments given their other transfer plans.

How the Champions League draw works for Tottenham, Arsenal and Chelsea and the huge prize money

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Tottenham, Arsenal and Chelsea as well as Liverpool, Manchester City and Newcastle will find out in just over a week's time exactly who they will face in the Champions League league phase.

Spurs are making their return to the competition under a new head coach in Thomas Frank, who will be getting his first taste of the tournament following his switch from Brentford this summer. Tottenham booked their place in the Champions League after winning the Europa League in Bilbao in May by beating Manchester United in the final.

Chelsea return to the competition through their fourth place Premier League league position, and also lifted the UEFA Conference League while Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City take their place once again in the tournament against the continent's elite clubs. There is also a sixth Premier League team in the competition this season after Eddie Howe's Newcastle secured a European Performance Spot having finished fifth in the table.

Two such spots were awarded to the associations with the best collective performance by their clubs at the end of last season's UEFA men's competitions.

Here's everything you need to know about next week's league phase draw.

When is it taking place?

This year's league phase draw for the Champions League will take place in Monaco on Thursday, August 28 at 5pm UK time and will follow the same procedure as last year.

What is that procedure?

Under the increased fixture format brought in last season, teams will play eight matches in the league phase. They will no longer play three opponents twice – home and away – like previous seasons, but instead will face fixtures against eight different teams, playing half of those matches at home and half of them away.

To determine the eight different opponents, the teams will initially be ranked in four seeding pots. Each team will then be drawn to play two opponents from each of these pots, playing one match against a team from each pot at home, and one away.

So 36 participating teams will be split into four pots based on their individual coefficient ranking with the Champions League titleholder PSG the top seed in Pot 1.

Starting with Pot 1, one physical ball will be drawn before the automated software – already in use last year – draws eight opponents for them.

How does that work?

Two teams are selected from each of the four pots, with one home and one away match against teams from each pot drawn by the software. No teams from the same association can be drawn against each other with teams facing no more than two opponents from the same association. The procedure will be repeated for all teams until all pairings have been drawn.

When will we know the exact dates and times?

The Champions League fixture list with match dates and kick-off times is expected to be communicated no later than Saturday, August 30.

When are the league phase matches?

Matchday 1: 16–18 September 2025

Matchday 2: 30 September–1 October 2025

Matchday 3: 21/22 October 2025

Matchday 4: 4/5 November 2025

Matchday 5: 25/26 November 2025

Matchday 6: 9/10 December 2025

Matchday 7: 20/21 January 2026

Matchday 8: 28 January 2026

When are the knockout games?

Knockout phase play-offs: 17/18 & 24/25 February 2026

Round of 16: 10/11 & 17/18 March 2026

Quarter-finals: 7/8 & 14/15 April 2026

Semi-finals: 28/29 April & 5/6 May 2026

Final: 30 May 2026

Where is the Champions League final being played?

The Puskás Aréna in Budapest, Hungary, will provide the stage for the Champions League final on May 30, 2026. This will be the first time that the final of Europe's elite club competition will be held in Hungary.

How much prize money will clubs make?

We can only base this on the figures from last season at this moment but taking that into account all six Premier League clubs would have made £15.7million just by reaching the league phase.

For every win in the league phase this season, using the last set of figures, clubs get £1.77million and for every draw £590,000. Reaching the play-off round brings a further £843,000 and finishing in the top eight in the league would net a club £1.7million as well as the £9.27million for reaching the round of 16.

Then, according to last season's figures, a quarter-final finish brings £10.53million and the semi-finals £12.64million. If you were to reach the final then the runners-up make £15.59million and the winner £21.07million.

With FIFA's hugely lucrative Club World Cup this summer, it will be interesting to see how UEFA responds with the prize money for the 2025/26 season of the Champions League. Either way, it's a huge boost to finances for the teams involved in it.

Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher make Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham Premier League predictions

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Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher have predicted which side will win the Premier League this season. Last season, the pair overlooked Liverpool as potential English champions, with the Manchester United legend backing Arsenal and the former Liverpool defender backing Manchester City.

The duo also predicted the Red Devils and Tottenham Hotspur to secure top-six finishes, yet both teams only managed to end up a handful of places above the drop zone last season. However, Neville correctly predicted each of the three relegated teams, while Carragher suggested Nottingham Forest would go down rather than Ipswich Town.

Much like Arne Slot, Nuno Espírito Santo proved the former Liverpool defender wrong. During Sky Sports' Monday Night Football programme ahead of Everton's clash against Leeds United, the two pundits shared their thoughts on the new season.

Neville backed Arsenal to finally secure the title, while Carragher tipped his former side to retain their championship. Both recognised Man City as serious challengers as well.

"I couldn't separate Arsenal, Manchester City or Liverpool," said Neville, as quoted by Sky Sports. "I think they're absolutely all in with an equal chance of winning it. Arsenal have been consistent over the last three years, they've been second.

"I do feel they'll get there at some point. Liverpool, the two full-backs have got to settle in. They look a little bit open. They are going to be exhilarating to watch. They're going to score a lot of goals.

"City have an unbelievable spine. I went for the team I've been going for the last three years, they're reliable and solid and consistent, which is important. They just have to sort that forward bit of the pitch out, and I think Viktor Gyokeres will."

Carragher said: "What I saw in the Community Shield, I didn't think I'd see on Friday night. I'm sure the manager has been speaking to the players in pre-season [about vulnerability] on the back of the Milan game, the Community Shield, and to see it in three high-profile games that did worry me a little bit.

"But if Liverpool fix that, they have great firepower. A few days ago, I thought Arsenal would be Liverpool's biggest challengers. But the way they played [at Man Utd] was typical Arsenal of last season - the name of the game is winning games - it will be interesting over the next few weeks if we see them open up more, create more chances and see how they've evolved from last season.

"I was really impressed with Manchester City and I think it's Manchester City who might be Liverpool's closest challengers," added the former Liverpool defender. "I think you have to be very careful about getting carried away about one performance.

"Man Utd lost and at no stage in the game did I think Man Utd were going to score a goal. They did play really well, the best I've seen them for a long time, there was pace and energy in the team.

"The players they've bought have got something... but that's a big jump from 15th to fourth. The manager has still got a lot to prove. I don't see Man Utd that high."

Neville, however, placed United ahead of Chelsea in the top four. The Red Devils legend said: "I've done this now for eight years, and I've always had Man Utd in the top four every year! It was a late change but with a bit of science...

"When I watched United against Arsenal, I thought the performance was very good. I think they'll get a goalkeeper and, with those players up front, with no Champions League or Europa League, I think Man Utd will surprise a few people.

"If you perform like that, you'll win a lot of football matches. And I'm not sure Chelsea are going to find it as easy with the Club World Cup, European games, all the demands of that."

Neville backed Leeds, Burnley and Wolves to be relegated, while Carragher tipped Wolves, Sunderland and Burnley to go down. The former United skipper began: "Brentford have been consistent in this league.

"I don't think Burnley will have enough. Daniel Farke and their owner said Leeds are going to sign players, so they could sign two or three and that could change my mind.

"Sunderland - I saw something that was beyond just passion, I saw a physicality, a quality to them, a strength. I thought that was a good performance. Maybe this could be the year for Wolves..."

Carragher chipped in: "It's easy to put the three promoted teams there. I'm desperate for someone to stay up. I don't want to be talking about the three [promoted] teams going down.

"I think Leeds, because of Elland Road, [can stay up]. Am I convinced Wolves are getting relegated? Not really. I think the manager is top. They have lost some big players but the manager is a good manager."

Thomas Frank reveals what he realised about Cristian Romero ahead of new Tottenham contract

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Thomas Frank could tell that Cristian Romero was hoping to be named Tottenham captain and that he will thrive after signing a new contract at the club.

The 27-year-old penned a new Spurs deal until 2029 on Monday after a summer in which Romero was linked with a move to Atletico Madrid before new head coach Frank chose the Argentine to become the club captain in the wake of Son Heung-min's transfer to LAFC after 10 years in north London.

"Of course, extremely happy. He's a very important player for us, just been named captain so that speaks for itself," said Frank. "For me, he's one of the best centre-backs in the Premier League and, to have him locked down long-term, every fan, me, staff, should be extremely happy. It also shows he's committed to the journey we're on and the future and the bits we're building together. Very happy."

The Dane could tell straight away that Romero wanted the extra responsibility of leading the team into a new era at the north London club.

"He will thrive under this captaincy. No doubt it was something he was hoping to be and wanted to be. When you have that approach, normally people take another step up and really want to go to the next level in terms of leadership," he said.

"I have no doubt he will drive the team and players and help in any way he can. There's more responsibility and we also need to remember he's a young leader so he will learn and be even better."

He added: "I always thought he was one of the better centre-backs," he added. "Then you realise that when you get to work with him closely for the past six weeks, you get to know the person a little bit and also clearly his strength and development areas.

"What he can bring on the ball: he's extremely composed, finds the right passes, his aggression in duels and commitment and willingness to win for the team, his defending in the box is extremely good and then he's also a set-piece threat."

The fascinating aspect of the Eberechi Eze negotiations between Tottenham and Crystal Palace

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The fascinating aspect of the Eberechi Eze negotiations between Tottenham and Crystal Palace - Football London
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The talks between Tottenham and Crystal Palace for Eberechi Eze feature two of the Premier League's toughest negotiators locking horns.

Spurs chairman Daniel Levy and his Eagles counterpart Steve Parish both come with a reputation for not budging an inch when it comes to getting the maximum value for their players and now the two men are heading up the talks in what will be a fascinating aspect of the negotiations as the Lilywhites look to take Eze across London to N17.

The England international wants to join Thomas Frank's side and play Champions League football and Tottenham are attempting to get a deal done while Palace look for replacements in Eze's position for Oliver Glasner, who could also lose Marc Guehi this summer with Liverpool in interested in the centre-back.

Spurs will hope to push a deal through for Eze in time for him to play a part against Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday in the Premier League while Glasner will want the 27-year-old available to play in Palace's first European match on Thursday night as they take on Fredrikstad in the UEFA Conference League.

Our Spurs reporters Alasdair Gold and Rob Guest discussed the talks for Eze as well as Cristian Romero's new contract being a priority and Frank's first match at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium with the Premier League opener against Burnley in the new episode of their podcast Gold & Guest Talk Tottenham.