Daily Express

David Ginola blamed George Graham for his shock exit from Tottenham, claiming he was "pushed out" by his former manager. The Frenchman's departure in 2000 to sign for Aston Villa in a £3million deal left the fanbase stunned, with the ex-footballer's two former sides set to meet today (Saturday, September 19) in north London.

The 59-year-old had spent three years at Spurs and endeared himself to the supporters with his maverick personality and entertaining style on and off the pitch. Ginola admitted he never wanted to cut short his time at the club and laid the blame at Graham's feet for his sale to the Midlands side.

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Ginola detailed the acrimonious manner of his exit in his 2000 autobiography 'Le Magnifique' and wrote: "I never wanted to leave Tottenham. I was pushed out. George Graham tried to put all the pressure on Alan Sugar by saying in the press how he didn't want me to leave, but that the chairman had accepted a good offer for me from Villa.

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"The bottom line is that Graham had the responsibility for choosing who played, not Sugar. He was never man enough to tell me face to face that he didn't want me at the club any more. I had given so much to the club for three years and I was looking forward to playing for another two, then this manager takes it all away from me.

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"I wasn't surprised that George wanted me out. Ever since he arrived I was under pressure to play out of my skin for him to put me in his team but, even with me playing well, he substituted me in 36 of the 79 matches I started. I could never understand why he did that. Maybe I was too much for him to cope with, in terms of my personality, image and popularity with the fans."

He added: "He would always look for the negative things to say about me, trying to out me under pressure. I tried my hardest but Graham would always give me hassle.

"He would single me out and criticise something in my game, so that I lost the respect of my team-mates. Even if I had been the best player on the pitch, he would say 'I expect more from you, it was not good enough.'"

The moment Ginola finally opted to leave the club came after finding out he'd been dropped for a pre-season friendly against Birmingham City.

He explained: "We arrived at St Andrews and got changed. Graham said I wasn't in the team, so I assumed I'd be one of the substitutes and went on to the pitch to warm up. When it was time to go back to the dressing room, a steward stopped me and asked me for my autograph. He handed me a team sheet and I looked down it to find my name, so that I could sign beside it. I couldn't find my name.

"It was then I realised that I wasn't one of the substitutes. I had changed and done the warm-up and the manager never told me. I sat on the bench anyway and the fans were chanting my name, but the other players just looked at me and we laughed. The icing on the cake came at the end of the game, when Graham made me train on the pitch with the rest of the players who never got on.

"Stewart Houston took the session and I was looking at him with a smile on my face. 'Why are you smiling?' he asked. 'Because you are so pathetic,' I replied. 'It is unbelievable how you are treating me, and it makes me laugh.' It made me take stock. I had given so much for three years, then this manager, who hasn't really proved himself at the club, takes it all away from me.

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"Graham is living on the edge, he has to provide something big for Spurs this year but all I can say is that he is the reason I am not at Spurs today. My transfer was sealed the day after. I finally went to meet John Gregory. There had been interest from clubs abroad, including France, Turkey and America, but my heart belonged in the Premiership."

Ginola played just 41 games for Villa, scoring five goals before joining Everton in 2002. However, he played just five times for the Toffees before retiring later that year. Both Spurs and Villa are winless in the top-flight heading into their weekend clash.

Tottenham are considering a swoop for 280-goal striker Mauro Icardi, with the experienced star remaining a free agent following his departure from Galatasaray during the summer. The Argentine, who enjoyed four campaigns in Turkey, is receptive to a new opportunity and evaluating his prospects - though Spurs would be unable to register him until the New Year.

His current status has piqued Spurs' interest as they persist in their frantic hunt for an opening Premier League strike of the season. It marks the first occasion in the club's history that they've endured four league fixtures without finding the net. Roberto De Zerbi's squad have drawn two and lost two in the league, defeated by Brentford and Newcastle, shipping eight goals and tumbling to 17th in the standings.

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Their woes were deepened by a 3-1 defeat to Liverpool in the Carabao Cup third round, ending their participation in the tournament. Tottenham's bid to bolster their attacking prowess has prompted the club to consider a move for Icardi, according to Italian publication Cronache di Spogliatoio (via The Sun). The former Inter, PSG and Galatasaray frontman has never featured in the Premier League and is now 33 years old but he knows where the back of the net is with 280 career goals from 517 matches.

Journalist Nahuel Ferreira also adds that Olympiacos conducted 'formal talks' last week in a bid to secure the former Argentina international. Nevertheless, his £8.6m-a-year wages are believed to be significantly above the Greek club's salary framework.

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For Spurs, who invested substantially this summer, spending £100m on Sandro Tonali and £85m on Mateus Fernandes, the opportunity to secure Icardi on a free transfer would provide established quality without further inflating their considerable transfer expenditure. Tottenham's offensive restructuring pressed on with Omar Marmoush joining on loan from Manchester City, subject to a £60m obligation to buy, alongside winger Savio for a further £85m. Marmoush has demonstrated glimpses of ability in recent matches but remains without a goal in Spurs colours.

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Dominic Solanke, who has spearheaded the attack against Charlton and Everton this campaign, is also struggling, netting one goal from six games in all competitions so far this term.

Richarlison was also left out of the Premier League squad, omitted from Tottenham’s 25‑man list. His last appearance since Spurs' 3-0 opening-day loss to Brentford in late August. The Brazilian now confronts an extended period away from action in N17 until at least January, following his dramatic rift with the club and the breakdown of potential summer transfers to Trabzonspor and Vasco da Gama.

Discussing his team's difficulties in front of goal, De Zerbi maintained: "I came last season when the s*** was like this (puts his hand up to his forehead), you know? S***, I repeat. And I've always been, not positive, but realistic. Now I explained, I'm sorry for the results, but it's not immediate, no? Not the improvement, not immediate to make a team.

"We didn't score, we didn't win, but today [against Everton last week] and Nottingham, I think we played as a team. And I can't say nothing as an attitude, as a behaviour of the players, no, no. I said to stay calm, maybe to not lose the confidence because we are not scoring, we are not winning. Stay calm, improve, work hard and individually try to understand where is the improvement, no?".

Should Spurs successfully secure Icardi's signature, they would be unable to register him until January, as their squad list cannot be modified again until the transfer window reopens at the beginning of 2027.

Roberto De Zerbi apologises to Tottenham fans but moans Liverpool loss was 'unfair'  Daily Express

No wins. No goals. Tottenham have spent big, backed Roberto De Zerbi, and completely overhauled their attack. Savio, Omar Marmoush and Mykhailo Mudryk were brought in at huge expense. And yet Spurs still look completely toothless. The problem is that Tottenham have spent a fortune trying to fix the wrong problem.

Dominic Solanke, once prolific for Bournemouth, was handed his chance from the start but is starved of the service a striker needs. Mohamed Kudus and Mathys Tel were thrown on from the bench, but the few genuine flashes of attacking threat in the 0-0 draw with Everton came during the brief 14 minutes James Maddison was on the pitch.

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Maddison has been Tottenham's creative heartbeat for years. His influence has inevitably diminished after a series of devastating injuries, but the evidence of what Spurs are missing could hardly be clearer.

The same applies to Dejan Kulusevski.

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Losing both players to long-term absences has been catastrophic. Failing to properly replace either of them was nothing short of foolish.

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And this is where Tottenham's enormous spending spree starts to look baffling.

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Eight players arrived for around £300million in a remarkable show of faith in De Zerbi, who had a say in the recruitment process.

Yet £185m of that went on Sandro Tonali and Mateus Fernandes, while Conor Gallagher had already arrived for £35m in January.

The issue is that those three big-money midfielders all play a similar role and neither of them are creative enough to justify being signed at the same time.

Tonali, Fernandes and Gallagher can all be outstanding players, but they need the right pieces around them. They are at their best alongside an enforcer and a genuine creator.

Tottenham do not have enough of either.

Instead, more money was spent on wingers and attackers who have so far failed to solve the fundamental problem.

Spurs have plenty of players capable of running, pressing and attacking space.

What they desperately lack is someone capable of unlocking a defence.

That missing piece of the puzzle somehow remains missing.

Unless Maddison or Kulusevski can somehow return to the level they were at two years ago, Tottenham are asking a huge amount of two players who have already endured so much during their respective injury rehabilitations.

And that leaves De Zerbi in an increasingly uncomfortable position.

Quite how much influence he had over every transfer decision remains unclear. But when a manager oversees a lopsided squad, he is usually the first person asked to explain it.

Tottenham are now six hours without a goal and counting.

Four Premier League matches without finding the net.

They have spent hundreds of millions trying to build a new attack, yet when the going gets tough and Spurs need one moment of inspiration, there is nobody obvious to provide it.

Premier League chiefs respond as Mauricio Pochettino demands Chelsea are stripped of title  Daily Express

Richarlison 'considering legal action' against Tottenham as dispute takes ugly twist  Daily Express

Mauricio Pochettino has risked irking his countrymen by saying he would consider managing England if offered the role. Previous hostilities between the country and Argentina have gone up a notch since the fiery World Cup semi-final.

Bonkers Argentine president Javier Milei recently demanded the UK to return the Falkland Islands - which Argentines refer to as 'Las Malvinas' - less than two months after the South Americans marked their 2-1 win over the Three Lions by dancing with a banner which said: "Las Malvinas son Argentinas." However, Pochettino has spent the bulk of his managerial career in England, having managed Southampton, Tottenham and Chelsea. His time there saw him be linked with the England job on numerous occasions. If asked what decision he would make if the FA called, Pochettino said he would consider it, risking angering his fellow Argentinians.

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When asked, Pochettino said: “Maybe, yes. If you consider in a few years’ time, yes … if I got an approach. One thing I don’t want because the USA guys will kill me is if you say the headline is: ‘Mauricio will consider English job.’

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"It is like I am considering it now. No. Not now. If I am free [in the future]. My respect is that it’s football. I am the first to feel for my people in Argentina but at the end of the day it’s just football.

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"The World Cup semi-final was just one game of football, although people wanted to convert it to other subjects. It is true that it can be controversial because an Argentinian guy is thinking to maybe one day defend the flag of England and we were involved in a war..."

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Pochettino even went on to state England and Argentina have plenty in common. Speaking about his love affair with this country and his homeland, he said: “We are very similar, Argentinian and English people, in the way we feel the passion of football.

“I love the countryside here, too. I think you respect all the things that I also grew up with in my country. In Argentina, I lived in a town in Murphy with a lot of Irish and British people around. And all the clubs … Racing Club, River Plate, Newell’s Old Boys.

"They are English language names, no? Now I am here doing my passion that is football and I cannot work here [for England]? Why? It is crazy. I really believe in the diplomatic things, going to talk and for sure to find the best way.”

Pochettino recently signed a new deal as manager of the USA which is set to keep him there until 2030, when the next World Cup will be held in Spain, Portugal and Morocco, with some games being played in Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay.

New Tottenham winger Mykhailo Mudryk has suffered an ankle injury that will keep the Chelsea loanee on the sidelines. Mudryk reunited with former Shakhtar boss Roberto De Zerbi in a cross-London move, having sealed a temporary move on transfer deadline day.

He made his first appearance since returning from a 20-month ban for producing an "adverse finding" for a prohibited substance, which was overturned. Mudryk entered the fray from the bench in Spurs' 0-0 draw with Nottingham Forest in the second half, but will have to wait for his full debut.

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Football.london claim that Mudryk will be unavailable until after the international break, ruling him out of this weekend's fixture against Everton, alongside the Carabao Cup tie with Liverpool and the following league match with Aston Villa.

It represents a setback for De Zerbi and Mudryk, who is attempting to rebuild his career following a challenging period both on and off the field.

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The Ukraine international joined Chelsea at the beginning of 2023 for £89m, but has found life difficult at Stamford Bridge, netting just 10 goals in 73 outings.

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Following his Spurs debut, De Zerbi acknowledged that Mudryk will require time to demonstrate his capabilities after making his first appearance in nearly two years. Mudryk, whose most recent outing came in November 2024, replaced Mathys Tel during the City Ground draw, though De Zerbi remains prepared to exercise patience.

"He's not ready yet. He's working to reach the best physical condition," the Italian head coach said. "He needs time, he needs work.

"In that position, we have Mathys Tel, big potential. But also Mathys takes too many wrong decisions, and Mudryk. So, two big players, two big potential players."

Following his move to Spurs, an injury specialist suggested that Mudryk might encounter obstacles upon returning to competitive football - but has supported his prospects of reaching match sharpness more rapidly than a sidelined player would.

Founder of Premier Injuries website Ben Dinnery told PA: "He hasn't been playing within an elite professional environment, but that's not to say he hasn't had some kind of exposure to game play in that time.

"Mudryk should be better placed because he hasn't been inhibited by any injury setback, it is more around the rules and regulations and governance of the game which hasn't allowed him to perform at peak level and at the top level.

"He did have the ability to undertake alternative ways to maintain fitness and focus.

"That transition from working in isolation and on an individual programme, to then into team training and then finally crossing the white line into a highly competitive and intense environment of the Premier League, rarely are you going to move across and it go smoothly.

"It is rare you have a straight line from A to B and there will be setbacks and bumps along the road, particularly when you're talking about a player like Mudryk who is highly explosive with dynamic movements.

"So, yes, he should (get up to speed quickly), but am I expecting that seamless transition into first-team and optimum levels of performance on a consistent basis? Absolutely not.

Michael Carrick must get ruthless and drop Man Utd star at fault for Everton goal  Daily Express

Mykhailo Mudryk has expressed his delight after making his Tottenham debut against Nottingham Forest on Saturday. The 25-year-old, who earned a deadline day loan move to Spurs from Chelsea, was brought on in the 74th minute during Spurs' goalless draw at The City Ground.

It marked Mudryk's first competitive outing since November 2024, having finished a suspension for alleged doping offences. Although his time time on the pitch was limited, Mudryk caught the eye when introduced and produced signs that he could rediscover his best form in a Tottenham shirt. In the closing stages, he earned a free kick in a dangerous position after an impressive piece of skill, and looked threatening whenever he got the ball.

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Now, more than 24 hours later, Mudryk has delivered a message to the Tottenham faithful following his debut for Roberto De Zerbi's side. In an Instagram story, the Ukraine international said: "No feeling better to be back on the pitch. First minutes in new colours. Thanks for support, furthermore."

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Despite a positive first performance for Tottenham, De Zerbi admitted post-match that Mudryk is "not ready" to be starting fixtures just yet and must work diligently to achieve the "best physical condition".

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De Zerbi said on Mudryk: "He's not ready yet. He's working to reach the best physical condition. He needs time, he needs work. In that position, we have Mathys Tel, big potential. But also Mathys takes too many wrong decisions, and Mudryk. So, two big players, two big potential players.

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"But if we want to score, I think Marmoush has 15 goals. Solanke, the header for him, I consider a chance to score. It's not a shot on goal. But how many shots did Nottingham have today?".

With Mathys Tel deployed on the left flank, Savio began on the right wing against Forest and appeared lively but was substituted after 60 minutes alongside Destiny Udogie. De Zerbi revealed he would have preferred to keep them on the pitch, but was bound to a pre-agreed schedule with the medical team, which he admitted is for his "advantage".

"I'm sorry because Savio and Destiny [Udogie] in that moment, I think they could play something more than 60 minutes," he said. "But there was a plan with the medical staff to not take risks. In this moment, I can't decide like the pitch says. Before the game, the plan was Savio and Udogie around 60 minutes, because it's dangerous, no?".

"No, I'm not happy. But football is like this. Savio has not the best physical condition to play 90 minutes. He's an important player for us, a crucial player.

"Destiny is another crucial player for us. I think [Mohamed] Kudus and [Andy] Robertson, they played well. But, you know, to start one game like today, it's not so easy to come in from the bench and adapt immediately. I'm not happy when we have the plan, but it's for my advantage, for my business, the management of the players after injuries."