The Boy Hotspur

Former Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper Paul Robinson has confirmed midfielder Angel Gomes ‘could definitely be an option’ for the club in the transfer market.

Spurs have previously been linked with the Lille star, who made his senior debut for England in the last international break.

Liverpool have also been credited with an interest in Gomes, who is a product of the Manchester United youth system.

Gomes’ future at Lille is up in the air with his current contract due to expire at the end of this season.

It’s highly likely the 24-year-old — who is second among Lille players for chances created (10) in Ligue 1 this season — would prefer a return to England, especially now that he’s started to crack the international scene.

Spurs transfer news: Robinson provides promising Gomes update

Ex-Spurs and England star Robinson believes Gomes would be a great addition to Ange Postecoglou’s squad as a more advanced option.

The former goalkeeper has also heard whispers around the club suggesting they may well move for the London-born playmaker.

“He’s certainly a player that would make the team better without a doubt,” Robinson told Football Insider.

“I think he’s proven himself on the international scale, and Lee Carsley obviously has a lot of faith in him because he’s a good player.

“Given his age, I think he can only get better.

“I think you’d have to look at him a bit higher up the pitch.

“If you look at the cover they’ve got in a deeper position with Bentancur, Bissouma, Sarr, Maddison’s been playing deep and they’ve also got Archie Gray.

“An attack-minded midfielder is something Tottenham will be looking at alongside James Maddison, and, from what I hear from people at the club, Gomes could definitely be an option.“

Tottenham are reportedly showing a keen interest in Torino midfielder Samuele Ricci as they look to strengthen their midfield options in the upcoming summer transfer window.

According to former Tottenham keeper Paul Robinson via Football Insider, Spurs’ former managing director, Fabio Paratici, could play a pivotal role in facilitating the move for the 23-year-old Italian international.

Despite officially stepping down from his role at Tottenham, Paratici’s deep ties to Serie A continue to prove valuable for the club, with reports suggesting that he is assisting behind the scenes in identifying and securing key transfer targets.

Ricci, who has garnered attention for his performances in Italy, has emerged as one of Tottenham’s primary targets.

The young midfielder initially joined Torino on loan from Empoli in January 2022, before the move was made permanent for €8.5 million in July of that year.

Since then, Ricci has developed into a crucial figure for Torino, playing predominantly as a defensive midfielder. Last season, he made 32 Serie A appearances, contributing one goal and four assists while showcasing his composure on the ball and his ability to dictate the tempo of the game from deep.

With his contract at Torino running until 2026, Ricci’s current market value is estimated at around €22 million, making him an attainable option for Tottenham.

Discussing the potential transfer, Robinson told Football Insider:

“I think it’ll be a tough one to do in the winter.”

“If you look at the way the team’s played in recent weeks in more of a 4-3-3 formation, I’m not sure whether the midfield will be a pressing position.

“But he’s a young player, he’s only 23 years old and he’s already got four caps for Italy.”

“Tottenham are certainly interested in signing him.

“I think it’ll be tough to do in the winter but that is potentially one they’ll explore in the summer.

“We know that Spurs like to do their business in Italy.”

“It’s still got the fingerprints of Fabio Paratici working with Tottenham’s recruitment team.”

As Tottenham continue to build towards competing at the highest levels under manager Ange Postecoglou, securing a player of Ricci’s caliber would provide a significant boost to their midfield depth and quality.

Should the move materialize, Ricci could play a key role in helping Spurs challenge for major honors in the coming seasons.

Tottenham may be considering recalling their young striker Dane Scarlett from his loan at Oxford United in January due to concerns over his limited playing time.

The 20-year-old forward has struggled to secure regular minutes at the Championship club, raising doubts about whether the loan is effectively aiding his development.

John Wenham, host of the Spurs podcast Lilywhite Rose, voiced his frustration over Scarlett’s lack of game time.

He highlighted Scarlett’s proven ability at the youth level, particularly with England’s youth teams, but pointed out that the striker has yet to receive the consistent opportunities needed to further his progress at the senior level.

Wenham suggested that Tottenham should consider recalling Scarlett in the upcoming January transfer window and potentially loaning him to a club where he would be more likely to get regular playing time.

Speaking to Tottenham News, the journalist said:

“I am constantly defending Scarlett.

“Whenever he goes away with the England youth groups, he scores. Therefore, I just find this situation really frustrating.

“I know Scarlett is a really good player, he just needs the right club where he is going to play. Therefore, to have loaned him somewhere once again where he isn’t playing is frustrating.

“We can only keep going with this situation until January, and if he is to be recalled, he needs to be sent to a club where he is going to start. If he is given game time, he will score.”

Scarlett, a product of the Spurs academy, made his first-team debut in 2020 during a Europa League match against Ludogorets, becoming the youngest player to appear for Tottenham at that time.

Despite his promising start, his loan spells, including his current stint at Oxford United, have been hindered by limited opportunities. So far, he has only made four substitute appearances in the Championship, amounting to just 36 minutes of playing time. (Transfermarkt)

If recalled, Tottenham will likely look for a loan move where Scarlett can get regular game time, aiding his growth as one of the club’s most promising young talents.

Real Madrid’s Antonio Rüdiger calls former Tottenham star Mousa Dembélé the most underrated player he’s ever faced.

Mousa Dembélé had a nine-year spell in the Premier League and he spent seven of those years playing for Tottenham. The Belgian midfielder featured in a total of 249 matches for the North London club and he contributed towards 20 goals.

While he never really had the limelight on himself, the 37-year-old was one of their most consistent players back in the day. They had forked out €19 million to sign him from Fulham back in 2012 and Dembele surely repaid every penny that they had invested to bring him to the club.

Real Madrid defensive mainstay Antonio Rudiger recently talked about the former Spurs star during his appearance on The Inside Scoop Podcast. He feels Dembele is the most underrated player he has ever faced.

The German international said: “Mousa Dembele from Tottenham Hotspur. Wow, wow.

“This guy, no disrespect to Tottenham, but I don’t know how he didn’t play for a higher club.

“I really don’t know how because he had everything. I’ve never seen someone as strong as him. He was like a wall.

“And technique – poof! He didn’t know pressure. You can pass him the ball and two men can be behind him – no problem!”.

Rudiger squared up against Dembele during his initial years at Chelsea and was in awe of the Belgian midfielder’s abilities. The 31-year-old can’t really understand why he didn’t play for a bigger club than Tottenham. The 37-year-old had everything one needs to be amongst the best midfielders. He was strong like a wall and had exceptional technical abilities.

Irrespective of how many players he had around him, the former Tottenham star was capable enough to receive the ball and keep it rolling or glide past the opposition when needed. After a seven-year spell at Spurs, he moved to the Chinese Super League club Guangzhou and just three years down the line, the Belgian decided to retire from the game at the age of just 34.

Tottenham scouts were recently seen at Atalanta’s 3-0 Champions League victory over Shakhtar Donetsk, keeping a close eye on two standout players: Ederson and Ademola Lookman.

According to TBR Football, Spurs are monitoring the pair as potential transfer targets ahead of the January window.

Brazilian midfielder Ederson, known for his versatility and tactical intelligence, has been attracting interest from several top Premier League clubs, including Manchester City, Liverpool, and Newcastle United, alongside Tottenham.

He played a crucial role in Atalanta’s Serie A campaign last season, making 36 league appearances and contributing six goals and one assist.

His versatility across midfield positions and technical skills make him a strong candidate to strengthen Spurs’ midfield, a key area manager Ange Postecoglou is looking to bolster.

Ademola Lookman has also emerged as a prime target for Spurs following his impressive performances at Atalanta.

The Nigerian international, who joined the Italian side in 2022, has become a vital component of their attacking setup.

His standout moment came in the 2024 Europa League final, where he scored a hat-trick in Atalanta’s 3-0 win over Bayer Leverkusen.

Lookman finished the season with 17 goals and 10 assists, and this campaign, he has continued to shine with three goals and two assists in six games. His overall tally at Atalanta stands at 35 goals and 20 assists in 84 appearances.

Lookman’s blistering pace, creativity, and goal-scoring prowess have earned him a nomination for the prestigious Ballon d’Or, further cementing his growing reputation.

His ability to play across the forward line makes him an attractive option for Tottenham, who are seeking additional firepower to complement their current attacking options.

This is not the first time Spurs scouts have kept tabs on the Atalanta duo. They had previously monitored them during Atalanta’s Champions League fixture against Arsenal earlier this season.

With the January transfer window on the horizon, Tottenham will continue to assess Ederson and Lookman as they look to add depth and quality to their squad in pursuit of a strong second half of the season.

Tottenham defender Ben Davies has been tipped by Bryan King to step into the starting lineup for their clash against Brighton if Destiny Udogie is ruled out due to injury.

Udogie, who has been dealing with a knock, will need to pass fitness tests during training sessions before manager Ange Postecoglou makes a final decision on his availability.

King expressed confidence in Davies as the ideal candidate to fill the left-back position should Udogie be unable to feature.

While Spurs have other options such as Djed Spence or Micky van de Ven, King emphasised that Davies’ wealth of experience makes him the preferred choice, particularly for a challenging fixture like Brighton.

Speaking to Tottenham News, the former club scout said:

“Udogie missing out would be a problem.

“Leaving him behind in London so that he could focus on his recovery was definitely the sensible choice.

“This is a starting player we are talking about, important to the team. However, he has players that he can bring in for him.

“They have Spence, we’ve seen van de Ven play left-back. However, personally, I think he would start with Davies, you can’t beat experience. I think he is your best choice if Udogie doesn’t play.”

This season, Davies has taken on more of a rotational role, making three starts across the Europa League and EFL Cup.

However, with Tottenham managing a busy schedule of domestic and European competitions, the Welsh international is expected to step up when called upon.

At 31 years old and in the final year of his contract, Davies remains a trusted and versatile figure within the squad. His experience and leadership are seen as crucial by Postecoglou, who values the defender’s reliability when injuries or rotation are needed.

As Tottenham aims to maintain their momentum, Davies is likely to play an important part in keeping the squad well-balanced and prepared throughout the season.

Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly still keeping a close watch on Crystal Palace’s Eberechi Eze, with fresh interest in a potential move next summer, according to Football Insider.

It has been revealed that a £68 million release clause will be activated next summer for Eze, whose contract with Palace runs until June 2027.

Despite being linked with the 26-year-old attacking midfielder during the last transfer window, Spurs decided to pursue Burnley’s Wilson Odobert instead for £30 million including add-ons. However, Tottenham’s interest in Eze has not waned, and he remains a key target for the club.

Eze has made a decent start to the new season, scoring three goals and providing one assist in his first eight appearances across all competitions.

His standout performances have kept him on the radar of several top clubs, with Tottenham among those monitoring him as they look to strengthen their midfield options.

While a move for Eze in January seems improbable, Spurs are expected to keep tracking his development throughout the season, with the aim of a potential transfer next summer. The activation of the release clause could make a deal more attainable for Tottenham as they seek to add more creativity to their squad.

Spurs fans will no doubt be eager to see if Eze could join the club, offering additional attacking flair and depth to their midfield lineup.

Ange Postecoglou has advised James Maddison to keep ‘making an impact’ for Tottenham Hotspur in order to earn a recall to the England national team.

Despite being among the Premier League’s best playmakers for some time now, Maddison still has only seven England caps to his name.

The 27-year-old was included in England’s provisional squad for Euro 2024 but missed out on the final cut as the Three Lions reached the final, where they lost 2-1 to Spain.

Maddison has started the 2024/25 campaign in style, notching a goal and two assists in six Premier League appearances.

The former Leicester man is also first among Spurs players for progressive passes (49) and successful dribbles (10), and second for chances created (13) and passes into the final third (34).

“I want to be in the England squad, every player does,” Maddison said prior to Thursday’s squad announcement.

Nevertheless, Maddison was still snubbed by England interim manager Lee Carsley for the upcoming Uefa Nations League matches with Greece and Finland.

Postecoglou reacts to James Maddison’s England snub

Postecoglou was quizzed about Maddison’s England omission during his Friday press conference.

The Spurs boss empathised with Maddison, but urged his playmaker to keep up his current form to ensure he muscles his way into future squads.

“Yeah look I am sure he is disappointed but at the same time, he is playing well,” said Postecoglou (via Football.London).

“You know, it’s not, sometimes it’s all you can do. These things come along at times, it’s not always perfect in your career and there are situations and circumstances that mean you don’t always get what you want but it shouldn’t deter from or detract from everything else that you’re doing.

“So he is playing really well for us, I think he’s been outstanding all year. He’s making an impact in every game he plays, he’s a really important part of our midfield setup and if he continues to do that I am sure he’ll be selected again but he can’t just sort of put everything into one basket just being disappointed just because you’ve missed out.

“I’ve said that shouldn’t have any effect on him and the way he’s playing because he has been brilliant for us.”

Ange Postecoglou says the time has come for him to make a ‘real impact’ after hitting the 50-game mark as Tottenham Hotspur manager.

In terms of results, the Australian’s tenure so far has been a mixed bag with 27 wins, eight draws and 15 defeats to his name.

However, Spurs are much-improved stylistically, while Postecoglou — who took charge in June 2023 — returned them to Europe with a fifth-place Premier League finish last season.

The Lilywhites’ 2-1 win over Ferencvaros in the Europa League on Thursday was Postecoglou’s 50th game in charge of the club.

Ange Postecoglou reflects on first 50 games in charge of Spurs

Postecoglou has admitted it’s often been unclear whether or not he’d even reach this point.

But with Spurs fans desperate to see the club end their trophy drought, the boss insists things will only get better from here.

“Many wouldn’t have said I’d make 50 mate, even when I was on about 46,” the 59-year-old told reporters at his Friday press conference (via Football.London).

“Look obviously as managers, there’s always a ticking clock against our tenure. Every time you reach a milestone it’s always an indication that people believe in what you’re trying to do.

“It has flown by to be fair, obviously 15, 16 months, 50 games but I enjoy every one of them and hopefully, the next 50 are ones where we can make a real impact.”

Game 51 comes when Spurs travel to Brighton and Hove Albion in the Premier League on Sunday.

Thursday’s 2-1 win over Ferencvaros in the Europa League was a great night for some of Tottenham Hotspur’s youngsters.

Keen not to fall prey to the sort of injury issues that plagued him last season, Ange Postecoglou rotated four teenagers into the starting line-up in Budapest.

Archie Gray started in an unfamiliar centre-back role but looked composed and accomplished in a performance that included three tackles, three clearances and nine recoveries.

In midfield, Lucas Bergvall continues to impress and alongside a 90% pass completion rate, provided the assist for Pape Sarr’s 23rd-minute opener — granted with a bit of fortune, but he did create two chances on the night.

And up-front, Will Lankshear was a nuisance for the Ferencvaros defence and could have had a couple of goals but was a little off with his aim, although he did complete 100% of his passes and create one chance.

But the pick of the bunch was arguably Mikey Moore.

Just 17 years old and 53 days old, Moore became the youngest player to start for an English club in the Europa League since Jake Bidwell for Everton (16 years, 271 days) against BATE Borisov in December 2009.

Moore caused havoc at times and showed plenty of glimpses of his obvious quality, creating one big chance and attempting two shots, while attempting seven dribbles and five crosses. Moore was also involved in the build-up for Sarr’s opener.

Mikey Moore catches the eye of Crouch and Cole

The winger’s minutes seem to be growing under Postecoglou, and Moore’s European performance has certainly caught the eye of TNT Sports pundits Peter Crouch and Joe Cole.

“I thought Mikey Moore was excellent on his full debut. He had a hand in the first goal too,” former Tottenham striker Crouch said (via Spurs Web).

Ex-Chelsea winger Cole added: “(The first goal) was against the run of play. Moore was really good. He was comfortable on the ball, driving with it. They all did very well but he was the pick of the youngsters.”

Moore will hope for more minutes when Spurs travel to Brighton in the Premier League on Sunday.