TBR Football

Tottenham Hotspur full-back Djed Spence has worked incredibly hard to become a valued member of Spurs’ squad this season.

The Tottenham defender went from being a near-certainty to be sold last summer to recently securing himself a new Spurs contract until the summer of 2028.

Spence initially struggled to make an impact at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium after joining from Middlesbrough back in 2022.

Prior to this season, he had made just six appearances for Spurs and was sent out on loan three times while on the Lilywhites’ books.

However, Spence worked hard in pre-season ahead of the 2024/25 campaign and has forced his way into Ange Postecoglou’s plans.

Now, Pedro Porro has spoken about Spence’s efforts on the pitch and behind the scenes and offered advice to him going forward.

Pedro Porro calls Tottenham teammate Djed Spence a ‘real talent’

Porro, speaking to football.london, said Spence is doing a “spectacular job” for Tottenham and suggested he’s always been a fan.

The Spain international also told him he just needs to keep up the good work and he’ll keep being important for Spurs.

“The same with Archie and Lucas, he is doing a spectacular job for us at the moment, not just now but before I’ve always looked at him as being a real talent,” he said.

“It’s not just because he plays in my position, you can just see from the way he is, the man he is.

“When he was out away from the club, he kept working hard, kept his ideas clear, just so that when he had that opportunity he would be prepared for it.

“I just say to him now to keep going as you are and you will keep being important for the team.”

Postecoglou’s thoughts on Spence’s rise to first-team contention

Earlier in January, Postecoglou said Spence has “really knuckled down” and is making the most of the opportunities presented to him.

Postecoglou was also asked whether there was something lacking from Spence’s attitude or game that had held him back before.

“I don’t think there was something missing,” he replied. “There was possibly a reason he wasn’t settled but at the start of pre-season I mentioned there was an opportunity for him here.

“We were going to give him that opportunity and not necessarily get him out on loan. The rest was up to him and a lot of that is how he dealt with the fact he had to train hard everyday without a lot of prospect of playing.

“He impressed everyone with his attitude towards that. Maybe in the past he was a little bit impatient, maybe his attitude wasn’t great in terms of the fact he wasn’t playing and wasn’t feeling like a regular.

“This year he’s had to bide his time and he’s done that in the best possible way and waited for his opportunity, and now when he’s got it, he’s grown.

“Some of it is maturity as well. He’s not a young boy any more and probably feels like if he’s going to have a Tottenham career now is the time to grab that, and I think he has done that.”

TBR Football can exclusively confirm that Tottenham Hotspur are among a number of Premier League clubs offered the chance to sign Barcelona’s Eric Garcia.

Tottenham are currently on the lookout for reinforcements at centre-back after spending much of the season without Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero.

Ko Itakura has been linked with Tottenham, while Spurs were in talks to sign Milan Skriniar recently, and David Hancko is also said to be on Tottenham’s radar.

Now, TBR Football can reveal that Tottenham have been made aware of Garcia’s availability – but they’re not the only Premier League club that have been spoken to.

Tottenham, Brighton, West Ham, Wolves, Newcastle and Aston Villa all made aware of Eric Garcia availability

TBR Football chief correspondent Graeme Bailey understands that one of Barcelona’s midweek Champions League heroes Eric Garcia could end January in England.

Barcelona have resolved their financial issues that plagued them for much of January but are ready to move on some of their squad that are not featuring prominently and that includes Garcia.

Garcia came off the bench to score a crucial equaliser against Benfica, which they ended up winning 5-4.

Despite his goal-scoring exploits in Lisburn, Garcia is one of those available and clubs have been in contact this month with both Girona and Como showing an interest in the 24-year-old.

We can reveal that a number of Premier League clubs have been made aware of Garcia’s availability.

We understand that Tottenham, Brighton, West Ham, Wolves, Newcastle and Aston Villa have all been contacted.

What Garcia could bring to Tottenham

Garcia is a 24-year-old central defender who can also play at right-back and in defensive midfield.

He has made a decent amount of appearances for Barcelona, Man City and Girona FC.

Pep Guardiola admitted in 2021 that Garcia is one of his “favourite players”.

“There are players even who don’t play any matches. I think, for example, of Eric Garcia who is one of my favourite players,” he said.

“I would love to have 15 Eric Garcias for the way he conducts his behaviour.

“He is always thinking of the team. He’s always a good face in the good or bad moments. He helps the manager and the backroom staff all the time.”

Meanwhile, Football Talent Scout’s Jacek Kulig likened Garcia to Gerard Pique and tipped him to become one of the world’s best centre-backs under Guardiola.

TBR Football understand West Ham United have now made a pre-contract offer to Angel Gomes, although Tottenham Hotspur are also in talks.

The Hammers are starting to become active in the winter transfer window.

TBR Football understand West Ham saw a bid rejected for Ezechiel Banzuzi by OH Leuven on Tuesday – and while reports elsewhere suggested a £13m agreement had been struck on Wednesday, we believe talks are still ongoing.

Sources have also told TBR Football that Graham Potter wants Angel Gomes at West Ham – along with the England international’s Lille teammate Jonathan David.

Now, we understand a pre-contract has just been offered to one of those players in Angel Gomes.

West Ham offer Angel Gomes a contract – but Tottenham also in talks

Graeme Bailey – Chief Correspondent at TBR Football – has now been informed that West Ham have made an offer to the England international ahead of his Lille contract expiring in June.

We understand Tottenham have also held talks with the Lille No.8’s representatives and are ready to make an offer too.

Sources add that Gomes is currently in talks with over six clubs as the 24-year-old plans his next step.

TBR Football have been told that Potter views the aforementioned Banzuzi as the first part of a midfield overhaul at the London Stadium – which he hopes will include the Manchester United academy graduate as well.

Gomes has made 16 appearances in all competitions for Lille so far this season – scoring one goal while also providing one assist.

TBR Football understand Gomes has already told Lille he plans to leave – and will not be signing a new contract.

Angel Gomes has been called a “magician”

If Gomes accepts West Ham’s offer, the east Londoners would be getting a special player.

The Londoner has previously been labelled a “magician” by Nottingham Forest defender Jonathan Panzo, who played with the West Ham target at U17 level for England.

Eulogising over his pal, the 24-year-old said: “He is definitely one of the best players I have played with. He’s like a magician. He’s a small player, but is so smart and he just knows how to get around the pitch.”

French football expert Julien Laurens also told the BBC that Gomes is undoubtedly one of the best in France.

The 44-year-old said: “He’s one of the best players in Ligue 1, there’s no doubt. The fans love him. A player that you enjoy watching because he’s just so elegant, so creative, such a great touch.

“If you know your football, you know that teams need players like Angel Gomes – who make everything click.”

Tottenham Hotspur’s list of injuries continues to grow with another player suffering an issue in training ahead of the team’s trip to Hoffenheim.

Ange Postecoglou’s side face a crucial Europa League clash with the Bundesliga club as they chase a place in the top eight of the group stage.

The Lilywhites fly to Germany looking to secure just their second win in their third win of the month having lost three of their five January matches.

But Spurs will be bidding to do so with a squad plagued by injury and they have now lost a ninth player to injury.

Tottenham lose Pape Matar Sarr to training ground

Pape Matar Sarr is the latest Tottenham player to suffer an injury after picking up an issue in training, as reported by Paul O’Keefe.

The £14m international takes Tottenham’s current list of injured players to 11, however, two of those players are now back in training.

Sarr joins Yves Bissouma as Tottenham’s midfielders who are currently sidelined and leaves little room for rotation in the middle of the park.

Fans have questioned whether the intensity of Tottenham’s training is contributing towards all these injuries, however, Alasdair Gold claimed Postecoglou isn’t even getting the chance to push them in training given the hectic schedule of games.

It’s worth noting that Djed Spence, Antonin Kinsky and Sergio Reguilon are all unavailable for selection against Hoffenheim as they are not registered in the squad.

The Spurs boss is having to carefully manage his options to avoid any more injuries, but that has been said for weeks now and he just doesn’t have the options to rotate.

Who was spotted returning to Tottenham training before Hoffenheim?

In better news, Cristian Romero, Rodrigo Bentancur and Radu Dragusin all returned to training on Wednesday.

Romero returns from a quad injury which has kept him out since early December and Bentancur is back from the concussion he suffered against Liverpool.

Dragusin had to get stitches against Everton after suffering a cut just above his eye, although he will be fit to face Hoffenheim.

Archie Gray and Lucas Bergvall have been one of the few positives for Tottenham Hotspur in what has been a hugely disappointing season for Ange Postecoglou’s side.

Ange Postecoglou lauded Gray for playing as well as he has in an unnatural position as a left-sided centre-back this campaign.

Archie Gray has embraced the challenge and impressed after initially being a mere squad player at the start of his time at Tottenham.

Similarly, Lucas Bergvall has also been tasked to play in multiple positions in his debut season in the Premier League — deployed as an advanced midfielder against Liverpool in the first leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final, in central midfield against Everton and as a number six in the second half against Arsenal recently.

Yet Bergvall, hailed by Declan Rice has managed to perform, with Gray also playing as a centre-back in a back three in his side’s 3-2 defeat against Everton — having played as one in a back four and in midfield this term.

Pedro Porro hails “spectacular” Archie Gray and Lucas Bergvall

Tottenham can build around Gray and Bergvall, who have the potential to become top-class players in the future.

Pedro Porro, once considered a hot prospect himself had his say about the youthful pair.

Porro initially sang the 18-year-old Gray’s praises.

Speaking to Football.London, the 25-year-old said: “Oh Archie Gray, he’s unreal!”

“He’s a good guy and he’s playing centre-back or as a number six, he’s top!”

Porro added: “When you have injuries and you have signed young players who perhaps are for the future, then you sign them for the future but also so you’ve got options if you get injuries.”

The Spaniard went on to give Bergvall, who is also just 18 his due credit as well.

“Lucas [Bergvall], Archie and others have been doing so well, but that, at the end of the day, is why the club have brought them in. They’ve had their opportunity and it’s up to them to take it.”

“They’re doing a spectacular job for the club and if we go through a bad moment and they’re suffering like us all at this moment, then that’ll make them great players in the future because they’re putting everything out there for the team.”

Gray and Bergvall have been praised as the duo seem ready to perform when the pressure is at its highest, such as in the Lilywhites’ 1-0 win against Liverpool in the Carabao Cup.

Ange Postecoglou will be disappointed that his Tottenham side are placed 15th in the Premier League, considering both teenagers have played their hearts out this season.

Ange Postecoglou loves managing Archie Gray and Lucas Bergvall

Several other young players would understandably have folded under the pressure that comes with playing for a team like Spurs, who are having an appalling campaign riddled with injuries.

But the Tottenham duo seem to be cut from a different cloth.

After Tottenham’s win against Liverpool in the Carabao Cup, Ange Postecoglou heaped praise on Gray and Bergvall and admitted that he really enjoys managing the two.

“And in a position he’s [Gray] never played mate, you know, he’s never played. An 18-year-old. Name me another Premier League team that’s got two 18-year-olds and one playing out of position consistently.”

“I’m so happy they’re at our football club and you know, in two or three years’ time, I just pray to God I’m the beneficiary of their talent, mate because if somebody else is getting it, I won’t be happy.”

In Antonin Kinsky, Tottenham have another talented youngster who has the makings of a world-class goalkeeper.

Tyrese Hall has been compared to Luka Modric as well, which goes to show how much top young talent there is at Spurs’ disposal.

Gray and Bergvall have shown other young players around the world that they can make the grade at a club of Tottenham’s stature, with the pair now looking likely to start against Hoffenheim and Leicester City on the weekend.

Tottenham Hotspur aren’t having the best of luck in this January transfer window.

Antonin Kinsky is Spurs’ only signing of the window so far, and while Kinsky has earned praise since signing for Tottenham, it’s fair to say Spurs need more bodies through the door.

Tottenham haven’t managed to bring in any more new players, but it hasn’t been for a lack of trying.

Indeed, Tottenham looked at Randal Kolo Muani this month, but Kolo Muani has gone to Juventus instead.

It’s not just a new attacker Spurs have looked at either, a new centre-back is also on the agenda.

Ko Itakura has been linked with Spurs, while Tottenham were in talks to sign Milan Skriniar recently, but, now, Skriniar is on his way elsewhere.

Milan Skriniar headed to Fenerbahce

According to Di Marzio, Milan Skriniar has decided to join Fenerbahce and he’s set to head to Istanbul later today.

Fabrizio Romano has also backed this story up, sharing an image of Skriniar on a plane headed to Turkey.

Skriniar is set to join Fenerbahce instead of Spurs, and this is a transfer that is bound to sting in more ways than one.

Skriniar has been a Tottenham target for a long time, and with Fabio Paratici still pulling the strings at Spurs, it’s easy to understand why Skriniar is still on the radar in north London.

Unfortunately, Tottenham have been beaten to this signing, and it’s their former manager, Jose Mourinho who has pinched Skriniar.

Tottenham targets signed by Jose Mourinho

This isn’t the first time Mourinho has been a thorn in his former club’s side.

Indeed, Mourinho has pinched a number of transfer targets from Tottenham in recent years during his time at Roma and Fenerbahce.

Paulo Dybala was a Tottenham target, but Mourinho signed him for Roma.

Meanwhile Spurs wanted Evan Ndicka before his move to Roma, while Tammy Abraham was wanted by Spurs before he signed for Mourinho.

That’s just a selection of reported Spurs targets that Mourinho has taken.

Romelu Lukaku was also linked to Tottenham before he headed to Roma, while Spurs also wanted Leandro Paredes before he ended up in the Italian capital.

Mourinho has caused Tottenham plenty of problems in the transfer window in recent years, and he’s done it again here as he looks set to sign Skriniar.

Tottenham Hotspur are in a dire situation right now, and it’s around about this time that Daniel Levy usually considers sacking managers.

Indeed, Daniel Levy hasn’t been afraid to make a change in the dugout when things aren’t going well in the past, and Ange Postecoglou is performing worse than many of his predecessors.

Spurs are really struggling right now as they sit 15th in the Premier League table.

However, for now, Postecoglou’s job is safe, even if there have been reports stating that Tottenham’s players aren’t enjoying training anymore.

However, speaking on The View from The Lane, James Maw has shared a different insight.

Indeed, according to the journalist, the noises coming out of the Spurs dressing room suggest that the squad are still backing the manager and still playing for him.

Tottenham’s squad still playing for Ange Postecoglou

Maw shared what he’s hearing from the Spurs dressing room at the moment.

The reporter says that the squad are still motivated by Postecoglou and still playing for him at the moment.

“I mean, from what we kind of hear in and around the dressing room, or certainly up to now, players have still been motivated by the manager and they’re still playing for the manager, which hasn’t been the case with other managers when things seem to have been turning sour. So, I mean, that’s a pretty substantial thing in his favour. But I mean, what happens if they lose to Leicester?” Maw said.

Tottenham’s current injuries

Tottenham’s results have been terrible recently but it’s hard to place the blame completely on the manager.

Indeed, injuries have decimated this Spurs squad as of late, and that is a huge driving force behind this poor form.

Tottenham’s players are still giving it their all, and they still believe in their manager’s methods, but the sad reality is that the XI that Postecoglou is being forced to field every week isn’t up to scratch.

Should Tottenham be higher in the table than 15th? Of course they should, they’re still fielding hundreds of millions of pounds worth of talent every week, but is this slump likely to be solved by sacking the manager? There’s an argument to make that it wouldn’t.

The Spurs players still back their manager, and, as long as that is the case, a change in the dugout probably won’t be on the cards.

Postecoglou is under pressure, but he may still have a few more weeks in the bank to turn things around.

Pedro Porro has been managed by Ange Postecoglou for one and a half seasons at Tottenham Hotspur.

During this period, Pedro Porro has become one of the Spurs boss’ main men.

From day one, Ange Postecoglou has shown his preference for playing high-flying full-backs and the 25-year-old fits the mould of one, having played as a wing-back for Sporting CP.

The Spanish international has experienced several highs in a Lilywhites shirt, from scoring in his side’s 4-0 annihilation of Manchester City this season to beating Liverpool 1-0 in the first leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final.

But after Ange Postecoglou’s side lost 3-2 to Everton, Porro came under criticism after he implored Tottenham supporters to stick together during a tumultuous period for the club.

Tottenham’s players are starting to question Postecoglou’s methods as well as some believe they do not always have to approach games in such a gung-ho manner.

As questions are starting to be asked about whether the former Celtic boss is the right man for the Spurs job, another interesting report emerged about the way he goes about his business.

Pedro Porro rubbishes suggestions about Ange Postecoglou’s training sessions being too intense

Some Tottenham players have complained about Postecoglou’s training demands as they feel his sessions are overly intense.

The latest Spurs player to get injured is Yves Bissouma, who has suffered a hamstring strain as eight of their players remain sidelined through various other fitness worries.

But an interview with Football.London, Porro was asked whether training sessions were too intense at Tottenham and he quickly rubbished such suggestions by stating that this is simply not the case.

“We have a plan for all of our training. Those players who aren’t playing so much have their own plan to come back and me too, I train at the club but I also do my own work outside the club, recovery work, prevention of injury.”

“Everyone has their own schedule, if the training sessions are less intense it’s for those players coming back, they have the training they need, and also for the players who are playing, we need a lot of recovery.”

As Porro explained, Ange Postecoglou, who has Daniel Levy’s backing sets out a plan for every player.

Ultimately, Spurs can consider themselves unlucky that they are undergoing such a fitness crisis, which has certainly played a role in them languishing in 15th place in the Premier League currently.

The advice Ange Postecoglou always gives to Tottenham players

Porro, who deactivated his X account following online criticism after Tottenham’s 4-3 loss to Chelsea in December has revealed that he does not pay attention to his critics.

“Sometimes the football is attack and defend. People are screaming I can’t defend, but the critics are not important to me.”

Porro went on to reveal that Ange Postecoglou always tells him and the Tottenham players to stay united.

“The gaffer says to me and the team, the most important thing is to stay together.

The former Manchester City defender added: “The football is to attack and defend and my body is ready, that’s important. No injuries is the most important. Crack on and focus on the next game.”

Porro will be hoping that Tottenham turn their form around, starting with their next game against Hoffenheim in the Europa League.

This Spurs side are in desperate need of a confidence boost and Thursday’s clash could be just that.

As is often the case when a manager is under pressure, reports have emerged claiming Tottenham Hotspur players are unhappy with Ange Postecoglou’s training.

Tottenham are currently on a shocking run of form which has seen them collect just one win from their last ten Premier League matches and sitting 15th in the table.

TBR Football understands that Tottenham have no immediate plans to replace Postecoglou with injuries being blamed for their terrible results.

On Tuesday reports suggested Tottenham players were complaining about the ‘demands of training’ under the Australian, however, Alasdair Gold has revealed what training at Hotspur Way actually looks like right now.

Are claims true that Tottenham players are unhappy with Ange Postecoglou’s training?

Alasdair Gold suggests that claims of training being too intense don’t hold up right now as Ange Postecoglou just isn’t getting the chance to put the players through their paces.

As TBR Football wrote about earlier this week, Postecoglou’s predecessors have seen similar excuses crop up about their training and they only seem to emerge when results turn sour.

Gold told Gold & Guest Talk Tottenham: “I could set a reminder on my phone for every 18 months that stories will come out about the current Tottenham manager that training is either too much, not enough, stale or boring. It’s like clockwork every 18 months.”

The Spurs journalist says that often these claims come from disgruntled players and everything he is hearing suggests ‘intense’ sessions are simply not possible.

He added: “This is absolutely no dig at journalists, but it normally comes from people around players who are underperforming under that manager or a player who isn’t playing.

“But ultimately everything I’ve heard it’s not really possible for training sessions to be that intense.”

What do Ange Postecoglou’s training sessions currently look like?

For the last three months or so, Tottenham have been playing a match every three days and finding the time to fit in sessions just isn’t possible.

Typically after a game, Postecoglou gives the players a day off and then the next training session will be focused on recovery.

“From speaking to people around players and the first team, is that they’ve had so many fixtures – a game every three days for pretty much every week for the past three months,” said Gold.

“He gives them a day off after a match, the next day is usually a recovery day and there are loads of players who are carrying knocks and tiredness into the next matches.

“There are barely any sessions in this three-month period where they have a full session or anything resembling a full session. It just doesn’t really fit what they’re in right now.

“Look he’s been in management 26 years, he’s not an idiot, he’s not going to look at them being tired and run them into the ground. It makes no sense whatsoever, from what I understand, they are not able to get intense sessions in.”

To say that Tottenham Hotspur are in a mess right now would be an understatement.

Indeed, Tottenham are 15th in the Premier League table, and, simply put, that isn’t acceptable.

Ange Postecoglou’s job is safe right now, but questions are being raised about the Australian.

Indeed, Tottenham’s players aren’t enjoying training right now, while some Spurs players are questioning Postecoglou’s tactics.

However, according to Jack Pitt-Brooke, speaking on The Athletic FC Podcast, there’s still some excitement around Spurs due to the fact they’re still in the cups.

Indeed, according to the journalist, Tottenham’s players are really motivated by the idea of winning a trophy this season.

Tottenham players excited by cup competitions

Pitt-Brooke shared what he knows about Spurs and the view within the dressing room.

According to the journalist, Spurs’ players are really motivated by the idea of winning a trophy this season.

“They’re in a pretty good position in the Europa League league phase. You know, two games left before we’ll see which knockout round they go into. And that’s really been, I think, one of the narratives of this season.

“I know the players are really, really motivated about the idea of finally winning a trophy and ending that trophy drought with Tottenham. I have to say, watching the game yesterday, I thought, this is just complete magical thinking. If you think that Tottenham can play like they did yesterday at Anfield in the second leg of the League Cup semi-final, they will lose by a bad margin if they go to Anfield and play like that.

Tottenham’s route to silverware

Tottenham are very close to winning a trophy, but, at the same time, they’re still a long way away.

Spurs face Liverpool in the Carabao Cup semi-final second-leg soon, and while they head into that game with a one-goal advantage, history shows that may not be enough.

Liverpool have dominated Spurs in recent years.

If Tottenham do get past Liverpool, they will likely face Newcastle in the final after their first-leg cup triumph against Arsenal, and, that is another very tough game.

Newcastle have won five of their last six meetings against Tottenham, so Spurs wouldn’t be fancied heading into a game at Wembley.

As for the FA Cup, Spurs are still a long way away from the final there, but they face Aston Villa in the fourth round, a game that, once again, will be very tight.

Tottenham’s players may be up for the cups, but, sadly, getting past the likes of Liverpool, Newcastle and Aston Villa really won’t be easy for Tottenham.