Sports Mole

Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly in pole position to sign Liverpool left-back Andrew Robertson on a free transfer in the summer window.

The Reds confirmed earlier this week that Robertson will leave the club following the expiry of his contract, bringing an end to his nine-year spell at Anfield.

Robertson joined Liverpool from Hull City in 2017, signed by Jurgen Klopp, and went on to establish himself as one of the finest left-backs in the club’s history.

A true club legend, Robertson has made over 370 appearances and won two Premier League titles as well as the Champions League, among several other major honours.

Tottenham eye move for Robertson - but one key condition

According to David Ornstein, Spurs are leading the race to sign Robertson on a free transfer this summer - but only if they manage to avoid relegation.

The north London side currently sit 18th in the Premier League table with 30 points from 31 games, and they will need a strong finish to steer clear of the drop.

Spurs were linked with a move for the 32-year-old during the January window, but Robertson opted to remain at Liverpool for the remainder of the campaign.

A player of his quality is certain to attract interest from across Europe, yet Spurs could present an appealing option for the Scotland captain if he chooses to remain in the Premier League.

Robertson exit - sensible move from Liverpool?

The Scottish defender will depart with his head held high after years of outstanding service, and it appears the timing may be right for both parties to move in different directions.

Robertson showed signs of defensive decline last season as errors began to creep into his game, and he has since fallen behind Milos Kerkez in the pecking order under Arne Slot.

Spurs could be building an exciting project under Roberto De Zerbi - provided they secure survival - and Robertson would represent a smart and experienced addition on a free transfer.

The defender could also attract interest from top European clubs, while a return to Scotland with either Celtic or Rangers remains a possible option at this stage of his career.

New Tottenham Hotspur boss Roberto De Zerbi has ended the day in the Premier League bottom three for the first time in his career.

Spurs were sitting just one point clear of the bottom three when De Zerbi was named as Igor Tudor's successor.

However, their precarious situation has taken a turn for the worse before the 46-year-old has even taken charge of his first match as Tottenham boss.

That is because they have dropped into the bottom three following West Ham United's emphatic 4-0 win over basement side Wolverhampton Wanderers on Friday evening.

West Ham condemn De Zerbi to Premier League first

Konstantinos Mavropanos and Taty Castellanos both netted braces in a commanding win for Nuno Espirito Santos's side, moving them out of the drop zone and two points above the drop zone.

As a result of West Ham's win, De Zerbi finishes the night with his team in the relegation zone for the first time in his career as a Premier League manager.

The Italian managed to avoid the drop zone in his two seasons as Brighton & Hove Albion head coach.

The Seagulls finished in sixth and 11th spot under De Zerbi's watch, a world away from the relegation battle he has taken on at Tottenham.

When were Spurs last in the relegation zone?

Not only is De Zerbi in unfamiliar territory, but Spurs find themselves in the drop zone for the first time since August 2015.

In fact, the north London club are down in the bottom three after a minimum of three matches of a single Premier League season for the first time since January 2009.

Spurs know they will finish matchday 32 in 18th place if they fail to take maximum points from De Zerbi's first game in charge against Sunderland on Sunday.

The former Marseille boss needs to lift a side that have failed to win their last 13 league matches since Crystal Palace in December.

Tottenham have avoided defeat in their previous 15 Premier league games against Sunderland, although they had to settle for a 1-1 draw in January's reverse fixture.

Tottenham Hotspur head coach Roberto De Zerbi will not welcome any long-term injury victims back for his Spurs debut away to Sunderland in Sunday's Premier League showdown.

The Lilywhites are still missing Dejan Kulusevski (knee), James Maddison (knee), Rodrigo Bentancur (thigh), Guglielmo Vicario (hernia), Ben Davies (ankle), Wilson Odobert (knee) and Yves Bissouma (muscle), as well as Mohammed Kudus, who has undergone World Cup-threatening surgery on a new thigh complication.

In brighter news, Pape Sarr and Mathys Tel have shaken off knocks to make themselves available again, and the latter should be considered for a spot on the right-hand side of the attack.

Top scorer Richarlison could operate on the opposite flank as he chases his 10th Premier League goal of the season, while Dominic Solanke ought to fend off Randal Kolo Muani to start in the number nine role.

Xavi Simons was never a favourite of Igor Tudor's, but the Dutchman could be given more creative licence in De Zerbi's system, so a start in the number 10 slot cannot be ruled out.

Fan favourite Archie Gray should reprise his midfield role too, potentially alongside Joao Palhinha, although Sarr, Conor Gallagher and Lucas Bergvall are all viable alternatives.

De Zerbi can at least deploy a first-choice defence, albeit in front of second-choice goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky, as Vicario is not quite ready to return.

Tottenham Hotspur possible starting lineup:

Kinsky; Porro, Romero, Van de Ven, Udogie; Palhinha, Gray; Tel, Simons, Richarlison; Solanke

Sunderland head coach Regis Le Bris has confirmed that number one goalkeeper Robin Roefs is fit and raring to go for Sunday's Premier League showdown with Tottenham Hotspur at the Stadium of Light.

The Dutchman has missed the Black Cats' last three Premier League games with a hamstring injury, during which time 22-year-old deputy Melker Ellborg has done a praiseworthy job in between the posts.

However, Roefs will almost certainly return as the last line of defence on Sunday, but he will not be shielded by Daniel Ballard, who is still sidelined with a hamstring issue of his own.

As a result, Le Bris should stick with the same four-man rearguard from the 2-1 Tyne-Wear derby triumph over Newcastle United, as Luke O'Nien and Omar Alderete provide central protection while Lutsharel Geertruida and Trai Hume bomb down the flanks.

Enzo Le Fee is fit and ready again, but there may not be a spot in the team for the Frenchman just yet, as Granit Xhaka, Noah Sadiki and Habib Diarra are all midfield mainstays.

Neither Brian Brobbey nor Chemsdine Talbi should be sacrificed after their St James' Park strikes either, but Le Bris has a major decision to make when it comes to the final spot in attack.

Le Fee will likely have his eyes on Chris Rigg's place in the XI, but after playing the full 90 in the Tyne-Wear derby, the teenager has our backing to hold his spot.

Sunderland possible starting lineup:

Roefs; Geertruida, O'Nien, Alderete, Hume; Sadiki, Xhaka, Diarra; Rigg, Brobbey, Talbi

The third managerial era of the 2025-26 Tottenham Hotspur season is about to commence, as Roberto De Zerbi makes his second Premier League debut on Sunday, away to Sunderland at the Stadium of Light.

The ex-Brighton & Hove Albion boss inherits a squad still searching for their maiden top-flight win of 2026, while the Black Cats seek a third triumph in four Premier League games after stunning Tyne-Wear adversaries Newcastle United a few weeks ago.

Match preview

Only five managers in history have been in charge of a Premier League team for 50 days or fewer, but Tottenham have now been responsible for two such appointments, as Igor Tudor followed in Cristian Stellini's footsteps with an incredibly swift departure.

Just when things appeared to be looking up for the Croatian, who oversaw a gritty draw at Liverpool and praiseworthy - yet inconsequential - 3-2 win over Atletico Madrid in the Champions League, an embarrassing 3-0 home loss to Nottingham Forest and family bereavement made his position untenable.

Rather than opt for another stop-gap appointment in Sean Dyche, Harry Redknapp or Ryan Mason, Spurs put a lucrative, five-year contract on the table for De Zerbi, who has vowed to remain in charge of the Lilywhites even if they are facing Lincoln City away next season.

The admired yet volatile Italian takes over a Spurs side who remain just one point above the Premier League relegation zone and are now without a win in 13 straight top-flight matches, although two-thirds of their 30 points have been won away from the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Furthermore, De Zerbi masterminded a win in his first match in charge of Marseille, Sassuolo and Shakhtar Donetsk, and their upcoming foes have seen the Stadium of Light walls crumble over the past few weeks.

Winless on home soil since taking down Championship-bound Burnley in early February, Sunderland have succumbed to defeats to Liverpool, Fulham and De Zerbi's former club Brighton at home in recent weeks, conceding five goals and scoring just one in that time.

The Black Cats are running the risk of losing four straight home league games for the first time since September 2017 in the Championship, and their shoddy Stadium of Light sequence has contributed to their bottom-half ranking in the Premier League table, although they are still within touching distance of seventh-placed Brentford at the time of writing.

Furthermore, Sunderland's home woes counted for nought at St James' Park, where Brian Brobbey popped up with more last-minute heroics to propel Regis Le Bris's men to a famous 2-1 derby victory, one that saw the Black Cats complete the double over their Tyne-Wear foes.

The European dream is certainly not dead and buried for the home side, who are chasing back-to-back Premier League victories for just the second time this season and have lost just one of their last four games in the first division.

Le Bris also oversaw a hard-fought 1-1 draw at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in early January, albeit one that extended Spurs' unbeaten Premier League run against Sunderland to 15 games since a Darren Bent-inflicted 3-1 loss in 2010.

Sunderland Premier League form:

Sunderland form (all competitions):

Tottenham Hotspur Premier League form:

Tottenham Hotspur form (all competitions):

Team News

De Zerbi was struck by the Tottenham injury curse even before taking charge of his first game, as the club confirmed on Thursday that Mohammed Kudus had suffered a serious setback in his recovery from a quadriceps injury, one that may require World Cup-threatening surgery.

The Ghana international remains on the sidelines with Dejan Kulusevski (knee), James Maddison (knee), Rodrigo Bentancur (thigh), Guglielmo Vicario (hernia), Ben Davies (ankle), Wilson Odobert (knee) and Yves Bissouma (muscle), but Mathys Tel and Pape Sarr are expected to be available.

Chasing a slice of personal history, Richarlison is just one goal away from reaching double figures in a fifth different Premier League campaign; the only other Brazilian to achieve that feat is Liverpool great Roberto Firmino.

Meanwhile, Le Bris reported good and bad news in his pre-game press conference, revealing that number one Robin Roefs is fit again but Daniel Ballard (hamstring) is still not ready.

Second-choice goalkeeper Melker Ellborg has performed admirably in Roefs's absence, but the latter is sure to win his place back in between the posts this weekend.

Nilson Angulo (unspecified), Bertrand Traore (knee), Jocelin Ta Bi (ankle) and Romaine Mundle (hamstring) make up the remainder of the Black Cats' absentees.

Sunderland possible starting lineup:

Roefs; Geertruida, O'Nien, Alderete, Hume; Sadiki, Xhaka, Diarra; Rigg, Brobbey, Talbi

Tottenham Hotspur possible starting lineup:

Kinsky; Porro, Romero, Van de Ven, Udogie; Palhinha, Gray; Tel, Simons, Richarlison; Solanke

We say: Sunderland 1-1 Tottenham Hotspur

Glowing reports have already emerged from De Zerbi's first training sessions, with Tottenham players purportedly waxing lyrical about the Italian's methods in these early days.

Expect to see a strong reaction from the Lilywhites on the field as a result, albeit not a strong enough reaction to translate into all three points, as a rejuvenated Sunderland side should hold out for a share of the spoils.

Mohammed Kudus has suffered a setback in his recovery from a quad injury ahead of Tottenham Hotspur's game against Sunderland.

The Londoners resume their Premier League campaign on Sunday, when they take on newly-promoted Sunderland, and the game will be crucial in their quest for survival.

Boss Roberto De Zerbi will be taking charge of his first match at Tottenham, and he will hope that the his team have benefitted from the fact they have not played a game since March 22.

However, the Italian is still dealing with a number of injuries to key players, including to the likes of James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski.

The club have also confirmed that attacker Kudus has suffered a setback after returning to training in the past week, and he may now require surgery depending on a specialist's review of his injury.

How many games will Mohammed Kudus miss?

Tottenham only have seven more Premier League games left to play, and their final match is set to be played on May 24 against Everton.

Should Kudus require surgical intervention, he would be ruled out for the rest of the season, and that would also put his participation at the World Cup in doubt.

Even a minor setback could prove disastrous given Spurs play three of their final seven league fixtures before the end of the month.

How will De Zerbi line up against Sunderland?

Dominic Solanke seems like a certain inclusion as a striker, while Mathys Tel may be the only natural wide player available on the weekend

Striker Richarlison could be used alongside Solanke, but trying to fit the Brazilian, Solanke and Tel in the same system could be problematic.

De Zerbi has often used a 4-2-3-1 during his managerial career, though with the current options available to him, it may make sense to use a two-striker system on Sunday.

Given Tottenham must prioritise survival above perfecting their playstyle, it could be in the manager's best interests to adapt his preferred formation to suit the players in his squad.

Tottenham Hotspur will be in action under new boss Roberto De Zerbi for the first time when they travel to Sunderland on Sunday.

De Zerbi has just seven games to save the club from relegation, with Spurs currently sitting just one point above the bottom three in the Premier League table, and he will be desperate to get off to a winning start.

Tottenham were beaten 3-0 by fellow strugglers Nottingham Forest in their last game and are yet to win a Premier League match in 2026.

Spurs have been badly affected by injury problems this season and Sports Mole are here to round up the latest absentees ahead of the game against Sunderland.

Ben Davies

Status: Out

Type of injury: Ankle

Possible return date: Unknown

Ben Davies was stretchered off after breaking his ankle against West Ham United in January and the veteran defender may have played his last game for Spurs as he is out of contract in the summer.

Mohammed Kudus

Status: Out

Type of injury: Thigh

Possible return date: Unknown

Mohammed Kudus picked up a thigh injury in the 1-1 draw with Sunderland in January and the winger has now suffered a setback in his recovery that could keep him sidelined for the rest of the season.

Rodrigo Bentancur

Status: Out

Type of injury: Hamstring

Possible return date: April 25 (vs. Wolves)

Rodrigo Bentancur suffered a major hamstring injury in January and the midfielder could be back in action towards the end of the month if his recovery continues as planned.

Wilson Odobert

Status: Out

Type of injury: Knee

Possible return date: Unknown

Wilson Odobert ruptured his ACL against Newcastle United in February and is another player that will be out of action for the rest of the campaign.

James Maddison

Status: Out

Type of injury: ACL

Possible return date: May 24 (vs. Chelsea)

James Maddison suffered a serious ACL injury in pre-season last summer, but former Spurs boss Igor Tudor claimed last month that he could be back in action this season.

Dejan Kulusevski

Status: Out

Type of injury: Knee

Possible return date: Unknown

Dejan Kulusevski suffered a serious knee injury last May and is hopeful he will be back in time to feature for Sweden at the World Cup.

Yves Bissouma

Status: Out

Type of injury: Muscle

Possible return date: Unknown

Yves Bissouma is currently dealing with a muscle issue and it is unknown when he could be back in action for Spurs.

Guglielmo Vicario

Status: Out

Type of injury: Hernia

Possible return date: April 18 (vs. Brighton)

Guglielmo Vicario underwent hernia surgery following the defeat to Nottingham Forest, with Spurs stating that they hope he will be able to "return to action within the next month".

Pape Matar Sarr

Status: Minor doubt

Type of injury: Shoulder

Possible return date: April 12 (vs. Sunderland)

Pape Matar Sarr picked up a shoulder injury while away on international duty with Senegal and it remains to be seen whether he will be unavailable for the trip to Sunderland.

Mathys Tel

Status: Minor doubt

Type of injury: Groin

Possible return date: April 12 (vs. Sunderland)

Mathys Tel pulled out of France's Under-21 squad during the international break with a groin issue, but the forward could be ready to face Sunderland.

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR’S SUSPENSION LIST

Spurs have no players suspended for this match.

Tottenham Hotspur have reportedly been dealt a devastating injury setback, as Mohammed Kudus could require surgery on a new complication.

The Ghana international has been out of action since sustaining a serious quadriceps injury in January's 1-1 draw with Sunderland, missing Spurs' last 16 matches across all competitions.

Kudus was initially pencilled in for a comeback in April, and Igor Tudor revealed just before his departure that the former West Ham United and Ajax attacker was working with the ball again.

Nearly three weeks have passed since that update, and there was hope that Kudus could have been available to make his comeback in Roberto De Zerbi's first game in charge against Sunderland this Sunday.

However, according to a report from The Sun, the 25-year-old has now suffered a new setback, and there are even concerns that he could miss out on a spot in the Ghana squad for the World Cup.

Tottenham's Mohammed Kudus 'could require surgery' on new injury setback

It is not clear whether Kudus has exacerbated his previous injury or has suffered a new problem, but an operation has not been ruled out for the attacker.

If the 25-year-old does go under the knife and his World Cup hopes are plunged into doubt, then he would almost certainly miss the remainder of the Premier League season in a major blow to Spurs' survival hopes.

Kudus hit the ground running at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium following his arrival from West Ham for £55m in the summer, registering three goals and six assists in 26 appearances before his injury.

Tottenham - who remain one point above the drop zone in the Premier League table - are also working without James Maddison, Dejan Kulusevski, Wilson Odobert, Guglielmo Vicario, Pape Sarr, Rodrigo Bentancur, Ben Davies and Yves Bissouma, but De Zerbi has received one boost ahead of his debut match.

Games Tottenham's Mohammed Kudus could miss through injury

Remaining Tottenham fixtures 2025-26

April 12: Sunderland (A)

April 18: Brighton (H)

April 25: vs. Wolves (A)

May 2: vs. Aston Villa (A)

May 11: vs. Leeds (H)

May 17: vs. Chelsea (A)

May 24: vs. Everton (H)

With the FA Cup, EFL Cup and Champions League long gone, Spurs are only fighting to avoid a devastating demotion for the rest of the season and have seven games left on their calendar.

Kudus will almost certainly sit out all of Spurs' remaining games this month, against Sunderland (April 12), Brighton & Hove Albion (April 18) and Wolverhampton Wanderers (April 25), as well as the showdown with Aston Villa on May 2.

The Ghana international should also be absent for the Leeds United home game on May 11 - a potential relegation six-pointer - and there is a major possibility that he will also miss Chelsea on May 17 and Everton on May 24.

Roberto De Zerbi has been appointed as Tottenham's new head coach, replacing Igor Tudor. Before that decision was made, however, a number of other managers were linked with the post, among them Sean Dyche, known for his expertise in keeping clubs in the top flight, who has been without a club since leaving Nottingham Forest in February.

Despite the speculation, the former Burnley and Everton boss was never actually contacted by Spurs — a fact Dyche has now confirmed himself, adding that he would not have accepted any approach regardless.

Dyche confirms he was never contacted by Spurs

"I didn't laugh it off by the way, I told a true story. I spend a lot of time in London, not working but socially, and I just happened to be here at the same time the Tottenham job opened. Once you're in the city, people put two and two together and it was never about getting drawn into the rumours. I'm telling the truth. There was a lot of speculation and talk and I was playing it down correctly," he said on talkSPORT's White and Jordan show.

The speculation emerged at one of the most precarious moments of Tottenham's season. The club are hovering just one point above the relegation zone with seven matches remaining.

Dyche, who built his reputation as a survival specialist primarily at Burnley and Everton, made it clear that financial incentive would not have been a factor in any decision.

Dyche says no amount of money would have swayed him

"Obviously in the career I have, it does pay well, but I wouldn't go in there looking for money. They could offer me a massive amount of money — I'm sure they're capable of it and allegedly they've offered De Zerbi a massive amount of money. It would have been about what are you going to help me gain as a human being. What would I gain? I'm not thirsty for that. I've got some money," he said.

The 54-year-old also outlined the professional risks he felt would make the role unappealing and potentially damaging to his career.

"If you don't get the job done, then somehow it's on my neck that I took Tottenham down. That ain't good for me as a human, this is not even about football at this point. Then you get some money and I go, I'm not thirsty for that. I've got some money," he continued. "Say you go in there and do the job, which is to stay up. Next season if you're not in the top four and the football isn't what they want, you're rubbish and they want you gone. So you're not going to gain a lot there, are you? And that's if you get the job done, because it's not easy."

With just one point separating them from West Ham, who currently occupy the final relegation place, De Zerbi's Tottenham visit Sunderland on Sunday in their 32nd Premier League fixture of the season.

Tottenham Hotspur have reportedly identified Manchester City goalkeeper James Trafford as a potential successor for Guglielmo Vicario.

The Italy international has been Tottenham's number one goalkeeper for the majority of his stay in north London.

However, Vicario, who arrived from Empoli in 2023, has come under fire for some of his performances in what has proved to be a difficult campaign for Spurs, who are currently battling to preserve their top-flight status.

As a result, the relegation-threatened side could look to offload Vicario this summer, despite the fact that he is under contract until June 2028.

Spurs eyeing Trafford as Vicario replacement

With Vicario heading towards the exit door, The Sun are reporting that Spurs view Man City's Trafford as a potential successor.

Spurs are currently monitoring the Englishman's situation at the Etihad Stadium, although they face fierce competition from other Premier League clubs.

Newcastle United are believed to be in pole position to secure his signature, while there is also interest coming from Aston Villa, who could be in a position to offer Champions League football at the end of the season.

As for Spurs, any realistic chance of landing the Man City shot-stopper will depend on their survival bid.

Tottenham, who are sitting just a point clear of the drop, will have to lower their expectations for a new goalkeeper if they are unable to avoid the drop.

Why Trafford could leave Man City this summer

After emerging from Man City's youth system, Trafford spent time out on loan before joining Burnley in a permanent deal in 2023.

The goalkeeper returned to the Etihad Stadium last summer after helping Burnley win promotion to the Premier League.

Trafford hoped to be Pep Guardiola's number one, but those aspirations were dashed by the arrival of Gianluigi Donnarumma.

As a result, the 23-year-old has featured in just 14 competitive games, with only three of those appearances coming in the Premier League.

With his situation unlikely to change, Trafford may look for a summer exit in a bid to find regular game time elsewhere, although it remains to be seen whether Man City will be willing to sanction his departure.