Tottenham Hotspur

SPURSPLAY

Jamie Carr’s side opened up the Under-18 Premier League campaign with back-to-back 6-1 victories at home to Reading and away to Norwich City before emerging 3-2 winners from Wednesday’s Under-18 Premier League Cup tie at Derby County.

Attention now turns back to the league and an opportunity to produce another positive performance at home against a Blues side that has suffered consecutive defeats to Brighton & Hove Albion and Chelsea at the start of the season.

Coverage begins on SPURSPLAY just before kick-off at 12pm BST – be sure to tune in to see how our youngsters fare.

Arriving on loan from Manchester City on Wednesday evening, our latest addition started life as a Spurs player and got straight to work under Roberto De Zerbi as the squad turn attentions to Saturday's clash at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium (kick-off 5.30pm).

The Egypt international forward was reacquainted with ex-Wolfsburg team-mate Micky van de Ven and trained with the group featuring Dejan Kulusevski at Hotspur Way.

Our Head Coach also confirmed Omar is available for selection on Saturday as he eyes a debut in front of our home fans.

Check out the latest photos from training in our galleries below...

Here's what he had to say...

Can I get your reaction to your latest signing, Omar Marmoush?

Roberto: "A great signing for us, a great player, another great player. Every one of us loves him as a player, and we hope he can do what he is able. I think he can give more solutions in attack. We need players in attack capable to score goals, to play well with the ball also. Very fast player, great qualities, and we are all happy, very happy."

Are you done yet in the transfer window? Any more 'bombas'?

Roberto: "No, I think Savio and Marmoush are bombas. I don't know how you can call them, but they are high-level players for sure."

Do you expect any more business in or out?

Roberto: "It can be possible out, in. The transfer market, like I said last Tuesday, is crazy, and we have to be able to find the new players. If some players go out, leave or to make another player in. I don't know. It's different now. The transfer market is crazy. You can't understand the transfer market."

Tottenham vs Newcastle has never finished 0-0 in the Premier League. What do you want to see from your side in the attacking sense?

Roberto: "Newcastle sold many players, many good players, but they closed other very good players. It's a young team with quick players, good players, but we lost the first game at Brentford. I think we have to play better, much better. We have to fight in a different way, and we need to make results, for sure. Even though we have new players. Another thing, without excuses, we play in our stadium. We are working well with the right atmosphere, and enthusiasm for the new players. Difficult game, tough game, but in the Premier League there is not an easy game, simple game."

After the last game you said we need to show our qualities better, show who we are and need to become a team. Is that just the chemistry on the pitch, or do you need more time to put more in?

Roberto: "Maybe we are not ready yet to play at our best in terms of physical condition, in terms of style of play, quality of play, but anyway, we have the quality enough right now to win the game and to play much better because it's normal to play better than we did in Brentford."

On Omar Marmoush, how important is it that he can play across the front three, adding that versatility?

Roberto: "Yes, I think he works well. He's a very smart player. He understands football, like a coach. I hope he's like a coach and maybe not less and not more. He understands football. He feels football. He can cover different positions on the pitch. Anyway, we need all his qualities because we are not qualities like him on our squad. He was the perfect player."

You described the transfer window as 'crazy' - is it time to have the transfer window shut before the season starts?

Roberto: "It's a rule in football and we have to adapt. You can't change it. Like I said, you can't understand it but you have to accept it. I think it's crazy but at the end we are very happy with the transfer market we have done until now, because we signed all very good players, young players also. Mateus Fernandes and Savio are very young players and these are good things for the club, because the potential of these two players is amazing. We brought experience - Tonali, Robertson, Senesi and JP Van Hecke. Good guys, because I think the atmosphere and the behaviour inside the dressing room is important like the qualities of the players in this moment of football. I'm very, very happy. The transfer market has been more than my expectation at the beginning of the transfer market."

Last week you said you like working with smaller squads - does that mean you'll probably be looking for more players to leave before or on Tuesday?

Roberto: "I've been very clear with every player. If you speak clearly at the beginning, you can't expect a surprise. The players who want to leave, they left. Maybe we have some players who want to leave and they are waiting for the offer, we are waiting for the offer. I think to stay here they have to feel proud and happy to stay here. It's a long season but it's an emotional season I think, because we are building a new project with new players after we stayed up last season. We need the right spirit. First of all the right spirit and then the qualities, the organisation of the play., but I can remove in my mind the right spirit at the beginning."

Off the back of that, if players who want to leave can't get moves, how hard is that for you throughout the season to have players like that and you're stuck with them?

Roberto: "No, for me no. For me, it's not a problem. If you want to leave and you have not found the offer, it's your problem, not my problem. I give respect. I kiss you, I hug you, but at the end have to stay calm inside the dressing room. And not to speak too much because the rules have been clear at the beginning and the end of the season. It's not my problem."

Can I ask you about team news - whether players like Savio, Marmoush, Van de Ven and Porro are fit enough to start?

Roberto: "Yes, we are all in the right condition to play. Maybe Kudus can come on the bench. We have to see. Van de Ven is right to play. We have to look, we have to understand the beginning part of the game. Like Savio, like Pedro. Marmoush is available to play, maybe also the beginning of the game. Robertson is like Udogie. Udogie is a good news for us because Udogie is very important and he played well 60 minutes (against Charlton), like was the plan."

Marmoush, he is so versatile, but where do you see as the best position?

Roberto: "I think he can play as a central striker. He is a different number 10 than Gallagher or Maddison, more of an attacker, but he is a player of big qualities. The most important thing is to have players with qualities and in the end, why did I say we needed time? Also for me to understand the balance, the connection in the first 11, because it's not like immediate, the understanding of the characteristics of the players. The team is 11 players and you have to find the connection and the balance between them. I hope I would like to find the right first 11, but not the first 11 as names or players - as a balance."

How do you balance foreign players and home grown players for the Premier League squad rules?

Roberto: "It's another good question. It's an important question. I think it's right, because if we want the future of football, we have to put the eyes on the young players, the English players and it's a normal part. Like when you have to give the squad for the Champions League or the Europa League plan, it's normal. It's one point maybe we can't speak too much about this, but it's an important point."

How is James Maddison?

Roberto: "James Maddison has not a big problem, but he felt pain in Brentford on the left shoulder, I think. He's working, but I don't know if he's available for tomorrow."

What about Pape Matar Sarr?

Roberto: "Pape, no he's good. We have to see in the last day of the transfer market what can happen with him."

With Maddison, does everyone need to be patient, because he did have a big injury?

Roberto: "No, with James, I think we have to find the right plan. We have to work consistently for three or four weeks and then he is a different player - a different player on the pitch, outside the pitch, as a personality, as an experience. He's a very positive guy and we are lucky to have James in our team."

If the transfer window ended now, would you be happy with what's happened so far?

Roberto: "Listen, yes, because I told you 10 minutes ago, I didn’t expect one transfer market, one window like we have done. I think we can do one player more and in one specific position, but yesterday we went for dinner with the owner, with Vinai, with Johan and with Enrico. We spoke about this, but we have all of us on the same page and there is a very good connection."

Supporters will have access to an honest review of our engagement throughout the past season. Our Chief Executive Officer, Vinai Venkatesham, and Chief Communications Officer, Kate Miller, both outline the Club’s commitment to strengthening communication, building trust and ensuring supporter perspectives are considered throughout the decision-making process. The pair address the importance of supporter influence, as well as the power of building a culture where the voice of fans is embedded in how the Club will operate.

Drawing on analysis from across the year, alongside continued feedback through our Fan Advisory Board, Junior Supporters Group and other key stakeholder groups, the plan reviews what we have heard, where we have made progress and where further work is needed. Introduced as part of the Premier League’s Fan Engagement standard across the league in 2023, clubs are required to publish a roadmap of proposed and planned engagement for the season ahead, and ours provides transparency, publication of key insight and reflections from thousands of supporters through surveys, meetings, forums, focus groups and direct engagement throughout last season.

A clear outline of the progress made during 2025/26 in response to supporter feedback can be viewed in our ‘what we heard, what we did’ review, including the introduction of the Fan Experience Team, expanded Junior and Young Adult ticketing, continued work to improve matchday atmosphere, the development of supporter-led displays and further consultation on the Club’s history and heritage. Equally, a range of commitments, including demonstrable change on the pitch and continuing the exploration process on a dedicated singing section, are made.

Our approach will continue to be underpinned by six key pillars: Fan-Centred Culture, Trust and Transparency, Listening to Our Fan Community, Emotional Connection, Matchday Atmosphere and Supporter Dialogue. Our commitment is to strengthen our relationship with supporters and build on a two-way relationship, and this Fan Engagement Plan forms a clear explanation of the way we will continue to work.

Last weekend’s opener at Brentford proved a difficult afternoon as we fell to a 3-0 loss.

Newcastle, meanwhile, impressed and led until the final seconds against Liverpool at St James, only for a late, late penalty converted by Dominik Szoboszlai to deny them all three points as it ended 2-2.

Asked in his pre-match press conference what he expected from Newcastle, Roberto answered: “Newcastle sold many players, many good players, but they closed other very good players. It's a young team with quick players, good players.

“We lost the first game in Brentford. I think we have to play better, much better. We have to fight in a different way, and we need to make results. We play in our stadium, we are working well with the right atmosphere, with enthusiasm for the new players.

“It's a difficult game, a tough game but in the Premier League there are not easy games.”

Asked if it was a case of needing more time with the players, Roberto added: “We don't need time to win the game. Maybe we are not ready yet to play our best in terms of physical condition, in terms of style of play, quality of play but, anyway, we have the quality enough right now to win the game and to play much better - it's normal to play better than we did in Brentford.”

Team Selector | Pick your XI!

Here’s all you need to know...

What time does the match start?

Kick-off on Saturday is at 5.30pm BST.

How can I watch the game?

Saturday’s match will be televised live in the UK on Sky Sports Premier League and Sky Sports Main Event.

Live text and audio commentary will, as usual, be available via our Match Centre here on our official app and website.

We’ll also have video highlights across club channels from two hours after the full-time whistle.

What is the team news?

New signing Omar Marmoush is available to play, with Roberto De Zerbi set to decide whether to start the forward or include him on the bench.

Fellow new arrival Sávio is also available for selection after his goalscoring debut against Charlton Athletic in the Carabao Cup in midweek, while both Pedro Porro and Micky van de Ven are available after featuring as second-half substitutes against the Addicks.

There’s also encouraging news on Mohammed Kudus, who Roberto has said could return to the matchday squad having been sidelined with injury since the beginning of January.

James Maddison will be assessed over the small shoulder problem that ruled him out in midweek, while Dejan Kulusevski, Wilson Odobert and Xavi Simons are long-term absentees.

Newcastle, meanwhile, could also deploy a former Manchester City man in the form of their new arrival Nico Gonzalez, but Dan Burn (ankle), Joelinton (groin) and Tino Livramento (calf) are out.

Who is the referee?

Peter Bankes will take charge of Saturday’s game, assisted by Ian Hussin and Nick Hopton.

The fourth official will be Tom Bramall, with Darren England and assistant Nick Greenhalgh on VAR duties.

Which kit colours will the teams be wearing?

We’ll be wearing our 2026/27 home kit, featuring Lilywhite shirts, navy blue shorts and white socks, with our goalkeeper in pink.

Newcastle will wear dark blue shirts, white shorts and dark blue socks with their keeper in green.

How can I get the matchday programme?

After issues one and two covered the Hoffenheim friendly and Charlton Carabao Cup tie, the first Premier League edition of our new-look official matchday programme for the 2026/27 season will be on sale at Saturday’s game, including a main feature interview with Wednesday’s debut goalscorer, Sávio, a catch-up with former attacker Ruel Fox and much more.

Be sure to pick up your copy from various points around the stadium at the game, or order online here for delivery direct to your door.

What will the weather be like?

Thundery showers are forecast in north London late in the afternoon on Saturday. Temperatures should be around 19 degrees.

How can I get to the stadium for the game?

‘Madders’ came off the bench after 67 minutes of Saturday’s Premier League opener at Brentford, but then missed the midweek win against Charlton in the Carabao Cup due to his shoulder issue.

Asked about Maddison’s availability in his pre-match press conference on Friday, Roberto explained: “James Maddison has not a big problem, but pain in the left shoulder. He’s working, but I don't know if he's available for tomorrow.”

It was put to Roberto later in the press conference if there needed to be a degree of patience with Madders, following his serious knee injury last summer.

“I think with James, we have to find the right plan,” said Roberto. “We have to work consistently for three, four weeks, and then he's a different player - a different player on the pitch, outside the pitch. He has a personality, he has experience. He's a very positive guy. We are lucky to have James in our team.”

The exciting Egypt international forward arrived on a season-long loan (with an obligation to make the move permanent next summer) from Manchester City on Thursday.

Fans now have the exciting prospect of both recent arrivals, Omar and Sávio making their Premier League debuts for us together in N17.

Asked if Omar was ready to play in his pre-match press conference, Roberto said: “Marmoush is available to play, maybe also at the beginning of the game.”

He was later asked where he saw Omar’s best position. “I think he can play centre striker, number 10, a different number 10 than Gallagher, Maddison, more attacking, but he is a player of big qualities. The most important is to have players with qualities.”

Team Selector | Pick your XI!

We begin the new-look Subway Players Cup – which will adopt a Swiss-style league format in the opening round - with a London derby against the Hammers at home.

Tickets are priced at £5 for adults and £1 for Under-18s.

Women's Season Ticket Holders are advised that this fixture is NOT included in your Season Ticket and you can purchase your usual season ticket seat until 12pm on Tuesday 1 September.

Tickets will go on general sale from 12pm on Tuesday 1 September.

Ticket Delivery

Season Ticket passes for access at Brisbane Road will not be valid for entry at this fixture.

Tickets will be sent via email as a downloadable match ticket for all attending supporters.