FourFourTwo

Tottenham eyeing January exit for summer sighing: report

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Tottenham Hotspur are said to be open to the idea of selling a player whose last move only came over the summer.

The Lilywhites have had a mixed start to the season, with big wins over Manchester United, Everton and West Ham United coming amid concerning defeats to Arsenal, Brighton and Newcastle.

Ange Postecoglou's side face Crystal Palace on Sunday in the Premier League – without captain Son Heung-min to choose from – and now the future of one star is in question, too.

Tottenham Hotspur reportedly unfussed by prospect of losing Timo Werner

German outlet Kicker claim that Spurs are willing to let Werner depart the club in January if RB Leipzig were to find a different move for the forward, however, suggesting Spurs are quite happy to let that £10m release clause go untriggered.

That contrasts with Sport Bild's report just a few days ago that Werner would remain at Spurs for the rest of the season come what may (by which we mean 'regardless what happens'; we're not unsure about when the season finishes.)

Sport Bild do however note that Werner needs to improve his form if he is to stand any chance of breaking back into the German national team setup.

Werner has not been included in the Germany squad since June 2023, when he was an unused substitute for a friendly game against Ukraine.

The 28 year old was a prolific provider of both goals and assists during his first spell with RB Leipzig, prompting Chelsea to splash the cash for his services in summer 2020. Werner had just had registered a combined 32 goals and 10 assists in 42 appearances in the Bundesliga and the Champions League the season before.

Werner was unable to translate that into the Premier League at Stamford Bride, but was an important player in their 2021 Champions League triumph and again found form in the competition as they reached the quarter-finals the following year.

VIDEO Why Chelsea Couldn't Handle Liverpool's Curtis Jones

Werner has likewise struggled to make a massive impact at Spurs this season, coming up with just one assist in ten appearances in all competitions and largely being confined to appearing from the bench.

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Is Tottenham star Heung-min Son injured this weekend? Premier League injury update

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Tottenham Hotspur are facing further injury worries over Heung-min Son this weekend.

Ange Postecoglou's side - who face Crystal Palace on Sunday in the Premier League - will be hoping to continue their strong form as of late, after beating West Ham United and AZ Alkmaar in the past seven days.

Spurs have hopes of further success this season after finishing 5th in Postecoglou's first campaign in charge. But with their captain an injury doubt, worries are beginning to creep in for the Lilywhites ahead of their trip to Selhurst Park.

Is Heung-min Son injured for Spurs this weekend?

As confirmed by Tottenham boss Postecoglou, Son is not fit enough to play for his side this weekend after suffering a setback in his recovery.

The South Korean star did play against West Ham United last weekend, and found the net, but was rested in midweek against AZ and has unfortunately been unable to overcome his issue.

"Sonny [is] still not right or feeling 100%," Postecoglou told reporters on Friday. "He won't train today and [is] unlikely for the weekend."

That news will come as a huge blow for Spurs, who are looking to record their fifth Premier League win of the season, with a crucial clash with Manchester City in the Carabao Cup also on the horizon.

In FourFourTwo's view, Son will be a huge miss for Tottenham, but they do still pose enough quality to really hurt Crystal Palace, who themselves are struggling to find the net.

Dejan Kulusevski, Richarlison and Dominic Solanke all have enough talent to get the job done and we predict a win for Spurs this weekend in Croydon.

Why Man United Got DESTROYED By Tottenham

"As you said, they’re going through a tough spell," added Postecoglou on Crystal Palace's recent form. "I have no doubt they’ll get out of it because they do have some quality in the front third and they’re a hard-working team.

"I think for us what’s important is that we’re on a good run, we’ve been on a good run for a while, and we want to continue that. And the basis of that good run is how and we’re working and sticking to our principles."

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Tottenham revealed to have beaten Arsenal to sign key star, as details from 2022 emerge: report

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Tottenham are said to have fended off Arsenal's competition regarding one of their current recruits.

Spurs, who have so far suffered an indifferent start under Ange Postecoglou, know they still have plenty of work to do before they can mix it with Mikel Arteta's men at the top of the table.

The Gunners, however, who once again look ready for a title fight this season, missed out on one player who eventually decided he was better suited playing for the other side in North London.

Details have been revealed on how Tottenham star Dejan Kulusevski snubbed Arsenal's advances in 2022

Dejan Kulusevski was mistreated by former club Juventus, forced out on an 18-month loan to Tottenham, with the only facet that Spurs must front up £35 million to sign him after that.

But according to Gianluca Di Marzio, Tottenham were not the only climb vying for the Sweden international's signature, with Arsenal said to have presented a proposal to the winger.

"After the vain attempt for the then-Viola Dusan Vlahovic, Arteta's team turned their attention to the Swede [Kulusevski] in view of the 2022 transfer market," explained the Italian journalist, explaining that the player chose Antonio Conte – ranked at no.93 in FourFourTwo's list of the greatest managers ever – over Arteta.

In hindsight, would Kulusevski have had the same impact and opportunity at Arsenal? Probably not. But it is interesting to know that Spurs will feel they got one up on their local rivals by eventually signing the 24-year-old wideman.

“I think I have everything to do very well here,” he said after first signing for Spurs back in 2022.

“I’ve been at some teams in Italy, I’ve had a lot of different coaches, learned a lot from them, had a lot of players around me so I think I’m ready for the Premier League at this age and I can’t wait to play.

VIDEO Ange Postecoglou: "We Want To Achieve Things That Have Never Been Achieved Before"

In FourFourTwo's view, Kulusevski's move from Juventus indicated one of the better pieces of business Spurs have done in the last few years. He has been an impactful player under both Conte and Postecoglou.

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Tottenham wonderkid to leave after just starting just three games this season: report

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Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou could let a highly-rated talent leave in January, after handing them just three starts so far this season.

The start of the 2024/25 season has been inconsistent for Tottenham. They're currently seventh in the Premier League after eight games, having won four, drawn one and lost three.

But instead of throwing in the youngsters for a chance to help Spurs into the Champions League places, Postecoglou is instead looking to help them develop away from the club in the second half of the season.

Tottenham could loan out Archie Gray

According to Spanish outlet Mucho Deporte, Sevilla are considering making a loan offer for Archie Gray, with the youngster's game time at Spurs having been limited this term.

Gray signed for Tottenham in the summer, in a deal worth £40m after an impressive breakthrough season with Leeds United in the Championship. The 18-year-old has failed to break into Postecoglou's first team, however, with the youngster having played just 33 minutes of football in the Premier League.

While he did start both of Tottenham's games in the Europa League, as well as their win over Coventry in the League Cup, Gray needs regular first team football to continue his development.

That's why Sevilla are looking to take him on loan for six months, with former Leeds United director of football Victor Orta - now Sevilla's sporting director - looking to reunite with the youngster in the south of Spain. While Orta didn't get to watch Gray play for the first team during his time at Leeds, he would have certainly been aware of the emerging talent.

Sevilla are languishing in 13th in La Liga this term, with Garcia Pimienta's side having picked up just 12 points from 10 games. The report suggests they're lacking a midfielder capable of creating chances and working box-to-box, with Gray fitting that profile perfectly.

VIDEO: Why Signing Archie Gray Was A Masterstroke By Spurs

In FourFourTwo's opinion, it would make sense for Gray to go on loan somewhere for the second half of the 2024/25 season in order to continue his development, though whether Sevilla is the right place for him is certainly up for discussion.

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Tottenham chasing exciting youngster dubbed the 'next Bukayo Saka': report

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Tottenham Hotspur are looking to sign an exciting young talent compared to Bukayo Saka, but they will have to act fast in order to acquire his services.

In the summer, Tottenham spent a club record £65m on Dominic Solanke, while they also added teenagers Archie Gray, Wilson Odobert and Lucas Bergvall to Ange Postecoglou's side.

But, with Spurs' recruitment clearly driven to the future, the club's hierarchy are looking to add more future stars to their side in the coming transfer windows.

Tottenham linked with the 'next Bukayo Saka'

According to The Mirror, Tottenham are chasing the signature of Leece's versatile Patrick Dorgu, who has started at left-wing, right-wing and even right back already so far this season.

That's despite having Dorgu having made the majority of his 2023/24 appearances for Leece at left-back. Once manager Luca Gotti arrived in March, though, he pushed Dorgu further forward, with the 19-year-old now thriving in a more advanced position. Indeed, he hasn't played one game at left-back this term.

His versatility has been compared to Bukayo Saka, who played a number of positions for Arsenal when first breaking into the first team a few years ago now. Of course, the England international has now settled at right-wing, with Dorgu's positional path also looking similar.

The report adds that Chelsea are also interested in Dorgu, who is valued at £10m by Transfermarkt with his contract expiring in 2029.

Dorgu has clearly made a marked improvement in recent months, too, with Denmark manager Morten Wieghorst calling him up for the national team in Septemer. He scored on his debut in September against Switzerland, before making his first start earlier this month in the return Nations League fixture.

VIDEO: How Arne Slot's GENIUS System Has Made Liverpool Title Challengers

Fiorentina News claims that it's unlikely Dorgu will still be at Leece come the start of the 2025/26 season, with his contract length helping the Italian side demand a premium fee for his sale.

In FourFourTwo's view, it certainly makes sense that both Tottenham and Chelsea would be keeping tabs on Dorgu. Spurs have picked up relative unknowns in Destiny Udogie, Guglielmo Vicario and Radu Dragusin from Serie A in recent years, while their recent focus on teenagers also suggests the club's commitment to discovering talented youngsters.

Chelsea, meanwhile, are consistently scouting for the brightest young talent in world football, with Dorgu certainly fitting that bill.

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‘I got six reports on Dele Alli over a two-year period; Spurs should have reacted after my first two. At one stage they could sold him for over £80m’: Ex-Tottenham chief reveals secrets behind Dele tr

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Tottenham Hotspur were making sharp progress under Mauricio Pochettino when the Argentine became manager in 2014, with a Premier League title challenge and Champions League final appearance following in the years after his arrival.

One player who proved imperative to Spurs during that period under Pochettino was Dele, who signed for the club for £5m as an 18-year-old in the 2015 winter transfer window - though Tottenham almost missed out on him, according to former manager and director of football David Pleat.

Having been impressed with Dele's performances at MK Dons, Pleat invited technical director Franco Baldini to watch the teenager in League One action. Spurs stalled on taking action, though, and nearly missed out on his talent, as Pleat highlights what his role at Tottenham has been in recent years.

Tottenham almost missed out on signing Dele

"[My role at Spurs in recent years has been] consultant and scout," Pleat tells FourFourTwo. "I’m very pleased with one or two players who came in where I had an influence, one being Jack Clarke. None of the managers handled him well. He can play.

"There was Dele Alli, too. I took Franco Baldini to watch him and he was on his phone the whole time – he didn’t even watch him. I’ve got six reports on Dele over a period of two years; they should’ve reacted after my first two. Eventually they heard he was going to Aston Villa or Newcastle. They rang me and I said, 'Well, fancy that? Serves you right. You have to get hold of him.' They did the deal really quickly and I persuaded the chairman that £5m wasn’t too much to pay.

"At one stage they could have sold him for over £80m, then things happened. I’m sad because I saw him at 16 and he already had that stature about him, and he could play, too."

While Dele moved to Everton in 2022 in a deal that could have risen to £40m, he is now without a contract, though he continues to train with the Merseysiders as he seeks a return to football.

Pleat, meanwhile, recently stopped working for Tottenham. The 79-year-old isn't intent on retiring now, though, as he also looks to get back into the game in some capacity.

VIDEO: How Arne Slot's GENIUS System Has Made Liverpool Title Challengers

"I finished at Tottenham recently," Pleat says. "I was the last scout standing – they’ve gone for data completely now. Good luck to them, but there’s a place for scouts. A scout can tell you things data can’t: if the boy is popular with his team-mates, how he reacts when he hasn’t got the ball, what he’s like off the field... Your contacts will tell you that. You’ll know enough people.

"I intend to stay in football, and I’ve been talking to one or two people – I will continue."

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Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou told 'keep quiet' after recent comments

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Tottenham Hotspur boss Ange Postecoglou has been told to 'keep quiet' after comments he made about promising to deliver success.

The 59-year-old has stated how he 'always wins a trophy in his second season' and the pressure is now on to do so, with Spurs competing on four different fronts this term in the Premier League, FA Cup, Carabao Cup and Europa League.

With their an air of confidence to his recent remarks, some have not taken kindly to his words, especially given it is now a total of 16 years since they last won a major trophy.

Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou told he should walk the walk, before he talks the talk

"What the hell, Ange. This is going to bite you in the ass," wrote Swedish journalist Tobias Hellgren, in his recent column for footbollskanalen. "I really think it's so cool. You know this when you cockily stick your chin out, promise to achieve something rather difficult to achieve. And so you do it.

"And nothing in Spurs' summer window smacks of a title right away," he continued, with a clear bee in his bonnet. "You smell even less of a title if you sniff the team's season opener. So what the hell? What was that statement good for? All it did was raise the bar, putting unnecessary pressure on himself and his squad in the ultra-competitive environment that prevails in the PL's top tier."

Currently 9th in the Premier League table, the Lilywhites have made an indifferent start to the new campaign, and a response is needed after they threw away a two-goal lead to lose 3-2 against Brighton before the recent international break.

Heung-min Son looks likely to return from injury after choosing not to track back to South Korea for their recent fixtures and boy how could Spurs use his attacking qualities against West Ham United in this weekend's lunchtime kick-off.

"There is a big chance that Postecoglou will have to eat his words at the end of the season as the results look right now," added Hellgren.

"Don't get me wrong: as I said, I love the cocky look. And damn what a ball it would have been if he actually leads the Spurs to a title this season. But first of all, you should probably make sure to put yourself in a position where you have deserved to talk in that way."

Why Man United Got DESTROYED By Tottenham

Tottenham have made an impressive start in the Europa League it must be said, winning both of their opening games of the newly renovated group-stage campaign against Qarabag and Ferencvaros respectively.

In FourFourTwo's view, Europe may be the best way for the Lilywhites to lift some silverware this season, especially given they face Manchester City in the last-16 of the Carabao Cup in just a few weeks time. Yikes.

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Why isn't Dele Alli playing football right now?

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Dele Alli hopes to make a long-awaited return to football after a long spell out - and has his sights set not just on getting back to playing, but re-gaining his place in the England set-up in time for the 2026 World Cup.

The former Tottenham Hotspur midfielder earned his first England gap in October 2015, aged 19, and went on to earn another 35 caps before finding himself out of the frame in 2019.

Dele left Spurs in January 2022, joining Premier League rivals Everton, but he is now a free agent after his deal at Goodison Park expired in the summer.

Dele Alli has eyes set on triumphant return and hopes to regain England place

Dele last played a competitive game while on loan at Besiktas in February 2023, when he suffered a hip injury that required an operation and ruled him out for the rest of the season.

While still recovering from that, the midfielder suffered a groin injury that ultimately also required surgery and ruled him out of the Everton side for the entire 2023/24 season, despite initial hopes that he may be able to return last January.

Dele's remains without a club after his deal at Everton expired, but has been training at Everton's facilities nonetheless to build his fitness back up in hopes of making a return.

The Daily Mail write that Everton are open to the idea of re-signing Dele if he can get there - and that Tottenham Hotspur have generously told the Toffees that he does return to action, they would not hold Everton to a £10m appearance-related agreement made when Everton signed him back in 2022.

That amount was due to be payable upon the England international making 20 appearances for the club, but his tally only reached 13 during his initial spell. Tottenham would reportedly instead be re-paid in performance-related bonus and a sell-on clause.

Dele picked up a slight muscle strain a couple of weeks ago that has set him back slightly, but is not believed to be too serious.

Why Angel Gomes Is The EXACT Player England Have Been Missing

Dele is limited to playing behind-closed-doors friendlies while he remains unregistered by Everton, but they would be able to sign him as a free agent at any time.

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'Alan Sugar said, ‘Ring Alex Ferguson – he knows everyone’. He didn’t know much about him, either. I told Sugar, but he went ahead and hired him anyway': Ex-Tottenham executive on mistake of appointin

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Tottenham Hotspur had just 13 points from their first 14 games of the 1997/98 Premier League season when Gerry Francis was sacked, and chairman Alan Sugar wanted to make a left-field appointment to turn the club's fortunes around.

Seeking the advice of Tottenham's former manager David Pleat, Sugar wanted to learn more about two-time Swiss Super League winner Christian Gross. Pleat, though, knew little of the Swiss manager who had had success with Grasshopper in 1995 and 1996.

Neither did Sir Alex Ferguson, who Sugar believed knew everyone in football. Wanting to figure out if Gross could replace Francis, Sugar enlisted the help of Pleat and Ferguson - not that he took their minimal advice.

Tottenham chairman Alan Sugar appointed Gross with little knowledge

"Sugar asked me if I knew him," Pleat says. "I didn’t, and he said, 'Ring Alex Ferguson – he knows everyone.' He didn’t know much about him, either; I told Sugar, but he went ahead.

"Christian’s agent was Jurgen Klinsmann’s agent, and Klinsmann came back that season. Christian was a nice man but the players didn’t want his tough regime. I told the chairman to give him time but he said, 'You know the mood of the players' and Christian got the sack."

Indeed, after a tough start to the 1998/99 season in which Tottenham lost to Sheffield Wednesday and Wimbledon, Sugar sacked Gross just three games into the new campaign. Pleat briefly stepped in as caretaker, prior to the appointment of George Graham as the permanent boss.

Pleat tells FourFourTwo that he found being the Tottenham director of football "fascinating", however, especially considering Spurs were one of the first clubs in English football to adopt a role for someone to specifically oversee the football operations at the club.

"Alan Sugar was a very clever man: he was the first to want a director of football, because he felt directors didn’t know enough about football and needed someone to help them – a buffer between the manager and the board," Pleat says.

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Tottenham tipped to make 'unrefutable' offer for Premier League star: report

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Tottenham Hotspur are said to be lining up a summer attack on Crystal Palace for one of their hottest assets.

Ange Postecoglou's side recruited well after securing a fifth-placed finish in the Premier League last season, bringing in Archie Gray, Dominic Solanke and Wilson Odobert to name a few. Lucas Bergvall and Min-hyeok Yang also arrived, completing a tidy window for the Lilywhites.

But with their plans for further progression on the pitch, Tottenham know more must be done to close the gap on the top four again this season. Aston Villa's example could be followed, with one man tipped to be the difference maker.

Tottenham must buy Ebrechi Eze, says former goalkeeper

Former Spurs goalkeeper Paul Robinson has hailed Crystal Palace star Ebrechi Eze as a potential difference-maker if Tottenham wants to go to the next level. Eze already has three goals and an assist to his name this season, impressing in a relatively weak side managed by Oliver Glasner.

“An attack-minded midfielder is something they are looking at alongside James Maddison,” Robinson told Football Insider. “Eze, depending on how this season goes with Crystal Palace, will sit down and see where his future lies.

“It’ll be a tough one to get done in the winter. He’s under contract until 2027, so come next summer he’ll have two years left on his contract. I fully expect there to be interest in Eze if he has a good season for Palace this year and plays well for England as well.”

Has there been interest from Spurs' camp?

According to Football Transfers, both Arsenal and Tottenham were keen on a move for Eze, but sales elsewhere prevented Palace from agreeing to a deal this summer. The Eagles almost lost Marc Guehi to Newcastle United, but did see Michael Olise join Bayern Munich.

Eze is valued by Palace at £68million and it remains to be seen whether they allow the next talented star from their pool of players to be allowed to leave the club.

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