Raised during the Gerry Francis era, these lads are now too old for any more 'character building'. Spurs blog with emphasis on the stars of tomorrow, today #COYS
Tottenham’s Under-21s have been drawn in Group H of the Papa John’s Trophy and will face off against Oxford United, Cambridge United and Stevenage.
Spurs return to the competition after declining to take part last year. However, in the three preceeding seasons they only managed to win one game (out of nine) within 90 minutes and made it out of the group stage just once. However, that run in 2018/19 ended in Round 2, with Spurs suffering a 3-0 loss against this year’s opponents Oxford United – Japhet Tanganga captained the side that evening.
However, despite the disappointing results, the EFL Trophy will once again offer Spurs’ young players a taste of senior football. It is also worth noting that no Premier League or Championship academy side has won the competition since their introduction in 2016/17.
Heung-Min Son has been one of Spurs’ key players this season, but all of the minutes he has played this season seem to have caught up with him. Son was visibly tired in the last ten minutes of the derby against West Ham, seen on his haunches, looking like he was all out of energy.
His recent form has been the polar opposite of his amazing start to the season with only two goal contributions in the past eight league games. When you dive into the stats of how many minutes the South Korean has played it’s hardly a surprise he looks tired.
Son has played at least 84 minutes in every single Spurs league game since the 6-1 win over Manchester United all the way back in November, as well as being played in every single game this season bar two. Son desperately needs a break and the game against Wolfsberger in the Europa League in midweek gives Mourinho the chance to do just that.
With Spurs 4-1 up in the tie it is the perfect opportunity to play a youngster like Dane Scarlett in his place. If Son isn’t rested midweek there’s no way he’s going to be able to perform anywhere near his best due to the fatigue he’s clearly been suffering with in recent weeks.
Centre back woes
Whether it be Alderweireld alongside Rodon, Dier paired with Tanganga, or even Tanganga with Rodon, it’s extremely clear to everyone – apart from Mourinho it seems – that Dier and Sanchez just aren’t working together.
What makes it even more strange is the fact Spurs had a solid centre-half pairing in Alderweireld and Dier up until the Crystal Palace game and have been chopping and changing at the back ever since.
The last time #THFC had the same back four in successive @premierleague games was in December.
Spurs desperately need consistency at the back and failing to start the same back four since December certainly hasn’t helped Spurs’ defensive woes, Prior to the Palace game, Mourinho’s men had the best defence in the league, only conceding two goals with Dier and Alderweireld at the back. but ever since that game there has been no consistency with Mourinho not looking like he knows his preferred back four at all.
Dier and Sanchez just don’t work alongside each other at all, with the pair conceding five goals in their last two matches. There needs to be a breath of fresh air in the defence, whoever it may be, and then Jose needs to back the pairing that he picks.
The Mysterious Case of Joe Rodon
There was hope when Rodon came in the summer that he would be able to help with our defensive problems. Initially he did so and after a mistake against Liverpool Mourinho gave the Welshman his full backing. But after the 1-0 defeat against Brighton Rodon hasn’t played a single minute of football and has been left out the last two league squads altogether.
Mourinho’s comments on Rodon after the Liverpool game… he hasn’t played a single minute since the loss at Brighton where he didn’t even play badly, wouldn’t call this supporting the player at all imo 🤷🏻♂️ #COYS#THFCpic.twitter.com/bXzuJix77i
Rodon has completely vanished for the Spurs team/squad in recent weeks with no clear explanation as to why. His brother Sam confirmed on Twitter today that Rodon wasn’t injured, so why on earth has Mourinho excluded him from his plans entirely, especially with the defensive problems Spurs are facing currently?
He wasn’t out of place in a poor team performance at all against Brighton so it is mind-blowing why he has suddenly been excluded from the team. Joe Rodon could be that breath of air that Spurs need to restart their campaign and push on now, with Burnley an ideal game for Rodon to come back in.
Bale’s Brilliance
One of the few positives from the disappointing performance was the second half display from Gareth Bale. The Welshman has severely struggled for form since his return to Spurs, however, glimpses of the old Bale have certainly been brought to light in the last week with a good performance against Wolfsberger too.
Bale hit the bar with a powerful volley which definitely had Fabianski beaten as well as chipping in with an assist for Lucas Moura’s goal with a beautifully delivered corner. You just got that feeling that when Bale was on the ball that he was going to do something special, something Spurs have been missing from any player in a while now.
Gareth Bale vs West Ham
-45 minutes played -3 chances created -1 assist -1 shot at woodwork -7 crosses -5 dribbles -1 tackle -3 shots (2 on target)
There is no reason why he shouldn’t start against Burnley in the league next Sunday and, if he manages to build up his fitness, the 31-year-old could be a key player for Spurs towards the end of the season, especially if he manages to sustain any run of form. He could be the third attacker that Spurs are most certainly missing alongside Harry Kane and Heung-Min Son.
Jose Mourinho’s similar record to a sacked Mauricio Pochettino
Jose Mourinho came out after the game and insisted that his and his coaching staff methods “are second to none” and that he will not question his methods at all regardless of league position. Which may give Daniel Levy that bit of disbelief he didn’t previously have about Mourinho.
It has been widely reported that Mourinho will cost Spurs around £30 million to sack, but with the recent form and his latest comments Levy may well be considering it.
With 12 points out of a possible 39 in his last three games, Mourinho is replicating the type of form which saw Pochettino removed from his position as Spurs manager, the Argentine having gained 14 points out of a possible 36 in his last 12 games. With Spurs now nine points off the Champions League and gradually slipping down the table in recent weeks will Levy be bold enough to pull the trigger?
Mourinho has managed so far to get us into the Carabao Cup final as well as the Europa League Round of 32, but it seems as though his focus is now purely on the cup competitions after the defeat at the London Stadium – will Levy be willing to take that risk and pin all Spurs’ European qualifying hopes on just the cups?
The key to any effective transfer policy for any club is to identify problem areas and have creative and pragmatic solutions to said problems. When it comes to Tottenham, this philosophy is not only imperative, but rather mandatory.
So instead of this article being the usual ‘click bait’ about how ‘Spurs can sign Messi’, it will instead focus on transfers that would not only improve the team, but could solve the issues around non-Home Grown player limits.
Before we begin talking about potential incoming players, a mini review of the season so far. Despite an explosive start, Spurs have been on the end of some disastrous results as of late, with the partnership of Son Heung-min and Harry Kane losing its early venom as Jose Mourinho edges further and further into a style mired in defensive pragmatism.
In saying that, all of the blame cannot be shouldered solely by Mourinho, with individual errors plaguing the Spurs back line this season. This has led to the Lilywhites dropping ten points from winning positions already, double that of any other club in the Premier League. This is an issue that coaching alone cannot resolve.
It is a problem that Mourinho and the club’s hierarchy is well aware of and they looked to ameliorate this last summer with various attempts to pry Milan Škriniar away from Inter, but the asking price was simply too high.
However, with Davinson Sanchez still unable to find any consistency after three years in North London and with Japhet Tanganga and Joe Rodon still in the infancy of Tottenham careers, the club may well look to revive a deal for Škriniar in the summer as Mourinho looks to find another missing piece to his Tottenham puzzle. But Škriniar’s the asking price unlikely to have come down, Daniel Levy may have to look for a cheaper option.
My pick would be Marseille ‘s Croatian central defender Duje Ćaleta-Car. At just twenty-four years old he is still yet to hit his peak, but is still experienced enough to start week in, week out. Standing at 6ft 3 inch he certainly fits the mould of a physically imposing defender which Mourinho tends to favour. But he is not just a big brute who will smash it into Row Z at a moment’s opportunity – he is a very accomplished passer of the ball. This season the Croatian has also managed to win a staggering 70% of his aerial duels, a talent that could certainly come in handy for set pieces.
When it comes to the financial outlay, French football has deep financial issues and, even though Marseille is not as detrimentally affected as other teams, Spurs will not need to make silly offer to prise him away. Unfortunately, Tottenham will have to probably shift a non-Home Grown player to get this deal over the line, a task that is a lot easier said than done. The possible outgoings to facilitate this transfer would be a combination of Villarreal taking up the option to sign Juan Foyth and the sale of Davinson Sanchez, neither of which are certainties.
The next problem area is in attacking midfield. Tanguy Ndombele’s emergence as one of the best midfielders in the league is one of a few positive for Spurs fans. The Frenchman has been key member of the Tottenham attacking unit, looking rejuvenated this season and producing moments of pure brilliance, most notably against Sheffield United when he scored an audacious chip with his back to goal to secure three points. And let us not forget the game against Southampton when he pirouetted beautifully to beat the press of two oncoming midfielders and found a defence splitting pass to Son Heung-min who promptly slotted away.
However, despite Ndombele’s electric displays, he and Harry Kane have had to shoulder far too much of the creative burden. Giovani Lo Celso’s stop-start season and the mysterious treatment of Dele Alli hasn’t helped, but this it is still a key problem Spurs need to address in the summer window.
Marcus Edwards could be the answer. Edwards was a highly touted talent during the Mauricio Pochettino era, with the former Spurs coach even once likened him to Lionel Messi. Since leaving for Portuguese side Vitoria S.C in 2019, the twenty-two-year-old has gained a reputation as a dynamic ball carrier with the ability to play on either wing or behind the striker.
He has bags of technical ability and is not too bad with a defence splitting through ball either. Last season, Edwards managed seven league goals and five assists with an additional two goals in the Europa League. Tottenham would have to pay a relatively small fee to resign a player with great potential, as well as much needed creative invention in addition to help solving the growing foreign player issue. The outgoings to facilitate this transfer would likely be either Erik Lamela or Lucas Moura, both of whom are struggling for regular playing time.
The last transfer suggestion has been rumoured for some time. The position is central midfielder, and the player is Marcel Sabitzer. The twenty-six-year-old is a versatile and important cog in Julian Nagelsmann’s RB Leipzig machine, playing numerous roles including right wing, false nine and defensive midfield. Sabitzer’s technical ability, defensive awareness, passing range and athleticism make him the perfect partner for Tottenham’s midfield general Pierre-Emile Højbjerg, with both capable of line breaking passing. Additionally, he already plays under a coach dubbed “Mini Mourinho”, so it may be a quick transition period for Sabitzer if he makes the move to North London. His adaptability in playing in multiple positions and in a variety of systems is surely something that would interest Mourinho.
I believe Tottenham have a fantastic squad, but we lack balance. We must remember we are in a transitional period under Mourinho, but, with a few of the right signings, there is no telling what the club could achieve.
With the January transfer window now just over halfway through, James Hicks looks at the different ways that Spurs could line up by the start of February, including a few familiar faces as well as new signings.
Keeping The Faith
Although results haven’t been going the way that fans would’ve liked them to recently, this team is 4th for most goals scored in the Premier League, 3rd for least conceded, and the 2nd least conceded from open play behind Manchester City.
Against Sheffield United on Sunday, Steven Bergwijn showed signs of promise to be able to become the third attacker that Tottenham so desperately need to perform alongside Harry Kane and Heung-Min Son and help the team with goal contributions.
Tanguy Ndombele scored a outrageous chip over Aaron Ramsdale at Bramall Lane and is looking fitter than ever, completing 90 minutes of football against the Blades and slowly showing signs of progression with his fitness which I’m sure every Spurs fan is loving to see his improvement and adaption recently.
WHAT. A. FINISH! 😍
From a tight angle Tanguy Ndombele has lifted it over Ramsdale and dropped it right in the bottom corner, with the outside of his foot. Stunning.
The defence is always a major talking point of the Spurs line-up no matter who’s playing and I would argue that this is our most experienced back four, Sergio Reguilon and Serge Aurier give us the width and pace we need in the full-back positions. Toby Alderweireld and Eric Dier have been Jose’s trusted partnership this year and their record from open play speaks for itself, conceding the joint least goals from open play, but as everyone knows, set pieces are a huge problem, an issue perhaps which could be solved with the next line up.
2. The Midfield Trio
This was the line-up Spurs fans were most looking forward to after the close of the summer transfer window with a little twist.
In this scenario, Marcel Sabitzer would join the front three in replacement of Steven Bergwijn, with the Austrian – who has a year and a half left on his contract at RB Leipzig – finally making the move having been linked with Spurs on and off for some time.
He would be a great addition to the squad and would provide a player who is extremely versatile where he can play whether it be just off the strikers in the 10 role, out wide either side of a front three or even central midfield. Sabitzer is flexible and can help with goal contributions from anywhere on the field with the 26-year-old producing 17 goal contributions in 32 games in the Bundesliga last season.
It is more likely, however, that Spurs and Levy will attempt to sign Sabitzer in the summer due to his contract situation, replicating what happened with Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg negotiations due to his lack of contract, where Spurs ended up with what is looking like a bargain in the Dane.
Another attraction of this team is the midfield three everyone couldn’t wait to watch play together this season in Giovani Lo Celso, Ndombele and Hojbjerg. The trio have only started together once all season, against LASK in the Europa League where it never really gelled, however with Ndombele fitness now ever increasing hopefully when Lo Celso returns from injury we’ll be able to see these three together in action, a spectacle many Spurs were extremely looking forward to.
In defence I’ve partnered Joe Rodon next to Dier after his impressive performance in his second league start against Sheffield United, in his brief cameos in a back four this season he has been really impressive and arguably deserves a chance at a long run in the team, with Jose Mourinho evidently undecided on who he is going to partner alongside Dier in a back four.
Joe Rodon vs. Sheffield United:
◉ Most recoveries (9) ◉ Most clearances (4) ◉ Most aerials won (4) ◉ Most interceptions (2)
Mourinho first debuted Spurs playing three/five at the back against Wolves, where again Spurs conceded from a set piece, however against Sheffield United it look much more assured and controlled posing the question whether it’s worth playing that formation?
Keeping the same front three – which I would say is the best – and a midfield pivot of Ndombele and Hojbjerg, would help to provide the foundations which this team is built on.
Both Reguilon and Doherty were bought over the summer from Sevilla and Wolves respectively, however we have hardly seen either of them play in a position that they thrive in so much as a wing-back. They both offer great pace and crossing ability for one of the forward three to get their head on, especially Reguilon as seen against Fulham.
Last season Doherty had 12 goal contributions in 50 games for Wolves, while Reguilon had eight contributions in 38 games, at the moment Spurs’ highest goal contributor apart from Son and Kane is Ndombele on four, this is something that Jose needs to find the answer to and quick.
By playing this formation it would give Doherty and Reguilon much more license to get forward without having to worry as much about their defensive duties, instead helping Spurs when they go forward, this could help produce many more goal scoring opportunities with crosses and runs from both wing backs.
With the three centre-backs, it would be fair to say Rodon has more than earnt his chance in defence, here he would be alongside Dier and Japhet Tanganga, Tanganga has severely struggled for game time this season due to a back injury he suffered earlier in the season. However with him now slowly progressing back into the set-up and his superb performances last year he also warrants a chance at centre-back especially with all of Jose’s chopping and changing he has been doing recently at centre-half.
4. The Return of DESK
Is the return of DESK a possibility for Mourinho and Tottenham? Christian Eriksen has been heavily linked back with a move back to White Hart Lane after failing to impress at Inter Milan since his transfer last January.
Dele Alli has suffered a similar dip in form since last season, but is still putting up decent numbers when being put in the team with four goal contributions in twelve matches. What Dele needs is a sustained period in the first XI where he tries to rediscover his form with the full support of his manager and he’ll get back to his best.
Dele, Eriksen, Son and Kane, if both Dele and Eriksen were able to rediscover their form this front four would be formidable and could possibly resolve Tottenham’s reliance on solely Son and Kane to provide goals.
Alderweireld partners Dier in defence in this team, both of whom are accustomed to each other by now having played together for nearly 6 years, many of which have been spent alongside one another at the heart of Spurs’ defence.
Would the return of Dele and Eriksen help to improve Spurs’ creativity moving forward?
With first Dane Scarlett and then Alfie Devine breaking the record for the youngest player in Tottenham’s history (and in Devine’s case, youngest goal scorer as well), and a clutch of other young players gaining first-team experience, Spurs’ academy prospects are looking as gifted and plentiful as they’ve ever been.
Fast forward ten years and it’s unlikely that Harry Kane will still be leading the line at the age of 37, so we look at the players who are set to make the step up. Given the talent coming through, it’s not beyond the realms of possibility that our line up will be full of Hotspur Way graduates in a decade’s time.
This is our dream team 2030/31.
GK – Brandon Austin, 31 (age at the start of the 2030/31 season)
It’s a crowded field when it comes to Spurs’ goalkeeping prospects, with no less than nine Academy players on the books. However, it is England Under-21 stopper Brandon Austin that we feel has the best chance of making it in the first team.
Austin has been on the bench in four Europa League games this season and has been the first choice with the Under-23s, making eight appearances in the Premier League 2. He spent the second half of last season on loan with Danish side Viborg FF, impressing as he made 14 appearances in the NordicBet LIGA.
The next couple of years could be crucial for Austin – aged 22 and with his contract up in 2022, he will want to impress to prove to Jose Mourinho that he has what it takes to succeed Hugo Lloris and Joe Hart as they enter the autumn years of their careers. If he does so, he could be between the sticks come 2030/31.
Although primarily a right-back, the Edmonton-born Lusala is comfortable playing right across the defence. He has a touch of Kyle Walker about him, his pace and athleticism down the flanks standing out – his three assists in five Under 18 games demonstrate his ability going forward.
Already capped at youth level by England, we expect him to have formed an exciting full-back partnership with Dennis Cirkin by 2030/31.
Also look out for Kallum Cesay
CB – Malachi Fagan-Walcott, 28
It’s another Edmonton boy – Malachi Fagan-Walcott.
A former 200m sprint champion, Fagan-Walcott is a quick, powerful defender, but is also good in the air and reads the game very well. He has suffered from a knee injury this season, but he turned out regularly for the Under-23s last year and even made his first-team debut against RB Leipzig as a late substitute. He has also been called up to England Under 15s, 16s, 17s and 18s.
Fagan-Walcott’s idol is Ledley King – if he can go on to be half as good as the great man, he will have a very successful career in lilywhite.
Aside from Oliver Skipp, Japhet Tanganga is the player with the most top-level experience in this group. Having made his debut in the EFL Cup in 2019, Tanganga has gone on to make 17 appearances for the senior side.
A versatile player comfortable playing right across the back, Tanganga has appeared for England at every youth level from the Under-16s to the Under-20s, and was called up for the Under-21s, but had to pull out due to injury. He signed a new five-year contract last summer and looks set to become a mainstay of the first team squad for years to come.
Hackney-born Tanganga joined the club aged just 10 – by 2030 he’ll have been with the club for two decades.
Over two and a half years ago, I attended an Under 15s/16s game against Ipswich Town. A fair few players stood out in the 6-1 win – Luis Binks, Harvey White, J’Neil Bennett, Max Robson and Chay Cooper all shined. But it was our left-back that day who you instantly knew was destined for something special.
Dennis Cirkin is a future England international with a staggering array of attributes. His reading of the game, technique in both defence and attack, work-rate, surging runs from deep and ability to score and assist offers an all-round package rarely seen in someone so young.
Although he has yet to make his competitive first-team bow, Cirkin appeared in the friendlies against Ipswich and Reading and has been named as a substitute on a handful of occasions. Despite the presence of Ben Davies and Sergio Reguilon, it will be a matter of time before the England Under-18 left-back makes his debut.
When he does, he’ll be one step closer to making that number 3 shirt his own for the next decade.
Not my words, but those of Jose Mourinho, a man who knows a thing or two about these sort of things. After being with the club since 2013, Oliver Skipp made his debut as an 18 year old for Spurs, going on to make 23 appearances in all competitions over the next two seasons.
He has made a huge impact on loan with Championship side Norwich this season, quickly establishing as an indispensable member of a side pushing for promotion. If they go up, it may well that Skipp remains with the Canaries to get a full season of Premier League football under his belt.
Whether or not Skipp returns to Spurs next season, there is little doubt that the England Under-21 midfielder will be the heartbeat of our midfield for a decade to come. Like Jose, we believe he’ll be our captain in 2030/31.
Also look out for Jamie Bowden
CM – Alfie Devine, 26
At just 16 years and 163 days old, Alfie Devine became the youngest player in Spurs’ history. The youngest goalscorer in Spurs’ history.
Devine is an all-action central midfielder, his energy matched by his creativity and his ability to appear in and around the opposition penalty area and score goals. The England youth international has had a meteoric rise through the Spurs ranks after joining the club last summer, performing at Under-18, Under-23 and senior levels with distinction.
Along with Oliver Skipp and Harvey White, Devine represents the future of Spurs’ midfield.
A versatile, set piece specialist, comfortable in possession with and a wonderful left foot, White made his debut off the bench against Ludogorets in November before making his first start against Marine in the FA Cup.
Although he has been in and around the first-team squad for much of the season, White has underlined his creative potential with the Under-23s, scoring three goals and providing seven assists in just 11 games.
White was recently called up to the England Under 20 squad and he certainly has the talent to continue to move through the ranks to become a Tottenham and England regular by 2030/31.
Also look out for Max Robson
RF – Jamie Donley, 25
If our fan’s main Academy interest was Troy Parrott last season, and Dane Scarlett is this season’s, 2021/22 will see the focus switch to Jamie Donley.
Donley joined Spurs seven years ago from Colchester Villa YFC. As an Under 8, he scored a barely believable 175 goals from midfield. You read that right. 175.
Donley has only just turned 16 – and is the youngest player featured on this list – but his ability is obvious. Already this season, he’s scored 17 goals in just 12 games for the Under-16s, and has played three times for the Under-18s, scoring on his debut against Leicester. With Dane Scarlett likely to step up to the Under-23s by the end of the season, we expect to see Donley fill his shoes.
If the England youth international keeps scoring every time he moves up a level, we could be left with the mouth-watering prospect of a lethal Donley – Scarlett – Parrott forward line in 2030/31.
Also look out for Jack Clarke
ST – Dane Scarlett, 26
After his five goals against Newport in the FA Youth Cup, we posted a picture of Scarlett next to one of the great Ronaldo. It might have been a bit tongue in cheek, but if he keeps scoring at his current rate, the comparisons will only continue.
Scarlett has been in lethal form at youth level this season, scoring 19 goals in just 13 games, including three hat-tricks. As evidenced by his strikes against Newport, the England youth international’s goal scoring instincts are outstanding – his third goal in particular, a Cruyff finish, was sublime.
His record as Spurs’ youngest player may have only stood for two months, but we expect to see the name ‘Scarlett’ featuring on Premier League scoresheets for years to come.
Although Troy Parrott’s recent spell at Millwall hasn’t gone to plan, we’ve got to remember he’s only 18. Injuries have disrupted his time there and he has often been played out of position – even Kane’s loan spells weren’t always an unqualified success.
Parrott remains a major talent – he’s already received two caps for the Republic of Ireland – and his natural ability will hardly disappear after only a few months. Let’s not forget, this is a player who made his debut for Spurs at the age of 17 and spent most of last season in the first-team squad. He has also scored 31 goals in just 38 games for the youth sides since joining the club in 2017.
With the right support and opportunities, we have little doubt that, in time, Parrott will blossom into one of Tottenham’s leading players.
Tottenham face Manchester City at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Saturday night, with victory putting Spurs top of the Premier League table, if only for 24 hours.
There are no new injury concerns after the international break for either side, however Spurs will be without Matt Doherty who tested positive for coronavirus while with the Republic of Ireland. Erik Lamela “is still in the last period of his recovery” and Harry Winks has a “little problem” putting both in major doubt ahead of Saturday’s fixture.
Steven Bergwijn is training at Hotspur Way and is said to be available for Saturday despite being dropped by the Netherlands national team after being deemed “not fit enough” following a groin issue. Japhet Tanganga is also back is training after being out with a back injury for nearly two months.
Manchester City are without Fernandinho who has ‘stomach problems’, meanwhile Raheem Sterling, who missed international duty with England, and Sergio Aguero have both returned to training for City and could possibly feature on Saturday. Reports suggest defenders Nathan Ake and Benjamin Mendy are also doubts.
Spurs fans would’ve been worried about the availability of Heung-Min Son earlier this week with 10 of South Korea’s playing and coaching staff testing positive for coronavirus, however Spurs fans will be happy to know that Son has returned two negative tests and “is fine to play”.
Both teams face a busy period with both teams having to play at least two games a week until after the new year due to European commitments as well as the EFL Cup quarter-finals. It is an especially difficult period for Spurs who have to face City, Chelsea, Arsenal, Liverpool and Leicester all within the next month and they’ll be hoping to kick off this period in the right way by beating City on Saturday.
Jose Mourinho will face Pep Guardiola for the 24th time in his management career on Saturday with Mourinho looking for his 7th win over the Spaniard, and Guardiola looking for his 12th win in what is always a fierce contest no matter the teams that they manage. In their time in England however it has been even, both managers winning three times and drawing once.
Mourinho and Guardiola both marked this week with personal milestones – Mourinho has now been Spurs’ manager for a full year, while Guardiola has renewed his contract until 2023.
Both teams have players rich in form following the international break with Ferran Torres scoring a hat-trick against Germany for Spain, whilst Phil Foden scored a brace for England against Iceland. Meanwhile Spurs had four players record a brace of assists during the break: Son, Lo Celso, Bale and Winks.
Spurs are yet to lose since the opening day defeat against Everton in the league and are looking to continue this run. City are unbeaten in their last nine matches in all competitions.
Tottenham’s win over City in February at the Tottenham Hotspur stadium courtesy of a goal from debutant Steven Bergwijn was their first victory over Manchester City in their last six premier league fixtures.
Spurs and City have varying records in the league with both teams having the joint best defence in the league only conceding nine albeit Manchester City have played one less game, while Spurs are the 2nd highest scorers in the league with 19 goals, City only with 10.
The match will be refereed by Mike Dean who will be accompanied by Kevin Friend on VAR at Stockley Park.
Possible Spurs starting XI: Lloris, Aurier, Alderweireld, Dier, Reguillon, Højbjerg, Ndombele, Sissoko, Bale, Kane, Son
Possible Manchester City starting XI: Ederson, Walker, Dias, Laporte, Cancelo, Rodri, De Bruyne, Foden, Sterling, Torres, Jesus
Prediction: 1-1.
Where to watch? The game is live on Sky Sports Main Event on Saturday at 5:30 pm GMT.
Tottenham Hotspur have intensified their negotiations with Paris Saint-Germain’s Thomas Meunier, according to the French newspaper, L’Équipe.
Meunier, 28, is available on a free this summer, with his contract set to expire at the end of the season.
Spurs will be hoping that the Belgian international can solve their right back problem that has been an issue since Kieran Trippier’s form tailed off after the 2018 World Cup.
Trippier has since been sold, Kyle Walker-Peters loaned out and Serge Aurier has made a catalogue of high profile errors. Juan Foyth regularly plays at right back for Argentina but has made just four appearances for Spurs this season and Japhet Tanganga, while impressing at full back, is a natural centre half.
Lilywhite Rose 