Tottenham Hotspur

Josh Lobley
BBC Sport Journalist

Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou has been speaking to the media before Thursday's Premier League game at Chelsea (kick-off 20:00 BST).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Postecoglou had no issue with Mauricio Pochettino's recent comments about wanting to return to the club: "If he wants to come back one day, then I hope it happens for him. I don't feel disrespected."

• He dismissed further questions about his future as Tottenham manager: "I don't deal with it. It doesn't rock my world - it doesn't consume me. I know my responsibilities are and I am sure if the club decides to go in a different direction, there are some outstanding candidates for it. And you know what, maybe someone will think: 'Ange Postecoglou is not a bad coach - maybe we'll take a punt on him'."

• In doing so, he reiterated his commitment to what he is trying to achieve at Tottenham: "I am passionate about what we're doing. I was brought in to change the way the club plays, rejuvenate the squad and bring success. I am focused on that and that is what I'll keep doing."

• Postecoglou confirmed there are "no new injuries" in his squad, but Thursday's match will likely come too soon for Richarlison: "[There is] a chance to play the weekend if he keeps training as he has been. [Dejan] Kulusevski and Kevin [Danso] should return in the next few weeks.

• He was positive about the international break: "Guys like [Cristian] Romero, Destiny [Udogie], [Mathys] Tel, Wilson [Odobert] and all these guys who missed a lot of football recently all got some good game time.

• On facing opponents Chelsea at Stamford Bridge: "Talented squad with good manager. They've had a positive season in terms of what they're trying to build. Playing away from home, against a loud fanbase, against a quality opponent where certainly, if we can come through that test it gives you confidence about what is ahead."

• He added: "They've also been hit with injuries. At their place, they're a tough team to beat. We know we have to play well to beat them. We need to try to build some momentum into the rest of the season and finish in a positive way."

Follow all of Wednesday's news on our daily football live page

Image source, Getty Images

Tottenham midfielder Callum Olusesi has signed a new contract at the club until 2029.

The 18 year-old made his first-team debut in a Europa League match against Hoffenheim, and has also been captaining the club's under-21 side during this campaign.

Ali Speechly
Fan writer

Image source, PA Media

I would not be surprised if the international break was met with a sigh of relief from everyone involved at Spurs - including fans.

The loss to Fulham a couple of weeks ago had me checking our fixture list to see how much more of this season there was left to endure.

As we prepare to return to action in the Premier League against Chelsea on Thursday, I am increasingly convinced that Ange Postecoglou needs to do more than win the Europa League to secure his job.

Even if winning it were to be enough, I think he must improve his side's performance in the domestic league in order to have a chance of winning the Europa League anyway.

• Not a Spurs fan? Find and follow your club here

I appreciate that cup competitions are unique and that anything can happen. Indeed, some teams have been known to win a cup and get relegated from the league in the same season.

But I also think it is naive to assume that we can be so desperately poor in the Premier League and then suddenly turn it on in Europe.

We need to build momentum every time we play, not just in one competition. Of course, injuries and fatigue need to be carefully managed, but players also need consistent opportunities to gain and maintain confidence - which, as we know, has a direct correlation with high performance.

Ange needs to prove that he knows how to manage this team because, as wonderful as it would be to win the Europa League, there would still be concerns about how his style of play and player management has resulted in such a poor position in the Premier League table.

The old cliche of every game feeling like a cup final seems more pertinent to Postecoglou and Spurs than ever before.

Find more from Ali Speechly at Women Of The Lane, external and on Instagram, external

Image source, Getty Images

Tottenham's overall losses have dropped significantly in their latest financial figures, released on Monday.

Despite recording a lower revenue than in 2023, Spurs' losses after tax in 2024 fell to £26.2m, way down on the £86.8m recorded last year.

That is despite a £21.4m drop in total revenue, a figure that includes match receipts, Uefa prize money, TV and media and commercial income.

The main reason for the reduction in revenue can be seen in the difference of Uefa prize money. Last season Spurs did not participate in European competition and earned just £1.3m, a stark contrast to the £56.2m made in 2023 when they reached the Champions League round of 16 in the prior year.

Meanwhile, Tottenham's profit from operations increased by 4% to £144.9m from £138.7m.

Image source, Getty Images

Tottenham will play rivals Arsenal in Hong Kong on Thursday, 31 July as part of their pre-season tour.

It will be the first north London derby to take place outside of London and will be hosted at the new Kai Tak Stadium.

Chief revenue officer, Ryan Norys said: "There are few bigger occasions in English football than a north London derby and to play this fixture in Hong Kong will be a huge occasion for our passionate fanbase across Asia, as well as providing ideal preparation for the team ahead of the new season.

"As is tour tradition, the club will be involved in so much more than the match itself when we visit, supporting charitable causes, celebrating local culture, delivering football clinics for young people and engaging with fans and partners.

"We cannot wait to visit such a beautiful place once again."

Image source, Getty Images

Earlier, we asked which player has appeared in the most Premier League wins for Tottenham.

The answer is Hugo Lloris, who was involved in 205 victories.

Which player has appeared in the most Premier League wins for Tottenham?

Come back to this page at 17:00 GMT for the answer

Tottenham Hotspur are refusing to rule out selling Argentina defender Cristian Romero, 26, after Atletico Madrid made their interest clear. (Givemesport), external

Tottenham are interested in bringing former managing director Fabio Paratici, 52, back to the club, but AC Milan also want the Italian. (Radio Rossonera - in Italian), external

Bayern Munich could look at recalling players from loan spells a few weeks early so they can play in the Club World Cup, including Tottenham's 19-year-old French forward Mathys Tel. (Kicker - in German), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Friday's full gossip column

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Image source, Getty Images

Premier League clubs have agreed the dates for the summer transfer window.

The window will open early, between Sunday 1 June and Tuesday 10 June, due to an exceptional registration period relating to the Fifa Club World Cup.

It will then reopen on Monday 16 June and close on Monday 1 September.

Southampton will demand more than £100m for 19-year-old winger Tyler Dibling with the Englishman wanted by Tottenham and Manchester City. (Telegraph), external

Meanwhile, Sunderland and England Under-19s midfielder Chris Rigg, 17, is being closely monitored by a number of clubs - including Spurs, Everton and West Ham. (Sky Sports), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Thursday's full gossip column

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Atletico Madrid are interested in signing Tottenham defender Cristian Romero. (Sky Sports), external

Want more transfer news? Read Wednesday's full gossip column

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Image source, Getty Images

After our fan writer suggested Tottenham captain Son Heung-min "needs to show his team how to fight", we asked for your views on the forward's leadership over the final few weeks of the season.

Here are some of your comments:

Tom: Son is totally burned out. Ange Postecoglou and his coaching is to blame for it. Son is a great footballer but he has lost all his confidence since Ange became coach. He is a shadow of the player we knew. I think it's time to let a great servant to the club go and enjoy his football. He'll always be a Spurs legend.

John: Captaincy is different these days. Son is a decent captain but there are other players within the squad who can take hold of a match to improve the team performance. Son only looks worn out because the two players we could use to give him a break - Wilson Odobert and Mikey Moore - have been injured. It has been a slog of a season. Let's get everyone match fit and just improve our consistency.

Shaneo: Son is a brilliant player and personality, and should be a captain.

Paul: I'm not concerned particularly about Son's leadership, on or off the field, but I do think it is time for a managerial change. I also am not too fussed about winning the Europa League, and that is not just because I'm not too optimistic about our chances. Should a miracle happen and we manage to win the Europa league, I would still want a change of manager because I think our league form is abysmal and having key players back from injury is not going to change anything, in my humble opinion.

Tottenham have gone in early for Sunderland midfielder Chris Rigg before the summer transfer window, with a bid of £37m for the England Under-19 international. (Fichajes - in Spanish, external)

Meanwhile, Spurs, Manchester United, Bayern Munich, Atletico Madrid, Napoli and RB Leipzig are all interested in Fenerbahce's 19-year-old Turkey defender Yusuf Akcicek. (Mirror, external)

Want more transfer stories? Read Tuesday's full gossip column

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Ali Speechly
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

What makes an effective captain?

Does leading by example require a loud voice on and off the pitch and a 'larger than life' character? Or will a team go into battle for a gentle leader?

Personally, I think there is a lot of to admire about quiet leadership.

Effective leaders take their teams on a journey with them by establishing strong bonds built upon trust. They do this by being authentic and honest and by empowering those they lead to be the best versions of themselves.

In turn, the team respects the leader and is willing to invest in this shared journey, as they believe in its purpose.

So, it does not bother me that Son Heung-min prefers not to shout at his players when things are not going well.

I do not want Son to be a bully. I want him to lead by example. I want him to be consistent and intentional – to demonstrate the right thing to do in the right moment.

Like the rest of the squad, Sonny has struggled with consistency this season and looks exhausted from a relentless and unforgiving campaign. However, can we see the best of him in every game that is left, and what does this look like?

Unsurprisingly, there is a lack of confidence in the squad right now. When the heads around him start to drop, Son needs to demonstrate confidence and show his team how to fight.

He can do this by purposely moving play forward, by unlocking low blocks with his speed of thought – even if the speed in his legs is starting to falter – and by finding the right pass.

If Son can elicit better performances from others by giving more of himself on a consistent basis, he can empower his team towards success.

Do you back Son to deliver more consistently as Spurs captain in the season's final few weeks? Let us know

Find more from Ali Speechly at Women Of The Lane, external and on Instagram, external

Image source, Getty Images

We can go on about how many injuries Tottenham have had this season, and that has certainly played a part in their inconsistencies, but they have got a nearly fully fit squad available now and the fans are frustrated by some of the performances and results.

Ange Postecoglou has a philosophy and way of doing things and believes in what he is doing at Spurs. He has snapped a few times at fans and the media, but I think that is more ego and belief in himself rather than pressure.

He has a long-term plan with the personnel and he thinks: 'This is me. I'm going to stand by who I am and what I am doing.' Last season, everybody was excited by Postecoglou and his style but when it turns on its head like it has this season, things can get heated. Fans will understandably be frustrated.

Unless he wins the Europa League this year I don't think he will keep his job with the league position they are in. When managers have a longer-term plan and distinct philosophy it is whether the people above want to buy into that and buy them the players they need, and whether the fans have the patience to buy into that.

I do think Postecoglou would need time. If you look at his first season you can see the direction he was taking the team.

They would need to sign some players in the summer, especially central defenders, if they are to keep him next season even if they do not win the Europa League and want to play his style.

But, you can see the frustration among the fans and the inconsistency in performances and that can become quite difficult to sustain.

Fara Williams was speaking to BBC Sport's Nat Hayward

Tottenham have begun exploring a deal for Southampton's 19-year-old England Under-21 midfielder Tyler Dibling. (Givemesport, external)

Spurs are also set to open talks with 27-year-old Uruguay midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur over an extension to his contract, which expires next summer, amid interest from AC Milan. (TBR Football, external)

Want more transfer stories? Read Monday's full gossip column

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport