Spurs poised to sign teenage Korean wingerpublished at 16:54 24 July
16:54 24 July
Nizaar Kinsella BBC Sport football news reporter
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Tottenham are closing in on the signing of winger Yang Min-hyuk from Gangwon FC.
The 18-year-old is expected to complete a move to Spurs by the time the club face a K-League XI at Seoul World Cup Stadium in his native South Korea.
The Korea youth international has scored seven goals in his 24 senior matches for Gangwon and became the youngest K-League scorer since 2013 when netting his first goal for the club in March.
He is expected to become the latest Korean footballer to join Spurs after current captain Son Heung-min and Lee Young-pyo.
Gossip: Tottenham set to benefit from Clarke salepublished at 08:06 24 July
08:06 24 July
Having negotiated a 40% sell-on clause when they sold winger Jack Clarke to Sunderland, Tottenham are set to get a major part of any fee for the 23-year-old with Ipswich Town preparing a bid. (The i), external
Davies is my family member and role model - Sonpublished at 14:28 23 July
14:28 23 July
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Ben Davies has officially completed 10 years of service at Tottenham, after joining the club from Swansea in July 2014.
The 31-year-old left-back has clocked up 330 appearances for Spurs, scoring nine goals and registering 23 assists along the way.
Tottenham captain Son Heung-min has been praising his team-mate of nine years and discussing how the pair's friendship now extends beyond football.
"Ben Davies. What a guy... I don't have any bad words, only good words," Son wrote on the club's website, external. "He is a family man, such a warm heart and so smart - the smartest guy I have seen.
"I would say he is my family member, someone I can really trust. If I'm struggling, if I need some advice, I will always ask Ben.
"I left Korea at 16 and when you leave a country at such an early age, you don't have many friends. Ben is the only one I would say is like that.
"If you need someone to say difficult words, he is the one who steps up and says those things. He says words that make you wake up.
"I'm in a position now where if I say something, people will probably say: 'Yes, you are right.' But Ben is the guy who will step up and say: 'No, that's not right.' That is so impressive.
"On the pitch, Ben is so consistent. He never complains, works so hard, plays for the team.
"He is a consummate professional, a player everyone can look up to. For me, he is a role model."
Humans are still neededpublished at 14:21 23 July
14:21 23 July
Pat Nevin Former footballer and presenter
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It isn't quiet in one specific part of the major football clubs - the acquisitions department.
I know that because I was once the acquisitions department - well me and the manager mostly. While each player returned from holidays like a bronzed Adonis, we were cooped up in a small darkened room, beavering the daylight hours away like vampires.
There is plenty of guesswork in the media and a fair bit of leaking from the players and their people, but the clubs usually try to keep their transfer moves as quiet as possible.
If word gets out that a player is available, they know they might lose him to another club or else the price will increase as a bidding war erupts.
These are high stakes games and many are impressed by those who gamble and go early.
Manchester City have always been good enough, and let's be honest wealthy enough, to be able to do this well.
The problem is that some clubs are trying to do the same thing and are ending up paying top dollar for less able players, because they haven't done their due diligence in the market.
This is another area where the use of data, or maybe over-reliance on pure data, comes into play - feed all of the numbers in, let the technology do the crunching, and out comes the answer.
The problem is that everyone else has got the same or similar data.
What is needed, of course, is good human knowledge and the vision to aid the use of the information they have got. This is why these departments should be busy just now, they shouldn't just be doing deals which are admittedly very complex legal and financial documents these days.
Even more time should be spent on ensuring the new £75m player hasn't got a hidden weakness in his game or even the odd skeleton in his closet.
Gossip: Spurs duo likely to leavepublished at 07:57 23 July
07:57 23 July
Spurs winger Bryan Gil, 23, and 27-year-old left-back Sergio Reguilon, who are both Spanish, have been left out of the club's pre-season tour of Japan and South Korea so they can explore moves away from the club. (Standard), external
Tottenham value Brazil forward Richarlison at £60m, with Saudi Pro League club Al-Ahli having indicated they are interested in the 27-year-old. (Times - subscription required), external
'Much more on the front foot' and 'Spence ready to be back-up right-back'published at 12:44 21 July
12:44 21 July
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We asked for your views after Tottenham's 2-0 friendly win at Championship side QPR.
Here are some of your responses:
Peter: Second game of pre-season and another win. We played really well in an attacking sense, but QPR luckily failed to convert the chances they had. I would rather say they were playing well than we were playing badly.
Brian: Lucas Bergvall looks like a tremendous bit of business and I was also impressed by Archie Gray. Get a striker and it could be a good season.
Glenn: We look much more on the front foot. Still work to do when we don't have the ball in our own half in shutting the opposition down much earlier, and we gave QPR too many opportunities near the end. The young players could save the club a fortune in transfer fees and provide the depth we need this season.
Ellington: A good, competitive run out for Spurs. Mikey Moore now has a goal and an assist in pre-season. It will be interesting to see if he stays with the first-team squad this season. I think Djed Spence is also ready to be the back-up right-back too. So far so good. COYS!
Brian: Why are we playing pre-season games against second-rate teams? Surely playing better opposition would give us a better idea of where we are?
Gossip: Hojbjerg nearing Marseille movepublished at 08:42 21 July
08:42 21 July
Marseille are closing in on a £13.5m deal for Tottenham midfielder Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg. (Mail on Sunday), external
"For him - and for Archie [Gray] - the way we train is all new.
"We've got to look after them but I don't think it's anything significant."
Goals for Bissouma and Scarlett but Bergvall injury concernpublished at 17:17 20 July
17:17 20 July
Nizaar Kinsella BBC Sport football news reporter
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Yves Bissouma and Dane Scarlett got the goals Tottenham secured a 2-0 pre-season victory over QPR at Loftus Road on Saturday.
The opener came from midfielder Bissouma, who sensationally rounded goalkeeper Paul Nardi and scored after a one-two with Dejan Kulusevski.
Late substitute Scarlett turned home from inside the six-yard box after an outside-of-the-boot cross by Mikey Moore.
Son Heung-min, Timo Werner and substitutes Will Lankshear and Moore could have added more goals as Ange Postecoglou played two different XIs in each half.
However, the hosts also squandered chances as Lyndon Dykes and Alfie Lloyd both missed from close range in the second half, after Rayan Kolli had a long-range shot saved on to the crossbar by Brandon Austin before the break.
There are also concerns after 18-year-old Lucas Bergvall, a summer signing from Djurgarden, came off injured midway through the first half.
Full time: QPR 0-2 Tottenhampublished at 16:56 20 July
16:56 20 July
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A superb Yves Bissouma goal and a close-range effort by second-half substitute Dane Scarlett gave Tottenham a 2-0 friendly win at Championship side QPR on Saturday.
Do clubs actually play more games?published at 11:11 19 July
11:11 19 July
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It seems inevitable a host of Premier League managers will point to fixture congestion in the months to come.
When injuries mount, or when time on the training ground is squeezed, coaches often reference the intense nature of the calendar.
But research conducted by the respected CIES Football Observatory has delivered data which shows clubs are - on average - not playing more competitive games than they have in the last couple of decades.
The CIES looked at 677 clubs across 40 leagues. In looking at a period from 2012 to 2024, its findings show in 2023-24, the average club played 42.4 competitive matches. In 2014-15 that figure was 42.6 and in 2020-21 it hit 43.9.
And if focus is placed on sides competing in the Champions League, data gathered between 2000 and 2024 also shows sides are not setting fixture records in the current game, as some managers may like to loosely imply.
In looking at the five major European Leagues, the CIES claim Champions League competitors played an average of 50.8 matches last season.
In 2020-21 they averaged 57.9 and in 2002-03 they contested 55.2.
Manchester United played in 52 competitive games last season, down from highs of 71 in 2020-21 and 66 in 2008-09.
Across all of the clubs analysed, only 4% played more than 60 games last season. In 2012-13, the figure stood at 5.1%.
While clubs may play added friendlies and - it would be fair to say - individual matches tend to be longer given increased injury time in the current game, the data shows that competitive fixture numbers are flat or have in most cases fallen, even if disgruntled managers say otherwise.
'Restriction of investment' hampered Spurs - Llorispublished at 09:56 19 July
09:56 19 July
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Former Spurs captain Hugo Lloris believes a "restriction in terms of investment" while building the new Tottenham Hotspur Stadium contributed to a lack of trophies in his final few seasons in England.
The French World Cup winner spent 12 years with Spurs but, despite helping them reach the Champions League final in 2019, did not lift silverware at the club.
"I am not the kind of guy that looks backwards," the now LAFC goalkeeper told BBC Sport chief football news reporter Simon Stone.
"Everything I do I try to have no regrets. At that time we did our best. We brought the club to a level that it didn’t used to be at.
"We didn’t miss much but when we reach this standard in terms of performance and results, the club was probably also focused on the new stadium. It meant there was a restriction in terms of investment. At that time, the others, Liverpool, Chelsea, Man City invested a bit more than us in the top players and in the end, it makes a difference.
"I still believe we were close but at the same time, we missed a bit. This question is good because the only thing when I look backwards, I just don’t know how things would have been if we had stayed one or two seasons more at White Hart Lane."
Spurs played at Wembley for the 2017-18 season and then until April 2019 the following season while the new stadium was completed, qualifying for the Champions League in both campaigns but failing to build on the second place finish in the final year at White Hart Lane.
"The last two seasons in that stadium we were amazing, playing amazing football," Lloris added.
"We cannot forget we played a year and a half without our own stadium. We had to deal with Wembley, which is an amazing stadium, but it was not our own.
"We did quite well because we qualified for the Champions League by being in the top four. But we faced better teams and better sides and stronger clubs than us."
Despite not being included in matchday squads after the appointment of Ange Postecoglou and leaving the December after his arrival, Lloris believes Spurs are heading towards competing for trophies under the Australian manager.
"In football life there are ups and downs and I believe right now, Tottenham are building something that is really interesting," he added. "I could see it for six months.
"I really enjoyed the idea of the football from the manager but also the direction of the club and I believe Tottenham will be competitive again.
"I think there is a new project and I am really interested to see where it is going to bring the club."
Gossip: Spurs increase McTominay interestpublished at 08:21 19 July
Tottenham have been in daily contact with the representatives of Canada forward Jonathan David, 24, before submitting an offer to Lille. (Football Insider, external)
'Youngsters appear to have given Ange a very pleasant headache'published at 13:58 18 July
13:58 18 July
Following Tottenham's 5-1 win over Hearts, we asked you for your thoughts on the pre-season friendly.
Here are a selection of your comments:
Ian: A really impressive attacking performance. Funny how the kids played 'Angeball' so well. Mikey Moore is a superstar in the making, as is Archie Gray. Lankshear has something about him too. Spence was superb. Can he get his head right because if he can, there is no doubting his ability.
Andrew: The future is looking bright! Emerson isn't up to the job, though, and needs replacing.
Michael: While having to temper thoughts with the facts of the game, the youngsters appear to have given Ange a very pleasant headache. Their performance against an initially strengthened Hearts was outstanding in the context of the game. The clanger came from a seasoned player! oore's goal was a great piece of skill. A lot to look forward to.
Antony: Some impressive youngsters based on this display. New signings Gray and Bervall look Premier League players already. Lankshear gives off Kane of 10 years ago vibes! Some first-teamers look a little rusty, such as Emerson and Solomon, but Son, Maddison, Johnson and Kulusevski look ready to go.
Simon: Having watched England recently, watching Spurs made me really appreciate the fluidity of movement, the outstanding pressure on the ball and the willingness, even of very young players, to take responsibility. Our manager is not available, FA!
Anthony: It's OK impressing in pre-season games but they need to turn it into results in the Premier League and the cups. We've got a good squad building up. Keep it up. COYS!
Full time: Hearts 1-5 Tottenhampublished at 07:17 18 July
07:17 18 July
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Brennan Johnson, Will Lankshear, Mikey Moore, Djed Spence and Ashley Phillips got the goals as Tottenham secured a thumping pre-season win at Scottish Premiership side Hearts.
Hearts outmuscled by superb Spurspublished at 20:58 17 July
20:58 17 July
Amy Canavan BBC Sport Scotland at Tynecastle
Image source, SNS
Image caption,
Mikey Moore scored Spurs' third goal at Tynecastle
Hearts fell to their second defeat of pre-season, losing 5-1 despite an at-times impressive performance against Premier League heavyweights Tottenham Hotspur.
Brennan Johnson tucked in the opener after patient build-up play for Ange Postecoglou’s side.
But the visitors rode their luck before that as Kyosuke Tagawa twice squandered inviting opportunities and goalkeeper Brandon Austin magnificently denied Yutaro Oda with a sensational save.
While potency was missing in the first half, it was evident less than a minute into the second. A half-time substitute – along with Zander Clark and Barrie McKay – Scotland striker Lawrence Shankland slammed home after a defensive howler from Emerson Royal.
He was one of 11 changes at the break for the visitors and it did not take long for Spurs to find their stride again.
William Lankshear slotted beyond Clark after latching on to a delicious threaded through pass from Djed Spence to restore their lead and it was extended by Mikey Moore in another tidy move that ripped the Hearts defence apart.
It was a defence that lost Frankie Kent in the first-half after he took a James Maddison free-kick flush to the face.
There was a bright light in the backline, though, with Costa Rica international Gerald Taylor, on loan from Derportivo Saprissa, being a constant threat down the right flank in his first hour as a Hearts player.
His departure was notable and Spurs’ fourth came from another dangerous cross down their left. The ball was poked beyond Clark in a congested six-yard box, with Spence being credited with the final touch.
On his return to Scotland, Postecoglou witnessed a five-goal performance from his side as Ashley Williams added a late fifth from close-range at the back-post.
Defoe leaves Spurs coaching rolepublished at 13:53 17 July
13:53 17 July
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Former Tottenham striker Jermain Defoe has announced he will be leaving the club as a coach, to focus on his next career move in management.
The 40-year-old has worked across the under-17s and under-21 squads at Spurs since officially hanging up his boots as a player in 2022.
He made 363 appearances for the club as a player and scored 143 times.
"It's been a pleasure to achieve so much at Spurs, including reaching Uefa A coaching status, which was always an ambition of mine following my playing career," Defoe posted on X, external.
"Spurs will always hold a special place in my heart and the fans already know how much the club means to me.
"However, now is the right time for me to move on and shape the rest of my coaching and managerial career. Nevertheless, I will forever remember my time at Spurs fondly."
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