Man City v Tottenham: Team news published at 11:56 BST 23 August
11:56 BST 23 August
Manchester City make two changes to the side that beat Wolves in the opening game.
After scoring off the bench at Molineux, is a first Premier League start for summer signing Rayan Cherki, while Omar Marmoush also comes in.
Jeremy Doku and Bernardo Silva are the players to drop to the bench, where Brazilian goalkeeper Ederson also returns after missing the trip to the Midlands through illness. It means James Trafford starts in goal again.
Man City XI: Trafford, Lewis, Stones, Dias, Ait-Nouri, Gonzalez, Reijnders, Cherki, Bobb, Marmoush, Haaland.
Tottenham also make two changes following their victory over newly promoted Burnley last Saturday.
Boss Thomas Frank has bolstered the middle of the park with Joao Palhinha and Rodrigo Bentancur coming in, with Archie Gray and Lucas Bergvall making way.
Tottenham XI: Vicario, Porro, Romero, Van de Ven, Spence, Sarr, Bentancur, Palhinha, Kudus, Johnson, Richarlison.
Man City v Tottenham: Key stats and talking pointspublished at 19:04 BST 22 August
19:04 BST 22 August
Jordan Butler BBC Sport journalist
Manchester City have made their best start to a Premier League campaign for six years and now face a Tottenham side that also took maximum points on the opening weekend.
City have picked up just one win from their past four home matches against Spurs but Pep Guardiola's table-toppers were impressive in their 4-0 win at Wolves last weekend.
Tijjani Reijnders stole the show at Molineux with a midfielder masterclass and became only the second player to score and assist on Premier League debut for City after Sergio Aguero.
City's defensive high line also caught the eye and they limited the home side to three shots on target and an expected goals total of 0.56. Guardiola's men have kept seven clean sheets since April – the most of any side – and have faced the fewest shots per game of any top-flight side in that time.
Erling Haaland pitched in with two goals and he's now scored on the Premier League's opening weekend in all four of his seasons at City. He has amassed 48 goals in 48 home league appearances for the club but only one of those has come against Spurs at the Etihad.
Tottenham head coach Thomas Frank has made an encouraging start to life in north London with a 3-0 home win over promoted Burnley in his first Premier League game in charge.
Frank has switched to a more direct style of play, with 57% more crosses into the box and 36% more successful long passes compared to last season's Premier League average under Ange Postecoglou. Going longer at times on Saturday might prove fruitful, particularly if City persist with their extremely high backline.
The Dane led his former side Brentford to a 2-1 victory at the Etihad in November 2022 and could become just the third manager to defeat Pep Guardiola in an away league match with two different clubs. Jose Mourinho was the first with Real Madrid in 2012 and Manchester United six years later, and he was followed by Antonio Conte at Chelsea in 2016 and Spurs in 2022.
It is no secret that Tottenham are in the market for another attacking midfielder to replace the injured James Maddison, with failed bids for Morgan Gibbs-White and Eberechi Eze widely publicised.
However, £55m new boy Mohammed Kudus offered plenty of creative spark with five chances and two assists – no other Premier League player provided more last weekend.
Goals should at least be a guarantee on Saturday. The past four top-flight meetings between these sides at the Etihad have produced 21, with City scoring nine and Spurs 12.
Sutton's predictions: Man City v Tottenhampublished at 17:53 BST 22 August
17:53 BST 22 August
Manchester City really impressed me last week and everyone is rightly talking about Tijjani Reijnders. Statman Dave told me to get him into my fantasy team, I didn't take that advice and I should've done. He was brilliant against Wolves.
I do think Tottenham will be a level above under Thomas Frank. It will be interesting to see how they set up after playing a back three in the Super Cup final against Paris St-Germain.
Cristian Romero has signed a new contract for Tottenham - that's a big deal - but how did they not get Eberechi Eze over the line? It had been going on for weeks and now Arsenal have come in and embarrassed them!
Tottenham are still a few players short from properly challenging the really big teams and, in this game, I think City at home will be too strong for them.
Frank on Eze, Richarlison's future and expectations for rest of windowpublished at 14:48 BST 22 August
14:48 BST 22 August
Nicola Pearson BBC Sport journalist
Tottenham boss Thomas Frank has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game against Manchester City at Etihad Stadium (kick-off 12:30 BST).
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
Destiny Udogie "is better and trained with the team twice" but it is "just too soon" for the left-back to be involved on Saturday. Midfielder Yves Bissouma will not be available, while winger Dejan Kulusevski is a longer-term absentee, though Frank does not want to "put a timeline on it".
Asked about reports that Eberiche Eze is set to join Arsenal after being targeted by Tottenham, Frank said he does not "speak about specific players unless they are at our fantastic club". He added: "There will be a lot of links [to players]. To be very, very clear, I don't want any players that don't want to come to the club. If they don't want to come here, to wear this fantastic badge, then we don't want them here."
Frank's message to fans who have hopes of new players coming in: "There is a couple of things. The club is working very hard to see if we can strengthen the squad. We only want to do that with players we think are good enough to help the squad. That is what they are doing from the beginning and will keep doing."
Despite question marks over Richarlison's future, Frank said that "right now, he is my starting nine", and added: "He scored two fantastic goals. He had two top games. He's Brazilian number nine. He's a very good player, I'm very happy with him. Richy wants to stay, I want to keep him - there have been no talks about anything else."
On if they are actively looking to bring creative players in: "We just played the first game and scored three goals. That's pretty promising. It's a long season and we need players with different abilities."
He continued: "[Mohammed] Kudus has the spark and creativity, Wilson [Odobert] does that well, Mathys [Tel] can play different positions. We have two good strikers in Dom [Solanke] and Richy. Brennan [Johnson] is the deep runner. We have variation up the pitch, but again we'll look out there for someone who can strengthen - but that's in all areas."
On his expectations in the final days of the transfer window: "We are in the market and we will look to strengthen the team. We have a good squad and good players. I see 23 players working hard on a gameplan for Manchester City tomorrow. We need to do everything we can to be as competitive as possible. I am confident we will sign a player before the end of the window. Two players in, two players out - so probably a bit similar. It's the same level but that's good."
Gossip: Spurs explore Akliouche movepublished at 07:20 BST 22 August
07:20 BST 22 August
Tottenham are interested in signing Monaco's 23-year-old attacking midfielder Maghnes Akliouche and Como's 20-year-old Argentina international Nico Paz. (Telegraph - subscription required), external
Tottenham are also exploring the possibility of signing 27-year-old Chelsea and France forward Christopher Nkunku. (Teamtalk), external
'It just seems almost negligent'published at 16:16 BST 21 August
16:16 BST 21 August
Image source, Getty Images
Former Tottenham defender Stephen Kelly speaking about Eberechi Eze on a special episode of the World Football Podcast: "I'm absolutely gutted by the fact that they didn't get it done. I feel like it just seems almost negligent. If Arsenal were in any way in the hunt, you needed to get in and get that deal done quickly. I don't think it was something you could drag your feet on.
"It's bad enough if it's someone else, but when it's the Gooners, it always cuts a little deeper. It really does."
Kelly added: "It seems it's going to be very regretful for Spurs because after the opening game of the season, anyone watching (would have been) thinking, 'you know what, this looks like a good team'.
"It has the making of a good team. It feels like Tottenham dropped the ball. It's a tough one to take to be honest it really is. From a fan's point of view and also from someone that's actually watching the game, it just feels like it was a slip up from Tottenham's behalf not to get that done."
'Totally embarrassing' and 'a kick in the teeth to Spurs fans'published at 16:06 BST 21 August
16:06 BST 21 August
Image source, Getty Images
We asked for your views on the news Arsenal look set to snatch the signing of Eberechi Eze from under the nose of rivals Tottenham.
Here are some of your more frustrated comments:
Ian: Spurs' mentality is like being a multi-millionaire and driving 25 minutes out of town because the petrol is 5p cheaper. By the time you get home you haven't saved anything, wasted a bunch of time, and everyone else is confused by what you're doing and laughing at you.
Christopher: Can't help but feel that Ange would've sounded Eze out and identified if his heart was in joining THFC or if he was stringing them along. If anything, it would have prevented this song and dance from playing out at Levy's Tottenham.
Anthony: Completely get it from Eze's perspective, it's his boyhood club. For me, it's another case of Levy and co. taking far too long to wrap something up. Realistically this only reportedly happened because of Havertz's injury, but in football you should never take anything for granted, and it feels like we were far too comfortable in biding our time because we didn't think there would be a threat. Silly stuff once again, and embarrassing following the Gibbs-White saga. Not sure where to go now, put the extra funds towards Savinho and find another 10 quick.
Brian: Totally embarrassing. Over a week to get Eze signed and still couldn't manage it and Arsenal do it in hours. A kick in the teeth to Spurs fans. We spend so much wasted time on negotiating deals, it's pure frustration!
Don: I can accept that we won't always get our man. What I can't accept is how we faff around in public for weeks only for our arch rivals to step in and win the day whenever they feel so inclined. Surely Levy must realise he is very poor in this area. Even his skin can't be that thick! I can't see anyone coming in will be as popular as Eze would have been.
David: How am I feeling? Angry. Let down. Embarrassed. Frustrated to (once again) have Arsenal fans in my inbox, gloating. I feel sorry for Frank and Kudus, who are probably only now truly realising what they've got themselves into. How do Spurs manage to mess it up, every time?
Eze leaves Spurs 'reeking of desperation'published at 16:06 BST 21 August
16:06 BST 21 August
Bardi Fan writer
Image source, Getty Images
It's not so much the player, it's what the failed transfer of Eberechi Eze means long-term for a club that at some point has to negotiate with other Premier League teams.
Daniel Levy's reign has seen an upturn in fortune and fortunes at Spurs, but they still seem unable to compete and complete transfers.
With Morgan Gibbs-White's move to Spurs in pieces, Eze seemed the next logical step, especially with top-four rivals out of the equation, but somehow Levy and Spurs failed to get it over the line.
Who moved the line depends on where you stand in the great Levy debate, but what's clear is that he seems unable to work with other Premier League clubs.
Levy's self-promotion over the years as an "always-on" figure, someone involved with every aspect of the club, has made him a trophy. Over his 24 years at the wheel, he's broken relationships across the league and Europe. Just compare how easy it is for Arsenal to pry players from Chelsea and now Palace.
Premier League chairmen know what to expect from him. They expect to be "drawn over the coals" and they've had enough. People want to move quickly and get on with the business of selling and buying players. Levy, once so adept at negotiating, is now a VHS in a streaming world—everyone has moved on.
Eze was probably not the player we needed. He's not a high-volume creative passer or a dribbling sensation, but he represented far more than that. He's a player at the peak of his powers, and his signature would be a statement of intent. It would also ultimately deny Arsenal a player they coveted.
Spurs now enter the final few weeks of the window reeking of desperation. Selling clubs know what we're holding and how to squeeze us. We have no other option but to pay what they want.
Denying Daniel Levy has become a trophy that football clubs proudly hang in their boardroom. We're no longer Tottenham at the negotiating table—we're Levy, and this is not how business should be done. He needs to remove himself from the equation so we can get back to the business of being a football club.
'If his heart wasn't at Spurs then we are better off without him'published at 16:05 BST 21 August
16:05 BST 21 August
Image source, Getty Images
We asked for your views on the news Arsenal look set to snatch the signing of Eberechi Eze from under the nose of rivals Tottenham.
Here are some of your comments that are less frustrated at the news than some others:
Bob: Can't say I'm that bothered. He is 27-years-old and his career so far has been QPR and Palace. He's not been wanted by anyone like Barca or Real - move on.
Andre: Eze is a fantastic player and would strengthen any team he plays for. But, we can't look back. He isn't a Spurs player so let's not cry about him. Onwards and upwards!
Colin: I'm not bothered to be honest. There are better players than Eze out there. The one problem I have is why the negotiations are not kept confidential. Surely it would make sense not to show your hand to other clubs during negotiations. Also the deal was agreed with Spurs initially so how can they change that - clearly dirty business.
Bob: If he's a Gooner we don't want him. Simple.
Michael: If his heart wasn't at Spurs then we are better off without him. We still have an abundance of talented players to see us through what should be a successful season. A good few players in the squad are coming good and realising their potential. Thomas Frank looks to have a good grip on things and is not tolerating complacency and immaturity as demonstrated with his handling of Bissouma.
KentJolly: No problem. He was signed to their academy, he wants to go there - if he's a Gooner at heart we'd rather not have him.
Brian: If Eze wants to join Arsenal, then so be it. Probably wants to find out what finishing runner up feels like now he's won a trophy.
Mark: For once I don't think we can blame Levy for dragging his heels on this outcome. I don't think Eze ever wanted to sign for us, all we did was set it up for Arsenal to step in. Fair play to their buying team and no doubt our smug North London neighbours will be letting us know how good they feel.
Eze switch 'major blow' for Spurspublished at 08:05 BST 21 August
08:05 BST 21 August
Nizaar Kinsella Tottenham reporter
Image source, Getty Images
For Tottenham, news that Eberechi Eze is on the brink of joining Arsenal will be a major blow.
New boss Thomas Frank had targeted Eze after losing James Maddison to injury and the club had been confident of completing a deal.
Club insiders at Tottenham insist there is nothing more they could have done to sign Eze, and the fact that he was a boyhood Arsenal fan who was in the club's academy until he was 13 meant that once the Gunners came in for him there was only one place he would end up.
Is Bergvall an option at 10?published at 12:48 BST 20 August
12:48 BST 20 August
Nick Godwin BBC Radio London reporter
Image source, Getty Images
Tottenham's quest for a 'number 10' to fill the gap left by the absence of James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski has become one of the dominant themes of the transfer window.
Eberechi Eze may well be the solution to allow Spurs to carry more threat, particularly against the best teams in the land and on the continent. However, there were hints on Saturday that there was another potential player who could step into that role if required.
Lucas Bergvall was selected as part of a very young midfield for Saturday's Premier League opener against Burnley. And while part of a midfield three, he demonstrated some of the flair required to occupy that role just off the main striker.
As Spurs learned last year, simply throwing young players into the front line may have been an unavoidable necessity due to injuries, but it didn't really do much good as far as Premier League results were concerned.
Bergvall nevertheless learned a huge amount last season, and his manager didn't rule out the prospect of using him in a "number 10 role" when I spoke to him after Saturday's match:
"I think he can," Frank said. "I think he's probably more a Szoboszlai 10 than a Maddison 10, but I think these days football is so dynamic and you need to be so flexible, so the more players that can play in different positions the better".
In the search for creative attacking support, Spurs might be able to develop a player or two, as well as import some big-money expertise.
Frank's clever kick-off routinepublished at 08:27 BST 20 August
08:27 BST 20 August
Umir Irfan Football tactics correspondent
Image source, Getty Images
Thomas Frank's Tottenham have adopted many of the same principles we saw work for Brentford last season, and the novel use of dead-ball situations is one. Of particular note this weekend was the use of the kick-off as a set-piece routine.
Against Burnley, the ball was passed back to Guglielmo Vicario from kick-off as the home team shuffled up the pitch. Burnley logically shuffled deeper, pre-empting a long ball. The deceptive nature of how Vicario shaped up sold this routine further before a shorter pass to Pedro Porro was played.
By finding Porro towards the inner right side of the pitch, closer to goal, the angle he could play the cross at was more likely to result in a dangerous chance. Porro is one of Spurs' strongest crossers, and with Spurs getting an extra body at the back post, on another occasion, this may have resulted in an early goal.
By manufacturing a situation in which the ball is launched long early has the added benefit of getting the ball away from your own goal, so pressure from the opposition can't be applied.
Frank's sides aim to maximise fine-margin gains across the pitch, and the focus on a smart, well-worked kick-off routine is another tool in their expansive skillset. Across this season, they will certainly continue to experiment with their kick-off routines.
Image source, Premier League
Image caption,
By pretending to go long from the goalkeeper, Vicario was able to find Porro in space, in a more dangerous crossing area
Gossip: Dibling move edging closer published at 07:43 BST 20 August
07:43 BST 20 August
Tottenham have targeted Monaco's £47.5m-rated French attacking midfielder Maghnes Akliouche, 23, as a cheaper alternative to Brazil winger Savinho with Manchester City demanding £70m for the 21-year-old. (Independent, external)
Meanwhile Southampton winger Tyler Dibling's move to Tottenham is edging closer, despite Crystal Palace wanting the 19-year-old to replace fellow Englishman Eberechi Eze. (Talksport, external)
