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Roberto De Zerbi’s spat with Richarlison has emerged as an unwanted distraction for Tottenham Hotspur, who are still scoreless in the Premier League through four matches in 2026–27.

The Lilywhites entered De Zerbi’s first full season in charge with lofty expectations off the back of a summer transfer window in which they spent more than $423.9 million (£302 million) on 10 new signings, including a club-record $133 million (£100 million) purchase of Sandro Tonali from Newcastle United.

While a ’gelling-in’ process is necessary, Spurs’ incompetence in the final third, despite the additions of Omar Marmoush and Sávio from Manchester City, has emerged as a serious area of concern for De Zerbi. Spurs haven’t merely failed to score, but they also rank 19th in the division with 3.45 expected goals, per Opta.

They’re struggling to generate high-quality chances and failing to seize the few opportunities that have come their way, with their collective confidence in front of goal on the floor. The absence of a natural goal-getter, especially given Dominic Solanke’s form this calendar year, is hurting them, which makes De Zerbi’s feud with Richarlison all the more curious.

Richarlison Offers Social Media Response to Latest De Zerbi Jibe

De Zerbi’s relationship with Richarlison has drastically deteriorated over the past couple of weeks. The Brazilian hasn’t been used by the Tottenham manager since he started at Brentford on the opening weekend of the season, which De Zerbi attributes to the striker wanting to leave the club.

"Richarlison decided everything alone," De Zerbi said on Sept. 4, after the Premier League’s transfer deadline. "I want to keep only the players who want to stay with pride and the right passion to stay here."

Richarlison was close to returning to Everton late in the summer window, then Spurs rejected offers from Trabzonspor before the Turkish Süper Lig deadline. A move to Brazilian club Vasco da Gama also fell through, and the situation could yet turn even messier, with the player threatening legal action in a bid to cancel his contract.

De Zerbi left him off of Spurs’ Premier League roster, submitted just after the summer transfer window closed, and it seems as if there’s no way back for the Brazilian in north London.

The 29-year-old is eligible to feature in Tuesday night’s Carabao Cup third-round tie at Liverpool, but De Zerbi asserted that Richarlison won’t play even if he’s available. Responding to a Fabrizio Romano post reporting his manager’s comments, Richarlison wrote: "Why?" on his Instagram story, accompanied by a rather despondent emoji.

While the Brazilian’s Spurs career has ultimately been underwhelming since joining in an $81 million (£60 million) deal from Everton in the summer of 2022, Richarlison’s 11 Premier League goals helped the Lilywhites preserve their top-flight status last season.

It’s a sorry way for Richarlison to bow out.

De Zerbi’s History With Player Fallouts

De Zerbi publicly manifested his frustrations with one of Spurs’ goal-shy forwards immediately after Saturday’s goalless draw with Everton. He took to the field to offer Mathys Tel some coaching points about his body position, which the Frenchman seemingly didn’t take too kindly to.

The Italian downplayed the sequence, saying postmatch that he “loves” Tel, insisting there was “no problem” with their public discussion.

While a broken Spurs roster bought into De Zerbi’s hands-on approach during the back end of last season, it’s no coincidence that the 47-year-old hasn’t held down a single managerial role for more than three years throughout his career. He’s a combustible figure, and the very worst of De Zerbi was laid bare in Marseille.

There, he was accused of being “a real ass----” to Canadian international Ismaël Koné by national team manager Jesse Marsch, and a viral clip of De Zerbi berating the young midfielder certainly didn’t reflect well on the Italian.

Spurs’ current woes are bringing De Zerbi’s potential man-management failings to light, but there are two sides to the same coin. Others have spoken glowingly of De Zerbi, namely Kevin Prince-Boateng, who spent six months with him at Sassuolo and said of his former manager: “He’s like a real, real best friend, like a father to young players and he’s just the best on the field.”

An uptick in results will doubtless see the heat on De Zerbi cool, but Spurs desperately need a goalscorer to emerge from the abyss with Richarlison out of the picture.

“The Chelsea fans will be upset with me because I’m saying this,” Mauricio Pochettino admitted before stating his belief that his former employers should be stripped of their 2016–17 Premier League title win because of breaching financial rules.

Pochettino is of the opinion that the Tottenham Hotspur side he was managing should be named as winners instead, having finished that season as runners-up. Chelsea were fined £10 million ($13.6 million at current market rate) and given a suspended transfer ban after breaching 74 rules relating to agent regulations between 2011 and 2018, but crucially received no on-field sanctions.

“I’ve said that we should win one title, one Premier League,” Pochettino said to reporters. “We should have been awarded it. If that was true, and that happened, for sure we deserve to be champions for that year. Because we were the second best.”

Tottenham lost just four games that season, picking up 86 points to finish comfortably ahead of Manchester City and Liverpool in third and fourth. Harry Kane and Dele Alli held the keys to Spurs’ success, scoring 47 goals between them as Kane picked up the Golden Boot award.

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Chelsea, meanwhile, finished seven points ahead on 93, winning the title in Antonio Conte’s first season in charge after the Italian switched to a back three after a desperately disappointing defeat at rivals Arsenal.

“They were punished, they admitted (it), so that’s it,” Pochettino continued of the charges Chelsea admitted to. “The title should be for the team that was second. We didn’t compete with the same rules. OK, now we can say that they scored goals, they won games. But it’s completely fair to say that we didn’t compete before the start of the season with the same card.

“Maybe with the same rules, if we apply the same things, maybe we could have signed some players that would have made the team better, or scored more goals. It’s not me complaining. It’s the truth.”

Pochettino’s View if Tottenham Had Been the Rule Breakers

Pochettino made clear that his viewpoint was in no way intended to take anything away from Chelsea’s performances on the pitch, nor Conte, who he proclaimed a “great coach”. But he added that “if you don’t punish the way that you need to punish” then “what is being promoted and incentivized is to break the rules.”

“If we were at Tottenham and broke the rules, I would admit the same and say, ‘Look, we don’t deserve the title because we broke the rules’.” he added. “It’s impossible if only some clubs play with offside and another plays with no offside. Or one plays with VAR and another plays with no VAR. No. For everyone, it needs to be the same rules, and the capacity to create the best team.”

Pochettino would not a win trophy with Tottenham before being sacked in November 2019, though he did reach the final of the Champions League with the Lilywhites—a competition the club have failed to qualify for regularly since his departure from north London.

‘It’s Different’—Return to Tottenham Not Out of the Question

Pochettino would go on to manage Chelsea for a season before parting ways—the move was poorly received by both sets of supporters—but did admit that Tottenham had been in contact over a potential return in the summer, though nothing came to pass because of his commitments with the United States men’s national team.

“They called all the coaches! Free and not free!” Pochettino said. “The problem was that the timings were never the best. When I was free, I never received a contact and then when I was working, I received a contact, but I cannot make the decision to come back. It was a little bit unlucky. But maybe one day the stars will align and it can happen. If I was free, of course, I would come. But I wasn’t free. I was preparing for the World Cup.”

The transfer merry-go-round has landed Iliman Ndiaye at Manchester City after a blur of deals, counter-agreements and failed approaches.

Ndiaye has put pen to paper on a deal thought to be worth an initial $81.3 million (£60 million) with a further $6.8 million (£5 million) available in add-ons. In a market which has seen fees specifically for Premier League wingers skyrocket, City have managed to extract some semblance of value for the former Everton star, even if he isn’t a guaranteed star.

The 26-year-old, who signed at the Etihad Stadium until 2031, lies in the nebulous region of a player who passes the eye test with flying colors while delivering underwhelming numbers. Ndiaye is an infectious player to watch, all rubbery limbs and impish nutmegs as he singlehandedly drags Everton up the pitch. Yet, tangible output has been hard to come by.

A tally of six goals and three Premier League assists last season is underwhelming. While the context of playing for a demonstrably restrained David Moyes team must be considered, three Everton players outscored Ndiaye in 2025–26 and another three created more goals.

However, given the chaos which had come before Ndiaye’s Etihad arrival, City may be satisfied with this Plan B.

“I’ve worked my whole life for an opportunity like this,” the player himself said, adding that he sees City as the “perfect fit” for his skillset and style. “I love to play with the ball on the floor in an attacking team that wants to score as many goals as possible.”

How Liverpool, Tottenham and Everton Merry-Go-Round Ended With Ndiaye at Man City

To unravel this web, we must wind it back to Cody Gakpo. The Liverpool winger had been City’s preferred target for much of the window, with Enzo Maresca seemingly willing to sanction an $108.3 million (£80 million) bid for a player who endured a desperately underwhelming campaign last term.

Tottenham Hotspur had also been tracking the bizarrely in-demand Dutchman and were forced to pivot to Ndiaye when Gakpo’s preference for City emerged. Spurs have had an extravagant transfer window, but rather than more swollen sums, the trump card on this occasion took the form of Richarlison.

The former Everton striker was expected to be offered up in return for Ndiaye, completing a reunion which seemingly suited all parties. However, as Richarlison explained in a series of sharp-tongued social media posts, those talks broke down.

“My intention was to go back to the place where I was very happy, yes, but the negotiations happened only in the way certain people wanted, and it will no longer be like that,” the Brazilian wrote on Monday night. “Despite all this turmoil, I am under contract at Spurs and will remain at the club's disposal.”

City spotted the opportunity and swooped to snap up a player who, after rejecting multiple contract offers, was clearly eyeing up an Everton exit. Thanks to a series of events largely unrelated to his situation, Ndiaye is now part of the most successful English club of the last decade rather than the team that finished 17th in the past two season.

Timeline of Transfer Chaos

Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United clash in North London on Saturday evening, with both aiming to secure their first Premier League victories of the new season.

While Spurs looked woefully undercooked in their opening weekend defeat at Brentford, Matthias Jaissle’s Magpies performed with verve at home to Liverpool and were seconds away from earning a 2–1 victory. Lewis Hall’s collision with Víctor Muñoz earned the Reds a penalty, though, and Dominik Szoboszlai scored superbly from 12 yards.

Still, it was a performance that drew great encouragement, and that positive momentum carried into Newcastle’s Carabao Cup second round tie against West Bromwich Albion. They won a topsy-turvy tie 3–2 on Wednesday, joining Spurs, who thrashed Charlton Athletic 5–1, in the third round.

The Lilywhites desperately needed a convincing performance after last Saturday’s chastening loss in West London, and they will continue to come under heavy scrutiny, despite back-to-back 17th-place finishes, given how much they’ve spent this summer.

Tottenham vs. Newcastle Score Prediction

Fresh-Faced Lilywhites Win at Home

Sandro Tonali comes up against familiar faces on Saturday afternoon, having completed a $133 million transfer from Newcastle in July. The Italian takes on a Magpies outfit that is much-changed under new manager Matthias Jaissle, one that’ll continue to get in your face and aim to get back-to-front as quickly as possible in possession.

The visitors will be encouraged by how Brentford completely overwhelmed De Zerbi’s side last week, with the Italian’s build-up completely smothered and the Lilywhites battered physically. There’s scope for this Newcastle team to pose similar problems, but Spurs already have more solutions in attack and are less likely to be penned in, given the players coming back.

Still, a fiercely competitive fixture is expected in N17, with those in attendance so familiar with seeing their side succumb on home soil. De Zerbi helped ditch that habit at the back end of last season, and he can‘t allow such doubt to foster at the start of his first full season.

Goals inevitable: This is the most-played fixture in Premier League history that’s never finished 0–0. There’s been at least one goal scored in each of the 62 meetings between Tottenham and Newcastle.

New signings impact: Sure, it was only second-tier Charlton, but Sávio didn’t take very long to announce himself to the N17 faithful. His electric cameo off the bench on Wednesday highlighted the quality jump Spurs will receive in attack with the Brazilian in the side. Mateus Fernandes was also superb in the week and is set for his first Premier League start with the club. Newcastle, too, have newbies to call upon, including $70 million midfield signing Nico González.

Spurs’ strong openings: Newcastle have an excellent record away at Spurs and lost on just one of their last four visits to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. However, the Lilywhites have been strong starters at home in recent years, winning their five previous Premier League home openers by a 14–1 aggregate score.

Prediction: Tottenham 2–1 Newcastle

Tottenham Predicted Lineup vs. Newcastle

De Zerbi will hope to hand Sávio and Mateus Fernandes their first Premier League starts for the club on Saturday. The former scored on debut against Charlton during the week, while Fernandes was fit enough to play just 45 minutes at Brentford last weekend.

Latest arrival Omar Marmoush is eligible to feature, but the Egyptian is more likely to come off the bench. Dominic Solanke should lead the line after his midweek strike.

Mohammed Kudus’s return from a thigh injury is imminent, and there’s even talk of the Ghanaian making De Zerbi’s matchday roster. Wilson Odobert reportedly isn’t too far away from returning, too, having torn his ACL in February.

Micky van de Ven is getting up to speed and could be chucked in from the outset here. Marcos Senesi and Jan Paul van Hecke struggled mightily as a duo at Brentford, and De Zerbi is unlikely to use the pair again on Saturday, given Newcastle’s speed in transition.

James Maddisons is out with a shoulder injury.

Tottenham predicted lineup vs. Newcastle (4-2-3-1): Kinsky; Porro, Van Hecke, Van de Ven, Udogie; Tonali, Bentancur; Sávio, Fernandes, Tel; Solanke.

Newcastle Predicted Lineup vs. Tottenham

Newcastle have been dealt a blow ahead of Saturday’s visit to north London. Striker William Osula picked up an undisclosed injury in the draw with Liverpool, which is set to sideline him for the next couple of weeks at least.

Instead of utilizing Nick Woltemade up top, Jaissle will likely move Yoane Wissa from a No. 10 role. Wissa was superb last Sunday.

Dan Burn is working his way back to full fitness after the World Cup, while Tino Livramento is still out with the calf injury that saw him miss this summer’s tournament.

New signing Amar Dedić was one of several Newcastle players to make his Premier League debut last weekend, and there could be a couple more on Saturday. Bazoumana Touré is in contention, and Nico González should make his bow for the club after his arrival from Man City.

Newcastle predicted lineup vs. Tottenham (4-2-3-1): Horníček; Dedić, Thiaw, Botman, Hall; Miley, Steuer; Elanga, Willock, Barnes; Wissa.

What Time Does Tottenham vs. Newcastle Kick Off?

Location: London, England

Stadium: Tottenham Hotspur Stadium

Date: Saturday, Aug. 29

Kick-off Time: 12:30 p.m. ET / 9:30 a.m. PT / 5:30 p.m. BST

Referee: Peter Bankes

VAR: Darren England

How to Watch Tottenham vs. Newcastle on TV, Live Stream

Tottenham Hotspur have confirmed the permanent capture of Sávio, the winger formerly known as Savinho, in an eye-watering deal worth a total of $116 million (£85 million at the time of agreement).

The Brazilian forward showed flashes of his potential at Manchester City without ever quite catching light. Across 53 Premier League appearances, Sávio was able to muster just two goals.

However, at 22 years old, there is hope that the Brazil international can blossom in a Spurs frontline which is primed for an injection of inspiration. “Sávio is a player who brings energy, imagination and quality in wide positions,” Tottenham manager Roberto De Zerbi said at the player’s unveiling on Tuesday. “He has the courage to attack defenders and the ability to change a game with his creativity.

“We’re very pleased to have him with us, and I’m looking forward to working with him, helping him continue to grow and seeing him bring his personality to the team.”

Sávio had kind words for De Zerbi as well. “It's a wonderful opportunity at a brilliant club with one of the best managers in the world,” he said. “As soon as I spoke to the head coach I knew I had to come. He told me he wants to help me reach the highest level, and I believe we can do that together, as a team.”

That team has been assembled at a staggering expense; following this latest arrival, its spending stretches beyond $420 million, making it one of the most extravagant outlays in a single window ever.

Tottenham Transfers Summer 2026

Sandro Tonali (Newcastle): $126 million

Sávio (Man City): $116 million

Mateus Fernandes (West Ham): $116 million

Jan Paul van Hecke (Brighton): $70 million

Marcos Senesi (Bournemouth): Free

Andy Robertson (Liverpool): Free

Martin Dúbravka (Burnley): Free

The Most Expensive Transfer Windows in Soccer History

While Tottenham do hold the distinction of becoming just the fourth club to ever surpass a total spend of $400 million in the same summer, they can’t quite match the outlay of some Premier League rivals—just yet.

Liverpool’s staggering splurge last year stands out on its own in terms of expense and lack of value. One year on, the likes of Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz are still yet to settle, while one of the few success stories, Hugo Ekitiké, is sidelined with a serious Achilles injury.

“My fear is this window of 12 months ago could set Liverpool back a year or two, to fix it,” former Reds center back Jamie Carragher recently said. “I think we’re going to be looking at that as arguably the worst transfer window we’ve probably seen in Premier League history, when you consider the fees for these players, and what it’s going to do for Liverpool.”

When Liverpool spent in excess of £400 million ($545 million) last summer—including club records one after the other for Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak, it was the first that a team had ever broken that barrier in the space of one single transfer window.

The nature of the modern transfer market, where soccer has money on a scale like never before, means that all 10 of the most expensive windows by individual clubs have come since 2019. As many of nine of them have happened just since 2022.

It was therefore always likely that Liverpool’s record spend wouldn’t last long, although few might have expected Tottenham Hotspur to be the club to potentially break it.

Spurs are going very big in the market as a direct response to successive 17th-place finishes. Last season, their Premier League status wasn’t guaranteed until the final match, taking the club alarmingly close to a first relegation in 48 years.

In addition to smart free-agent signings of Andy Robertson, Marcos Senesi and Martin Dúbravka, £237 million ($323 million) has gone on midfielders Matheus Fernandes and Sandro Tonali, and center back Jan Paul van Hecke.

That spend alone doesn’t quite crack the top 10 most expensive transfer windows, falling £13 million short of the £250 million that Newcastle United unloaded this time last year. But, even with less than two weeks of the summer to go, Spurs also aren’t done quite yet.

Spurs Targeting Three New Forwards

According to The Athletic, Spurs are “working on” deals for Manchester City forwards Omar Marmoush and Savinho. The latter remains a target from last summer, despite a change in manager from Thomas Frank to Roberto De Zerbi. Marmoush, meanwhile, is second fiddle to Erling Haaland and struggled to produce last season.

There is not yet an agreement, but talks are “advancing.”

Fabrizio Romano reports that should a deal for Savinho not happen, Spurs would target Chelsea’s Pedro Neto instead. The Portuguese is already linked with Saudi Arabia’s Al Hilal and carries a price tag thought to be around £100 million.

Spurs do, however, have plans to sign two wingers and are eyeing Liverpool’s Cody Gakpo on the left side of attack, with a view to building an entirely new forward line.

De Zerbi’s side currently trail Liverpool’s £415 million world-record spend by £178 million. To commit to spending at least that on just three Premier League players in today’s market is wholly plausible and perhaps even certain if Marmoush, Savinho and Gakpo are the targets in mind.

Even though Savinho and Marmoush have significantly underwhelmed over the past 12 months, City are expert sellers and have a habit of extracting big bucks for players they don’t need—see this week’s example of Tijjani Reijnders joining Al Qadsiah for a profit.

The club paid £59 million for Marmoush in January 2024. Savinho set City back just under £31 million a few months prior. Even though neither is a starter in City’s strongest team, both have proven ability in top European leagues. Marmoush was starring for Eintracht Frankfurt in the Bundesliga, while Savinho was crucial to Girona’s fairytale ascent into La Liga’s top three.

Tottenham Hotspur’s quest to bolster their attack is dragging deeper into the summer transfer window, and Chelsea’s Pedro Neto has reportedly emerged as an alternative to their priority targets.

The ruthlessness that defined the start of Spurs’ summer has faded, with the club failing to make any discernible progress in their pursuits of Manchester City’s Savinho and Liverpool’s Cody Gakpo.

After barely avoiding relegation last season, the club entered the market knowing they’d have to pay premiums to persuade targets, who likely had more enticing proposals elsewhere, to join Roberto De Zerbi’s project.

They twice smashed their transfer record to acquire Mateus Fernandes and Sandro Tonali, who joined after Jan Paul van Hecke was proactively signed to replace Cristian Romero, now under the tutelage of Diego Simeone at Atlético Madrid. However, Spurs haven’t added to their total outlay of more than $313 million since July 6, when Tonali’s arrival from Newcastle United was confirmed.

With the start of the Premier League season drawing ever closer, supporters have grown restless.

Chelsea’s Pedro Neto on List of Spurs’ Savinho Alternatives

Spurs have been after Savinho for a year. Manchester City eventually blocked his exit last summer after a $70 million deal was discussed.

They’ve been in hot pursuit of the Brazilian again despite his quiet 2025–26 season at the Etihad Stadium, and have reportedly been subject to City constantly changing the goalposts regarding the player’s valuation. The Times suggests a deal could now be worth as much as $115.7 million (£84.5 million).

He remains the priority, but Spurs are also considering a world without Savinho in Lilywhite. Fabrizio Romano has previously reported that Pedro Neto could be an option for Roberto De Zerbi’s side, and he’s since doubled down.

Al Hilal and Spurs are the two teams in the race for the Chelsea winger after Man City were priced out of a move. BBC Sport’s Nizaar Kinsella understands that the Blues value Neto at $136 million (£100 million).

The 26-year-old enjoyed the most productive season of his career in 2025–26, recording 20 goal contributions in 52 outings across all competitions. Despite this uptick in productivity, few would argue that Neto has done anywhere near enough to justify such a lofty valuation.

Chelsea are merely capitalizing on a market that’s gone a bit crazy this summer, and are perhaps banking on Al Hilal stumping up the cash they’re said to be after.

Every Direct Chelsea to Tottenham Transfer

Spurs Chasing Three Forwards to Conclude Summer Transfer Window

Spurs have stuttered in their quest to bolster a frontline that desperately needs improving, yet Sky Sports News’ Lyall Thomas writes that, ideally, three new forwards will join De Zerbi’s window before the end of the summer window.

Savinho and Gakpo are atop their shortlist, with Neto in reserve. They’re also in the market for a center-forward, but haven’t yet identified an alternative to Bournemouth’s Eli Junior Kroupi after the Frenchman underwent foot surgery in July.

There’s still an expectation that Savinho, who’s pined for a move to north London all summer and was absent from Enzo Maresca’s Community Shield roster at the weekend, will sign for the club. However, Spurs are likely dependent on Liverpool landing Bradley Barcola to sign Gakpo.

The Athletic reported on Tuesday that while discussions have been held between Spurs and Gakpo’s representatives, there’s been no dialogue between the two clubs. Liverpool maintain that the Dutchman, who scored and assisted in the Reds’ 2–0 preseason victory over Como at the weekend, isn’t for sale, but their stance will surely soften if they reach a compromise with PSG for Barcola.

As it stands, Spurs supporters, remarkably, are preparing for an attack comprising Mathys Tel. Richarlison and Mikey Moore in their Premier League opener on Saturday.

Arsenal have been linked with a shock move for Tottenham Hotspur captain Cristian Romero, although this particular transfer saga could already be dead before it starts as Atlético Madrid are reportedly in talks over the Argentine.

Romero has long appeared likely to leave Spurs this summer, having seen his relationship with fans and the club, openly criticizing senior management in February, become strained.

The center back was sent off twice last season, missing matches because of suspension, battled with injuries and was briefly intending to skip the final game of the season—when he was ruled out anyway but Spurs could have been relegated from the Premier League—to watch boyhood club Belgrano face River Plate back home in Argentina.

It prompted club legend Glenn Hoddle to remark: “I’d drive him to the airport and say don’t bother coming back.” Going to Argentina while to complete injury rehab had been agreed with Spurs staff but manager Roberto De Zerbi admitted he knew “100%” why fans were angry. In the end, Romero did return to England for the match attended by other unavailable players.

But while most of the speculation in recent weeks has focused on Atlético Madrid, Inter and even Real Madrid prior to Los Blancos signing Ibrahima Konaté instead, Arsenal’s “admiration” for Romero has come to light in a report from The Athletic.

However, Spurs have not been made aware of such interest from the Gunners and would not entertain selling to their fierce, local rivals. It is a “non-starter.”

The very notion evokes memories of the highly controversial Sol Campbell transfer that transpired in 2001. But it was altogether different. Campbell was a free agent, having run down his Tottenham contract, and was able to choose his next club without any input from Spurs.Â

William Gallas was also a free agent when he joined Tottenham in 2010 after being released by Arsenal. That one didn’t really hurt because, unlike Campbell and Romero, he had just turned 33 and was on the downslope of his career rather than at his peak.

Players Who Moved Between Arsenal, Tottenham

Gallas was the last player to move directly between Arsenal and Tottenham.

Others, like David Bentley, Emmanuel Adebayor, have played for both without going straight from one to the other. Even Harry Kane briefly turned out for Arsenal in his youth, picked up by Spurs two years after the Gunners released him as an eight-year-old for, allegedly, being “a bit chubby.”

But transfers between the two are rare and have become rarer.

Transfers since 1919 when Arsenal moved from south London to north London and the Arsenal-Tottenham rivalry is considered to have begun.

Why Would Arsenal Want to Sign Romero?

If Arsenal have a glut of riches in any one position on the face of it, it is center back. In the Gunners’ squad right now there are seven players comfortable in the middle of defense.

Piero Hincapié was the latest to join after his loan was made into a permanent transfer in June, but the number dilutes a little by several—including Hincapié—being repurposed as fullbacks. Players like Jurriën Timber and Riccardo Calafiori have become more known for playing at right back and left back respectively. Ben White, signed as a center back in 2021, is also now largely a right back when fit, and is linked with a move away this summer anyway.

In terms of center backs who Mikel Arteta actually regularly uses at center back, Arsenal perhaps only have three—Gabriel, William Saliba and Cristhian Mosquera. With Saliba set to miss an “extended period” because of a back injury, cover is suddenly thin on the ground.

Romero is proven in the Premier League and this interest appears opportunistic, born out of his less than ideal situation across north London at Tottenham. But Spurs will not sell to Arsenal.

Which Club Will Cristian Romero Actually Join?

Spurs have already recruited two new center backs this summer, spending around $70 million (£52 million) on Netherlands international Jan Paul van Hecke from Brighton & Hove Albion, on top of the free-agent capture of Marcos Senesi.

It gives De Zerbi four senior center backs without Romero—including Kevin Danso and Ben Davies—even before accounting for what the immediate future holds for Kōta Takai. Archie Gray also played a lot of soccer last season as a center back.

For Romero, The Athletic notes there is a “verbally agreed” transfer fee in principle between Spurs and Inter. However, he is yet to negotiate a contract with the Italian champions. Instead, BBC Sport report that Atlético Madrid have renewed their interest from last summer and consider Romero an active target again. Talks are underway over a deal, reported elsewhere by the BBC, in the region of £40 million.

Currently, reuniting with Argentine compatriot Diego Simeone seems like the most likely outcome—particularly if Atlético firm up their interest with a bid in the region of Spurs’ valuation.

London rivals collide on the other side of the world when Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur face off in a preseason friendly in Sydney, Australia on Saturday.

Both sides have already taken to the field for warmup matches this summer, with Chelsea’s opening game under new manager Xabi Alonso particularly eye-catching. The Blues were 6–4 winners over Western Sydney Wanderers, with João Pedro’s nine-minute hat trick late in the match clinching victory.

This will be Tottenham’s fourth match, meanwhile. Roberto De Zerbi’s men have won two and drawn one. New recruit Mateus Fernandes provided the winner against MK Dons, which was followed by a 2–0 win over Auckland FC and 1–1 stalemate with Sydney FC.

Despite the upcoming clash being a friendly, there is always tension in the air when these sides lock horns. An entertaining, high-intensity affair is projected in front of a possible crowd of up to 83,000 spectators at the Accor Stadium.

Chelsea vs. Tottenham Score Prediction

Chaotic Encounter Ends Level

One can never be entirely confident when making preseason predictions. Mass rotation, weakened sides and the result’s lack of significance often feed into unusual affairs—as Chelsea can vouch for after their 10-goal thriller last time out.

Alonso and De Zerbi will be reliant upon an unorthodox blend of first-teamers, youngsters and new signings, which should make for a chaotic affair brimming with goal-mouth action.

If this was a Premier League fixture, Chelsea would be undeniable favorites. With it being preseason, the playing field has been leveled.

Chelsea’s defensive woes: Even with their preferred backline installed last season, Chelsea struggled to keep clean sheets. Conceding four to Western Sydney Wanderers suggests those issues have not yet been remedied, especially with Alonso forced to name an inexperienced and makeshift defense.

Tottenham’s youthful team: Spurs had significant representation at the World Cup and that has left De Zerbi without a host of regulars for the start of preseason. The Italian has had to call upon academy players, who might be required to step up against a talented Chelsea side fighting for Alonso’s approval.

Prediction: Chelsea 2–2 Tottenham

Chelsea Predicted Lineup vs. Tottenham

Chelsea’s bloated roster is a longstanding issue, but it’s handy for Alonso in preseason. The former Real Madrid manager has an arsenal of first-team options available, with the likes of Estêvão, Cole Palmer, Levi Colwill and Pedro all potentially starting after World Cup omissions.

Alonso should opt for a stronger team than selected against Western Sydney Wanderers, with few—if any—of the academy starlets featuring in the first XI.

Dastan Satpaev scored his first goal for Chelsea last time out and the Kazakhstani teenager should be handed some more minutes. Marco Palestra, another summer signing, could be called off the bench, but $156 million recruit Morgan Rogers is not available as he recovers from the World Cup with England.

Chelsea Predicted Lineup vs. Tottenham (4-2-3-1): Sánchez; Acheampong, Fofana, Adarabioyo, Colwill; Lavia, Essugo; Estêvão, Palmer, Gittens; Pedro.

Tottenham Predicted Lineup vs. Chelsea

Tottenham don’t boast quite the same depth or quality as Chelsea right now and still have players missing with injuries sustained last season. Wilson Odobert, Dejan Kulusevski and Xavi Simons are all currently sidelined.

Kevin Danso, Micky van de Ven, Dominic Solanke, James Maddison, Jan Paul van Hecke and Destiny Udogie were all omitted against Sydney FC as precautions, with De Zerbi revealing he’s unsure how many will be available against Chelsea.

De Zerbi should make some changes from last time out, however, potentially adding new signings Andy Robertson and Sandro Tonali into the starting XI.

Tottenham Predicted Lineup vs. Chelsea (4-2-3-1): Kinský; Gray, Van Hecke, Davies, Robertson; Tonali, Bergvall; Solomon, Gallagher, Tel; Richarlison.

What Time Does Chelsea vs. Tottenham Kick Off?

Location: Sydney, Australia

Stadium: Accor Stadium

Date: Saturday, Aug. 1

Kickoff Time: 5:45 a.m. ET / 2:45 a.m. PT / 10:45 a.m. BST

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Roberto De Zerbi’s first full season at Tottenham Hotspur could be full of fireworks, particularly if the club’s summer transfer business is anything to go by.

Close to £240 million has been splashed out on Sandro Tonali, Mateus Fernandes and Jan Paul van Hecke, while the experienced Andy Robertson has also made his way to north London after the conclusion of his Liverpool contract.

De Zerbi’s tasked with taking Spurs away from the doldrums. Last season’s scrape with relegation was an experience no supporter will want to experience again, particularly as 12 months previously things had also taken a sour turn under Ange Postecoglou.

In the immediate crosshairs, Sydney—a game De Zerbi will expect to win, though he won’t have a vast number of his mega stars to call on.

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