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On Friday evening, Spurs teenager Archie Gray came on as a second half substitute, as England U21s lost 5-3 to France U21s in a thrilling game, full of players playing in the top five leagues – a game where Spurs winger Wilson Odobert picked up two assists.Â

For this game, when England hosted Portugal at the Hawthorns – home of West Bromwich Albion – Gray started the game, playing as a right-back, where he mostly played for Leeds United last season, and at times in cup competitions this season. Â

Archie Gray starts at right-back for England U21s on Monday evening

After seven minutes, Spurs linked Hayden Hackney of Middlesbrough gave England the lead. Three minutes later, their lead was doubled – though Portugal got back in the game midway through the first half. Â

With just under twenty minutes remaining, Gray was substituted, having got through the game without any injuries. After three goals in the final 15 minutes of the game, the Young Lions would eventually run out 4-2 winners against their Portuguese counterparts in the West Midlands. Â

As for Gray himself, he recorded; two clearances, one blocked shot, 86 touches of the ball, 75/77 accurate passes, 1/1 accurate long balls, one big chance created, 3 out of 4 ground duels won, one foul drawn, and 2/2 successful dribble attempt.Â

The aforementioned Hackney was not the only Spurs linked player to feature, with Jarrad Branthwaite playing alongside Gray in the back four, as well as Adam Wharton and Liam Delap coming off the bench. The talent levels in that squad is pretty absurd, it has to be said. Â

So, over this break, Gray played a total of 83 minutes, not even a full game. Considering how overplayed he was being at one point, he has definitely had the chance to recharge the batteries, particularly considering he was an unused sub in the draw with Bournemouth, and only came off the bench in the second leg against AZ Alkmaar. Â

Ideally, he will now be fully ready to be able to help Spurs in the Europa League, starting with the quarter finals against Frankfurt. It would help to also be able to do so in the Premier League, but it doesn’t really matter at this stage, as awful as it is. Â

Anyway, Gray’s international break is now over, and he will return to Spurs. Quick sidenote; on the topic of rest, and players returning to Spurs, Dominic Solanke was an unused sub in both of England’s games during this break, and will be fully fresh for the final stretch of the season.Â

On Monday afternoon, there was again action for Mathys Tel and Wilson Odobert’s France U21 side, after they beat England 5-3 on Friday in an incredible end to end game, where Odobert picked up two assists. Â

In that game, Tel was named on the bench, whilst Odobert started the game. This time, where France faced this summer's U21 Euros hosts - Slovakia - it was the opposite, as manager Gerald Barticle rotated the side – Tel started on the left hand side of a front three. Â

How things went for Mathys Tel and Wilson Odobert on Monday evening

After 20 minutes, the Spurs man cut inside from the left, and curled a superb finish into the bottom corner. A strike from a player that does not seem to have had his confidence knocked by a slow start to life in North London. Â

Just three minutes later, Tel and France had two. A slide rule through ball found the teenager in behind, as he kept his composure to finish past the onrushing goalkeeper. Again, certainly not the finish from a player lacking confidence. Very good to see. Â

Those two strikes from the Spurs man were enough to give Les Blues a 2-0 lead heading into the half time interval. After 64 minutes, he was substituted after a brilliant performance. Â

With just under a quarter of an hour remaining, Odobert was introduced to the action as part of a triple sub – with France cruising to a comfortable 4-0 win, with Tel’s first half brace and another two goals after the break. Nine goals in two games for their side. Â

There has been plenty said about Tel struggling in a Tottenham Hotspur shirt so far, but this brace will hopefully have done him the world of good. It was great for Odobert to build on his brace against AZ Alkmaar with his two assists in the win over England U21s. Â

At some point, it would be really exciting to see a front three of those two flanking Dominic Solanke as the focal point. Having the speed and dynamism of those two playing off of a striker with elite hold up play like Solanke would be really interesting to see. He would definitely get service from crosses and cutbacks into the box too. Â

Both of Tel and Odobert’s international breaks are now over, and they will return to Spurs. Normally we say ahead of the game at the weekend, but in this case ahead of the game with Chelsea next midweek. Â

Although, again, we are between transfer windows, it does not mean that rumours, in terms of incomings or outgoings, ever go away. They are not as relentless as during transfer windows, but they still pop up a lot. The international break always brings rumours when there is not much else to talk about from a club football perspective.

That is no different with Spurs, whom have been linked with a number of signings, as well as another departures. Should even half of the rumours have some credibility to them, it could be a very busy summer in N17.

The latest player to be linked with a move away is Rodrigo Bentancur, who is reportedly of interest to La Liga side Atletico Madrid.

Spurs midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur linked with a move to La Liga

Reliable journalist Matteo Moretto stated: "Atletico has had contacts to test the ground for June, but whether there have been any concrete negotiations is [still] unsure." Meanwhile, journalist Uriel Lugt said: "The Spanish club is looking for a midfielder, and has therefore investigated the situation of the player from Tottenham. There are no direct negotiations underway yet."

So, both reports would suggest that is some initial, base interest from Atletico, but nothing is advanced as of yet. Which checks out, given it is still March. Nevertheless, certainly one to keep an eye on, you would think.

The midfielder will have one year remaining on his contract from this summer, so the club could see it as an opportunity to cash in, if he has not signed a new contract by then. There had been talk on social media that he had signed a new deal, with photos circulating of what looks like a sit down interview with the club, but there has been nothing more than that so far, and definitely nothing confirmed.

There is little doubt that Bentancur is a good player, and we saw it early on in his spell at the club. However, he has unfortunately not been the same since that injury against Leicester City in February of 2023, at least not consistently.

Atletico feels like a good fit for the player. He can play in a Spanish speaking country, with a fellow South American in Diego Simeone in charge. International team mate Jose Gimenez has been at the club since 2013, whilst club legends Diego Godin and Luis Suarez are also from Uruguay.

Let's see what happens. Still very early days.

On Sunday evening, four UEFA Nations League quarter final second legs simultaneously took place. With it, there was action for Tottenham Hotspur players. Let’s have a look at how things went both collectively and individually. Â

To begin – just like in the first leg – Destiny Udogie was named in the Italy starting XI, featuring as a left wing back, whilst Guglielmo Vicario was on the substitutes bench, with Gianluigi Donnarumma of Paris Saint Germain again preferred instead. Â

After a goalless first half an hour, Germany then scored three goals in 15 minutes to go 3-0 ahead on the night, and 5-1 on aggregate. However, Italy got one back four minutes into the second half, and then again with twenty minutes to go, making it 5-3 on aggregate. Â

With 15 minutes remaining, Italy were awarded a penalty, though it was then overturned after a review. They were then actually given a penalty in stoppage time, which they converted, but it came too late – and they were condemned to a 5-4 defeat on aggregate. Too little too late. Â

As for Udogie himself, he played the 90 minutes – his 11th cap for Italy. Both he and Vicario’s international breaks are now done, and they will return to North London. Â

Meanwhile, for Spain, Pedro Porro was named amongst the substitutes for their second leg at home to the Netherlands in Valencia, with Oscar Mingueza of Celta Vigo preferred at right-back instead. The tie was finely poised at 2-2 after the first leg.Â

After eight minutes, Spain took the lead from the spot – though the Netherlands equalised with a penalty of their own after 54 minutes. Spain then retook the lead after 67 minutes, only to be pegged back for a second time after 79 minutes. 2-2 on the night, 4-4 on aggregate, and onto another 30 minutes. Â

Four minutes into extra time, Mingueza pulled up with an injury, giving Porro the opportunity to be introduced to the action. After 103 minutes, Spain took the lead for a third time on the night, with Spurs linked Dean Huijsen grabbing an assist. Â

However, after 109 minutes, the Dutch equalised for a third time, and a second time from the penalty spot. The three penalties in the two hours would not be the only ones of the night, as the sides could not be separated, and a shootout was subsequently to come. Â

After six perfect penalties, the Netherlands were to first to blink in the shootout, but Spain then did the same. After another penalty scored each, the Netherlands then missed again, and Spain scored to secure a 5-4 penalty shootout win. Â

This means that Porro’s side will take place in the Nations League finals that will take place in Germany this June. They will face France in their one legged semi final. If they win, they will face the winner of Germany and Portugal in the final, and if they lose, they will play the loser of that game in the third place play off. Â

On Sunday, Spurs legends faced AC Milan legends in a charity game at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Many recognisable faces on the pitch for both teams, all for a great cause. Â

The XI that Spurs put out was; Gomes, Chimbonda, Dawson, King (C), Kaboul, Sandro, Tainio, Lennon, Defoe, Berbatov, Keane. Meanwhile the bench consisted of; Vorm, Bassong, Assou-Ekotto, Perry, Brown, Nielsen, Freund, Sheringham, Falco. Â

How things played out at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Sunday

Very early on, Keane – currently manager of Ferencvaros in Hungary, though not at the time they played Spurs – opened the scoring, after a Berbatov touch set Lennon down the right, he squared the ball for the striker to tap home. Â

Then, Kaboul fizzed a pass forward that was dummied by Keane to Defoe, who set himself before firing a low driven strike from the edge of the box into the bottom corner. Still an amazing finisher. Â

After that, Keane managed to beat the offside trap to get on the end of a superb through ball from Tainio, and calmly finish past the goalkeeper. Then, Sandro scored a trademark goal from range to make it 4-0 to Spurs in the first half. Â

Just before the break, Spurs won the ball back high up the pitch, leading the ball to be squared to Keane again, with the Irishman completing his hat trick within the first half. What a player. Â

In the second half, Milan managed to fashion an opportunity, with Cafu squaring for Zaccardo, who picked the ball up to run back to half way like an official game. Huge respect for that, quite incredible love for the game.

Spurs then responded, as substitute Brown made it six, after brilliant work from Berbatov and Defoe. So nonchalant from the former, just like when he was a player. Oozes class and quality. Â

Later on, Cafu was fouled just outside the box. From then, a moment of class, as legend of the game Andrea Pirlo curled the ball in, just like he did so many times during his career. Legend of the game, nothing but respect. What a player he was – and seemingly still is. Â

That was how it ended, 6-2 to Spurs. Though, most importantly, a great day and event to charity, great from all involved. Let’s hope for another one soon enough. Finally, a shoutout to Falco for playing at 64 years of age. Would be happy enough being able to stand up at that age. Â

Over the weekend, despite the international break, there were still a couple of games for Tottenham Hotspur loanees. Let’s take a quick look at how things went for them. Â

How things went for two Tottenham Hotspur loanees this weekend

To begin, George Abbott and his Notts County side hosted Crewe Alexandra in League Two, with the game being broadcasted live on Sky Sports. As usual, he was named in the starting XI – his start of the season in the fourth tier. Â

Unfortunately, not much to report on here, as the sides played out a goalless draw. There were not many big chances in the game, though one fell to Abbott in stoppage time. After a team mate mis controlled the ball, he went through on goal from an angle, but could not beat the keeper at his near post. A real shame, a stoppage time winner in a massive game, in front of the cameras, would have been so good. Â

In general, it was a big shame that Notts could not get over the line. Perhaps a reason why they couldn’t is that top scorer (club and league) Alassana Jatta missed the game, as a result of being on international duty with Gambia. Â

Nevertheless, another 90 minutes for Abbott, with the Spurs loanee now up to 2830 minutes in the league this season, as well as another 180 in the FA Cup. It really has been a very productive season for him, as his first season out on loan begins to reach its conclusion. Â

This draw leaves Notts in place in League Two, with 62 points from their 32 games. They are now four points ahead of eighth place, though with superior goal difference. In any case, that is just two wins from their last nine league games. They will need better form in their final eight games if they are to maintain their play off status.Â

Next up is an away game over the border against Newport County on Saturday, for a 15:00 GMT kick off.Â

Meanwhile, Luca Gunter started in goal for Wealdstone, as they hosted Woking in the National League. Just as it looked like the sides were heading for a 0-0 draw, the Stones managed to grab a winner in the 94th minute, securing a huge three points for Gunter’s side. Â

As for the Spurs loanee himself – he made two saves, two high claims, and completed five accurate long balls, on a perfect day all round. Two wins in a row have helped Wealdstone up to 18th in the league, with 42 points from 37 games, three points above 21st place, with superior goal difference and a game in hand. Â

That game in hand is on Tuesday evening, when they face Aldershot, for a 19:45 GMT kick off. Â

Although we are currently between transfer windows, with the winter window closing six weeks ago, and the summer transfer window not opening for a few months yet, that hasn’t stopped there being rumours flying around, including with in and out goings at Tottenham Hotspur. Â

For example, the club have been linked with moves to the likes of Kingsley Coman of Bayern Munich and Antoine Semenyo of AFC Bournemouth, whilst Heung-Min Son has been linked to Bayern Munich, and Yves Bissouma to Crystal Palace. Â

The latest player Spurs have been linked to is Wolves and Brazil national team midfielder Joao Gomes. Media publication GiveMeSport have suggested that Spurs are considering a bid for the player this summer, saying that he has been on the club’s radar for close to 12 months.Â

Wolves considering bid for player whom has been on their radar for a while

This marries up with reports from last summer, when we aggregated the same outlet signalling the club’s interest in Gomes. Although nothing happened then – nor in January – perhaps it is one the club will revisit this summer. Â

It is looking like the West Midlands outfit are now going to stay in the Premier League this season, with all three promoted sides set to go straight back down for a second consecutive year, so there is less pressure to sell than there otherwise would have been. He also has three years left on his contract. Â

Nevertheless, he is a brilliant player, and if there is a possibility of signing him, it must be explored. He is one of the best ball winners in the Premier League – his 3.1 tackles per game ranks him 6th in the league overall. Sure, there is context to consider, such as style of play of teams, time spent without the ball, etc, but it is still very impressive regardless.Â

Last season, he averaged 3.8 tackles per game, only bettered by Joao Palhinha, who earned a move to Bayern Munich, so that is the sort of company that he is in. It does feel like people say this about any player they are linked to/sign, but he really is the type of player that Spurs have been missing. Â

The only caveat to that is he is not an out and out defensive midfielder, which Spurs could still do with. However, in a double pivot, he would be more than capable of allowing other players the freedom to do their thing with the ball. He is also pretty good on the ball himself.Â

To show how all rounded Gomes is; last season, he completed 10 tackles in one game during a 4-1 win at Brentford. Five games later, he scored two goals as Wolves beat Spurs 2-1 at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Although not included in the original squad, due to injuries he has now been called up to the Brazil national team for their game against Cristian Romero and Argentina next week – where Romero’s side could secure their World Cup qualification. Â

A seriously, seriously good player. At 24, he does have plenty of experience, both at club level and for the national team, but with his best years absolutely still ahead of him. Would be a very good signing.Â

Although we may be in the middle of the first international break of 2025, and the final one of the 24/25 season, there has still been plenty of things to discuss when it comes to Tottenham Hotspur. After all, several players have been representing their countries over the last few days.

That includes Cristian Romero, who played the 90 minutes for Argentina in their 1-0 win over Rodrigo Bentancur and Uruguay in CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying on Friday night. He has been praised by a number of people for another top performance in an Argentina shirt - earning his 41st cap in the process.

However, after the game, Romero sent more shade towards the medical department at Spurs, saying: "I'm grateful that the national team's medical team were able to get me out of that bad moment."

Tottenham Hotspur defender Cristian Romero throws more shade

A few weeks ago, we aggregated the defender's Instagram post, where he also thanked the physios at Argentina and not those at Spurs for helping him return to fitness. That was also after a Spurs game - not Argentina - so it is not a case of saying that is why he didn't say anything about the medical department at Spurs in his most recent post.

To make things more concerning, it has also been reported by journalist Eduardo Burgos that Romero was "deeply upset" by the way Spurs' medical team handled his injury, and that "trouble is brewing" [between the player and the club].

So, not ideal. Even in an international break, you are never short of drama at this club. There has been a lot of debate this season about who is more to blame for this season's injury crisis - Ange Posteocglou or the medical team - perhaps this saga has given us a clearer idea of who is more at fault.

In addition, Romero has missed plenty of games through injury at the club predating Ange. In the 21/22 season, he played 22 Premier League games, starting 21 (ironically the other way round to the season), and in 22/23, he played 27 games, starting 26 of those. Yet, in Ange's first season, he played 33/38 games - with three of those being a suspension (which would account for a few in his first two seasons also).

Yet, for Argentina, he has been available. Much to the dismay of some, whom say he cares about Argentina a lot more than Spurs, but maybe that just shows that he is taken better care of there.

On Saturday evening, there was action for Tottenham Hotspur players Ben Davies and Brennan Johnson, as their Wales side hosted Kazakhstan in World Cup qualifying. Both players were named in the starting XI. In defence, Davies – the captain – started as a left sided centre back in a four, partnering former Spurs defender Joe Rodon, whilst Johnson lead the line in a 4231 formation.Â

How things went for Tottenham Hotspur pair and Wales on Saturday

With just nine minutes on the clock, Wales took the lead. After Craig Bellamy’s side had lost the ball in the Kazakhstan penalty area, good counter pressing won the ball back, leading to Davies laying the ball off to Daniel James, who found the back of the net via a deflection. Â

Just after the half hour mark, however, the visitors equalised from the penalty spot, after a somewhat controversial handball call. The sides went into the break at 1-1 and with everything all to play for. Â

Within the first two minutes of the second half, Wales retook the lead. An inswining corner was completely missed by the goalkeeper in his attempt to claim the ball, and there was Davies to take full advantage by nodding into the unguarded net. A goal and an assist for the Spurs man. Â

Then, just as the game entered stoppage time, Wales got a third goal to make sure of all three points, securing a 3-1 win on match day one of their qualifying campaign. Great night all round. Â

Especially for Davies, who as well as his goal and assist, recorded; two clearances, one tackle, 153 touches of the ball, 140/145 accurate passes, and one chance created. As for Johnson, he played 62 minutes, before being taken off. Playing up front definitely does not suit his game. Â

This win leaves Wales second in their group following the completion of match day one, behind North Macedonia on goal difference. They will have the chance to overtake them on Tuesday evening, when they play each other over in Skopje. Kick off for that one is 19:45 GMT. Â

As a quick sidenote, as not enough happened for an individual piece – Pape Matar Sarr came on as a half time substitute for Senegal in their 0-0 draw away to Sudan in World Cup qualifying. This leaves Senegal in 3rd place in the group, with nine points from their five games so far. A win would have sent them top.Â

Next up is another qualifier, this time at home to Togo, on Tuesday, for a 21:00 GMT kick off. Â

On Friday night, Tottenham Hotspur players Rodrigo Bentancur and Cristian Romero locked horns, as Uruguay hosted Argentina in World Cup qualifying. In the reverse fixture, back in the autumn of 2023, Uruguay condemned Argentina to their first defeat as champions of the world. In that game, Romero started, whilst Bentancur came on in the second half.Â

In this game, both players were named in the starting XI by their respective managers. As usual, Romero as the right sided central defender in a back four, whilst Bentancur played at the base of the Uruguay midfield. Â

How things played out when two Spurs players came up against each other

Throughout the first half, Argentina were the dominant side, though they could not make their superiority count, and the sides went into the break goalless. Then, midway through the second half, Romero’s side took the lead. Â

That goal would prove to be decisive – the only goal of the game – as Argentina took a big step towards World Cup qualification, whilst inflicting a bump in the road for Uruguay’s qualification, albeit they should still be fine in any case. Â

As for the Spurs players themselves, they both completed the 90 minutes. Romero completed; four clearances, one blocked shot, three interceptions, one tackle, 61 touches of the ball, and 2/2 aerial duels won. Most importantly, he did not pick up an injury. Â

Meanwhile, Bentancur recorded; 84 touches of the ball, 6/7 long balls completed, one shot blocked, 4/4 aerial duels won, two clearances, three interceptions, and one tackle. Â

This means Argentina have extended their lead over Uruguay to eight points now. They sit top of the CONMBEOL World Cup qualifying standings, with 28 points from their 13 games. Uruguay, who had sat in second place before this break, are now in fourth place – now below Ecuador and Brazil, and only ahead of Paraguay on goal difference – with 20 points from their 13 games.

Still, as touched on above, they should still be fine for qualification. With the expansion of the World Cup from 32 teams to 48, there are six automatic qualification places, with seventh place entering the inter confederation play offs. As it stands, Bentancur's side are currently seven points clear.

Next up for Argentina is a home game against Brazil on Wednesday, the 26th of March, at 00:00 GMT, whilst Uruguay face Bolivia away from home – in seriously high altitude, on Tuesday, the 25th of March, at 20:00 GMT. Bolivia are the side in seventh, so a win would be huge.