GIVEMESPORT

Tottenham Hotspur have set their sights on making Cristian Romero the highest earner at Hotspur Way as they are desperate to tie him down to a new contract ahead of La Liga heavyweights Real Madrid potentially looking to up the ante in their pursuit next summer, GIVEMESPORT sources have revealed.

Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou splashed the cash before the transfer window slammed shut last month, with Dominic Solanke being the most expensive addition to the squad thanks to Premier League rivals Bournemouth being tempted into accepting an offer worth up to £65million, and he has turned his attentions towards rewarding key men with fresh terms.

The Greek-Australian tactician is preparing to work with technical director Johan Lange and chairman Daniel Levy to ensure Romero, who has made 102 appearances since joining Tottenham from Atalanta, extends his stay and remains one of the first names on the team sheet in the seasons to come.

Spurs Expected to Initiate Talks with Romero

Argentina international on course to surpass Son at top of wage bill

Tottenham are expected to open discussions with Romero over a new contract as they are desperate to keep him out of Real Madrid's clutches, according to GMS sources, and he is poised to be handed a significant pay rise to in the region of £200,000-per-week if he is prepared to commit his long-term future to the north Londoners.

Negotiating fresh terms on that pay package would result in the World Cup-winning Argentina international surpassing captain Heung-min Son - who is on a deal which allows him to pocket £190,000 every seven days - and becoming the highest-paid member of Spurs' squad, underlining his importance to Postecoglou.

GMS sources have been informed that Tottenham are aware they need to address the situation, resulting in plans being put in place to open talks with Romero and his representatives over an improved contract as they bid to ensure his head is not turned by interest coming from Real Madrid.

The central defender is on course to enter the final two years of his £165,000-per-week deal at the end of the season, and the capital club are concerned that last term's Champions League winners will see that as an ideal opportunity to test their resolve with a formal offer if he is not convinced to put pen-to-paper.

Real Madrid are seriously considering making a fresh attempt to land Romero next year, GMS sources recently revealed, leading to Tottenham being fearful of being dragged into an uphill battle to persuade him to remain in his current surroundings instead of embarking on a fresh challenge at the Bernabeu.

GIVEMESPORT Key Statistic: Cristian Romero has made 11 tackles and registered as many clearances during the early stages of the Premier League campaign

Lilywhites Ready to Set Big Romero Price Tag

North Londoners determined to deter Real Madrid from making bid

GMS sources have been told that Real Madrid's interest in Romero is genuine as they are eager to bolster their options at the heart of the backline within the next 12 months, but Tottenham will hold out for up to £100million as they attempt to deter the reigning La Liga champions from heading to the negotiating table.

The Lilywhites forked out more than £42million when they turned the now-26-year-old's loan switch from Atalanta into a permanent move in August 2022, and they would not entertain the possibility of accepting a bid which would fall short of allowing them to make a significant profit on the vice-captain in the upcoming transfer windows.

Tottenham would seek to price Romero at the top of the market after seeing Crystal Palace skipper Marc Guehi and Everton man Jarrad Branthwaite linked with big-money moves in recent weeks, GMS sources understand, but Real Madrid are still circling due to there being uncertainty over his long-term future.

Darren Fletcher has claimed Tottenham Hotspur have lost their ‘desire to win’ following their lacklustre 1-0 defeat to Arsenal in the North London derby on Sunday.

The BBC pundit has raised concerns about the club’s current trajectory, describing the situation as ‘baffling’ after their disappointing start to the Premier League campaign.

Spurs have won just four points in the top flight so far this season, marking their worst start since 2015/16. They currently sit 13th in the table after four games.

Post-match, Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou summarised his team’s ‘story of the season’, suggesting Spurs are struggling to take their chances and are ‘getting punished’ for it.

In his first start since returning from injury, summer signing Dominic Solanke struggled to find his rhythm, managing only four touches in the opposition box and no shots on target against Arsenal’s defence.

Spurs will be hoping Solanke’s impact can help address their goalscoring issues, as they finished with the fewest goals among the top seven teams in the Premier League last season, netting 74 in 38 matches.

Spurs Situation Branded ‘Baffling’

‘The desire to win has gone’

Fletcher, speaking on The Premier League Review show, noted that Tottenham’s desire for success appears to be diminishing, despite their attempts to play entertaining football under Postecoglou:

“I find this whole Tottenham situation baffling, really strange. I think I'm in the minority that I kind of look at it through eyes that say ‘I don't think this is going that well at all’ from a Tottenham perspective.

“Yet people keep telling me they entertain and that's what they want to do, because they had Conte and Mourinho before and I don't quite know where the desire to win has gone, if you're part of that fan base.

“But I look at it at the moment, and it confuses me, rather than gives me answers to questions when I look at the way this is all developing for Tottenham.”

Tottenham have now lost three consecutive home league games against Arsenal for the first time since 1988, with the defeat highlighting their fragility in set-pieces as the Gunners punished Spurs from a corner once again, courtesy of Gabriel’s emphatic effort.

Losing to their bitter rivals is especially frustrating given that Arsenal were missing several key players, including captain Martin Odegaard, Declan Rice, and summer signing Mikel Merino.

Spurs last won a trophy in 2008, defeating Chelsea 2-1 in the Carling Cup final at Wembley.

Tottenham Eyeing Angel Gomes

Nearing end of his stay in Lille

Tottenham are among several Premier League clubs interested in Lille and England midfielder Angel Gomes, with Newcastle and Liverpool also monitoring the 24-year-old, according to The Sun.

A number of clubs are reportedly eyeing the former Manchester United youngster, who has less than 12 months remaining on his current deal in France.

The report suggests Gomes is not planning to renew his contract at the end of the season and is expected to seek a new challenge, four years after joining Lille from Manchester United.

Newcastle are understood to be the club showing the most interest in the Englishman at present and could even make a move in January for the creative midfielder.

Arsenal fans have received confirmation of positive news regarding injury fears for star man Bukayo Saka - as the winger has reportedly only picked up cramp against Tottenham Hotspur in Sunday's win in the north London derby. Gunners fans feared the worst when the academy graduate was substituted in the dying embers of the crunch clash against Ange Postecoglou's side, especially with an already injury-hit squad that has seen Oleksandr Zinchenko, Martin Odegaard, Riccardo Calafiori, Mikel Merino and Takehiro Tomiyasu all see time on the sidelines in what is currently an injury crisis at the Emirates Stadium.

Saka was seen hobbling around the perimeter of the pitch as Ethan Nwaneri replaced him late on, and that would have been the last thing Arsenal needed with the treatment table filling up at London Colney. But a report has suggested that Saka had only suffered cramp in the derby and he will be in contention for this week's trips to Atalanta and Manchester City.

Saka Injury For Arsenal vs Tottenham 'Just Cramp'

The winger should now be available for two more crunch games

The report from doctor Rajpal Brar follows up on an initial report from the Evening Standard that Saka had only been suffering cramp towards the end of the derby clash, by stating that there was 'good news' on Saka, before confirming that he was indeed only suffering from cramp and nothing more - meaning that he will be able to feature on the right wing away in Italy and at the Premier League champions.

It's the best news Mikel Arteta could have wished for. Saka has started every game for Arsenal this season, recording an assist in every Premier League game for the club and scoring on the opening day against Wolverhampton Wanderers to really stake his claim as a key player at the Emirates Stadium, especially given his reported £250,000-per-week contract.

Gabriel Martinelli's form has been inconsistent, and alongside Odegaard picking up what looks like a medium-term injury, it has placed even more reliance on Saka to perform in the coming weeks as Arsenal enter what is likely to be the toughest run of their season with three away trips inside a week to strong opposition.

Not only do they have two difficult tasks on the road in the next weeks, but the Gunners will also see Paris Saint-Germain visit the Emirates Stadium before too long and the end of October sees clashes against Liverpool, Newcastle United, Inter Milan and Chelsea all come within two weeks - and so Saka's fitness is imperative to their chances of success.

Saka Is Arguably Arsenal's Most Important Player

The winger's output is superb for a young star

Saka continues to grow in importance as an Arsenal player, and his output numbers show that he is becoming more vital by the season.

The 2021/22 season saw him record double figures for the first time in the Premier League, notching 11 goals and registering seven assists - and he hasn't looked back from there. 2022/23 boasted double figures in both goals and assists in the top-flight with 14 and 11 respectively, whilst similar figures were seen last season with 16 goals and nine assists in the Premier League alone - though eight goal contributions in just nine Champions League games really showed his worth.

GIVEMESPORT Key Statistic: Bukayo Saka has 52 caps for England, scoring 12 goals in the process.

A further three years on his contract means that Arsenal will be enjoying Saka's talents for quite some time, and you would think that could be extended with the rate that the Gunners are progressing at - and so it will be interesting to see just how well Saka does once he begins to enter the 'prime' of his career.

Tottenham Hotspur suffered a second consecutive Premier League defeat on Sunday, narrowly losing at home to Arsenal in the North London derby, a result that has prompted ESPN's Steve Nichol to question the signing of Dominic Solanke.

A towering header from Gabriel Magalhaes mid-way through the second half was enough to see Arsenal claim all three points in a largely comfortable 1-0 derby victory at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. An uninspiring performance from the home side has seen Ange Postecoglou's side lamented in the media, with tensions boiling over in the aftermath of the game, as the Aussie gave a heated post-match interview.

The result leaves Spurs with just four points after four games, their worst start to a Premier League season since 2015. Solanke, who signed for the Lillywhites in a £65 million deal from Bournemouth in the summer, drew another blank in his second appearance for his new club, delivering a display that has drawn criticism.

Nicol: Solanke Signing a Gamble

The striker scored 21 goals last season

Joining Bournemouth from Liverpool in January 2019 for a purported fee of £19 million, Solanke settled on the south coast, eventually finding his goal-scoring feet in the Championship during the 2020/21 season. A prolific campaign last year for the Cherries, in which he netted 19 times in the league, saw the former Chelsea striker complete a blockbuster switch to North London, becoming Postecoglou's marquee acquisition of the summer.

Identified as the man to provide the Australian head coach's side with a focal point, allowing Son Heung-min and Dejan Kulusevski to play off him, Solanke arrived with high expectations. This calibre of signing is supposedly meant to be the catalyst for a concerted top four push, but thus far the 27-year-old hasn't made any meaningful impact, failing to register a goal contribution in his first two games in a white shirt.

Speaking on ESPN FC after the game, ex-Liverpool player and now pundit Nicol expressed concern over the addition of Solanke to Postecoglou's ensemble:

"I mean, think about it, right. City go and sign Erling Haaland and Spurs sign, no disrespect, Dominic Solanke.

"It doesn't sound good, but you know, you know the point I'm making? Do you really think Dominic Solanke is going to score like 20 goals a season for Tottenham? I mean, it's more of a wish list, isn't it?

"I mean, the truth is, he scored a lot of goals last season for the first time, and all of a sudden, now he's playing for Spurs, and he's expected, not to be Harry Kane, but he's expected to be the goalscorer.

"I mean, you can't expect to be in the top four if you're taking a gamble with your centre-forward, because that's what this is. This is a gamble."

Vicario Keeps 'Being Exposed'

The Spurs goalkeeper struggled with Arsenal's corners

Another Tottenham player that has come under fire for his display against Arsenal is goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario. The shot-stopper was all at sea when Gabriel headed home from Bukayo Saka's corner, a theme that emerged from the match, with the Italian struggling persistently from set-piece situations.

Pundit Micah Richards has slammed Spurs' failure to protect the goalkeeper from his weaknesses, while criticising the number one for continually 'being exposed' in these scenarios. Vicario ultimately only conceded once during the game, but looked uneasy when attempting to command his box as the Gunners' repeatedly piled pressure on the Spurs penalty area.

Former Chelsea defender Frank Lebeouf has seemingly urged Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario to use the dark arts when it comes to grinding out results, especially when it comes to defending set-pieces - as he was punished from a corner against bitter rivals Arsenal in a 1-0 derby day loss on Sunday.

Tottenham were pitted with a slightly increased chance of winning - as well as having home advantage against the Gunners - thanks to the absences of Martin Odegaard, Declan Rice, Mikel Merino and Riccardo Calafiori posing squad depth problems for Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta. But Gabriel powered home a header just after the hour mark to leave Tottenham with just four points from their opening four games. And Lebeouf has asked questions of Ange Postecoglou's men for not utilising the dark arts and playing up to the match officials, with Vicario and Cristian Romero especially being singled out for criticism.

Tottenham and Vicario 'Don't Know What to Do'

Spurs struggled defending Arsenal's set-pieces on Sunday

Speaking on ESPN FC after the north London derby, Lebeouf believed that the difference from set-pieces was night and day for the two sides.

The Frenchman stated that Arsenal use their dead ball situations to maximum use, whilst Tottenham's defence 'don't know what to do' when it comes to defending or attacking advantageous scenarios. He said:

"It is what it is. And for one side, Arsenal, it's a real tool, and they really use it at the kind of perfection. And, at the other side [Tottenham], they don't know what to do.

"And with the goalkeeper, [Guglielmo] Vicario has been in difficulties to get out when the ball is in the 18-yard box.

"I don't care that some players are blocking him. Play the thing, you know, show to the referee at least that you can't move because somebody is blocking you. There is a clear obstruction, but it's like he's not fighting against it, and it doesn't help his defenders.

"On top of it, [Cristian] Romero being in front of Gabriel [Magalhaes]. That's pretty awkward. And on top of that, there is Gabriel pushing Romero, and the referee is not saying anything. That's another thing."

Tottenham Must Sort Their Soft Defence Out

Too many easy goals have been conceded in recent weeks

Tottenham have already been quite complacent in terms conceding goals at this stage in the Premier League season, and their soft underbelly is showing in the league table. They dominated with chances against Leicester City on the opening day and only drew 1-1, and whilst they beat bottom club Everton 4-0, they had more than enough chances to beat Newcastle United - only to lose 2-1 on Tyneside.

GIVEMESPORT Key Statistic: Tottenham conceded 61 goals in the Premier League last season.

The loss to Arsenal was by far their toughest game, with the Gunners having challenged for the Premier League title for the past two seasons. But the manner of the defeat - given the amount of players Arsenal had out injured - will be a tough one to take for fans, who will feel that the chance of a win at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium could not have come easier than that.

Vicario will have to work on those scenarios in the future, as will Tottenham's entire squad - though there is plenty of time to right their wrongs throughout the campaign.

Former Premier League hero Shaka Hislop believes that Jurrien Timber should have received a red card in Arsenal's away clash against Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday afternoon - not only for the contentious tackle on Pedro Porro, but for two 'separate incidents' involving the tackle and also putting his hands on Spurs keeper Guglielmo Vicario.

Shortly before the interval in the north London derby, Timber did have his studs up leading into a tackle with Porro as both went for the ball - and perhaps fortunately, his studs rolled the right side of the ball to stop him following through onto the Spaniard's shin. That prompted an angry reaction from Vicario as the two grabbed one another in the aftermath - and Timber's role in both incidents means that Hislop believes that he should have walked.

Hislop: Both Timber Incidents 'Deserving' of a Red Card

The defender should have been sent off, says the ex-Newcastle man

Speaking to ESPN FC, Hislop stated that the Arsenal man should have been sent off - not just for the tackle which he thought was a straight sending off, but with a yellow card for the foul and then another caution for the handbags with Vicario just moments later. He said:

"If both of them were there at the same point at the same time, and their feet were the same height, they would catch each other boot to boot, or stud to stud. Jurrien Timber doesn't catch him stud to stud.

"Whichever way, right, and that is why I say it's two incidents because then it continues. The aggressor comes over and grabs the shoulders of Jurrien Timber, who responds and grabs the shoulders of Vicario.

"Now, never mind the foul. If it were just that isolated incident, Vicario and Jurrien Timber - the goalkeeper comes into him and he reacts that way nine times out of ten. The referee books both players.

"So if we are saying 'alright, it's not really a red for the first challenge but I'm going to book him', the second incident - you can't just book Vicario. Either you book nobody, and just show Jurrien Timber the yellow and you move on, or you have to show him two yellows. It's two incidents, two separate incidents, that I think each are deserving of a yellow - and I can make the argument that the first is probably deserving of a straight red."

Jurrien Timber Decision Had a Huge Outcome

Arsenal may well have lost had he been sent off

It was certainly a hot topic at that time, and it definitely had an outcome on the result.

Timber - who cost £34million from Ajax last summer - remained on the pitch and that meant that Arsenal's already depleted squad didn't suffer any further with 10 men, let alone possessing a young bench.

Meanwhile, Vicario's yellow card likely made him hesistant throughout the game, which could have been a huge factor in the goal as he refused to come out of his area with any aggression before Gabriel thundered home a header to put the Gunners into the lead.

GIVEMESPORT Key Statistic: Timber only played three games for Arsenal last season after he picked up an ACL injury on his debut.

Referee Jarred Gillett looked to have handled the situation quite well after the tackle spilled over into a scuffle between the two teams - especially with tensions usually rising on derby day - but Tottenham fans may be anguished that they weren't on the receiving end of the decision on Sunday, as it could have pushed them further up the table and given Ange Postecoglou's men a real boost in terms of securing European football.

Dominic Solanke has been branded Tottenham Hotspur’s ‘biggest worry’ by ESPN pundit Steve Nicol, who has raised questions about how the former Bournemouth forward will handle the increased expectations and pressure that come with playing for a top Premier League club.

The ESPN analyst suggests Solanke has ‘never been under pressure’ to score goals in his career, and will now be thrust into a high-pressure environment following his summer move to Spurs.

Ange Postecoglou came to the 27-year-old forward’s defence after a 1-0 loss to arch-rivals Arsenal on Sunday, tipping Solanke to rediscover his shooting form after he struggled on his return from injury and was held to zero shots on target by the Gunners’ defence.

The Australian tactician emphasised that it was Solanke’s first game in ‘over a month’, but noted his team’s struggles in front of goal, suggesting Spurs ‘lacked some real conviction’ in the final third.

Tottenham have won just four points from 12 in the Premier League so far this season, their fewest through their opening four matches of a campaign since 2015-16, according to Opta.

A narrow North London derby defeat saw Tottenham drop to 13th in the table.

Solanke Will Be ‘Under Pressure’

After returning from injury

Nicol, speaking on ESPN, suggested there is uncertainty about how Solanke will adapt to the demands of Tottenham since his return from injury:

“You know the biggest worry, nobody knows how Solanke is going to react, because he's never been under pressure to score goals.

“You're not under pressure to score goals when you play for Bournemouth. When you do, it's great when you don't, okay, keep going. It's Bournemouth. It's a different ballgame.

“We'll see what he's made up the next coming weeks.”

A record £65 million signing for Spurs, Solanke put pen to paper on a six-year deal in north London and was brought in as a replacement for Harry Kane, who left for Bayern Munich last summer.

With big shoes to fill, the 27-year-old will be looking to at least replicate his last season’s goalscoring form, when he netted 21 goals in 42 appearances for Bournemouth across all competitions.

Spurs will be hoping Solanke’s impact will also help end their goalscoring woes, as they finished with the fewest goals among the top seven teams in the Premier League last season, netting 74 in 38 matches.

Tottenham Eye Angel Gomes

Among Premier League Clubs interested

Tottenham are among the clubs interested in Lille and England midfield star Angel Gomes, with Newcastle, Liverpool, and Borussia Dortmund also having the 24-year-old on their radar, according to The Sun.

Gomes faces no shortage of suitors after his impressive England debut during the international break, with Newcastle understood to be showing the most interest at the moment.

Since joining Lille from Manchester United in 2020, the 24-year-old has established himself as one of the most creative midfielders in Ligue 1 and ended the 2023/24 campaign with eight assists in 31 appearances.

Gomes made 10 senior appearances for Manchester United before departing on a free transfer four seasons ago.

Tottenham Hotspur star Archie Gray is poised to be handed his first start since making the move to Hotspur Way when the north Londoners aim to recover from their derby defeat to Arsenal by returning to winning ways against Coventry City on Wednesday, GIVEMESPORT sources have revealed.

Spurs were not afraid to splash the cash during the summer transfer window, with Dominic Solanke being the most expensive acquisition thanks to completing a switch worth up to £65million from Bournemouth, but they are reeling after Ange Postecoglou's side missed out on claiming local bragging rights last weekend.

Gray was also among the fresh faces to join Tottenham as Leeds United were tempted into accepting a £30million bid a matter of weeks after falling short of sealing an immediate return to the Premier League via the Championship play-offs, and he has been waiting for an opportunity to make a lasting impression in his new surroundings.

Gray Preparing to Feature in Carabao Cup Tie

Teenager in contention to be included in line-up on Wednesday

Gray is in line to be involved in Tottenham's Carabao Cup clash with Championship outfit Coventry later this week, according to GMS sources, and there is a serious possibility of him being included in the starting line-up as Postecoglou is poised to make some changes to the side that was beaten by Arsenal.

The 18-year-old has been limited to just 29 minutes of action since heading to Spurs, having made two appearances from the bench against Leicester City and Everton, but he was an unused substitute as the capital club suffered back-to-back defeats at the hands of Newcastle United and their fierce rivals.

GMS sources have been informed that Postecoglou sees potentially throwing Gray into the starting line-up as a low-risk strategy as he would be primed for a clash against Championship opposition, having featured at that level last season, and Tottenham want him to secure regular game time after being delighted at winning the race for his signature.

The central midfielder, who penned a £75,000-per-week contract tying him down to Spurs until the summer of 2030 when he arrived from his boyhood club, featured predominantly at right-back last term and his versatility could play into his hands as he goes in search of a maiden start for his employers.

Gray's teammate Lucas Bergvall has been looking to use the remainder of the month as a launchpad for his Tottenham career, GMS sources recently revealed, and the Sweden international is expected to make a significant impact for the first time since joining when Postecoglou's charges aim to avoid an upset at the Coventry Building Society Arena.

GIVEMESPORT Key Statistic: Archie Gray made two appearances against Coventry City last season, but he was not on the winning side on either occasion as he was part of a Leeds United side which registered a 1-1 draw and suffered a 2-1 defeat

Postecoglou Not Planning Wholesale Changes

Tactician aware pressure has ramped up after Arsenal defeat

Although the likes of Gray and Bergvall are vying for a starting berth on Wednesday, GMS sources have been told that Postecoglou is not planning to make wholesale changes to his line-up as the defeat to Arsenal has resulted in him heading to Coventry with more pressure resting on his shoulders.

The Greek-Australian tactician led Spurs to Europa League qualification and 21 wins in all competitions during his first season at the helm, but his side have only accumulated four points from as many fixtures since the new Premier League campaign got underway last month and currently sit in the bottom half of the table.

GMS sources understand that the latest setback at the hands of Arsenal has resulted in Postecoglou's future being called into some doubt for the first time, and it has led to him not entertaining the possibility of overexperimenting with his squad as he aims to boost Tottenham's hopes of securing silverware by progressing in the Carabao Cup.

BBC pundit Micah Richards has scorned Tottenham Hotspur for failing to resolve their set-piece problems, after they left goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario exposed for Gabriel's towering header from a corner - a sequence that saw Arsenal beat the Lilywhites on their own turf to leave Ange Postecoglou's men with just four points from their opening four Premier League games.

Vicario had coped well with matters in the first half, barring a minor off-the-ball scuffle with Jurrien Timber for a challenge on Pedro Porro that could have seen the Dutchman given his marching orders with his studs up. The incident seemingly gave Arsenal confidence to bombard the Tottenham goal despite their youthful side, and when the Gunners earned a corner in the second half, Vicario was isolated as Gabriel lost Cristian Romero to power home a header unchallenged. Many have been blamed for their role in the goal, but Richards believes that £17m star Vicario should be blameless, with his teammates picking up the flak instead.

Richards: Tottenham Star Vicario 'Exposed'

The Italian has not been helped out from set-pieces

Speaking on 'The Rest is Football' podcast, Richards believed that Tottenham need to work on set-pieces going forward and protect Vicario in the future if they are to quash any cheap goals from dead ball situations. He said:

"You can work - in training - on not making him have to come for those situations. Put someone, or put two people in the centre of the goal, that can just be zonal. You'll have a few blockers around, and just leave the goalkeeper to focus on the reaction of where he needs to go if someone has a shot.

"But yeah, I just feel like he's being exposed. I think it's easy now, because we did something on Match of the Day last season, about the amount of times that teams were targeting Vicario. But you need to help him out, you know, that's what they need to do.

"They need to help him out a little bit more, if that's his weakness."

Tottenham Must Turn Their Fortunes Around

The Lilywhites have had a poor start to the campaign

Loss to Arsenal means that Tottenham's season continues to be underwhelming. Despite dominating possession against Leicester City on the opening weekend of the campaign, they could only muster a 1-1 draw at the King Power Stadium thanks to Jamie Vardy's second-half equaliser.

A 4-0 win over Everton looked as though they could turn the tide, but a 2-1 loss to Newcastle United just a week later - despite once again dominating possession and missing countless opportunities - meant that a win over Arsenal was almost imperative if they were to make progress going forward.

That, of course, didn't happen, and it leaves them sitting in a paltry 13th place in the table. European football is a necessity in the white half of north London, but Tottenham do seem a long way from that despite facing two tough games in their previous two fixtures.

GIVEMESPORT Key Statistic: Guglielmo Vicario has two caps for Italy, with his debut coming back in March against Ecuador.

Their upcoming run of fixtures that sees them face Brentford, Manchester United, Brighton and West Ham United in their next four, which isn't entirely easy. Postecoglou will need to remedy that quickly if they are to play on the continent next season.

Tottenham Hotspur are hopeful that the decision to negotiate an option to buy Johnny Cardoso from Real Betis will pay off handsomely thanks to the appointment of Mauricio Pochettino as the United States' new head coach ahead of the American's potential arrival at Hotspur Way in 2025, GIVEMESPORT sources have revealed.

Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou was handed the opportunity to splash the cash during the summer transfer window, with Dominic Solanke being the most expensive acquisition thanks to tempting Premier League rivals Bournemouth into accepting a package worth up to £65million last month.

But outgoings were also sanctioned ahead of the August 30 deadline, and Tottenham have put themselves in a prime position to raid La Liga side Real Betis further down the line as part of the deal which saw them give the green-light for Giovani Lo Celso to make a £3.3million switch to the Estadio Benito Villamarin.

Spurs Wanting Pochettino to Improve Cardoso

North Londoners have option to buy United States international

Tottenham are counting on former boss Pochettino to take Cardoso's performances to another level after being installed as the Real Betis defensive midfielder's new boss at international level, according to GMS sources, and Postecoglou is keen for summer discussions to pay off in the coming months.

Spurs negotiated an option to buy the 22-year-old for £21million at the end of the campaign, having allowed his current employers to land Lo Celso in a cut-price deal, and the north Londoners are desperate for that to be viewed as a bargain fee by the time they have the opportunity to pounce.

GMS sources have been informed that Tottenham have the first option to acquire Cardoso if other suitors emerge and, having ensured that an agreement is already in place for a future move, Postecoglou is relying on Pochettino to get the best out of him as he seeks fresh competition for the likes of Yves Bissouma.

Despite there being a possibility that the Concacaf Nations League winner will bring the curtain down on his Estadio Benito Villamarin career in less than 12 months' time, he has remained part of Real Betis head coach Manuel Pellegrini's plans and made four appearances in all competitions this season.

Cardoso is among the names who are in line to profit from Pochettino taking charge of the United States as they prepare for the 2026 World Cup on home soil, GMS recently reported, and Tottenham are keeping a close eye on his performances ahead of making a decision on whether to pounce.

GIVEMESPORT Key Statistic: Johnny Cardoso boasted 88.5 per cent pass accuracy, made two tackles and completed one clearance after coming off the bench during Real Betis' 2-0 defeat to Real Madrid earlier this month

Lilywhites Pleased with Pochettino's New Job

Argentine tactician could bring best out of defensive midfielder

GMS sources have been told that Tottenham see Pochettino as an ideal appointment for the United States as they aim to discover the extent of Cardoso's growth over the next 12 months and gauge whether they should trigger the option to lure him to the capital ahead of the 2025/26 campaign.

Key personnel working behind the scenes at Hotspur Way rate the Argentine tactician highly after he enjoyed a fruitful spell at the helm, which saw him lead the Lilywhites to a Champions League final and 160 wins from 293 encounters, and they are eager to see how he will get the best out of the former Internacional man.

Tottenham are counting on Pochettino to bring Cardoso's career to life and ensure he will not be overawed by the challenge of the Premier League if he makes the switch from Real Betis next summer, GMS sources have learned, and he will be keen to make an impact during the upcoming international breaks.