Sport Witness

Tottenham Hotspur welcome Eintracht Frankfurt on Thursday evening, in a Europa League match which looks crucial for the rest of Spurs’ season and perhaps even the future of manager Ange Postecoglou.

Get a good win and Tottenham will feel they’re on the way to the Europa League semifinals and a potential big European final which could bring them Champions League football. It’s a big carrot to chase, but Eintracht will be doing similar.

The German club are currently third in the Bundesliga so as things stand they have a Champions League place, although they don’t have enough of a cushion to make that assured.

Wednesday’s edition of Bild Frankfurt details a precise area of the match which will be crucial for Eintracht and their approach against Tottenham.

They go with a headline saying ‘4 bodyguards to stop Spurs’ and the plan is to nullify Postecoglou’s attack.

Bild Frankfurt state: ‘Arthur Theate (24), Robin Koch (28), and Rasmus Kristensen (27) have a tough job ahead of them. The defenders, appreciatively referred to as “bodyguards” by sporting director Markus Krösche (44), must guard the €215m attack led by superstar Heung-Min Son’

Krösche himself is quoted as saying: “On the one hand, they have to defend consistently and well to stop these dangerous strikers, because Tottenham certainly won’t let us dictate the game. And on the other hand, they have to prepare our counter-attacking moments when we win the ball.”

The defensive trio are described as ‘mentality monsters’ by the German newspaper with ‘extensive international experience’. It’s thought both aspects will be needed, with Bild Frankfurt expecting a ‘cauldron’ in London.

You may have noticed only three players have been mentioned, the fourth ‘bodyguard’ is 21-year-old goalkeeper Kaua Santos.

Tottenham Hotspur welcome Eintracht Frankfurt on Thursday evening, in a Europa League match which looks crucial for the rest of Spurs’ season and perhaps even the future of manager Ange Postecoglou.

Get a good win and Tottenham will feel they’re on the way to the Europa League semifinals and a potential big European final which could bring them Champions League football. It’s a big carrot to chase, but Eintracht will be doing similar.

The German club are currently third in the Bundesliga so as things stand they have a Champions League place, although they don’t have enough of a cushion to make that assured.

Wednesday’s edition of Bild Frankfurt details a precise area of the match which will be crucial for Eintracht and their approach against Tottenham.

They go with a headline saying ‘4 bodyguards to stop Spurs’ and the plan is to nullify Postecoglou’s attack.

Bild Frankfurt state: ‘Arthur Theate (24), Robin Koch (28), and Rasmus Kristensen (27) have a tough job ahead of them. The defenders, appreciatively referred to as “bodyguards” by sporting director Markus Krösche (44), must guard the €215m attack led by superstar Heung-Min Son’

Krösche himself is quoted as saying: “On the one hand, they have to defend consistently and well to stop these dangerous strikers, because Tottenham certainly won’t let us dictate the game. And on the other hand, they have to prepare our counter-attacking moments when we win the ball.”

The defensive trio are described as ‘mentality monsters’ by the German newspaper with ‘extensive international experience’. It’s thought both aspects will be needed, with Bild Frankfurt expecting a ‘cauldron’ in London.

You may have noticed only three players have been mentioned, the fourth ‘bodyguard’ is 21-year-old goalkeeper Kaua Santos.

Earlier today, we covered a report from the Leipzig edition of Bild which stated Sheffield Wednesday’s Danny Röhl is now a more serious candidate for RB Leipzig.

He was one of four candidates named, with Crystal Palace’s Oliver Glasner being another. Last week, we covered claims from Austria which stated sources close to the Eagles manager were talking down any eagerness to move to the Bundesliga club. Various factors, including a perceived lack of power, with others such as Jürgen Klopp having input, would be a concern and Glasner wasn’t keen to leave English football for such a scenario.

Tottenham Hotspur are now being presented by the German media as another problem. Spurs haven’t had the season they hoped for, and Ange Postecoglou’s time in charge at Tottenham has come under some question.

This week’s edition of SportBild‘s magazine says Glasner remains a candidate and then states Tottenham ‘can offer a higher salary’ and therefore beat RB Leipzig to the Crystal Palace manager. The German media may want to dismiss Tottenham being more attractive as being solely down to money, but that probably isn’t the case given the previous reports from Austria.

Intriguingly, it’s stated Tottenham isn’t the only Premier League club to have made contact.

Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur are among the clubs keen on Yeleen Olympique youngster Soungalo Coulibaly.

That’s according to Africa Foot, who cover Manchester United and Tottenham interest in the 16-year-old.

He’s representing Mali in the ongoing at the U17 African Cup of Nations in Morocco. The forward has scored a goal from three games and attracted attention from scouts from European clubs.

The report states a Manchester United official has closely watched the teenager in all three games in Morocco. The Red Devils have initiated contacts and ‘discussions are already underway’ to try and sign him for their academy.

It’s unclear whether Manchester United contacted his camp, Yeleen Olympique or both.

The Premier League club will face competition from other clubs including Tottenham, Red Bull Salzburg and Sturm Graz. Africa Foot state these three clubs also ‘enter the race’ for Coulibaly.

Manchester United are willing to offer a ‘significant sum’ to try and get ahead in the transfer race.

To describe the attacker, Africa Foot state: ‘Blessed with impressive technique, blazing pace, and a keen dribbling sense capable of shattering any defence, Coulibaly leaves no one indifferent.’

Even if Ruben Amorim’s side or Tottenham were to reach an agreement, Coulibaly won’t be able to arrive in the UK until he turns 18 years of age and then he’d need a work permit.

There could not be much more difference in the mood around Real Betis when compared to Tottenham Hotspur in recent weeks.

Betis is surrounded optimism, with multiple players shining more than they have previously, and a big feeling of potential achievements between now and the end of the season.

They’re sixth in La Liga, with Manuel Pellegrini having them way ahead of local rivals Sevilla, a club they recently beat, in 12th. Betis have growing confidence about the possibility of winning the UEFA Conference League, and it’s not felt unrealistic they could qualify for the Champions League via the league.

Meanwhile, Tottenham are 14th in the Premier League and doubt is growing around Ange Postecoglou. They have a chance to win the Europa League and qualify for the Champions League that way, and yet pessimism is the story of the day.

One of the players impressing recently for Real Betis has been Johnny Cardoso. Tottenham have a €25m option to sign him come the summer, as part of the deal they agreed to send Giovani Lo Celso back to Betis.

La Colina de Nervion, local to Betis, report the move to Spurs is far from a forgone conclusion. It’s stated ‘everything has changed’ in recent weeks and Cordoso is tempted to stay at Betis.

Indeed, he’s made that clear himself in interviews recently.

Tottenham can’t force him to move and will rely on his agreement.

Tottenham Hotspur will host Eintracht Frankfurt in the Europa League quarterfinals on Thursday.

The Bundesliga club will be without their goalkeeper, Kevin Trapp, for the European clash.

That’s according to Tuesday’s edition of Bild, and they explain why the 34-year-old won’t be available to face Tottenham.

The Germany international hasn’t featured for Eintracht Frankfurt since their 2-1 defeat to Union Berlin on March 9th and has been sidelined with a shin injury.

The goalkeeper was struggling with a shin injury since colliding with his teammate, Hugo Larsson, at the end of January. His setback was kept as a secret until manager Dino Toppmöller, decided to leave him out.

Bild state he had a partial tear of his muscle, and this hindered his game when he was on the pitch. They add this injury is ‘common in ice hockey but atypical in football.’

Eintracht Frankfurt are taking advantage of a 30-day rule where they can register a substitute if a goalkeeper is out of action for a month or more. If he’s without any pain, they could register him for the return leg against Tottenham next Thursday.

Trapp kept three clean sheets and conceded seven goals from seven games in the Europa League. His absence against Tottenham will be a blow for the German club.

On March 27th, Real Betis’ Johnny Cardoso expressed his happiness that he could make a switch to Tottenham Hotspur after this season.

Last August, Spurs sold Giovani Lo Celso to the La Liga club and as part of the deal, they negotiated a purchase option to buy Cardoso for €25m in the summer. Tottenham clearly have an advantage over any other interested clubs.

Earlier claims had stated the Premier League club can activate the clause during a specific period.

Despite Tottenham negotiating the purchase option with Real Betis, the 23-year-old has now said he would like to continue at the Andalusian club. The midfielder revealed this during a chat with El Chiringuito and Estadio Deportivo have relayed his comments.

“I’m very happy here and I hope I can continue enjoying myself at Betis for many years to come,” he said.

This could be a concern for Ange Postecoglou’s side, as long as they would like to buy the player in the summer window.

The American’s immediate focus is to help Real Betis qualify for the Champions League. They are sixth in the table, level on points with fifth place Villarreal, and six behind fourth placed Athletic.

“The Champions League? It’s our dream and our goal,” Cardoso explained.

Of course there’s every chance Cardoso could simply be saying words to please Betis fans. Reports this week from close to the Spanish club made it clear that whilst the midfielder is valued, getting that €25m from Tottenham would be rather welcome in the summer.

Palmeiras, Fluminense and Flamengo are closely monitoring Richarlison’s situation at Tottenham Hotspur.

That’s according to Goal in Brazil, and they state the forward’s future ‘should be far’ from Tottenham.

He’s struggled with multiple injuries, which is why his game time has been so restricted this season. Richarlison has been limited to 545 minutes from 14 games, managing three goals and an assist in the process.

The Brazil international’s contract lasts until 2027, but Tottenham are ‘willing to listen to offers’ in the summer window. He’s also open to leaving the north London club.

According to the report, the 27-year-old prefers to continue in Europe. At the same time, he will listen to offers and then decide the best project for him to continue his career.

Richarlison wants to go to a club that will help him regain his form and also ‘compete for titles’.

Palmeiras, Fluminense and Flamengo all made approaches for the former Everton man in the winter market. He turned them down in order to continue at Spurs at least until the end of this season.

Goal state these three clubs are now keeping an eye on the attacker, who could consider them in the next window.

Tottenham, for their part, are willing to listen to offers for Richarlison and are expecting concrete approaches after this season.

On March 10th, ABC reported Tottenham Hotspur are one of the clubs ‘fighting’ to sign Rayo Vallecano’s Andrei Rațiu in the summer window.

The Romania international’s fine displays at last summer’s Euros and his rise at the La Liga club this season have seen several teams, including Spurs and Bayer Leverkusen, take notice.

AS cover Bayer Leverkusen’s interest in the Tottenham target, who has managed two goals and three assists from 28 games this season.

The right-back’s impressive performances and qualities has seen Barcelona, Atletico Madrid and several clubs from England and Italy take notice. The report points out he has also become an object of desire for Bayer Leverkusen.

Xabi Alonso currently has Jeremie Frimpong on the right side and there’s expectation the Dutchman could leave after this season. The Bundesliga winners like Rațiu’s profile and have positioned themselves to sign him.

They will try to muscle in with Tottenham and other clubs for the 26-year-old’s services in the next window. Rațiu’s contract expires in 2028, and includes a €25m release clause.

Rayo Vallecano sporting director David Cobeño has told DAZN, relayed by AS, that Rațiu will only leave if his clause is activated.

“We are very happy with Andrei here. The discourse is always the same, whoever wants him will have to pay the clause. Our wish is that he continues at the level he is at, and we are very confident for the future. Time will tell if he stays with us or if someone pays the clause,” he said.

Tottenham need to convince Rațiu and pay €25m to acquire his signature.

Alejo Véliz arrived in Europe when Tottenham Hotspur signed him from Rosario Central in August 2023.

The striker wasn’t a regular under Ange Postecoglou and Spurs sent him on loan to Sevilla in January 2024. He struggled at the Andalusian club and last summer, Tottenham allowed him to join Espanyol on a season-long loan deal.

Véliz has scored four goals from 24 games but has failed to find the back of the net for Espanyol this year.

On March 13th, we covered claims from Argentina which explained River Plate manager Marcelo Gallardo is keen on signing the 21-year-old for his club. TyC Sports now backs it up and provide the latest on this case.

They state the Argentine club contacted the Tottenham player’s camp to find out if they can sign him in June before the FIFA Club World Cup. River Plate were ‘met with a refusal’ from the Argentine, who isn’t keen on returning to his country.

TyC Sports state negotiations didn’t progress because Véliz’s priority is to continue in Europe.