Sport Witness

Marseille advisor Medhi Benatia has told Tipsbladet that they intend to buy Tottenham Hotspur’s Pierre-Emile Højbjerg.

In the summer window, the Ligue 1 side signed the 28-year-old on a loan deal with an option to buy.

The Tottenham owned player has started in every league fixture for Marseille this season. He was substituted only once, in his side’s 3-1 win over Toulouse at the end of August.

Højbjerg has quickly settled in at his new club so much so that he captained Marseille on three occasions this season. The advisor insists the midfielder has been playing a big role at the French club, both on and off the pitch.

Roberto De Zerbi’s side are third in the table, trailing league leaders Paris Saint-Germain by five points. Benatia was asked to explain the Denmark international’s contribution to the club’s good start to the season.

“It’s actually easy to answer, because you can just look at the statistics. Pierre is one of the best, or the best, player in Ligue 1 when it comes to ball possession and successful passes. It says everything about his role on the pitch and as a leader in midfield,” he said.

“But for me it’s also about his great influence off the pitch. He’s a natural leader and a good example for all his teammates, especially the young players. We have a very young team, and Pierre is essential for them so they can learn what it means to play football at such a high level. He is really important to Roberto De Zerbi.

“Today he’s captain of the national team, and he’s also been given the armband here when captain Leo Balerdi has been out. In football there are no coincidences. He makes the team stronger, and he’s already indispensable. He represents exactly what a Marseille player should be according to our president: exemplary, professional, dedicated and hardworking.”

De Zerbi’s side have a clear aim to qualify for the Champions League next season. The club advisor insists the Tottenham man has a role to play in helping them achieve this. He mentioned this when revealing Marseille’s plans for the Dane.

“Pierre has signed a loan agreement with an option to buy, so the move will soon become permanent,” Benatia explained.

“Pierre will help us with our project to qualify for the Champions League. We need to be part of the top 24 European clubs, which are the ones that qualify for last 16 in the new Champions League format.”

Antonio Conte’s spell at Tottenham Hotspur didn’t bring any silverware and ended in him leaving the club by mutral consent.

The Italian’s journey at Napoli has turned out to be a rather positive, and despite a shaky start the Partenopei find themselves leading Serie A.

Journalist Max Gallo has spoken to Radio Napoli Centrale about the Napoli boss and he provided some insight about how Conte has changed from his time at Tottenham.

He said, as relayed by NapoliMagazine: “Conte’s versatility? It was surprising because he had the label of someone who was carrying forward a certain type of project. He was good at changing it and even during the match.”

He further said: “Conte changed after Tottenham, even on a human level after a series of sad news.

“As if he had put a bit of distance between himself and his character and this did him a lot of good. He’s a coach who works a lot and it shows.”

While Conte’s last press conference as Tottenham will live long in the memories of many, he has toned-down in his media appearances since arriving at Napoli.

He did express some frustrations about the club’s operations in the transfer window some weeks ago, but there was an element of patience in him too.

Spurs fans didn’t really see that version of Conte during his time in London and depending on how his time in Naples goes, the Premier League side may regret letting him leave.

Tottenham can be added to the list of admirers for Sporting Club de Portugal director of football Hugo Viana as he gears up to join Manchester City.

That’s according to Mais Futbol at least, who say Tottenham also made an approach for the Portuguese director in the past.

Reports over the last week stated that Viana is set to move to Manchester City next summer to replace Txiki Begiristain, who has announced he will be leaving the Etihad next year. This was then confirmed by Sporting in a statement on Saturday.

A deluge of reports about Viana appeared before that point, making it clear that he was the man at the top of the list at the Etihad after his impressive work with Sporting, particularly in the transfer window, over the last few years.

Interest from England in Viana is nothing new according to these reports, with Aston Villa also said to have made an approach in the past.

Now Tottenham can be added to that list, with Mais Futbol reporting that when it comes to English clubs he was ‘in the sights of Tottenham first’.

When this was isn’t made clear, but it would be safe to assume it came at some point last year when they were forced to replace Fabio Paratici. That role eventually went to Johan Lange in October 2023.

Either way, it’s further evidence that Viana is a man in demand and Tottenham were once ahead of Manchester City in the race, but seemingly unable to convince him of the move.

Guglielmo Vicario has been a regular at Tottenham Hotspur since joining them from Empoli in June 2023.

Earlier this month, the goalkeeper said Spurs helped him fulfil his Premier League dream and that he’s set his sights on representing Italy in a competitive fixture. He’s played two games for the national team, and both were in friendlies.

Calciomercato now state the Tottenham player is set to start for Italy against Israel later today. The tie will take place in his birthplace Udine, which makes the fixture even more special for the 28-year-old.

The website says the stopper has impressed since joining the north London club, which has helped him make it to the Italy squad. His performances for Ange Postecoglou’s side have seen scouts from a few Italian clubs take notice.

Vicario has also been linked with a return to Serie A. Calciomercato relay it and add that Tottenham are unlikely to let him leave, unless there’s a ‘mind boggling offer’.

His deal lasts until 2028, and the report states the Italian is ‘only thinking about’ Spurs and the national team at the moment.

The former Cagliari man insists the Tottenham move has helped him improve his game.

“It’s a different experience from previous ones, changing countries. Another culture, a different football, it’s definitely a wealth of experience that is part of the path an athlete decides to take,” he said, relayed by TuttoMercatoWeb.

“Participating for the first year in a European competition is teaching me a lot: the pace is high, there is intensity. I’m trying things I’ve never tried before and putting them in my career backpack.”

The October international break often feels like one of the ones to have the most withdrawals, as clubs are now seriously into their season and don’t want to be losing players to injury.

For those who do attend the call-ups, there’s of course the risk of getting injured whilst training with or playing for the national side.

Monday has already seen various announcements to worry Premier League sides, and now it’s the turn of Tottenham Hotspur.

Prior to the international break, Lucas Bergvall had been growing in prominence for the Premier League club, and he’ll have hoped to be able to kick on after his return. However, there may now be a delay due to a fitness issue.

Sweden’s FA, via FotbollDirekt, have announced the Tottenham Hotspur player has picked up an injury and won’t be available for the match against Estonia on Monday evening.

‘Lucas Bergvall has suffered a minor injury and will not be available for tonight’s game against Estonia in the Nations League. The midfielder has left the men’s national team’s gathering in Estonia to focus on his rehabilitation.’

He’s now set to return to London where he can go through whatever rehabilitation he needs to with Spurs. Hopefully for the player it’s just an abundance of caution from Sweden.

Tottenham Hotspur are in the picture to sign Espanyol’s Javi Puado, according to claims from Spain.

The forward was instrumental in helping his side secure promotion to La Liga last season, managing 17 goals and two assists. He has three goals from eight games this season.

Monday’s edition of AS claims Tottenham and Sevilla are among the clubs following him closely.

Puado’s deal expires in 2025, and the La Liga side’s desire is to extend his contract. The possibility of securing his services for free next summer makes him an attractive option for Tottenham, Sevilla and others.

The newspaper claims Espanyol won’t be able to offer what the likes of Spurs or Sevilla could propose for him. His suitors could convert their interest into something concrete if the 26-year-old were to not sign an extension.

Both Tottenham and Sevilla want the Spaniard, and the list could grow, if he were to shine for his club.

Over at Mucho Deporte, they say Ange Postecoglou’s side have asked about the attacker. If Tottenham [or any other big Premier League side] were to make a firm approach, the report says Sevilla will have ‘nothing to do’… meaning they couldn’t compete.

This indicates the Andalusian club seem to be concerned about Tottenham’s interest in Puado.

Tottenham forward Dejan Kulusevski believes he is at his peak this season and in ‘great’ condition for the rest of the campaign.

The Tottenham man has been speaking at a press conference for Sweden, covered by Fotboll Skanalen, during which he will be captain once again for clashes against Slovakia and Estonia.

The 24-year-old has enjoyed a strong start to the season playing in a deeper midfield role for Tottenham, with one goal and one assists in seven Premier League games to date.

His first goal of the season came in the 3-0 win over Manchester United at the end of September as he finished off a smart counter attacking move for his side.

Tottenham were in impressive form at Old Trafford on that day and could have won by more, aided by Bruno Fernandes’ red card that reduced the hosts to ten men.

Kulusevski was in particularly good form in the game as he helped his side control the midfield and launch numerous counter attacks that Manchester United simply couldn’t deal with.

He’s certainly feeling the positive vibes flowing and is hoping for a strong season with Tottenham as they chase a first trophy under Ange Postecoglou.

“It (being a protagonist) came out in that match, but I have worked incredibly hard to be able to play at that level. I’m not shocked. I’ve just been waiting for it. Every match has felt good, but that one was perhaps extra good,” he said.

“I want to try to maximize this career as much as possible and never be one of the crowd.

“It has been the whole season. I really feel that I am stronger mentally and physically this season. I have changed the “mindset” a bit. I think that is to my advantage. I have grown off the pitch as well. The plan is to get better every day, and I feel that I am becoming that.”

Japhet Tanganga left Tottenham Hotspur at the end of last season.

The defender is a product of the north London club’s academy and was promoted to the first team in 2019. Last season, he was out on loan at FC Augsburg and Millwall, before leaving Tottenham as a free agent.

Millwall signed the 25-year-old on a permanent deal in the last window. Italian journalist Gianluca Di Marzio has had a chat with Tanganga, where he said that he continues to follow Tottenham.

Tanganga also explained how difficult it was for him to leave Spurs permanently, after so much time with the club.

“Tottenham will forever remain my first home and have a special place in my heart. I had already accepted the decision to leave and look for continuity, but the day of the farewell was still difficult,” he said.

“You don’t easily part from a love like that. And in fact, now I continue to follow them, I cheer for my former teammates, and I know that sooner or later they will return to a final and win it, they deserve it.”

He made 50 appearances in all competitions for Tottenham’s senior team, with his game time was partly restricted due to multiple injuries.

The former Tottenham man has featured regularly for the Championship side, making seven appearances this season. He believes the fitness concerns are now behind him.

“Injuries are difficult moments for a footballer. You see the team training and you are still. I often wondered why my body kept falling apart,” Tanganga explained.

“Now I feel good: I returned to Millwall in the summer, after six months on loan to feel like a protagonist. The fans are incredible, their love was a decisive factor in my choice. They sing with all their voices: it’s one of the most beautiful atmospheres in England.”

Tanganga has also revealed he “grew up supporting Manchester United” and Cristiano Ronaldo was his idol.

Japhet Tanganga left Tottenham Hotspur at the end of last season.

The defender is a product of the north London club’s academy and was promoted to the first team in 2019. Last season, he was out on loan at FC Augsburg and Millwall, before leaving Tottenham as a free agent.

Millwall signed the 25-year-old on a permanent deal in the last window. Italian journalist Gianluca Di Marzio has had a chat with Tanganga, where he said that he continues to follow Tottenham.

Tanganga also explained how difficult it was for him to leave Spurs permanently, after so much time with the club.

“Tottenham will forever remain my first home and have a special place in my heart. I had already accepted the decision to leave and look for continuity, but the day of the farewell was still difficult,” he said.

“You don’t easily part from a love like that. And in fact, now I continue to follow them, I cheer for my former teammates, and I know that sooner or later they will return to a final and win it, they deserve it.”

He made 50 appearances in all competitions for Tottenham’s senior team, with his game time was partly restricted due to multiple injuries.

The former Tottenham man has featured regularly for the Championship side, making seven appearances this season. He believes the fitness concerns are now behind him.

“Injuries are difficult moments for a footballer. You see the team training and you are still. I often wondered why my body kept falling apart,” Tanganga explained.

“Now I feel good: I returned to Millwall in the summer, after six months on loan to feel like a protagonist. The fans are incredible, their love was a decisive factor in my choice. They sing with all their voices: it’s one of the most beautiful atmospheres in England.”

Tanganga has also revealed he “grew up supporting Manchester United” and Cristiano Ronaldo was his idol.

Tottenham have found the next Gareth Bale in the form of Brennan Johnson, at least if his latest scoring exploits are anything to go by.

That’s according to Spanish newspaper Sport, who lavish big praise on the Welshman today, including the lofty comparison.

Under the title ‘Spurs find another Bale’, they detail how Johnson has now scored in six consecutive games and is ‘one of the best wingers in the Premier League’.

They say Johnson is ‘making a name for himself’ at Tottenham and it’s something they’ve seen before after Gareth Bale’s rise there over a decade ago. In fact they believe he’s on his way to ‘becoming one of the best in the world’.

According to them few players have aroused as much excitement in the time since Bale as Johson is currently managing, with him again showing he’s a special talent in the defeat to Brighton and Hove Albion. He was on the scoresheet in that game, meaning he’s managed to score in six straight games for Tottenham and has firmly put any doubts about him to bed.

He was the big bet of last summer, arriving in a €55m deal from Nottingham Forest and finished last season with five goals and ten assists in 38 games in all competitions.

This season he has ‘fully exploded’ according to AS, with everything indicating he will easily surpass his overall total of 29 goals and 12 assists in 109 games for Forest in the near future.

There’s other data to be excited about too, with the newspaper referencing DataMB, who say the Tottenham man is topping Premier League charts such as most touches inside the box, most expected goals, most tackles, most dribbles into the box. He’s also in second place for most shots and fourth for defensive duels won.

In other words, the winger is very much becoming a complete package and something to be very, very excited about. He’s certainly not being ignored in Spain, where a lofty comparison to Bale is already seemingly taking root.