Football Addict

Report: Spurs and Chelsea 'came knocking' for £63m-rated striker this summer

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Today at 20:00

According to a report in SportBILD (as relayed by Sport Witness), Tottenham Hotspur were one of several Premier League clubs to express an interest in signing RB Leipzig striker Lois Openda in the summer window.

Lois Openda is turning heads in Germany

Openda has been a revelation since swapping Lens for Leipzing last year, with the centre-forward finding the back of the net 28 times across all competitions in his first season at the Red Bull Arena.

It has now emerged that several Premier League sides were keen on securing the 24-year-old’s signature on the back of his prolific first season in the Bundesliga.

Openda recorded 24 goals and seven assists in 34 Bundesliga games last season, as well as another four goals in eight Champions League matches (TransferMarkt).

Spurs, Chelsea and Man United were all keen

SportBild claim that Spurs, Chelsea and Manchester United all ‘came knocking’ about Openda’s availability in the recent transfer window.

The outlet adds that the interest in the player’s services will grow if his development trajectory continues but it is made clear that there is no release clause in his contract.

The publication adds that Leipzig will thus demand a premium for Openda, with the centre-forward expected to cost in the region of €75m (£63m).

Spurs Web Opinion

That figure is similar to the one Tottenham paid for Dominic Solanke but the former Cherries star was proven in the Premier League and also homegrown, which might be why the Lilywhites decided to pursue him instead.

Lois Openda would be a fantastic signing for someone though, particularly a team playing a high press like Postecoglou’s Tottenham.

Tottenham's Pursuit of Consistency in a Competitive Premier League Campaign

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Today at 12:59

Tottenham Hotspur, the club that keeps you on the edge of your seat, finds itself in a similar position, aiming to shake off their reputation for inconsistency. As things become more competitive, it's a great opportunity for bettors to make things more interesting. There are many sportsbooks out there, and some of the best online casinos available in Ireland also cover sports betting. Not only can you enjoy playing slots and games, but there are also bonuses you can use to place free bets.

The team's main focus for this season is maintaining a good and consistent form throughout the campaign. This can also be said for gamblers. Instead of making shaky wagers, you are not confident in, focus on playing games with consistent odds. Good examples are games like baccarat, roulette, and blackjack, all offered at Zodiac casino, a trusted site powered by Microgaming. Overall, it is a solid way to pass the time during intermission.

As another English Premier League season unfolds, can Spurs find their groove and meet their fans' expectations this year? Let's discuss.

The Importance of Consistency in the Premier League

If Tottenham wishes to be in the top four this Premier League season, they must work on consistency. For a club of that calibre, finding a middle ground would positively impact league standing. They could play in the Champions League or settle for Europa Conference League. More importantly, some media and fan base pressures would be alleviated, as the team would show exactly what they are made of, even in a highly competitive atmosphere.

In reality, going after your team or a specific team member will rarely lead to a preferred outcome. Take Neal Maupay, for example. This Everton player received severe backlash and abuse from fans after losing against Tottenham Hotspur. Neal, however, hit back at Everton fans, saying that "they are screaming at men who are trying their best."

However, good form isn't just about making fans and media happy (though it's a nice bonus). It's about climbing the EPL ladder and maybe competing with the top clubs. After all, in a league where Leicester City once shocked the world, anything is possible.

Tottenham's Past Struggles with Consistency

The club's recent history in the Premier League is marked by periods of great play and some frustrating struggles and dips. This eventually became the first reason the club couldn't aim for the title challenge.

Remember the 2015-2016 season? The team came so close to the title race but fell short in the final weeks, ultimately finishing 3rd on the ladder. Moreover, despite reaching the Champions League final in the 2018-2019 Premier League seasons, the club were inconsistent with their plays and eventually finished fourth. Also, frequent staff changes have negatively reflected on the team's consistency. These ups and downs have impacted the team's ability to qualify for Europe's elite, the Champions League.

Moreover, the tendency to falter in high-pressure situations has even led to the unflattering "Spursy" tag, which Tottenham Hotspur really wishes to move away from.

Key Players and Their Roles

If Tottenham Hotspur wishes to meet its consistency goals this season, several key players must step up. Firstly, Son Heung-min, the speedy South Korean forward and scorer, will be a vital player for the team. There is also James Maddison, who comes from Leicester City and could be the key the team needs to pass through the defences.

Moreover, the club signed a new goalkeeper, Guglielmo Vicario in an attempt to wall up the last line of defence. This team probably struggles the most in this area, so Guglielmo could be a massive game-changer.

Keep an eye on the young midfielders, too. Archie Gray and Lucas Bergvall have proven themselves quickly despite being only 18 years old. These players not only contribute to the pitch but also influence the team's morale. Their performance in crucial moments of the matches will often determine their outcome.

However, according to Paul O Keefe, the club will most likely not improve in its key area this season. He believes that the Spurs lack an experienced midfielder, and no changes have been announced.

The Challenge of Competing with EPL Rivals

The competitive nature of the English Premier League can be a big challenge for Tottenham. As with last year, the competition is strong. Unlike Tottenham, clubs like Manchester City, Arsenal and Liverpool are always at their peak levels during the season.

Manchester City, in particular, has set the standard. They are now on the verge of winning their fourth consecutive PL title. This is a big deal since it has never been achieved in the league's history. Arsenal and Liverpool are also big rivals in terms of the title. Arsenal pushed Manchester City close in the 2023/2024 season, so the fans expect high performances from them.

Liverpool has been a model of consistency under Jurgen Klopp, having top honours season after season. Now, after Klopp's departure and under new management, the team still remains a strong opponent on the field.

Additionally, head-to-head matches against top-six teams often decide the final league positions. Totenhaim's consistency in these high-stakes games must be on top if they want to secure the Champions League spot.

Final Thoughts

Tottenham Hotspur should focus on achieving consistency if they want to succeed this year. If Spurs maintain a sustained performance throughout this Premier League campaign, they could potentially reap significant rewards. This means qualifying for the Champions League or even a title place. While the competition is undoubtedly fierce, there is still space for optimism.

The upcoming weeks will reveal whether they can rise to a challenge and establish themselves as a consistent force in football.

Player has 'regained his smile' away from Tottenham – Started well, already the star man

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Today at 12:08

Bryan Gil has quickly 'regained his smile' away from Tottenham, with star status at Girona quickly achieved following his arrival this summer.

That's according to EFE, relayed by MSN, who cover the player today and how he is smiling once again after finally getting out of Tottenham.

The Spanish forward joined Girona on loan in the summer, the latest in what is now a long line of loan departures from Tottenham in recent years.

He moved there from Sevilla in July 2021 in a €25m deal but has barely featured under a succession of managers, instead spending the intervening years on loan at Valencia, Sevilla and now Girona.

Gil had hoped to secure a permanent exit this summer but was instead forced to accept another loan, albeit this time to a side who will be competing in the Champions League this season.

Girona have brought him in to replace the departed Savinho and EFE report things are going very well early on.

According to them, Gil has 'regained his smile' at Girona and has already been chosen by fans as their 'star player' in three of their four La Liga games.

He's playing a 'leading role' under Míchel Sánchez so far, scoring a goal and playing 341 minutes out of a possible 360. Only four players in the squad have completed every minute and he's right behind them.

Gil is hoping to 'take a step forward' in Girona after 'irregular' years at Tottenham and sees his new clubs as the ideal place to relaunch his career.

He's 'adapted perfectly' to the left-wing role he's been given early on and seems ready to replace Savio, who departed for Manchester City and left a huge hole to be filled in the process.

The Brazilian's shadow still lingers on the squad, but Gil has started at an 'excellent level' and is already being seen as the star footballer in the squad by fans despite only arriving from Tottenham this summer.

"Ready to sacrifice a lot" – Tottenham player wants to improve teammates in his new role

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Today at 10:16

Tottenham Hotspur star Dejan Kulusevski has been appointed Sweden captain for September's international break.

On Wednesday, the 24-year-old insisted that he's "ready and hungry as hell" to start the new role.

Manchester United’s Victor Lindelöf had been wearing the armband, but the defender isn't available for the matches against Azerbaijan and Estonia.

Sweden manager Jon Dahl Tomasson had to pick a new captain and decided to hand it to the Tottenham player.

Kulusevski made his debut for Sweden in 2019 and made 39 appearances. He says there's more responsibility with a new role and his comments are relayed by Fotbollskanalen.

"…to give energy and to read the room with words and actions. I've learned a lot from many good ones that I have played with," he said.

Prior to his arrival at Tottenham in January 2022, the Sweden international had spells at Atalanta, Parma and Juventus. This experience could help him in his new role with the national team.

"I played with Bruno Alves at Parma, with [Cristiano] Ronaldo, [Gigi] Buffon, [Giorgio] Chiellini at Juve and Zlatan [Ibrahimovic]. I've learned a lot from these players," Kulusevski explained.

Despite being inspired by his former teammates, the Tottenham attacker has insisted he won't try to replicate and explains the reason for the same.

"I'm inspired by everything, by new things every day. Tomorrow I won’t copy anything, it’s 100% Dejan," he added.

"I’ve always had it in me [to be a leader]. I love to gamble and am a very bad loser. I'm ready to sacrifice a lot to win. I will also think about making my teammates better, that is something that I have developed in recent years."

Anderlecht's Ludwig Augustinsson has backed Jon Dahl Tomasson's decision to hand the armband to Kulusevski.

"He has natural leadership qualities. He is a driving force. He wants to move forward, he takes initiative. He pushes the team on the pitch and more and more in the dressing room," Augustinsson said, as quoted by Aftonbladet.

"He is much more open and outgoing than before. He is growing more and more into a leader, and he has a lot of experience at the highest level. It feels natural that he is the one who takes the armband."

I've Settled, I Can Play Golf – Tottenham Hotspur New Boy

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Today at 19:00

Tottenham Hotspur made a number of signings over the course of the summer transfer window and one of the new arrivals is already feeling settled, with golf possibly on the agenda.

Ange Postecoglou made four big signings of note in the summer with Dominic Solanke, Archie Gray, Lucas Bergvall and Wilson Odobert arriving.

Spurs agreed a deal for 18-year-old Swedish midfielder Bergvall in February and he joined them during pre-season in the summer.

Bergvall managed to impress Postecoglou during Tottenham's pre-season and has already made three appearances for Spurs coming off the bench in the Premier League.

The youngster, who is currently with the national team, revealed that everything at Tottenham feels like a step up from Djurgarden and praised the north London outfit’s facilities and coaches.

When asked about things he has found better in Spurs than his previous club, Bergvall was quoted as saying by Swedish outlet Fotbollskanalen: "It is everything.

"Facilities, recovery, food. Everything becomes like a better step.

"The training, the coaches, everything in general.”

Bergvall also stated that he is settling well and loving life in London and added that he is enjoying off-the-pitch activities there.

The Spurs starlet also stressed that playing golf is one of the off-the-pitch activities that he likes to do and enjoys.

"I have settled in well", he added.

"Since I signed last winter, the apartment and everything was ready when I arrived.

"I’m enjoying myself.

"I can go down for a coffee, and have lots of activities in London, like playing golf, so there’s lots to do".

Bergvall will be hoping that Jon Dahl Tomasson will give him his national team debut during the ongoing international break.