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Tottenham confirm squad for pre-season tour as two players told to stay at home

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Tottenham have confirmed their squad for their pre-season tour of Asia - and have told two players to stay at home to complete transfers.

Spurs first take on Vissel Kobe in Japan on July 27 as part of the tour, with that fixture being played to crown the winner of the J League World Challenge.

They then travel to South Korea to face a K-League XI, before a fixture against Bayern Munich.

Spurs then face Bayern again a week later at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, with a much-changed squad likely to be announced for that clash.

A number of players are absent for the Asia tour, with Rodrigo Bentancur, Giovani Lo Celso, Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven all resting following their participation at Euro 2024 and the Copa America.

Radu Dragusin is available after returning from Romania duty at Euro 2024, but will only play in the Korea fixtures.

Fraser Forster, meanwhile, is an injury absentee, while Spurs have taken the unusual step of not picking two other players so they can finalise transfers elsewhere.

The two players in question are winger Bryan Gil and left-back Sergio Reguilon, who are both surplus to requirements under Ange Postecoglou.

Reguilon spent the first half of last season on loan at Manchester United, before joining Brentford for the second half of the campaign.

Gil, meanwhile, was a squad player under Postecoglou last season but never established himself as a first-choice member of the side.

Neither player has been the subject of concrete transfer links, however, meaning their short-term futures are uncertain.

Spurs, who finished fifth in the Premier League last season, kick off their 2024/25 campaign at newly-promoted Leicester on August 19.

Full Tottenham squad for pre-season tour of Asia

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Former Arsenal flop reveals he wanted to 'retire' after disastrous spell in England

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A former Arsenal forward has revealed the 'trauma' he suffered while playing at the club which almost led to his early retirement.

The pressure put on players at the top of professional football is perhaps greater than ever, with several players recently speaking out about their own mental health struggles.

Earlier this year, Tottenham Hotspur striker Richarlison bravely opened up about his experiences with mental health and how he has dealt with it.

And now, former Arsenal player Nicolas Pepe has spoken out about his own struggles while playing in the Premier League.

Speaking to French news outlet L'Equipe, Pepe said: "At Arsenal, I suffered a kind of trauma, as if my passion had been ripped away from me.

"I felt disgust for the game. I was no longer playing, and I asked myself why I was doing this job.

"I doubted myself to the point that I thought about giving it all up. I wondered how people could be so harsh on me. They even called me the biggest flop in the history of the Premier League."

Pepe joined the London club from Lille in 2019 for a then club record fee off £72million, something that he argues placed unfair pressure on him.

He added: "With a fee that high people don't care what level you come from - they just want you to perform straight away.

"Sadly the reality is that it's statistics above all. Some players score 25 goals a season, but there aren't many of them and I'm not even a number nine.

"I wasn't going to roll over the Premier League like that. But that's what brought me this wave of criticism."

Pepe admitted that the extent of the negative criticism thrown at him impacted on his performances, leading to him considering retirement from football.

He said: "It was almost harassment. I don't look at social media much, but if my brother told me, 'This is what they said about you,' it would affect me unconsciously.

"It also came from the media or from certain members of the club. They don't realise that it can affect the mental state, the family and it affects performance.

"The only people who always supported me were the Arsenal fans."

Pepe left Arsenal in 2023 to join Turkish club Trabzonspor but is currently a free agent after his contract expired.

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Ange Postecoglou 'would only leave Tottenham for one job' and it would send shockwaves through English football

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Ange Postecoglou would only leave Tottenham for one job, it has been claimed.

Tottenham manager insisted he is only focused on being the Spurs boss following Gareth Southgate’s resignation.

The England manager, who was appointed in 2016 stood down from his post on Tuesday, days after the Three Lions fell to their second consecutive European Championship final defeat

Postecoglou insisted he had "no idea" about the reports linking him with the England job.

"I've got no idea, I've been preparing for a game," Postecoglou told BBC Scotland. "I'm the Tottenham manager. That's where I stand."

Postecoglou took over at Tottenham at the start of last season, guiding them to a fifth-place Premier League finish.

According to the Telegraph, Spurs are confident they will not lose their head coach to England, despite the Australian being tracked by the FA.

And as per the publication’s sources, the only job that could lure Postecoglou away from north London is Manchester City, if and when Pep Guardiola leaves.

Postecoglou signed a four-year contract with Tottenham last summer which included achievable performance-based bonuses, while he has been backed him in the transfer window up until now.

Telegraph Sport last term asked Postecoglou about the prospect of managing England one day, to which he said: “Oh, come on mate.

“Stranger things have happened, but no. They’ve got a fantastic manager and I’m eight games into a Tottenham career. That’s how I think.”

Despite missing out on Champions League qualification last season, tha Australian, who coached his nation from 2013-17, was widely praised for an attacking brand of football.

Newcastle boss Eddie Howe is thought to be the leading contender to become England's next manager, while Graham Potter has also been linked.

The Three Lions are next in action when they face the Republic of Ireland on September 7 in the Nations League.

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Premier League club in talks over move for free agent Dele Alli ahead of the new season

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An update regarding the future of Dele Alli has emerged as he continues to train with Everton ahead of the 2024/25 campaign.

Alli last played a competitive game of football in February 2023, when he featured for Besiktas in their clash against Antalyaspor.

Since then, the England international has suffered numerous setbacks. After his loan deal at the Turkish club came to an end in April, he returned to Everton and was close to returning for their pre-season campaign.

But he picked up further injuries, including a persistent groin issue in January that required surgery.

Alli, who bravely opened up on his mental health struggles last year, is currently a free agent after his contract at Everton expired at the end of June.

But he is being allowed to train with the Toffees as he continues his intensive rehabilitation programme from the long-term groin injury.

Speaking in a statement, director of football Kevin Thelwell said in May: "Dele’s contract is coming to an end, but our medical team will continue to support him while he completes the intensive rehabilitation programme he is currently undergoing following the operation he had earlier this year.

"Both Sean and I agree it is important we ensure Dele’s rehabilitation is not impacted by his contract situation at such a critical point in his recovery.”

In fact, the Liverpool Echo suggest Everton are in talks with Tottenham Hotspur about renegotiating the original terms of their transfer agreement to sign Alli.

Dele signed for Everton in 2022 in a deal that included several performance-related add-ons.

The report states: 'While he is now out of contract, the terms of the move that brought him to Merseyside from Tottenham would complicate any attempt by the Blues to sign him to a new deal.'

If talks are successful, then Alli could be offered a new deal at Goodison Park this summer.

Alli revealed back in April that his aim is to play for England at the 2026 World Cup.

“I spoke about it in my interview and don't want to go over it too much again – but I know my level as a player and what I can get to," he said on Sky Sports’ Monday Night Football.

“I know how good I can be when my head is in the right place and I'm feeling good. Obviously I'm disappointed with the injury right now but I'm excited to get playing.

“It's hard for me to even watch football. It's been tough for me, I'd say, this past eight months has been hard to watch.”

Alli added: “You know you can set reminders on your phone, I have a reminder at 11 o'clock every day that says, ‘World Cup 2026’. That's my aim for now. I think that people will be like, ‘he hasn't played in a year’ but I don't care, I know my level.

“The only target I have is the World Cup right now. Obviously I'm injured and contracted to Everton and so my mind is just about taking it day by day and making sure my injury is healed and that I'm in the best possible condition after the summer.

“It's annoying because I'll be just fully training as the season ends so it means that I won't have to rush it.”

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Spurs and Aston Villa are discussing huge swap deal ahead of Premier League PSR deadline

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Tottenham and Aston Villa are in talks over a major swap deal between the two clubs this summer, according to a new report.

Villa finished ahead of Spurs last season, with their fourth place meaning that they qualify for the upcoming season's Champions League - the first of the brand-new format. Spurs, meanwhile, will play in the Europa League.

Villa boss Unai Emery has already gone about improving his squad, signing Everton youngster Lewis Dobbin for a fee of around £10 million. Midfielder Tim Iroegbunam went in the other direction.

They are also said to be in advanced talks over a swap deal with Juventus regarding the sale of Douglas Luiz.

According to Sky Italia, Juve pair Samuel Iling-Junior and Enzo Barrenechea will move to Villa Park as part of the deal, while Alisha Lehmann is said to be joining Juve's women's side from the Villans as part of a unique 'double transfer'.

But that is not the only swap deal that Villa are in talks over.

The Times claim that Tottenham are looking to take advantage of Villa's apparent need to sell players before the Premier League's Profit and Sustainability Regulations (PSR) deadline of June 30.

It is reported that they have launched an offer to sign midfielder Jacob Ramsey, who is one of Emery's key players when fit and available.

The 23-year-old was restricted to just 16 Premier League appearances last season due to various foot injuries, but scored six goals and provided seven assists in the previous season and earned an England call-up.

Tottenham have reportedly offered Villa just £20 million to sign him - but are willing to offer midfielder Giovani Lo Celso, who is surplus to requirements, as part of the deal.

Villa are said to have turned this down, as they want between £40 to £50 million to sell a player that has three years left on his contract. It is unclear whether they are interested in signing Lo Celso.

But they may be able to ask for a different player in exchange, with Spurs said to be keen on selling Emerson Royal, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, Bryan Gil and Sergio Reguilon this summer.

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Harry Kane set to make Tottenham 'return' once England's Euro 2024 campaign ends

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Harry Kane is set to return to Tottenham Hotspur this summer after England’s Euro 2024 campaign.

Currently, Kane is away with the Three Lions as they look to clinch Euro 2024 glory in Germany.

England advanced as Group C winners after Tuesday night’s 0-0 draw against Slovenia.

It is likely that Gareth Southgate’s team will take on the Netherlands in the round of 16, which will be played in Gelsenkirchen on Sunday evening.

Kane left Spurs last summer to join Bayern Munich in a deal worth a reported fee of £86.4 million.

However, he is set to make a swift return to North London as Bayern are set to take on Spurs in the Visit Malta Cup at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in August.

On Wednesday afternoon, it was confirmed that the match will be shown live on TNT Sports, who wrote on social media: “Their all-time leading scorer returns. Watch Harry Kane's return to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on 10 August LIVE on TNT Sports and Discovery Plus UK.”

Announcing the fixture back in March, a statement from Spurs read: “Our Men’s First Team will face six-time European champions FC Bayern in the Visit Malta Cup at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Saturday 10 August, 5.30pm kick-off.

“This mouth-watering curtain-raiser to the new season takes on extra significance, with the Club’s all-time leading goalscorer, Harry Kane, and long-serving defender Eric Dier having recently joined the Bundesliga champions.

“This will be a 12th meeting with Bayern in our history and only the fourth to have taken place on home soil. We memorably overcame the German giants on our way to UEFA Cup success 40 years ago and last met in the UEFA Champions League during the 2019/20 season.”

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Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou reveals the one thing he's 'loved' the most at Euro 2024

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Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou reveals the one thing he's 'loved' the most at Euro 2024 - SPORTbible
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Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou has revealed the one thing he has loved about Euro 2024.

So far Euro 2024 has been one of the most enjoyable major tournaments in living memory, with plenty of goals, drama and only one goalless draw happening in the first week.

There have been plenty of things to like about the tournament so far, although unfortunately England's performances have't been one of them.

On Saturday Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou made his ITV punditry debut ahead of Belgium's Group E match against Romania.

The Australian coach - who gained plenty of fans in the Premier League this season with his insightful yet informal interviews - has been in Germany largely as a fan rather than as a pundit.

Host Laura Woods asked Postecoglou what he's been up to during his first week in Germany, and he replied by highlighting one particular thing he has loved about the tournament.

"I just love the fearlessness of throwing young players in, they've already made an impact," Postecoglou said.

"We sometimes, even us managers, kind of want to wrap them in cotton wool. But 21-year-olds, 16-year-olds making an impact straight away, I think that's so exciting."

Postecoglou was referring to Lamine Yamal, Barcelona's 16-year-old winger who is appearing at his first major tournament with Spain.

The youngster enjoyed a break-out season in La Liga, locking down a place in the Barca first-team and earning a first international call-up in September last year.

Though he didn't confirm it on-air, Postecoglou was likely also talking about Yamal's Spain teammate Nico Williams.

The 21-year-old featured at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, but at this tournament he has started both of Spain's group games.

Williams was particularly impressive in Spain's 1-0 win against Italy, earning himself the Player of the Match award.

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Denmark goalscorer Morten Hjulmand linked with move to Spurs but fans spot a big issue during England game

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Denmark goalscorer Morten Hjulmand linked with move to Spurs but fans spot a big issue during England game - SPORTbible
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Denmark midfielder Morten Hjulmand has become a huge talking point amongst fans after he netted for his country in their Euro 2024 group stage clash against England.

The 24-year-old, who equalised for Kasper Hjulmand's side with a superb strike from range, was one of Denmark's standout performers at Frankfurt's Deutsche Bank Park.

His tireless efforts against England will come as no surprise to those who have been linked with a move for the defensive midfielder.

Hjulmand, who joined Sporting CP from Leece last summer, has reportedly been tracked by Spurs and Manchester United following an impressive campaign in Lisbon.

Earlier this year, the Dane said his “goal” was to one day play in the Premier League after he was praised by United captain Bruno Fernandes.

“It’s always great to receive praise from other big profiles," he added when speaking to Tipsbladet. "I know he’s a former Sporting player and he’s still a big fan of the club, so it’s great to know he’s still watching."

Hjulmand has also been strongly linked with a move to Spurs in recent months but during Thursday's game against England, some fans made a discovery.

Having followed them growing up, Hjulmand decided to get a special crest commemorating the 125th anniversary of Arsenal’s formation tattooed on his left arm.

In fact, he opened up on his admiration for former Gunners midfielder Patrick Vieira and labelled him an "inspiration".

“My dad supported and we watched games together when we were younger,” he said in an interview with Sporting CP's official website.

“When I started watching football, Arsenal had a fantastic team and Patrick Vieira was the captain and played in midfield. He was and is a great inspiration for me.”

Ahead of this week's clash against England, Hjulmand said he would be "ready for a new season at Sporting" after being asked about rumours surrounding his future.

"Right now I’m focused on the national team. We will try to get three points on Thursday," he added. "We will talk about this after those games."

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