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Ange Postecoglou has provided an update on Wilson Odobert’s latest injury and has shed light on how long the winger is expected to be sidelined.

A difficult start to his Spurs career

Wilson Odobert’s time at the North London club has not got off to the best of starts, with the winger having made just three league appearances since his switch from Burnley due to his injury problems.

The 19-year-old spent nearly a month on the sidelines before returning to action against AZ Alkmaar around a fortnight ago, but unfortunately, he subsequently suffered another hamstring injury on his return.

Postecoglou previously confirmed that the injury is a ‘serious one’ (The Standard), and he has now shed more light on the problem.

Ange Postecoglou provides Wilson Odobert update

Postecoglou has now revealed that the Frenchman will spend a ‘significant’ period on the sidelines, perhaps even longer than his previous injury. However, the Australian refused to put an exact time frame on the summer signing’s return.

When asked if he has any more information to share on Odobert’s expected return date, Postecoglou told Football.London: “No, no real time but it’s significant, so he’ll be out. Again, because it’s a reoccurrence we’ll have to be a bit conservative.

“I’d say a similar timeframe to his last one, maybe a bit longer, but it’s one of those where you don’t want to put a timeframe on it because it will really depend how quickly he heals from it.”

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Opportunity for Timo Werner and Mikey Moore

While Odobert’s injury is far from ideal for Tottenham, it does provide an opportunity for Mikey Moore to keep impressing and for Timo Werner to show that he can contribute to the side.

The German will take confidence from the goal he scored against Manchester City and he will be keen to prove his detractors wrong.

Tottenham Hotspur look to extend their perfect Europa League start as they travel to Turkey for a Thursday night clash with Galatasaray.

With three wins from three games, Spurs are joint top of the league table and only trail Lazio across the tournament standings. Fresh off a commanding 4-1 comeback against Aston Villa, they’ll be looking to build on their recent momentum.

However, the Istanbul atmosphere and the Turkish champions’ attacking approach will present a new level of challenge for the visitors, who will also be without several key players due to recent injuries.

What time does Tottenham v Galatasaray kick-off?

Europa League form guide Tottenham v Galatasaray

Tottenham enter this clash with a flawless record in the Europa League, having secured victories over Qarabag FK, Ferencvaros, and AZ Alkmaar. Their domestic form has been strong too, capped off by a comprehensive 4-1 win over Aston Villa, although earlier setbacks include a tight 1-0 loss to Crystal Palace and a dismal 3-2 defeat to Brighton.

Galatasaray, meanwhile, have won two and drawn one of their Europa League matches. They are unbeaten in their last 11 games overall. At home, they are even tougher to break down, going unbeaten in their last seven matches, aided by one of Europe’s most hostile stadium atmospheres.

Tottenham team news

Spurs are contending with multiple injuries, especially in defence. Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven are both struggling with recent injuries, leaving Radu Dragusin and Ben Davies likely to step up at the back. Richarlison, who assisted Solanke’s second goal also left the Aston Villa game early with a hamstring issue, limiting Postecoglou’s options up front.

Wilson Odobert remains a longer-term absentee. In the absence of Richarlison, the focus will be on Timo Werner, who showcased his regained confidence with a composed finish against City in the EFL Cup.

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Galatasaray team news

Galatasaray’s main concern has been the recent absence of Victor Osimhen from training, although it appears to be precautionary, and he is expected to play. Osimhen’s involvement could be decisive given his goal contributions this season, both in domestic competition and Europe.

The only confirmed absentee for Galatasaray is Ismail Jakobs, who remains sidelined with a knee injury.

Predicted Tottenham line-up

Forster; Gray, Dragusin, Davies, Udogie; Kulusevski, Bissouma, Maddison; Moore, Son, Werner.

Our prediction

Expect a tactical clash, with both teams favouring possession and aiming to exploit gaps through swift transitions. Galatasaray’s attacking movement, particularly their use of long balls over the defence, will challenge Spurs’ backline in the absence of Romero and van de Ven.

Tottenham, on the other hand, will look to Maddison’s creativity in midfield; his impressive 62.5% dribble success rate in the Europa League highlights his playmaking ability. The wide play of Werner and Moore will also be key in stretching Galatasaray’s compact mid-block setup.

In a challenging away atmosphere, Spurs will need calmness under pressure and precise passing to navigate Galatasaray’s pressing and the influence of their intimidating home crowd.

Tottenham Hotspur are now plotting a move for one of the Ligue 1’s best emerging central defenders following Micky van de Ven’s latest injury setback.

Spurs got lucky with Micky van de Ven injury

Micky Van de Ven went off holding his hamstring in the first half of Tottenham‘s 2-1 Carabao Cup win over Manchester City last Wednesday.

Given the history that the 23-year-old has had with hamstring injuries, some Spurs fans were fearing the worst. After all, last time he picked up a hamstring problem, he faced a lengthy spell on the sidelines.

However, Van de Ven did give a positive hint on social media on Monday, posting the caption “Back soon” on his Instagram stories. Ange Postecoglou then followed up by saying Spurs hope to see the centre-back return after the November international break.

Tottenham’s plans for January

Football Insider initially predicted that Van de Ven could spend four to six weeks on the sidelines and that his injury has pushed Spurs to accelerate their search for a centre-back ahead of January.

The Lilywhites are now said to be ‘doing their homework’ on defensive targets ahead of the winter, and one player has reportedly caught the eye.

According to the outlet, Lens starlet Abdukodir Khusanov is admired by Tottenham, with the club now monitoring the 20-year-old’s situation closely.

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Is Abdukodir Khusanovready for ths step up?

Football Insider say that the Uzbekistan international is also on the radars of several top sides from around Europe.

It is explained that the young defender is rated very highly at Lens and seen as an ‘exciting prospect’ for the future, but there are some doubts among talent spotters over whether he is ready to make the step up to the Premier League.

Many allegedly feel that the young defender needs more experience before he is ready to make a big move.

One of Tottenham’s newcomers has achieved that no new Spurs signing has managed for the past 14 years. Rafael Van der Vaart was the last person to tick off this particular record in a Lilywhite shirt.

Dominic Solanke is a huge hit at Spurs

Solanke has had to deal with plenty of doubters since the summer, particularly given the huge transfer fee that Tottenham paid for him.

However, the former Cherries star has not at all looked fazed right since the moment he set foot on the pitch, exuding a calm confidence.

Not only has been immense off the ball with his pressing, but he is quietly racking up goals and assists, showing that he can carry the burden of being Tottenham’s main goalscorer.

Solanke matches Van der Vaart’s record

With his brace against Aston Villa, Solanke has now scored four goals and provided one assist in eight Premier League matches, and five goals and two assists across all competitions (Transfermarkt).

According to BBC Sport, he is the first Spurs player since Rafael Van der Vaart back in 2010 to score at least four goals in his first eight Premier League appearances for the club.

The 26-year-old will now be looking to build on this impressive start and try to better the tally of 21 goals he got for Bournemouth last season.

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Solanke is the goal poacher Spurs needed

There has been a lot said and written about Solanke’s all-around game, including his tireless pressing, combination play and ability to drop deep.

However, what is also clear is that the centre-forward is a top-quality goal-poacher, who sniffs opportunities inside the box, with both goals against Villa being evidence of that.

The Englishman is exactly the kind of goalscorer that a high-volume chance-creation side like Tottenham needs, and he will fancy his chances of getting 20-plus Premier League goals this season.

Heung-min Son is set to extend his Tottenham Hotspur career into a second decade as the club prepare to trigger a clause in his current contract.

Heung-min Son deserves a Tottenham testimonial

Heung-min Son joined Tottenham from Bayer Leverkusen back in 2015 and, despite a slow start to his Spurs career, has become a permanent fixture in the side ever since.

It is a well-known fact that Son actually asked to leave Tottenham after a difficult first season in N17. He was eventually convinced to stay by Mauricio Pochettino (SkySports).

Fast forward to the present day and the South Korea captain has scored 165 goals and assisted another 87 in 417 appearances for Tottenham Hotspur. He is, and will forever be, a true club legend.

New contract extension for Sonny

The Telegraph now report that Tottenham fully intend to extend Son’s contract for another season at the club. His current deal expires in the summer of 2025, but Spurs have the option to extend for another 12 months. This would take him into his second decade with the club, having first joined in 2015.

The report claims that all Spurs have to do is inform Son of their decision to trigger the extension. The South Korean star has no ability to accept or reject that extension.

Of course, a contract extension does not rule out the chance of agreeing a new deal with the club captain altogether. In fact, some outlets have reported that Spurs intend to do just that (Football Insider).

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What has Heung-min Son said?

When asked about his future with Tottenham and the chance of a new contract in North London earlier this year, Son said (via Football.London):

“We haven’t talked [about a new contract] yet. It is very clear from me. I am very focused on this season. At this age every second is like a goal, especially this season we are in a lot of competitions, it feels like I am taking even more care on this.

“I am fully focused on this year and just want to win something that everyone at the club deserves. In the future, you never know what will happen, but I will give everything for this club because it’s been 10 years I give everything.”

Given how much Son still contributes on the pitch and how valuable he is commercially to Tottenham, it seems entirely possible that a brand-new three-year contract could be in the offing at some point this season. It would certainly make sense for all parties involved.

Ange Postecoglou has explained why he could not bring James Maddison on sooner after leaving the attacking midfielder on the bench for a second game in a row.

Team balance was prioritised

The Tottenham head coach once again opted for a midfield trio of Rodrigo Bentancur, Pape Sarr and Dejan Kulusevski against Aston Villa, with Maddison having to be content with a place on the bench.

The Spurs head coach later explained in his post-match press conference that he needed runners in the middle of the park to be able to match the work rate of the Villa midfielders (Football.London).

Maddison was eventually introduced on 82 minutes in place of the injured Richarlison (who himself had come on as a substitute), and the England international scored a lovely freekick in stoppage time to put the icing on the cake for the home side.

Ange Postecoglou’s Maddison confession

While the decision to leave Maddison on the bench was understandable, some might have been surprised that it took so long for Postecoglou to bring on the Spurs vice-captain.

With the Lilywhites 1-0 down at half-time, many may have even wanted or expected the 27-year-old to come on in the interval.

When asked why he did not bring Maddison on sooner, the Tottenham boss told Sky Sports (via The Independent): “The game wasn’t going the way it had to go for me to bring Madders on. I say to the guys they are all there to make a contribution. Madders will be key for us.”

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“The game wasn’t going the way it had to go for me to bring Madders on. I say to the guys they are all there to make a contribution. Madders will be key for us.”

Postecoglou’s full-time gesture

There was a lovely moment after the full-time whistle, with Postecoglou giving Maddison a big embrace while he whispered something in the midfielder’s ear.

One would assume it was some kind of message about there being more chances to shine in the near future. Just because he has spent the last two matches on the bench, doesn’t mean he should get comfortable there.

This shows that the Tottenham head coach continues to value the former Leicester man highly, and recognises that he is going to be a valuable player for the remainder of the season.

Djed Spence speaks about the challenges of adapting to the inverted full-back role and reveals that one Tottenham teammate has helped him a lot in his quest to do so.

Djed Spence has hardly put a foot wrong this season

Spence has primarily been used as Destiny Udogie’s backup at left-back this season and he has impressed every single time he has been handed an opportunity.

The Englishman has been a bit unlucky not to get more game time than he has, with Tottenham’s lack of homegrown and club-trained players forcing Ange Posetecoglou to leave him out of the Europa League squad for the group stages.

With matches now coming thick and fast, there is no doubt that the 24-year-old will have a role to play over the next few months as Spurs look to compete on multiple fronts.

Spence on the challenges of new role

Spence confessed that the role he is now getting used to is very different to the ones he has played previously, having primarily been a touchline wing-back in the past.

However, the Englishman made it clear that he is keen to learn and insisted that he has the attributes to thrive in this role.

The full-back told Tottenham’s matchday programme (as relayed by Football.London): “It’s been a difficult couple of years for me personally, but I think this year will be a good one for me. The manager has been great. He has his way of playing and we’ve bought into it – it’s been relentless in a good way!

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“We play great football and that comes down to hard work in training as we play how we train. No matter what the style of play, as a player you always have to learn and adapt so you have to put your mind to it, buy into it and then we can go to great places.

“It’s different from what I’ve been used to. I’m always willing to learn and I’m a good learner as well. It requires certain abilities and I believe I have those, so it’s just a new position to add to the toolbox and it’s good for me.

“You pick up good positions, one minute you’re left-back, next you’re in midfield and then in the 10 position, so it’s a good role to try to master and I think it’s a good role for me personally in terms of my development as a player.”

Spence on relationship with Destiny Udogie

Spence revealed that he has a good relationship with Udogie and that the pair often give each other feedback on what they could have done differently in training sessions and matches.

He added: “I’m always happy to help the team win. And, on a personal note, I want to play well for myself as well so I have to keep working and training hard and try to keep putting in good performances when I’m called upon this season.

“l always speak to Destiny and we chat a lot outside of training. When I’ve played, he’s giving me feedback and coaching me with certain things I could’ve done better with and certain things I’ve done well. And I do the same with him.

“It’s different when you’re not playing and you’re watching them play your position, you can spot certain things that he might not have noticed live at the time so we help each other out, we talk, we always have our little competition but we have a really good relationship.”

Micky van de Ven is a crucial player for Spurs, but what happens when he’s injured or needs a rest? Here, we highlight three players who could come in and be the perfect cover for the Dutchman.

Ange Postecoglou‘s system demands his defenders play a high line. That’s great from an attacking perspective, but when possession changes hands, Spurs are susceptible to getting caught out at the back.

The phenomenal pace of Micky van de Ven goes a long way towards combatting that issue. But, the 23-year-old cannot play every game, and he does seem to be picking up injuries a little too regularly.

So, we’ve outlined three players Postecoglou add to his list of transfer targets to ensure his team has the balance it needs even without van de Ven.

Piero Hincapie

Spurs have been heavily linked with Bayer Leverkusen defender Piero Hincapie in the past, funnily enough, before they opted to sign van de Ven. The Ecuadorian is left-footed, comfortable on the ball, and has a great level of practical aggression, all of which makes him ideal for Tottenham’s style of play.

He’s not as fast as van de Ven (though no defender is, really), but Hincapie does have a top speed of 33.71 km/h, and an average speed of 31.62 km/h per game. While not exactly rapid, that’s certainly fast enough for Tottenham’s needs.

Goncalo Inacio

Some incredible players have emerged from the Portuguese league over the years, and Sporting Lisbon star Goncalo Inacio is arguably one of the best defenders playing outside Europe’s top five divisions right now. The 23-year-old has a brilliant range of passing, reads the game really well, and loves to break the lines with progressive carries or passes.

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Inacio has also hit a top speed of 33.71 km/h, but has a slightly lower average speed of 31.25 km/h. That said, he’s got an exceptional engine, and would be able to sustain a strong pace over the course of a full game.

Illia Zabarnyi

Spurs raided Bournemouth in the summer to sign Dominic Solanke, and if they’re looking for a speedy defender to add to their squad, they could well go back to the Cherries once more to take Illia Zabarnyi. The Ukraine defender is really effective at short and medium-range passing, is not afraid to put his body on the line to make key clearances, and very rarely makes any significant errors of any kind.

After Spurs’ impressive victory against Villa, Ange Postecoglou finished his press conference by delivering a heartfelt tribute to former Tottenham coach Ugo Ehiogu.

Spurs growing momentum

Just days before, Ange Postecoglou’s men had shocked Manchester City, securing a 2-1 Carabao Cup victory against the reigning Premier League champions; it was a statement win, one that seemed to capture a sense of unity and resilience within the squad.

Building on that success, the north London side hosted Aston Villa on Sunday, and once again, they rose to the occasion in remarkable style, overturning an early deficit to claim a 4-1 victory that sent a powerful message.

This latest win, which saw Spurs come from behind after conceding an early goal, not only showcased Tottenham’s attacking prowess but also underscored Postecoglou’s influence on a squad that continues to adapt to his philosophy.

The victory pushed Spurs up to seventh in the Premier League table, reflecting a steady climb after a turbulent start to the season. Yet, amidst the tactical battles and the intensity of the Premier League, Postecoglou reminded the world of his humanity, revealing a side to his character that struck a chord with fans and players alike, particularly during his post-match interview on Sunday, which delivered a poignant moment of reflection.

Ange Postecoglou and Matt Wells deliver heartfelt tribute

After Tottenham’s decisive 4-1 victory over Aston Villa, Ange Postecoglou took a moment to speak directly from the heart, honouring former Spurs coach Ugo Ehiogu on what would have been his 52nd birthday.

Ehiogu, who managed Tottenham’s U23 side until his untimely passing in 2017, was known as a beloved figure at the club and beyond, and his influence continues to be felt by those who worked with him.

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During the post-match interview, Postecoglou reflected on the importance of Ehiogu’s legacy and its impact on the Tottenham community.

Speaking to football.london he said: “I’m really proud of the lads. It was an important day for us today. Because it’s also the birthday of the late Ugo Ehiogu and he had a big influence on Matty Wells here at the club, I know he played for Villa but he was obviously a coach at our football club.

“Matty spoke really strongly about him. When you hear things like that, and how people affect your life, it helps give clarity to the players about what we’re trying to do here.

“Obviously for his wife and his son probably a tough day, but hopefully they get a little bit cheer from the fact Wellsy made it a really important point, that he may be gone but he’s not forgotten.”

Postecoglou’s connection with Tottenham fans

Postecoglou’s tribute to Ehiogu on Sunday showcased a sense of class and awareness that Tottenham fans rarely get to see in such a raw, unfiltered way, and his words didn’t go unnoticed by the Spurs faithful.

Without a doubt, such gestures have the potential to strengthen bonds within the squad itself, as players observe a manager who values the legacy of the club and the people who have contributed to it.

It’s not difficult to imagine that, under Postecoglou, Spurs players might feel inspired to match his passion with their performances, committing to his vision with renewed determination and respect for each other.

As Tottenham looks to maintain momentum after two impressive wins, fans can be hopeful that these kinds of gestures reflect a foundation of mutual respect that could drive the club forward.

Ange Postecoglou sheds light on Pape Matar Sarr and his place in the Tottenham starting line-up, hinting that the young midfielder’s contributions might just have him firmly back in contention.

Pape Matar Sarr’s recent performances

Ange Postecoglou’s side displayed a return to form, with a well-rounded performance that brought energy and fluidity back to the team, providing relief for Spurs fans who had witnessed a brief dip in recent displays.

Central to Tottenham’s resurgence has been the presence of young midfielder Pape Matar Sarr, who has consistently shown his quality and grit in crucial games.

Sarr’s contributions in recent matches have proven invaluable; he scored a stunning goal in the Carabao Cup clash, setting the pace with his impactful play and earning praise for his assist against West Ham, which contributed to another impressive 4-1 victory in Spurs last home game in the Premier League.

Such performances have sparked debate among fans, many wondering if Sarr has solidified a place over James Maddison in Postecoglou’s starting eleven, especially given Maddison’s absence from the starting line-up against Aston Villa.

Postecoglou’s view on Sarr’s starting place

In his post-match comments, Ange Postecoglou offered insights into his selection process and provided a resounding endorsement of Pape Sarr and his place within the Tottenham squad. Speaking to football.london he said:

“They’re never out of my line-up, it’s different challenges along the way. But he probably played as much as anyone last year, I rate him so highly. His capacity again to work for the team but also the quality he has in breaking open oppositions with his running with the ball.

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“I knew he’d be important today because they’ve got such a hard-working midfield with Onana, Tielemans, McGinn in there, Rogers. They don’t really play with wide players, they work awfully hard in that midfield area and you’ve got to match that. You’re never going to break them open unless you do that. He just put in another enormous effort. Along with Rodri and Biss when he came on, and Deki of course.”

A new balance in midfield?

The return of Pape Matar Sarr to the starting line-up signifies more than just a tactical switch; it represents a shift in Tottenham’s approach, aiming for a midfield capable of both creativity and defensive resilience.

James Maddison, while instrumental in Spurs’ attacking play, has shown that his strengths are somewhat offset when the team requires an edge in physical battles, as was evident in today’s fixture.

Maddison, however, remains a potent asset – his impactful substitute appearance and perfectly struck free-kick demonstrated his value, reminding fans and coaches alike of his game-changing potential.

The competition between Sarr and Maddison may offer Tottenham an unexpected advantage as the season progresses, giving Postecoglou flexibility in shaping his midfield around the demands of each match.