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Tottenham Hotspur are back in continental competition this season, and they’re strong favourites to go all the way and win the Europa League. Here, we take a look at the eight league phase games, and how the results might go.

Who are Tottenham playing?

Spurs have been drawn against Roma, Rangers, AZ Alkmaar, Galatasaray, Hoffenheim, Elfsborg, Ferencvaros, and Qarabag.

As part of the new Europa League format, each team plays eight league phase games to determine their placing in a 36-team table. The top eight teams progress to the knockout rounds, with teams 9-24 taking part in a play-off to get through, too.

Spurs vs Qarabag

Tottenham begin their Europa League campaign with a home tie against Azerbaijan outfit, Qarabag FK. The game will take place on Thursday, September 26, 2024.

Anyone can beat anyone in cup competitions, of course, but Spurs would be more than a little disappointed if they didn’t bag a comfortable three points in this one.

Player to watch: If Qarabag are to get anything from the game, they’ll need their Brazilian striker, Juninho, firing on all cylinders.

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Prediction: Spurs 3-0 Qarabag

Ferencvaros vs Spurs

Next up for Spurs is a trip to Hungary to face Ferencvaros. The game takes place on Thursday, October 3, 2024.

Away trips in Europe are always tricky, but again, the Lilywhites should have enough about them to come away from this one with all three points.

Player to watch: Adama Traore will be the key to Ferencvaros’s hopes in this one. No, not the former Wolves and Barcelona player, we’re talking about the Malian attacker who bagged 14 goals last season, and another three in Champions League qualifiers this season.

Prediction: Ferencvaros 1-2 Spurs

Spurs vs AZ Alkmaar

Later in October, Spurs will host Dutch outfit AZ Alkmaar at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. The game is scheduled for Thursday, October 24, 2024.

Alkmaar finished fourth in the Eredivisie last season, beating Dutch giants Ajax to the European spot by a massive nine points in the end. If this game were not at home, Tottenham could have been in for a far more difficult proposition.

Player to watch: Troy Parrott left Spurs this summer, but he will return to North London sooner than expected for this one. It is written in the stars that the Irishman will make us regret selling him.

Prediction: Spurs 3-1 AZ Alkmaar

Galatasaray vs Spurs

One of the toughest ties for Spurs will be Galatasaray away, with the game lined up for Thursday, November 7, 2024.

The Lilywhites can expect a hostile crowd at RAMS Park, and the daunting atmosphere could well be enough to upset Ange Postecoglou‘s side.

Player to watch: Galatasaray actually have a number of good players, but the high-profile new signing, Victor Osimhen, will be the man everyone looks to for a moment of magic.

Prediction: Galatasaray 1-0 Spurs

Spurs vs Roma

Undoubtedly the biggest home game of the round comes on Thursday, November 28, 2024, as Roma visit the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Roma made it all the way to the final of this competition back in 2023, and will fancy their chances again as one of the top teams in the Europa League this season. Home advantage may be just enough to steer Spurs away from defeat here.

Player to watch: The likes of Paulo Dybala and Artem Dovbyk will be dangerous in attack, but it is Roma captain Lorenzo Pellegrini who will dictate the play for the Italians and he could really cause Spurs problems if he’s given enough freedom in the middle of the park.

Prediction: Spurs 2-2 Roma

Rangers vs Spurs

All eyes will be on Ange Postecoglou as he returns to Glasgow on Thursday, December 12, 2024, to take on his old rivals, Rangers.

The atmosphere will be electric at Ibrox, more than usual, and it’ll not be an easy game for Spurs to get into. Expect a scrappy affair, but one that Tottenham should still have just enough to seal a tight win.

Player to watch: Rangers captain James Tavernier is not just a tough defender, he’s also one of the main creative outlets for the Scottish side. If he’s given an opportunity to get forward, he will cause Spurs real problems.

Prediction: Rangers 1-2 Spurs

Hoffenheim vs Spurs

Spurs travel to Germany in the New Year, with an away fixture against Hoffenheim lined up for Thursday, January 23, 2025.

Hoffenheim finished seventh in the Bundesliga last season, and ended up just one point off the top six. That’s not to be sniffed at, and they could be a tougher challenge for Spurs than many would expect.

Player to watch: Hoffenheim recently signed Czech international Adam Hlozek from league champions Bayer Leverkusen, and while he’s not exactly prolific, he is more than capable of being a nuisance in and around the box.

Prediction: Hoffenheim 1-1 Spurs

Spurs vs Elfsborg

The final league phase game takes place on Thursday, January 30, 2025, as Tottenham host Swedish outfit, IF Elfsborg at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Elfsborg missed out on the Allsvenskan league title last season by a matter of two goals, finishing level on points with eventual champions, Malmo. Still, they should not be a problem for Spurs, especially on home turf.

Player to watch: Attacking midfielder, Michael Baidoo, is on fire this season, with eight goals and four assists to his name. If anyone is going to trouble Tottenham, it’ll be him.

Prediction: Spurs 4-0 Elfsborg

The outcome

If those predictions are correct, Spurs would end up with 17 points after eight game, with five wins, two draws, and just the one defeat away at Galatasaray.

It’s hard to say for sure, but it is very likely that would be enough to land Spurs a spot in the top eight of the Europa League league phase, and get them automatic qualification for the knockout rounds.

Spurs have one hell of a talent on their hands in Mikey Moore, and it looks like the youngster will play some role in Ange Postecoglou’s senior squad this season. However, there’s an argument to be made that he should be involved even more already.

Get Mikey Moore on the bench

So far this season, we’re yet to see Moore named in a matchday squad by Postecoglou. That’s fine; it’s still early in the campaign, and it’ll be a long season where we will need every player we can use.

He’s already featured for the Under-21s a couple of times, and scored a great goal in the EFL Cup against Bristol Rovers — a game where he also registered two assists.

The thing is, though, there’s really no reason not to put Mikey Moore on the bench instead of Timo Werner. No offence to the latter, but Tottenham’s teenage talent is arguably a better option to turn to when Spurs need to change the game.

Looking at Werner’s strengths, you’d pick out dribbling, beating a man, pace, and the ability to deliver a decent ball into the box. That’s nothing that Moore can’t offer you, but the 17-year-old is also much more accomplished at putting the ball into the back of the net, too.

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Long-term benefits

Werner is very likely only going to be at the club for this year. To be honest, I was quite surprised we extended his loan spell at all.

I know the German has plenty of experience and that could come in handy at certain points this season for sure. But it doesn’t really make any sense to hold back the development of one of the most exciting young players the club has ever produced in favour of giving a loan player more minutes.

Throwing Moore into the thick of things this season does come with some risks, but the rewards could be huge. Just look at players like Bukayo Saka, Kobbie Mainoo, and Rico Lewis; they were all given a chance by their boyhood clubs, and now they are key members of their respective squads.

Sergio Reguilon now stands alone as the final player Tottenham Hotspur wanted to get rid of this summer, so why has he not left yet, and what is the reason he’s so keen to get out?

Champions League football wanted

The Spaniard has not played a game for Spurs in the last two years, having spent that time out on loan at Atletico Madrid, Manchester United, and Brentford.

Despite impressing in England with those last two spells, Reguilon has still not managed to secure a move away from Spurs this summer.

With transfer deadlines closing all across the world over the last week, and with very few left to go, it remains to be seen whether Reguilon will get the switch he needs, or if he will be left to rot in the shadows of Ange Postecoglou‘s squad for the next few months.

Now, according to a report from The Athletic, we have a good idea of what exactly Reguilon has been looking for when it comes to his next move, and it seems his taste of Champions League football with Manchester United last season has got him yearning for a “return to that level.”

With “minimal interest” in his services, that is looking more and more unlikely. The Belgian window closes on Friday, September 6, while the Greek window closes on the 11th, and Turkey will be off the table as of the 13th.

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Reguilon needs love

Apparently, a big part of the reason Reguilon’s career at Spurs has faltered, aside from the fact he doesn’t quite suit Postecoglou’s style, is that he is not thought to be the “easiest character” to work with if things aren’t going his way.

Alongside this, the player himself “needs to feel loved to thrive” in his football, and he is not getting that kind of attention at Tottenham.

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I think we will still be able to get a move to Turkey sorted out for Reguilon before next Friday. I hope so, because he’s definitely not got a future here, and it would be great if we could shift every single fringe player this summer.

Lucas Bergvall had to wait six months to link up with his Tottenham teammates, but when he did finally arrive at the club, he was given a hostile reception. But don’t worry, it was all in good spirits.

Bergvall booed for singing skills

The young Swedish star has made quite the impression on the pitch since joining Spurs, but off it, Bergvall seemingly struggled to break the ice with his new colleagues.

It is well known that footballers have to endure humiliating initiation rituals whenever they join a new club. Normally, that involves getting up and singing in front of everyone, and that’s just what happened to Bergvall.

Discussing the process with Aftonbladet during the international break, Bergvall revealed just how bad his initiation went, and explained why his teammates booed him.

He said: “I sang Abba’s Dancing Queen. It was really, really bad. I was booed afterwards.”

The youngster has now earned his first competitive call-up to the Sweden squad, and will likely have to do it all again. Let’s hope the Swedes are a little kinder to his rendition of Abba’s hit song.

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Kulusevski mentoring Bergvall

Luckily, Bergvall has his compatriot Dejan Kulusevski with him for club and country now. The pair are away on international duty together, and Kulusevski is even the Swedish captain for this next round of games.

Bergvall told Goteborgs-Posten (as relayed by Sport Witness) that Kulusevski has been helping him on and off the field.

Kulusevski, too, has been praising his younger counterpart and hyped up his ‘huge’ potential (Football.London).

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Poor Lucas! I would hate to have to get up and sing in front of anyone, never mind a whole squad of your new teammates, especially if they were booing. But, it’s all part of the fun, I guess, and I’m sure Bergvall is settling in just fine.

According to Fichajes, multiple Saudi Arabian sides are plotting a move for Tottenham captain Son Heung-min next summer.

Heung-min Son – Tottenham Hotspur captain

Son remains the face of Tottenham and one of the most important players in Ange Postecoglou’s side, but the forward has just two years left on his contract at the club.

It has now emerged that several Saudi Pro League clubs will look to take the South Korean to the Middle East at the end of the season.

It is explained that the Saudis want to show their ambition and have set their sights on some of the biggest stars in Europe, with the Tottenham man one of the names on their wishlist.

Saudi clubs are looking at Sonny

The likes of Al Hilal, Al Nassr, Al Ain and Al Ittihad are all allegedly willing to do whatever they can to sign Son and some of the other superstars in the Premier League.

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The publication adds that the 32-year-old forward would not just strengthen the Saudi league but his arrival would mark a significant milestone for Asian football.

However, Spurs are expected to trigger an extension clause in Son’s contract to keep him at the club for at least another season, if not more.

Journalist Ben Jacobs tweeted in July: “Spurs will trigger a one-year contract extension for Son this summer keeping him at the club until 2026. Current deal expires in 2025, but the Spurs captain will be extended by a further 12 months.”

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I do not see Son moving out of Europe just yet. He has too much left to offer and will surely want to win a European trophy of some kind.

The forward is certainly not declining physically, and I would expect him to play at least two more years at the highest level. Hopefully, that will be with Spurs.

Steven Bergwijn reveals that he is happy to move to join Saudi side Al-Ittihad, confessing that no one from Europe could afford Ajax’s asking price.

Bergwijn never quite made it at Spurs

Just a few years ago, it seemed like Bergwijn was on his way to stardom as he was playing regularly for Tottenham and had also become one of the mainstays in the Netherlands national side.

However, things have gone downhill for the winger quite quickly over the last couple of years after he first fell out of favour at Spurs under Antonio Conte.

The Dutchman attempted to revive his career by sealing a €31.25m (£27m) move to Ajax back in 2020 but he has flattered to deceive since his return to the Eredivisie and has now found himself moving to Saudi Arabia.

How much does Steven Bergwijn earn now?

According to reports, Al-Ittihad paid €21m (£17.7m) to sign the 26-year-old and the move has not gone down back in the Netherlands.

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Ronald Koeman insisted that the transfer had nothing to do with sporting ambition and declared that Bergwijn would not be considered for selection for the Oranje (Daily Mail).

Spotrac claim that Bergwijn earned around £2.9 million per year at Tottenham, but his new wage in Saudi Arabia is a whopping £7.6 million per year (Telegraaf).

However, the former Tottenham man has now refuted suggestions that his only motivation behind the move was financial.

The winger told De Telegraaf: “The salary at Tottenham Hotspur and Ajax was also excellent. I have played in the Eredivisie, the Premier League, the Champions League, the Europa League and at European Championships and the World Cup. I am now looking forward to this adventure.

“I have seized this opportunity with both hands and I am simply very happy. Let us not forget that Ajax also wanted to receive another €21m for me.

“Then everyone can say that I should have gone to Spain, Germany or Italy, but who says that such a bid would even come from such a country? And it remained quiet from England as well. Nobody knows what happened behind the scenes. But don’t get me wrong. I fully support this choice.”

Bergwijn added (Fabrizio Romano): “Of course, I’ll improve gigantic financial wise, I won’t lie. But sportive wise, it’s also interesting. I will play with Benzema, Kanté, Fabinho, Diaby, Pereira… I am excited to become their teammate!”

Spurs Web Opinion

Footballers have a short career and one can understand the temptations of big money in Saudi Arabia. While it is not fair to criticise any footballer for making such a move, it is also ridiculous to pretend as if one’s motivation for the transfer was anything other than financial.

Jeff Stelling and Ally McCoist are at a loss to understand why Ange Postecoglou took off James Maddison at St James’ Park as Tottenham were going in search of a winner.

The same old problem for Tottenham

The game last Sunday followed an all too familiar pattern for Spurs, who were utterly dominant for large parts of the encounter but could not make the most of their opportunities.

They were made to pay for those missed chances, conceding a couple of soft goals, thus having nothing to show for their efforts.

Postecoglou would be scratching his head and wondering how his side have just one point to show from their two away matches so far, given the performances they have delivered.

The Australian has insisted his side will get their just rewards if they can keep playing as well as they did against the Magpies (The Standard).

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Why does Postecoglou always take Maddison off?

McCoist and Stelling both felt that Tottenham should have picked up all three points against Newcastle, but they were both puzzled by Postecoglou’s decision to take Maddison off.

The former Rangers boss told talkSPORT (02/09/24 at 6:10 am): “I watched Spurs and I can’t believe Spurs got beat.”

Stelling responded: “It was impossible. It was a case of watching the game and thinking ‘Spurs are sure to score in a minute, Spurs are sure to score in a minute, oh crikey, Newcastle have scored’.

“It was unthinkable, unimaginable, and on a serious side, it’s an issue for Postecoglou because they have to put these games when they dominate so much. And why does he always take Maddison off?”

McCoist then admitted: “That’s a strange one. That’s a really, really strange one.”

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Based on the fitness tests that Spurs would have done, Postecoglou and the staff must have data that suggests that Maddison tires significantly in the final 20 to 30 minutes of games, which might be why the Australian consistently takes the 27-year-old off.

According to GiveMeSport, Tottenham are hopeful that Yang Min-hyuk will develop into a top player over the coming years, with the North London club encouraged by the youngster’s recent displays.

Tottenham signed Yang for a small fee this summer

Spurs’ capture of Yang came out of the blue, with the Premier League side snapping up the 18-year-old winger on the back of just a few good months in the K-League.

The attacker will continue at Gangwon FC for the rest of the K-League season before arriving at Hotspur Way in January.

It has now been revealed by GiveMeSport that there is hope at Hotspur Way that Yang will prove to be the best piece of business of the summer window as he continues to impress back at his boyhood club.

Yang is set to arrive at Spurs in January 2025

Spurs are said to be confident that the teenager will develop into a special talent, with key figures at the club adamant that the deal will prove to be a major bargain.

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The report adds that scouts from the Lilywhites have continued keeping an eye on the South Korean and have been impressed by his progress.

Ange Postecoglou is also thought to be keeping tabs on the attacker, with the Tottenham head coach ready to hand the winger opportunities if he impresses in training after arriving at N17 in January.

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The one thing we know about Ange is that he loves working with young players due to their fearlessness.

He will not be shy of throwing Yang straight into the deep end if the Australian feels that the youngster is good enough to contribute. Just look at Wilson Odobert this month as an example!

Tottenham Hotspur splashed the cash to sign a new striker this summer, but according to Troy Deeney, they picked the wrong man when they went for Dominic Solanke.

Spurs could have saved some money

Solanke signed for Spurs last month in a reported £65m deal from Bournemouth (Sky Sports). The forward has made just one appearance so far, having been injured on his debut in the draw against Leicester City.

There are big expectations on the shoulders of Solanke. It is hoped he can be the man to convert all the chances Spurs so regularly create, and be the difference that can take the Lilywhites to the next level.

It remains to be seen whether he can fulfil his potential, but Deeney has suggested Spurs would have been better off signing Ivan Toney instead this summer.

He told the Seaman Says podcast: “Ivan Toney was available, let’s use him as a case in point. Would he add value to Chelsea? Yes, he would score more than Nicolas Jackson. In my opinion, he would score more than Solanke at Spurs.

“Everyone is looking for that mobile, running striker, the goalscoring comes like fifth in the list of attributes.”

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Solanke was always the first choice

Tottenham were linked with a number of strikers throughout the summer, and there was definite interest in Toney at one stage. Apparently, Spurs were not concerned by his reported attitude problems, either (GiveMeSport).

However, it is thought Solanke was always the number one target for the Lilywhites. Ange Postecoglou has spoken publicly about his belief that the striker will be a ‘good fit’ and be a success at the club (Football.London).

Spurs Web Opinion

I think it says a lot that pretty much every club in the top six was looking for a striker this summer, and they all passed on Ivan Toney, even though he was cheap and very much available. I have faith that Solanke will be a hit for us.

After a busy summer, with plenty of players leaving and a handful arriving at Tottenham, Ange Postecoglou’s squad is looking leaner and stronger than ever. But, there’s still more that can be done in the January transfer window.

Defensive cover is needed at Spurs

First up, Spurs could do with a fourth-choice centre-back. Ben Davies is currently the man to provide cover, with Cristian Romero, Micky van de Ven, and Radu Dragusin ahead of him in the pecking order.

Now 31-years-old, Davies is coming towards the end of his career, and with the expansive style of play that Spurs employ, it would be beneficial to bring in someone more athletic to fill that role in the defensive roster.

A left-sided centre-back, someone quick, strong, and comfortable on the ball is needed. If not now, then in the future. There’s a chance Postecoglou may look to sort that out sooner rather than later.

That said, the Spurs boss may well have one eye on someone like Ashley Phillips, who is enjoying his loan spell at Stoke City right now, and who may be ready to step up to the senior squad in a more substantial role next season.

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Udogie needs competition

Destiny Udogie has excelled in Postecoglou’s system as an adventurous, inverted left-back. But, we’ve already seen the young Italian pick up an injury or two, and the squad is lacking in cover for that role.

At present, Djed Spence would be the next in line for the left-back role, though he is naturally better suited at right-back. Ben Davies also has a history as a left-back, but doesn’t possess the dynamism to succeed in the more advanced areas.

Signing a new left-back should be the top priority for Postecoglou if he wants to improve the strength in depth in his squad. Otherwise, Spurs will be exposed whenever Udogie is unfit, and the 21-year-old could do with the push, too.

Versatility in attack

Now that Spurs have signed Dominic Solanke, they finally have genuine quality and strength in depth in the number 9 role, with Richarlison competing with the Englishman.

The signing of Wilson Odobert, the renewal of the loan for Timo Werner, and the emergence of Mikey Moore also give Postecoglou plenty of options in attack. But, at times, Spurs lack a real game-changer they can call on from the bench.

Looking for a more versatile attacker, someone who can play right across the front three, and perhaps even who could drop into the number 10 role, would be a shrewd move for Spurs in the next window.

It would be the kind of addition that would take the Lilywhites to the next level, and ensure that they always have creativity, goals, and a bit of magic to swing a game in their favour.