TBR Football

Jermain Defoe has just named one of Tottenham Hotspur’s best players as the Premier League’s most underrated player at this moment in time.

Tottenham Hotspur have had a very tricky season with the team sitting 14th in the Premier League, which has impacted several of their top stars’ performances.

Injuries have also hindered the team and placed an increased burden on some of the top players, which has they’ve struggled to deal with.

But Defoe claims that one Spurs player in particular probably hasn’t been at his best this season, but when he is fully fit and firing, his fantastic ability can be overlooked at times.

Jermain Defoe picks James Maddison as the Premier League’s most underrated player

Former Tottenham Hotspur player Jermain Defoe has named James Maddison as the Premier League’s most underrated player.

The 28-year-old has struggled with injuries recently, but according to Defoe, the qualities he shows when fully fit make him a very talented player. Djed Spence recently called Maddison ‘one of the best in the Premier League’.

The legendary Premier League striker claims that when Maddison, who Tottenham signed for £40m, is at his best, he would be certainly good enough for England and he hopes he can eventually get back into the squad.

Defoe told LiveScore: “Maybe James Maddison, you know. I think when we see when he does play for Tottenham the qualities that he brings.

“I would just love to see him back in the England squad and trying to get in the England team. He missed out on the Euros which was obviously disappointing for him, but I think the best version of James Maddison can play for England.”

Is James Maddison having an underrated season for Tottenham?

Maddison’s numbers this term are perhaps going under the radar as the midfielder is currently on 18 goal contributions.

In total, he has managed 11 goals and seven assists in 38 matchhes which is a solid return considering how poor Spurs have been.

Maddison will hope to finish the season strong in a bid to try and impress new England boss Thomas Tuchel.

Tottenham could now have a problem on the transfer front.

Developments on the pitch have not gone to plan this season, and Ange Postecoglou now risks losing his job this summer after a dismal 2024/25 campaign.

Winning the UEFA Europa League could save the Australian, but the fact Tottenham are currently 14th in the Premier League is not pleasing those in the boardroom.

Plans are being made off the pitch to improve the squad this summer – regardless of who the manager is – but a deal Tottenham already have lined up could now fall apart after El Chiringuito spoke to Johnny Cardoso.

Johnny Cardoso suggests he would refuse to cooperate in agreement between Tottenham and Real Betis

Back in August, Tottenham agreed a £20m option to sign Cardoso in the summer of 2025 during talks to sell Giovani Lo Celso to Real Betis in an £8m deal.

A story from AS recently claimed that Real Betis expect Tottenham to trigger the option and take the United States international this summer – with the Spanish side already hunting for his replacement.

Cardoso – however – would have to agree to the move as well, and a revealing interview with the Real Betis No.4 now suggests he has no intention of joining Spurs.

The 23-year-old said: “I’m very happy here and I hope I can continue enjoying myself at Betis for many years to come.”

Therefore, Tottenham could have further work to do, despite already achieving the hardest part of agreeing a fee with Real Betis.

Another midfielder is expected to join Spurs anyway

Even if Cardoso digs his heels in and refuses to leave Spain, Tottenham fans could see a new midfielder join regardless.

Spurs are favourites to sign Angel Gomes on a free transfer this summer ahead of West Ham, with the England international seeing his contract expire at Lille in June.

The Manchester United academy graduate is a fine footballer, so his potential arrival would go some way to softening the blow if Cardoso causes the £20m agreement to collapse.

Cristian Romero’s time at Tottenham Hotspur could be coming to an end.

The Argentine centre-half has missed a large chunk of this season due to injuries. A toe issue kept him out for a few games between November and December, and he suffered a hamstring injury on his return.

Ange Postecoglou has admitted that he made a mistake with Romero by starting him from the very first game of the campaign, even though he didn’t have a full pre-season.

Romero too hasn’t been happy with Tottenham’s medical staff for the way he was looked after during his hamstring injury.

That has fueled speculation surrounding his future, and Fabrizio Romano has now shared what he knows.

Cristian Romero’s future depends on Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy

Romero will enter the final two years of his contract this summer.

The 26-year-old definitely has his flaws and he has made several mistakes at Tottenham. But, on his day, he can produce exceptional performances.

That is why Diego Simeone’s Atletico Madrid are interested in signing Romero, while their local rivals Real Madrid are also keeping an eye on him.

TBR Football exclusively revealed that Romero has told his agents that he wants to leave Tottenham and move to Spain this summer.

But, for that to happen, an ‘important offer’ needs to be tabled, or else Daniel Levy will reject everything, says Romano.

He told GiveMeSport: “It’s a possibility but not something guaranteed as it depends on Daniel Levy, and we know how strong Spurs are in negotiations.

“So it’s something possible, definitely; but it has to be an important financial package or Levy won’t accept anything.”

Daniel Levy’s demands to sell Cristian Romero

Tottenham were ready to make Romero their highest-paid player with a new contract, but those plans have been shelved because he is pushing to leave.

Simeone is very keen to sign him for Atletico Madrid and believes that his compatriot is one of the best defenders in the world.

For that move to materialise, Atleti will have to spend big money.

TBR revealed exclusively that Levy would want around £60 million for Romero. If that happens, the Argentine will become Spurs’ third biggest sale of all time after Gareth Bale and Harry Kane.

It remains to be seen if Atletico Madrid or any other club will pay that much to sign Romero this summer.

Clive Allen has been full of praise for one of Tottenham’s top summer transfer targets ahead of his trip to Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on the weekend.

Tottenham Hotspur are set for a big summer of change, with several players expected to leave and new additions to the squad needed.

Meanwhile, Ange Postecoglou’s future at Spurs is also in doubt with replacements like Thomas Frank and Andoni Iraola being lined up.

Now, the performances from one of their priority targets this season has left Tottenham legend Allen very impressed and he has been speaking about him.

Clive Allen raves about Tyler Dibling ahead of Tottenham vs Southampton

Clive Allen has been raving about the performances of Southampton winger Tyler Dibling, who could cause Tottenham some serious issues on Sunday.

Dibling, who is linked with Tottenham, will be looking to impress the North London club on the weekend when Southampton arrive in town.

Allen believes that Dibling has been the Saints’ best player this season and he’s been so impressed by the improvements the teenager has made.

Allen told SPURSPLAY: “Yeah, I think he’s been their best player this season. I think he’s grown in stature and confidence. I think he’s a great carrier of the ball, we’ve seen his successful dribbles (40) this season and he’s going to be a threat (versus Tottenham). He’s looking to impress people whether he stays at Southampton or moves on in the summer.”

Daniel Levy makes it his ‘personal mission’ to sign Tyler Dibling

Daniel Levy had made it his ‘personal mission’ to sign Dibling and the Spurs chairman has been working for several weeks on a deal.

Last month, TBR Football revealed that Tottenham were confident they were favourites to sign Dibling with Southampton valuing him at £50 million.

TBR Football sources also learned that the 18-year-old was keen on a move to North London, amid interest from several other major clubs.

Tottenham Hotspur haven’t had a good season at all under Ange Postecoglou.

The North Londoners are currently 14th in the Premier League table after winning just 10 of their first 29 games. That is an awful record.

Ange Postecoglou has received a ton of criticism for the way he has set his side out, but it has to be said that injuries have played a big factor in Spurs’ results this term.

Speaking on those issues, Postecoglou highlighted a key mistake that he made with one of Tottenham’s most important players at the start of the season.

Ange Postecoglou admits he made a mistake with Cristian Romero in Tottenham’s first game of the season

Cristian Romero is one of Tottenham’s most important players.

The Argentina international does have a reputation of being rash and making mistakes, but on his day, he is up there with the best defenders in the Premier League.

The World Cup winner started each of Tottenham’s first 11 games in the league this term, but since then, he has played just 144 minutes.

A toe injury first kept Romero on the sidelines, and unfortunately for him, he picked up a more serious hamstring injury just 15 minutes into his return.

Postecoglou now thinks that Romero’s injuries this term could be down to the fact that he did not have a full pre-season with Spurs.

The Tottenham boss said, as per Football London: “That’s what I was talking about before, on looking at how we went into the season.

“Some guys, especially Romero, hardly did any pre-season with us and it wasn’t wise to play him from the first game. That’s something that we need to look at, guys who don’t do pre-season.

“I’ve done it before in my career where you wait until they’re ready to go. But I think that’s all for the end of the year.”

Why did Romero miss Tottenham’s pre-season?

Despite the difficult end to the 2023/24 campaign, there was a lot of optimism going into Postecoglou’s second season at the club.

Spurs were in great spirits in pre-season and picked up a few very impressive results, but most of those games didn’t feature Romero.

That’s because the defender was involved in the Copa America, where Romero played all but one game to help Argentina win the crown.

Romero was given time off after his involvement with his national side, and that meant he could not have a full pre-season.

Despite that, Postecoglou made him play the full 90 minutes in 10 of Tottenham’s first 11 games in the Premier League.

Tottenham Hotspur have had their fair share of underrated players over the years.

Indeed, Michael Carrick was an underrated midfielder during his time at Tottenham, while, Mousa Dembele was seriously underrated when he was at Spurs.

Even to this day, James Maddison believes Cristian Romero is underrated as well.

Speaking on the Off The Shelf Podcast, David Bentley has been asked to name who he believes is the unsung hero from his time at Tottenham.

Bentley played with a lot of very talented players during his time at Tottenham, but according to the midfielder, Wilson Palacios was a true unsung hero from his time at Spurs.

Wilson Palacios was an unsung hero

Bentley spoke about the £12m man and his role at Tottenham.

The former Tottenham star says that Palacios was a great player in the midfield, and he was also a brilliant presence in the dressing room, noting that everyone at Spurs respected the Honduran.

“A player you played with who you think was an unsung hero?” Bentley was asked.

“What, across the board or just at Tottenham? Just at Spurs. Wilson Palacios,” Bentley said.

“He was an unsung hero.”

“Great shout,” The host said.

“Because what a player he was in midfield.

“He was fully respected in the dressing room, but obviously everyone else got all the plaudits. He was a good guy as well.”

David Bentley’s record alongside Wilson Palacios

David Bentley says that Palacios was an unsung hero at Tottenham, but, interestingly, these two didn’t play together all that often.

Indeed, Bentley and Palacios only played 20 games in their career together, and their record in that time wasn’t brilliant either.

Interestingly, Bentley and Palacios’ 20-game spell together, was packed full of iconic moments.

Bentley and Palacios both played in the famous 9-1 win against Wigan Athletic back in 2009, while they both also played in the famous 1-0 win against Manchester City in 2010 that secured Champions League football for Spurs.

Meanwhile, they were both also on the pitch for the FA Cup semi-final defeat to Portsmouth in 2010 too, one of Spurs’ great missed opportunities.

Bentley and Palacios weren’t exactly an iconic partnership for Tottenham, but they were on the pitch for Spurs in some of the most iconic moments in the club’s recent history.

Michael Dawson also recently praised Palacios, while Jermain Defoe said he was brilliant in training.

As Bentley says, Palacios was a great underrated player for Tottenham during this period.

Tottenham fans have not had much to get excited about so far this season.

Spurs crashed out of the FA Cup after just two games with a fourth round defeat at Aston Villa, having required extra-time to knock Tamworth out in the third round.

Premier League action has been no more exciting for Tottenham supporters, with the north Londoners currently sitting 14th.

Ange Postecoglou did give fans something to cheer about in the Carabao Cup – at least – as Spurs made the last four and came within 45 minutes of reaching the final after winning the first leg against Liverpool.

Now, Tottenham fans are celebrating something else on X (previously known as Twitter) after Callum Olusesi signed a new contract.

Tottenham fans react as Callum Olusesi signs new deal

The 18-year-old is clearly a popular talent in N17, as Spurs fans seem delighted by this announcement.

One supporter wrote “come on” in celebration, before calling for “Luca” to be tied down next, referring to another exciting prospect within Hotspur Way, Luca Williams-Barnett.

Another Spurs fan expressed their delight at this club announcement, describing Olusesi as a “baller” while even saying the teenager “could easily” emulate Lucas Bergvall, who some compare to Jude Bellingham.

Furthermore, a third Tottenham fan said the “sky is the limit” for the England U18 international, adding that his new contract is a “well deserved” one.

A fourth Spurs supporter wrote a lovely message to Olusesi, posting: “Congratulations @CallumOlusesi

hopefully you’ll get more opportunities next season to kick on and show your talent. Keep pushing yourself to be the best.”

A fifth fan echoed the earlier sentiment about Williams-Barnett, and said it is “really good to see” Tottenham working hard to keep top young talents in N17.

Last but not least, a sixth supporter simply wrote “great news” on X.

Jermain Defoe rates Callum Olusesi highly

The Londoner – who made his senior debut in the UEFA Europa League against TSG Hoffenheim back in January – is very highly rated by people close to Spurs.

Jermain Defoe named Olusesi as one to watch amidst the rise of Ethan Nwaneri at Arsenal, telling Squawka: “There’s Callum Olusesi who has been on the bench a few times. Malachi (Hardy), I think he’s been on the bench. There’s Tyrese Hall, I’m quite surprised he’s not featured yet to be honest. An unbelievable talent.”

Yaya Toure – who worked in the academy at Tottenham before departing in 2023 – is another who rates the midfielder highly, saying: “I am delighted to see Mikey Moore and Callum Olusesi progressing in their careers as young players I worked with during my time at Spurs’ academy.

“Both are great young people and very talented. I know they will keep working hard. Seeing them on the pitch together last night was great! Keep going, lads!!!”

TBR Football understands that as of this morning, AC Milan were confident they had beaten Tottenham Hotspur to the appointment of Fabio Paratici.

Last week, TBR Football revealed that AC Milan were close to agreeing a deal for Paratici to join, even though Tottenham Hotspur were making a late attempt to get him.

Daniel Levy had been pushing for Paratici’s return to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium following the stellar work he did in North London prior to his ban from football.

But the Spurs chairman looks set for disappointment with the Italian director now on the verge of returning to football and joining the Rossoneri.

AC Milan set to beat Tottenham to appoint Fabio Paratici

AC Milan promising Fabio Paratici full control at the club looks to have won them the race for the Italian sporting director ahead of Tottenham, sources have told Graeme Bailey – chief correspondent at TBR Football.

Paratici’s ban for financial irregularities during his stint at Juventus is set to come to an end on June 30, with Spurs and Milan vying for his appointment.

But a meeting with Milan’s CEO Giorgio Furlani over the weekend looks to have done enough for the Italian giants to capture their number one target.

Milan told Paratici he would have full power over everything football and that they are open to him bringing Max Allegri back to the club with him.

Spurs’ chairman Daniel Levy has huge respect for Paratici and for the work he did for the North London club during his two-year spell in North London.

Fabio Paratici’s best signings at Tottenham

Paratici became a very popular figure amongst Tottenham fans having signed some of the club’s best players.

Cristian Romero was quite possibly his best addition having signed the defender back in 2021 for around £42 million.

Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero should be ready to return for Tottenham Hotspur in their fierce clash with Chelsea on Thursday evening.

Both Van de Ven and Romero were actually re-injured during Tottenham’s clash with Chelsea in N17 back in December, a chaotic game that was won 4-3 by the visitors.

Since that match, Van de Ven hasn’t started a Premier League game, and whilst Romero has returned in recent weeks, he hasn’t quite been at his best.

The Argentinian has been slightly wayward at times on the pitch since his return, and there’s now plenty of noise away from the pitch too surrounding Romero’s future too.

Romero is ready to leave Tottenham for a new challenge in the summer, a player who is subject to interest from both Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid.

Micky van de Ven lifts the lid on Cristian Romero at Tottenham

That being said, Van de Ven offered his thoughts on Romero’s contributions at Tottenham since his own arrival on the ‘One on One’ podcast.

The Dutchman hailed his defensive partner as ‘unbelievable’, someone he would surely be loath to lose in north London.

And whilst Tottenham will sign Kevin Danso in the summer, they wouldn’t have envisioned the Austrian as Romero’s replacement.

Speaking about his teammate, Van de Ven said: “Unbelievable player, so good, he’s also been out this season for quite a long time but when he comes back you see he plays straight away for Argentina, he plays for us, he’s unbelievable.

“Even at the beginning of this season and last season also the games I played alongside him, unbelievable player and helped me from day one when I came in here, he was there for me and he always backed me up.

“Yeah he’s an unbelievable player like I said already on the ball, off the ball, a true leader I would say.”

Cristian Romero sale could finance Marc Guehi to Tottenham

Perhaps in relation to Romero’s long-term future, Tottenham have been interested in Marc Guehi at Crystal Palace for some time.

In fact Tottenham bid for Guehi in January, a move that was swiftly rejected by their London rivals.

However, it is felt as if this summer could be Guehi’s opportune time to make the step up from Palace, who have been exceptional at times this season themselves.

However, if Guehi is going to make a case to be a regular starter under Thomas Tuchel for England he will likely need to be playing Champions League football.

But perhaps that might explain why the Palace captain could actually veto a move to N17.

Micky van de Ven has finally returned to fitness for Tottenham Hotspur ahead of their crucial end to the season.

Ange Postecoglou knows that Tottenham need to win the Europa League if he’s going to continue to lead the side into next season, a project that could come to an abrupt end.

Spurs could sack Postecoglou if he doesn’t qualify for the Champions League next season via winning the Europa League – it’s unsustainable for the club to accept not playing in Europe at all next term.

Of course, Tottenham won’t be qualifying for Europe via the Premier League at least given they are currently languishing in the bottom half of the table, a worrying reality for Postecoglou.

That being said, Van de Ven’s injury absence has been a big contributing factor to Spurs’ poor form, a centre-back who will now aim to make a difference before the end of the season.

Micky van de Ven says why Archie Gray has impressed him at Spurs

But in terms of players who have already been trying to turn the ship for Spurs – Archie Gray has played a serious amount of minutes for Postecoglou in several positions.

And when speaking on the ‘One on One’ podcast, Van de Ven was keen to praise Gray for his ‘unbelievable’ efforts, a player who he thought was proving himself to the whole of the Premier League.

Van de Ven said: “I spoke with Archie even after the games, before games.

“Of course I speak with him but it’s not even his natural position and if you see how he’s doing this season as a centre-back, I think we can only be really proud of him and what he’s shown.

“He’s shown everybody in the Premier League what his quality is.”

He continued: “Even sometimes he’s played left-back, right centre-back – he’s played everywhere.

“So every position where he’s played he did unbelievable so when you’re this young that’s really crazy that you can do this every time and just show your quality in every position the gaffer puts you in.”

What is Archie Gray’s best position?

Arriving from Leeds United in the summer, Gray spent most of the previous season playing as right-back in the Championship.

And as mentioned, he’s played pretty much all over the place for Tottenham, his skill-set has been well and truly tested to every degree.

But first and foremost, it does still seem as if Gray’s long-term future will be as a number six for Spurs.

Djed Spence admitted that Gray had shocked him this season when talking about his talented teammate recently, a player who is clearly appreciated by his teammates.

And when/if Postecoglou has a fully fit team, it will be interesting to see where the England U21 international gets the bulk of his chances moving forward.