Sports Mole

Cole Palmer is reportedly yet to take part in Chelsea training after he sustained an injury before the international break.

The 22-year-old was a notable absentee for Chelsea's narrow 1-0 defeat against London rivals Arsenal earlier this month.

Palmer's absence represented a significant blow for Chelsea given the fact he had started every Premier League game this season before he was ruled out of the Arsenal clash.

Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca confirmed after the defeat that Palmer has sustained a muscle injury in training, although he was hopeful he would return to action following the international break.

Palmer subsequently withdrew from the England squad for Thomas Tuchel's first two games against Albania and Latvia.

© Imago

Palmer yet to return to training

The hope was that the international window would give Palmer the chance to rest and recover before Chelsea return to action against Tottenham Hotspur on April 3.

However, there still seems to be considerable doubt as to whether Chelsea's star man will be ready for next Thursday's London derby at Stamford Bridge.

According to football.london, Palmer has not featured in Chelsea training since he picked up the injury prior to the defeat against Arsenal.

The Chelsea attacker has just under a week to return to training and prove his fitness for the meeting with Ange Postecoglou's side.

© Imago

Palmer's importance to Chelsea

Palmer experienced a dip in form before his injury, going seven consecutive Premier League matches without a goal or assist.

Nevertheless, he still remains Chelsea's standout attacker, having racked up 14 goals and six assists in 28 Premier League appearances this term.

To put Palmer's impressive numbers into context, only Chris Wood, Alexander Isak, Erling Haaland and Mohamed Salah have registered more goal contributions in the Premier League this season.

Palmer has also enjoyed success in his three previous meetings with Spurs, scoring two goals and providing one assist across those encounters.

In fact, the 22-year-old netted a brace to help the Blues claim a 4-3 away victory over Tottenham in December's reverse fixture.

No Data Analysis info

A Premier League manager will reportedly be in pole position to replace Ange Postecoglou if Tottenham Hotspur decide to sack their manager.

Postecoglou's future in North London is currently under the microscope following an "unacceptable" 2-0 defeat at Fulham prior to the international break - Spurs' 15th loss in the Premier League this season.

After 29 matches, Tottenham are languishing in 14th place in the top-flight table, and while there are no fears of relegation - sitting 17 points clear of the bottom three - the Lilywhites are in danger of ending the miserable campaign in the bottom half of the table.

Tottenham currently sit 10 points adrift of Bournemouth in 10th, while they are 13 points behind Brighton & Hove Albion in seventh, with a strong end to the season and a drop-off in form from several other clubs above them required for Spurs to miraculously sneak into the European places.

Spurs could qualify for next season's Champions League if they triumph in the Europa League, and Postecoglou, 59, has put pressure on himself to win silverware - and Tottenham's first trophy since 2008 - after stating at the beginning of this season that he "always win things in my second year".

© Imago

Silva identified as Postecoglou replacement?

Should Tottenham's lengthy run of poor results and performances continue, and they fail to beat Eintracht Frankfurt over two legs in their Europa League quarter-final tie, speculation over Postecoglou's future will intensify.

The likes of Inter Milan's Simone Inzaghi, Bournemouth's Andoni Iraola and ex-Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino, currently in charge of USA, have all been tipped to potentially succeed Postecoglou in North London.

However, former Spurs scout Mick Brown, who remains well-connected within the game, has claimed that Fulham's Marco Silva is in pole position to take the reins at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Brown, who has a wealth of experience in top-level recruitment after over a decade at Manchester United, does not see Postecoglou lasting beyond the end of the current campaign, and sources have suggested that Silva would be one of Tottenham's leading targets.

© Imago

Could Spurs swap Postecoglou for Silva?

Speaking to Football Insider, Brown said: "Tottenham, unless they put a run together from now to the end of the season, you would think that things might happen [to Postecoglou] there in terms of the sack for the manager.

"Silva would certainly be top of the pops in terms of competition for that [managerial] spot, that's what I'm hearing from my sources there."

Since joining Fulham in 2021, Silva has steered the Cottagers to the Championship title and has established the club in the Premier League, boasting a win ratio of 44.83% across 174 matches.

The 47-year-old has seen his Fulham side go from strength to strength this season and their aforementioned win over Spurs helped them climb up to eighth in the Premier League table, just four points behind the top four with nine games remaining.

Silva will soon be entering the final year of his contract at Craven Cottage which is believed to include a £7.5m release clause.

Former Tottenham Hotspur and current Anderlecht defender Jan Vertonghen has confirmed that he will be retiring from football at the end of the season.

The 37-year-old has spent the past two-and-a-half years on the books at Anderlecht but has only made five appearances in an injury-hit 2024-25 campaign, where he has suffered from Achilles and ankle problems.

Vertonghen is already due to become a free agent at the end of the season, but the former Belgium international has now confirmed that he will be hanging up his boots once the campaign is over.

"During the past weeks, months, I have been thinking a lot about how I want to continue or end my career," Vertonghen said in a video on Anderlecht's social media channels. "This past time has made it clear that it will be my last games. Not only at RSC Anderlecht, but in my career.

"I've realised that it's becoming harder and harder, not only in games but also in training, to get ready physically. To show what I want. To be the player I want to be. Not only towards the fans, to my teammates, but mostly to myself as well.

"I've had the chance, when I was sitting in the stands, to reflect a lot, and I'm so proud of what I have achieved with everyone. For the next 11 games, these eight to ten weeks, I'll try to give it my all and hopefully experience some beautiful moments together. But then, the journey ends.

"That hasn't been an easy decision, but it's a decision I have to take, and I feel it's the right time. We'll do everything we can to make it a fantastic ending."

Jan Vertonghen's legacy analysed as retirement confirmed

A reliable, no-nonsense defender who shone as both a centre-back and left-back in Tottenham colours, Vertonghen was a stalwart of the Mauricio Pochettino era at Tottenham after emerging through the famed Ajax academy.

Following his £10.5m arrival in 2012, Vertonghen gave Tottenham eight years of incredible service, during which time he formed a formidable partnership with compatriot Toby Alderweireld at the back.

The brilliant Belgian totalled 315 appearances for Tottenham, coming up with 14 goals and seven assists in that time, although he never succeeded in his quest to bring silverware to North London.

However, with Vertonghen and Alderweireld in front of Hugo Lloris, Spurs briefly became genuine Premier League title challengers, not to mention finishing as runners-up in the 2018-19 Champions League final after knocking out Vertonghen's former club Ajax in the semi-finals.

Vertonghen was unable to enjoy the send-off that his Spurs career deserved, as his final few months at the club in 2020 came during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, and he enjoyed a fruitful two years with Benfica before heading back to his homeland to finish his career.

Even in his late 30s, the 2012 Eredivisie Footballer of the Year still managed three goals and two assists in 27 Jupiler Pro League games last season, but as he alluded to in his retirement message, his body has simply failed him in 2024-25.

Away from his astounding club career, where his most significant honours were two Eredivisie titles with Ajax in 2011 and 2012, Vertonghen won 157 caps for Belgium, by far and away the most for the senior men's team.

The versatile defender was a leader of the Red Devils' so-called golden generation, but just like his time at Spurs, Vertonghen excruciatingly went trophyless in a Belgium kit and called time on his international career after Euro 2024.

Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly prepared to listen to offers for one of their international midfielders.

The North Londoners are currently enduring one of their worst Premier League campaigns in recent memory, sitting in 14th position in the standings.

Although head coach Ange Postecoglou has guided Spurs through to the Europa League quarter-finals, the position of the Greek-Australian is under threat.

Regardless of who is in charge for 2025-26, there is an inevitability that ongoings and outgoings will ensue to try to move the club back up the table.

According to Football Insider, Spurs are open-minded to cashing in on one of their regulars in the middle of the pitch.

© Imago

The report alleges that Spurs are willing to accept offers for Rodrigo Bentancur with the Uruguay international said to have failed to impress Postecoglou most recently.

Former scout Mick Brown, a regular contributor to the outfit, claims that the 27-year-old is no longer a part of Postecoglou's long-term plans.

Brown said: "Ange Postecoglou is not happy with his midfield options. It's such a key area of the team, and the players at his disposal have not been good enough.

"They've failed to impress when called upon so far this season, and Bentancur now is not part of Tottenham's plans moving forward.

"So if they can get rid of him and bring in a decent fee, it's definitely something they'll consider. I hear there are clubs in Europe who have been looking at a move in the summer."

© Imago

A harsh judgment?

When Spurs have regularly underperformed this campaign, only a handful of players can feel that they have retained their reputations, but Bentancur is probably not one of them.

Although a total of 27 starts and five substitute outings have been made in all competitions, Bentancur has scored just twice and played all or the majority of some notable defeats in recent months.

In an area where Spurs are well-stocked, Spurs may feel that now is the right time to cash in on a big earner who has less than 18 months remaining on his contract.

Spurs will hope to generate somewhere close to the £21.5m that they paid for Bentancur in at the start of 2022.

Manchester United are reportedly braced for competition from Tottenham Hotspur for the signature of Sunderland's Chris Rigg.

Both United and Spurs have endured difficult seasons in the Premier League, with the clubs languishing in 13th and 14th place respectively.

Red Devils boss Ruben Amorim has been provided with some leeway for his side's performances given he only arrived in November, while Tottenham head coach Ange Postecoglou has faced significant scrutiny.

The upcoming summer transfer window is certain to be one of sizeable change, with both managers keen on strengthening their flawed squads.

However, Fichajes report that Spurs are willing to pay nearly £38m to sign Sunderland midfielder Rigg, who is believed to be one of the finest prospects currently in the Championship and is said to be a target for United.

Chris Rigg in profile

Rigg is only 17 years old but has started 29 times for the Black Cats in the second tier, and though he has at times made mistakes, the level of maturity he has displayed for his age is remarkable.

The teenager could be developed into fulfilling a number of positions in midfield given his rounded skillset, with the player capable of playing in a box-to-box or more defensive role.

Sunderland have primarily utilised Rigg in more advanced areas, and the Englishman has registered 36 key passes in the Championship, a figure that only three of his teammates have bettered.

Who should Rigg sign for in the summer?

United are said to be struggling financially following years of mismanagement, and the club are reportedly on the lookout for younger stars that can be developed rather than already established players that may prove prohibitively expensive.

Meanwhile, Rigg would arguably face significant competition for a place in Spurs' team given they boast talents such as James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski in attacking roles.

Sunderland are currently in fourth place in the Championship and are almost certain to qualify for the promotion playoffs, and there is a chance that Rigg could be playing Premier League football next season if he stays with the Black Cats.

Perhaps the teenager should opt to stay at the Stadium of Light considering his young age, especially as he will likely be afforded more time to iron out his flaws with Sunderland than he would at either United or Spurs.

Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur have reportedly decided to target Stuttgart midfielder Enzo Millot in the summer transfer window.

The Gunners and Spurs have both endured disappointing seasons for vastly different reasons, with Mikel Arteta's side failing to compete against Liverpool for the title while Ange Postecoglou's team are currently in 14th place in the league.

Both clubs will almost certainly need to strengthen in the next transfer window if they are to achieve their respective goals, but it remains to be seen if Arsenal will have the budget for much activity considering their reported interest in Newcastle United's Alexander Isak.

As for Tottenham, they could find themselves with a new manager in the 2025-26 campaign and chairman Daniel Levy will have to decide whether he can trust Postecoglou with further expenditure.

However, BILD claim that Arsenal and Spurs are interested in the signature of 22 year old Stuttgart midfielder Millot, who can be bought for as little as £16.8m due to a release clause in his contract.

© Imago

Arsenal's midfield needs

Though Arsenal will likely focus on strengthening in attack, Arteta may need to make further additions in midfield given the uncertain futures of Jorginho and Thomas Partey, who are both out of contract at the end of the season.

Millot is capable of playing in deeper or more advanced positions, and is comfortable at progressing the ball via passing or carrying.

The Gunners have long been linked with a move for Real Sociedad's Martin Zubimendi, but he is a specialised defensive midfielder and it is difficult to see Millot consistently playing in deep zones.

However, given the players that could leave the club and the potential fee that his side may have to pay to sign a forward, Arteta could have to make do with a cheaper alternative to Zubimendi.

© Imago

Tottenham's midfield needs

There is an argument that Spurs already have a number of capable players in midfield, with the likes of Yves Bissouma, Pape Matar Sarr and Lucas Bergvall all strong options.

Pundits such as Jamie Carragher have criticised Postecoglou for his tactical approach without the ball, and perhaps the club would be better defensively if the Australian coach adapted his playing style to combat counter-attacks.

However, Spurs have suffered an unprecedented injury crisis this term that impacted players across the team, including midfield stars like Rodrigo Bentancur.

Tottenham might benefit from reinforcing in midfield to prevent another injury crisis, but they could have to do significantly more business than Arsenal in the coming transfer window and so must ensure that they bring in the right players for the right manager.

West Ham United Women will welcome Tottenham Hotspur Women to the Chigwell Construction Stadium for Sunday's Women's Super League clash.

The Hammers head into the weekend in ninth place, while the visitors are two points better off in seventh position.

Match preview

West Ham are sitting six points above the relegation spot after winning four, drawing three and losing nine of their 16 league matches.

The Hammers claimed the most recent of those victories in February's home clash against Brighton & Hove Albion, scoring a couple of second-half goals to run out 3-1 winners.

West Ham followed that result with a 4-3 away defeat against Arsenal, before they held Manchester City to a point in their most recent outing on March 5.

Manuela Pavi scored a stoppage-time equaliser to cancel out Bunny Shaw's effort, ensuring West Ham extended their unbeaten home league run to three games with a 1-1 draw.

In fact, Rehanne Skinner's side have now lost just one of their last six top-flight home matches (W4, D1), and they will hope home advantage can help them beat Tottenham for the second time in 2025, after clinching a 2-1 away win in January's Women's League Cup clash.

Tottenham may be above West Ham in the table, but they will head into Sunday's fixture in low spirits after losing each of their last five matches in all competitions, including a narrow loss in last weekend's home meeting with Brighton & Hove Albion.

Fran Kirby's first-half effort proved enough to condemn Spurs to a 1-0 defeat, as they drew a blank for the fourth time in five competitive matches.

While their lack of goals may be a concern, Tottenham will also be worried about matters at the opposite end of the pitch, considering they have the second-worst defensive record in the WSL with 34 goals conceded.

They have let in 22 of those goals across their seven road trips, including five without reply in their most recent away game against North London rivals Arsenal.

Tottenham will hope for better fortunes on Sunday, as they go in search of a league double against West Ham after winning 2-1 in November's reverse fixture.

West Ham United Women Women's Super League form:

West Ham United Women form (all competitions):

Tottenham Hotspur Women Women's Super League form:

Tottenham Hotspur Women form (all competitions):

Team News

West Ham are still having to cope without long-term absentee Jess Ziu, while Tottenham loanee Shelina Zadorsky is ineligible to face her parent club.

Pavi could be rewarded with a starting spot after she came off the bench at half time to score the equaliser in the 1-1 draw against Man City.

Forward Viviane Asseyi will return to the matchday squad after serving a one-match ban for an accumulation of yellow cards.

As for the visitors, Robert Vilahamn is unable to call upon Kit Graham, Amy James-Turner and Bethany England due to injury.

Australian defender Charlotte Grant is set to return to the matchday squad after missing the defeat to Brighton with concussion.

Vilahamn could be tempted to make a couple of changes to his side, with Jess Naz and Hayley Raso among those in contention to start against West Ham.

West Ham United Women possible starting lineup:

Szemik; Denton, Nystrom, Zadorsky, Hanshaw; Piubel, Siren, Brynjarsdottir, Asseyi; Ueki, Pavi

Tottenham Hotspur Women possible starting lineup:

Kop; Neville, Buhler, Bartrip, Nilden; Summanen, Spence; Naz, Vinberg, Raso; Thomas

We say: West Ham United Women 2- Tottenham Hotspur Women

West Ham have won four of their last six home league matches, and we think they will make full use of home advantage again to take three points off a Tottenham side that have lost each of their previous four WSL games.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.

body check tags ::

Previews by email

Click here to get Sports Mole's daily email of previews and predictions for every major game!

Former Tottenham Hotspur striker Jermain Defoe has exclusively told Sports Mole that Spurs will be thinking about how to replace Son Heung-min.

The Londoners were beaten 2-0 by Fulham on Sunday, with the club failing to find the back of the net for the second time in three Premier League games.

It was also the 11th match in 12 games that captain Son had not scored in, and his performances have brought his long-term future into question.

Defoe believes that Son's form is natural given his age, but feels Spurs will be actively looking to find a replacement for the winger, telling Sports Mole: "It's part and parcel - players get older, players move on and it's about the next players, it's about the academy.

"I'd like to think the club will be thinking now 'who's going to replace Son', because when I left the next one in was Harry Kane. He's come in and done what he's done, and I think you've just got to be proactive and be steps ahead."

Son has been at Tottenham since 2015-16 and his debut Premier League season is the only campaign in which he has scored fewer (4) than he has currently managed in the 2024-25 season (7).

Son's legacy at Spurs

During his time at Tottenham, Son formed a formidable partnership with striker Kane, and the duo even broke the record for goal combinations in the Premier League in February 2022.

The South Korean international currently ranks as the joint 16th highest scorer in the history of the Premier League (127), and he only needs one more goal to move above Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink and claim 16th spot for his own.

Speaking to Sports Mole, Defoe heaped praise on the forward and argued that Tottenham may even be able to look to the academy to eventually replace Son's impact, saying: "Son has been an amazing player for the last 10 years for Tottenham and the amount of goals that he's scored - he's in the top five all-time goalscorers at the football club. I would love to see him finish on a high and win a trophy.

"After that, it's about recruitment, who's the next one, who can you find, who's coming through the academy? Who else is out there that we can go and get because there's some top players there."

Son's contract at Spurs will expire in the summer of 2026, so while the winger may stay in London for another season, fans will likely have to prepare themselves for his exit sooner rather than later.

© Imago

Can the next generation of forwards step up?

Tottenham scored 68 goals in the Premier League in Kane's final season at the club in 2022-23, but they managed to score 69 in 2023-24 and are on track to net 68 this term.

Son scored 10 goals in 2022-23 but increased his tally to 17 in 2023-24 - his joint second-highest return in the Premier League - and perhaps another forward will step up in Son's absence to replace his output when he eventually leaves.

Defoe was keen to highlight that Spurs have several promising prospects developing, as well as currently established stars, when he told Sports Mole: "For the future, there's some young players coming through, I mean, Will Lankshear is a centre-forward at the club, he's on loan. Mikey Moore, [Damola Ajayi] who came on and scored in Europe.

"Obviously we just signed Dominic Solanke. He started slow but then picked up and was scoring consistently. Unfortunately he's had the injury, but I wouldn't say I'm worried [about the attack after Son]."

Solanke was signed in the summer of 2024 for a fee reportedly rising to £65m, while the likes of Mathys Tel and Wilson Odobert have also joined the club in recent transfer windows, and fans will hope that they can take a step forward in their development in the coming season.

Tottenham Hotspur head coach Ange Postecoglou has said that he understands the frustrations of the club's supporters following Sunday's 2-0 defeat to Fulham at Craven Cottage.

Rodrigo Muniz sent Fulham ahead in the 78th minute of the contest, before Ryan Sessegnon netted a second for the hosts in the 88th minute, as Marco Silva's side secured all three points in the London derby.

Tottenham have now been beaten in 15 of their 29 Premier League matches this season, which has left them in 13th spot in the table, level on points with 16th-placed West Ham United.

Postecoglou has conceded that "it's unacceptable" for Tottenham to have lost 15 times in England's top flight this term, and there is now expected to be fresh speculation surrounding his future.

© Imago

Tottenham have now lost 15 times in the Premier League this season

"It was a tight game and we knew it would be - it always is here. It's a tight ground and you know when you go that it is not going to be open. First half defensively we were pretty solid and they didn't really create anything," Postecoglou told reporters.

"We weren't great with the ball and didn't create much ourselves but I thought second half started really positively and had a couple of really good chances to get in front. We were definitely in much better control.

"Like we have done a lot of times this year we concede a soft goal. That just gives the opposition everything to gain from and get momentum out of it and the game gets away from us.

"I get their (the fans) disappointment. It's unacceptable to see 15 league defeats. It's nowhere near good enough, nowhere near the level we need to be and I understand the supporters' frustrations with that. Today wasn't so much about performance, it was just another day when we let a game get away from us that we shouldn't have.

"We weren't played off the park and I felt that up until the point they scored, we were the team that was getting on top. We had a couple of good chances to go 1-0 up and that would have put the pressure on them but it's happened too many times this year. We've given the opposition a lift into the game by conceding soft goals."

© Imago

What next for Tottenham?

Tottenham will be bidding to return to winning ways when they head to Stamford Bridge on April 3 to tackle Chelsea, before welcoming Southampton to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on April 6.

Spurs will then welcome Eintracht Frankfurt for the first leg of their Europa League quarter-final on April 10, before facing Wolverhampton Wanderers in the league ahead of their return European game with their Bundesliga opponents in Germany.

Tottenham can still secure Champions League football for the 2025-26 campaign by winning the Europa League, and the London could potentially face league rivals Manchester United in the final of the competition.

No Data Analysis info

Fulham will endeavour to stretch their unbeaten run over Tottenham Hotspur to three matches when they host the Lilywhites at Craven Cottage in Sunday's Premier League London derby.

Marco Silva's men have had a week to mull over their excruciating 2-1 loss to Brighton & Hove Albion, while Spurs saw off AZ Alkmaar to reach the Europa League quarter-finals in midweek, and here Sports Mole rounds up the team news for both clubs.

FULHAM vs. TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR

© Iconsport

FULHAM

Out: Reiss Nelson (thigh), Kenny Tete (knee), Harry Wilson (foot), Sasa Lukic (suspended)

Doubtful: Adama Traore (ankle)

Sports Mole's predicted XI: Leno; Castagne, Andersen, Bassey, Robinson; Pereira, Berge; Traore, Smith Rowe, Iwobi; Jimenez

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR

Out: Kevin Danso (hamstring), Radu Dragusin (ACL), Richarlison (calf), Dejan Kulusevski (foot)

Doubtful: None

Sports Mole's predicted XI: Vicario; Porro, Romero, Gray, Udogie; Sarr, Bentancur, Maddison; Odobert, Solanke, Son

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match .