Micky van de Ven was signed by Ange Postecoglou this summer in a deal worth an initial £34m (Sky Sports). He was regarded as the solution to all of Tottenham’s defensive issues, which sounds like a lot of pressure to put on a 22-year-old, but the Dutchman has thrived in North London so far.

Alongside Cristian Romero, van de Ven is now part of what appears to be one of the strongest centre-back pairings in the Premier League.

Spurs are currently unbeaten after eight games in the league this season and sit at the top of the table. It’s early days, of course, but there is now talk of the Lilywhites aiming high this term.

Guengoer – GES Sportfoto/Getty Images)

Micky Van de Ven’s price could go up for Spurs

A title challenge may be a stretch, but a top-four finish and Champions League football is certainly looking promising for Spurs. But, such an achievement will cost them.

That’s according to Sport BILD (via Sport Witness), with a report claiming Tottenham will have to pay Wolfsburg a further €10m (£8.6m) if they qualify for the Champions League, as part of the deal to sign van de Ven.

Apparently, this was one of the add-on clauses in the transfer, and Wolfsburg are now keeping an eye on Tottenham’s progress this season. It is said that if Spurs “continue to be so successful,” the German club will benefit financially, quicker than originally anticipated.

Spurs Web Opinion

Even if we have to pay this sum, Micky van de Ven is worth it. He’s had a fantastic start at Spurs, and any success we achieve this season will be, in part, down to the incredible combination at the back of van de Ven and Romero.

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Arsenal suffered their first defeat of the season across all competitions in France as Lens came back from a goal down to beat the Gunners 2-1 at the Estadio Bollaert-Delelis.

The result means that Tottenham are the only Premier League who are unbeaten in 90 minutes of football across all competitions this season, with the Lilywhites’ only loss coming via a penalty shootout at Craven Cottage in the Carabao Cup Second Round.

The defeat on Tuesday leaves Arsenal with plenty of work to do to get out of their Champions League group and to make matters worse, the travelling fans were mocked brutally by one Lens supporter.

(Photo by Visionhaus)

Tottenham show up to haunt Arsenal on Tuesday

The fan in question was filmed confronting the Arsenal away support with a picture of the Tottenham badge on his phone, continually pointing at it. Needless to say, the banter has gone down very well with Spurs fans on social media.

Watch a clip of the incident below:

Lens Tottenham Hotspur pic.twitter.com/gMLoG2anTA

— Tottenham Tiers (@TottenhamTiers) October 3, 2023

Spurs Web Opinion

I certainly have a newfound appreciation for Lens and their supporters after this incident, with Arsenal being handed a reality check in what was their first Champions League away match in seven years.

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While Spurs were widely written off from the race for Champions League qualification at the start of the campaign, five games in, Ange Postecoglou’s men look like they have a good chance of getting back into Europe’s most prestigious club competition.

(FABRICE COFFRINI/AFP via Getty Images)

Tottenham could get Champions League in fifth

A top-five finish could be enough to back into the tournament, with teams from the two top-performing nations set to get one more spot in next year’s competition (ESPN).

If Tottenham do manage to get in, they will play a minimum of 10 matches as opposed to the six that teams do in the group stage at present.

Football.London explain that the new-look 36-team competition (up from the current 32) will see a ‘swiss’ format, with each team playing five home matches and five away games.

All teams are ranked in a league table, with the top eight going straight into the quarterfinal stage of the competition while teams who finish from ninth to 24th would be competing in a two-legged playoff.

The bottom 12 teams will exit the tournament instead of entering the Europa League. As the tournament progresses, the last 16, quarter-finals, semi-finals and finals will remain in the the same format as previous editions of the competition.

Spurs Web Opinion

The extra matches will mean that squads will be stretched quite a lot during the first half of next season, thus making it crucial that teams have sufficient bench strength to call upon.

The extra matches will be music for the ears of Daniel Levy as apart from the increased participation fee, Spurs would also be able to earn more in matchday revenue.

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Before the start of the season, hardly anyone gave Spurs any hope of competing for the top four spots, given that they had a manager in charge who was not proven at the highest level and had lost their talisman, Harry Kane.

However, following the impressive start that the Lilywhites have made to the campaign, combined with the struggles of Manchester United and Chelsea, Tottenham now look like legitimate contenders for a top-four finish.

(FABRICE COFFRINI/AFP via Getty Images)

Increased prize money for the Champions League

Football Insider have now explained that since the Champions League is going through a major revamp, with the format set to change to a swiss-model for the 2024-25 season, there is expected to be an increase in the prize money for clubs.

With a 33 per cent increase in revenue projected, that is expected to filter through to clubs in the form of participation money and performance bonuses.

While clubs are now entitled to £13.6m for getting into the group stages of the Champions League, that amount is expected to increase to £28.9m from next season.

Spurs Web Opinion

The change in Champions League format also means more matches for each club, which also translates to considerably higher matchday revenue for Spurs, particularly given the revenue that the Tottenham Hotspur stadium can generate for each game.

That makes Champions League qualification even more crucial for the club next season, and their pursuit might be helped by the fact that England could be handed an extra wildcard spot, with a fifth-place finish thus potentially being enough to make it into the competition.

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It has been a summer of massive upheaval for the Lilywhites. With a new manager at the helm, the last few months have been a transition period for the club as everyone gets accustomed to the way Ange Postecoglou wants to do things.

Indeed, the whole season ahead will likely be a period of adjustment for the players, coaching staff, and the supporters. But, it has been a case of so far so good, with Spurs still unbeaten in the league, and showing plenty of encouraging signs that Postecoglou’s attacking style of play is working.

Tottenham made nine signings this summer. The loan deals of Pedro Porro and Dejan Kulusevski were made permanent, as expected.

They were then followed by the acquisitions of Guglielmo Vicario, James Maddison, Manor Solomon, Micky van de Ven, and youngsters Ashley Phillips and Alejo Veliz. On deadline day, Tottenham finished their business by adding Brennan Johnson to their squad.

Tottenham Hotspur’s Greek-Australian Head Coach Ange Postecoglou applauds during the English Premier League football match between Burnley and Tottenham Hotspur at Turf Moor in Burnley, north-west England on September 2, 2023. (Photo by Paul ELLIS / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or ‘live’ services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images)

Postecoglou is happy with Spurs’ transfer window

When asked if he wishes Spurs had done more in the summer transfer window, Postecoglou insisted enough was done to improve the squad.

He told Football.London: “You know when you go through these things you always understand that there are so many moving parts that I think you rarely come out of it with an ideal picture but that doesn’t mean it isn’t a picture that can still work. We’ve still done a fair bit in a short space of time.

“When you look at the team we have got now, we virtually changed half the starting line-up, the way we play, the way we train, totally new coaching staff and training.

“It was never going to be one window this rebuild. Where we sit at the moment I’m really happy with the players we’ve brought in.”

Spurs Web Opinion

Yes, we could and should have sold more players. Yes, we could and should have signed another centre-back at the very least. But, we have still massively improved the squad we had, and that’s even after losing Harry Kane. We are on the right track now, and hopefully can tweak further in January.

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The power balance in North London most certainly shifted last season, with Arsenal leading the Premier League table until the latter stages of the campaign and finishing in second place by the end of the season.

Spurs have been overtaken by north London rivals Arsenal since beating the Gunners to fourth place last season (Photo by Visionhaus/Getty Images)

Tottenham meanwhile had to settle for an eighth-place finish and missed out on European football for the first time in a decade.

It was a highly disappointing campaign for Spurs, made all the more frustrating by the relative success of their rivals.

The Gunners got the better of Spurs in both fixtures of the 2022/23 campaign. Arsenal won 3-1 at the Emirates in October 2022, and came away from the Tottenham Hotspur stadium with a comfortable 2-0 victory in January of this year.

While Arsenal may be looking forward to competing in the Champions League for the first time in six years, they have been handed a headache when it comes to the schedule for the forthcoming season.

Arsenal schedule could be a derby day boost for Spurs

The Daily Mail break down how Spurs could take advantage of a busy fixture list when they meet Arsenal on September 23rd.

The report claims Arsenal have “the most difficult set of fixtures” when it comes to balancing Champions League duty with domestic affairs.

Arsenal have an away tie against Everton three days before the first Champions League game. It is said the Gunners will have to “recover quickly” after that, as they host Tottenham on the Saturday.

That game is scheduled for a 3 pm kick-off but is likely to be moved to accommodate broadcasting schedules.

Spurs Web Opinion

Naturally, the North London derby being placed so close to a big European game will affect Arsenal to a degree, but you know they will still be absolutely fired up for the Spurs game.

It might give us a tiny advantage, and we will have to capitalise on any weakness or fatigue.

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This has multiple implications on the club financially,  in terms of manager recruitment, signing new players, and players staying.

(Photo by Tottenham Hotspur FC/Tottenham Hotspur FC via Getty Images)

One of the most obvious issues that we are going to face if we fail to make Europe is the future of Harry Kane.

With just one year left on his contract and the indications already there to suggest he favours a move elsewhere, this could be the final nail in the coffin.

He has expressed his desire to play in the Champions League regularly, and us failing to qualify for the competition for the third time in four years may be enough for him to push for a move.

Although it will be an incredibly sad day when he leaves, no Spurs fan will begrudge him a move. Our anger, as shown in recent weeks and months, is directed at the hierarchy for failing him.

An absence from European football will serve as a wake-up call for those running the club. The loss of revenue is massive and will be a deserved slap around the face for those responsible for letting things get this bad.

The club have dealt with all the protests and lack of results in recent years by promising it will be different next year, but this season should be the tipping point.

Three managerial changes, almost all of last summer’s signings failing to impact on the pitch, intense protests during matches, and the general atmosphere around the club will surely awaken the board to the mess that they have allowed this club to become. If not we are truly doomed, as it can’t get much worse than this.

Part of management is about rotating the squad and giving players a fair opportunity to prove their worth.

If we end up with no European football, then there will be less chance to do this, with only domestic competitions to play for, so we would likely need a smaller squad heading into the new season, requiring us to shift a lot of the deadwood.

That is something we are notoriously bad at doing. However, the benefit of no European football for the squad is that the new manager coming in will have full mid-weeks to work with the squad and get his ideas across.  This will translate faster onto the pitch.

With other teams focused on Europe, it will allow us the chance to push more in the league, hopefully, to get back into the top four, and to take the FA and Carabao Cup more seriously.

 I think a new manager coming in would much prefer to be out of Europe in their first season, rather than playing in the  Conference or Europa League – especially someone like Naglesmann, who is a demanding manager and will want to push the fitness levels.

In recent years, injuries have plagued our squad. This season there have been long-term absences, such as Kulu, Bentancur, Richarlison, Bissouma, Sessengon, Lloris, Lucas, Davies, Emerson and Skipp, which have really hindered us.

Yes, all teams get injuries, it is just part of the game, but a season of playing once a week would be so beneficial for the players in terms of maintaining their bodies.

Bentancur returning from his ACL would be afforded much more time to recover, and when he comes back, he could be eased in gently, only playing once a week.

It just feels as though the whole club needs a refresh in every department and playing once a week will reduce the load and allow better recovery.

An obvious downside of no European football will be in the recruitment area this summer. It is no secret that players want Champions League football, and in the Premier League, I can think of five or six projects more attractive than ours at this moment in time.

Our priority should be sorting the manager situation, and then building from there. The players we need are two or three new centre-halves, a playmaker, and left winger/versatile forward.

Players I would be looking at would include James Maddison, Pedro Goncalves, Marc Guehi, Levi Colwill and Bastoni. These are five top players who will all be scouted by top clubs this summer.

An example is Newcastle, who are interested in signing  James Maddison (Telegraph), and when he looks at the two clubs that are looking to entice him, one of the main factors in his decision-making will be the fact that Newcastle will have Champions League football.

It could mean that we have to go for our second or third choice in each position, and that will go down badly with the fans and is another step backwards.

It is so key to get it right this summer – we have some really good players to build around, and this has been one season too many with the same players letting us down. Change is essential, and if not this summer you really do start to wonder if it will ever happen.

An important part of the recent downfall with our previous two managers, Conte and Mourinho (I’m excluding Nuno here, he doesn’t count) was our failure in Europe.

When we have been in the Champions League under Conte we have looked out of our depth, in my opinion, scraping through an average group before not even threatening AC Milan in 180 minutes of football.

This felt like a huge turning point for the fans, in terms of their faith in  Conte, largely due to how he approached both games so cautiously.

Previously, in the Europa League, we were humiliated by Dinamo Zagreb and again that led to huge question marks over the manager – in that case Mourinho.

To sum up, we aren’t good enough to compete in the Champions League, so it is perhaps a relief that we are out of it next year, and Europa League or Conference League will, as I mentioned above, massively hinder the work a new manager can do.

There is an argument that it would be positive to be in the Europa League, because it gives us another chance of a trophy and is a very good trophy to win.

But ultimately, a season without Europe would do this club more good, allowing us to rebuild, and would provide a much-needed wake-up call to Mr Levy.

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Tottenham’s 6-1 thrashing at the hands of Newcastle United has left the North London club’s hopes of finishing in the top four hanging by a thread, with the Magpies and Manchester United now sitting six points clear with a game in hand over the Lilywhites.

(FABRICE COFFRINI/AFP via Getty Images)

To make matters worse, Spurs now look on the verge of missing out on Europa League qualification as well, with Aston Villa and Liverpool battling for those spots.

Football Insider reveal that it is not just the prize money from the Champions League (for each win and each round) that Tottenham would miss out on but the club would also take a hit to their commercial revenue.

This is because the club’s agreements with their prominent sponsors include step-down clauses in the event of failure to secure European qualification.

The report adds that Spurs would also miss out on matchday income of up to £6m per home game on European nights, with their total drop in revenue thus expected to be around £87m.

Spurs Web Opinion

Missing out on the Champions League would be a major blow and would certainly impact our summer transfer budget.

Given that we are likely to be competing against the likes of Newcastle and Man Utd for some of the same targets, not having CL football to offer would also be a major handicap in attracting top players to the club.

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Spurs are currently outsiders in the race for a top-four finish, with Newcastle United and Manchester United both sitting three points above the Lilywhites with games in hand.

(FABRICE COFFRINI/AFP via Getty Images)

However, despite the woeful defeat to Bournemouth, Tottenham are far from out of it, particularly since they have to face both the Magpies and the Red Devils over the coming weeks.

Football.London have now explained the big financial difference that finishing fourth would make for the three clubs compared to finishing one place lower.

The report explains that just qualifying for the group stage of the Champions League will see clubs earn a base payment of £13.7m, which is £10.5m more than what they would receive in the Europa League.

In addition, each win in the Champions League involves prize money of €2.8m (£2.5m) and a draw brings in €930k (£819k) while the comparative figures in the Europa League are just €630k (£555k) and a draw €210k (£185k) respectively.

Spurs Web Opinion

It is quite likely that us, Newcastle and Man Utd will be going after some of the same players this summer.

So, even putting aside the financial benefits of finishing in the top four, it is vital that we have Champions League football to offer in order to give ourselves the best chance of winning the race for our summer targets.

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After their victory over Nottingham Forest last weekend, Tottenham are currently sitting in the highly-coveted fourth place with 48 points from 27 games, just two points behind third-placed Manchester United who have played a game less.

(Photo by Tottenham Hotspur FC/Tottenham Hotspur FC via Getty Images)

In the chasing pack, Newcastle United occupy fifth spot with 44 points, having played 25 games.

Liverpool have 42 points from 26 games, but Brighton are behind them on goal difference only and have a game in hand. In short, the battle for Champions League places is intense this year.

Spurs face relegation-threatened Southampton next, and will be hoping to put further distance between themselves and those behind them.

Liverpool, Brighton, and Manchester United do not play this weekend due to FA Cup scheduling.

Conte commented on the race for the top four and reiterated just how challenging the final part of this campaign is going to be with all those teams fighting for one spot.

He told Football.London: “For sure to finish in the top four is a really good achievement for every club in the Premier League.

“You can see the table and you can see there are important teams that in the past won trophies, important trophies and now they’re struggling.”

“Don’t forget other teams like Brighton, who have important players in the club and are on a good run. Brentford also are having a fantastic season, then Newcastle, Liverpool and I don’t forget Chelsea.

“There is also United in this race. For sure it will be a good achievement to finish in Europe this season, like last season.”

The Spurs boss was keen to look to the past for lessons that can be learned, adding: “Don’t forget that Liverpool last season until the end of the season they were on a fantastic run to win everything.

“They lost in the Champions League final and finished second, one point behind City. They won the FA Cup and Carabao Cup. We are talking about a big team. Then it shows that in one season you can struggle.

“Chelsea won their last Premier League with me. It can happen. This type of situation, Liverpool situation, underlines the difficulty of the Premier League.

“It’s the most difficult league. Guardiola said he knows that every game you have to battle. Football is going to become like the NBA and we have to be ready for it.”

Spurs Web Opinion

It really is an incredibly competitive fight for the top four this year, perhaps more so than we’ve seen in a very long time.

It’s too close to call, so all we can do is hope that Spurs take advantage of their upcoming fixtures and put themselves in a strong position going into the final few games.

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The last ten days have been absolutely disastrous for Spurs, who have been knocked out from the FA Cup as well as the Champions League, meaning that the club’s 15-year trophy drought looks set to continue for at least another year.

Catherine Ivill/Getty Images

All the Lilywhites now have left to fight for this season is a top-four finish, which is certainly not going to be straightforward, with Liverpool firmly back in the hunt.

Speaking to The Evening Standard on Thursday, Harry Kane admitted that the last three results have felt like ‘a dagger to the heart’ and insisted that just a top-four finish is not enough for Spurs to consider the season a success.

Crouch has now questioned the futility of Tottenham prioritising getting into the Champions League over winning domestic cup competitions.

The former Spurs striker said on BT Sport Ultimate (8/3/23 – 20:25): “What is the point of getting top four if you’re going to perform like this in the Champions League?

“I get there are financial aspects to it.

“The fans would like to see an FA Cup or a Carabao Cup win – a trophy. It’s been so long.

“So to play a weakened team in the FA Cup – and the reason you rest the players is for the Premier League game – and you then lose that, then you’re out of the Champions League.

“You’re going for top four, but what for? They haven’t performed in any game I’ve seen here in the Champions League.”

Spurs Web Opinion

Qualifying for the Champions League is important for a club like Spurs in order to be able to financially compete for elite players in the market.

However, that is all futile if we continue getting the big decisions wrong in search of quick fixes, which the club have been guilty of doing with their last three managerial appointments.

It is easy for Levy to talk about returning to the club’s DNA and ethos as he did back in the summer of 2021 but it is time for him to actually walk the walk, and bring in an up-and-coming manager who plays attacking football and has a long-term vision.

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Spurs limped out of the Champions League after failing to overturn a one-goal deficit in the second leg of their last 16 tie with AC Milan.

The game at the Tottenham Hotspur stadium ended in a 0-0 draw, and fans were disappointed with the lacklustre display from the Lilywhites.

(Photo by Tottenham Hotspur FC/Tottenham Hotspur FC via Getty Images)

Although Spurs dominated possession, they managed just nine shots throughout the game, with only two being on target (Sky Sports).

For a game where goals were essential, there was a worrying lack of forward momentum from the North London side.

Fans were increasingly unhappy with what they saw, but were especially frustrated to see defender Davinson Sanchez replace attacker Dejan Kulusevski with seven minutes of normal time to go.

The substitution was met with booing from the home support and Conte has now addressed that matter.

On the changes he made after Cristian Romero’s red card, Conte told Football.London: “We had three strikers, we continued to play with three strikers. We played with Porro. We played with a 3-4-3 [before], without [11 players], we played with 3-2-3.”

Clearly, the manager wasn’t looking for suggestions, adding: “If you win the game it is because you only have strikers? We have to find in every moment to risk but not to lose the balance.

“Then we had the chance. If you think we can play with four strikers, with 2-2-4 and if you think so with the counterattack and the space. Well…”

“I think I do my job and everyone has to do their job. I think I have a career behind me and the experience to try to make the best decision. Then I repeat and you can accept or not.

“The reality to risk to score and if you score one goal you go into 30 minutes with four strikers. I understand the fans but I’m the coach and I always have to find the best solution for the team.”

Spurs Web Opinion

I can’t defend that particular decision, unfortunately. I get what Conte is saying, but we should worry about extra time if and when we get there.

Bringing Davinson Sanchez on and taking Kulusevski off the field in the dying minutes of such a huge game was never going to be the kind of substitution that would salvage the result for us.

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Spurs needed to win on Wednesday to stay in the competition after their 1-0 loss in the first leg at the San Siro last month.

(Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)

However, one would not have thought that from the Lilywhites’ approach to the game as the home side lacked urgency and failed to put their opponents under pressure in either half, with the Serie A club walking away with a relatively comfortable draw.

The result means that Tottenham’s trophy drought will continue for another season and has raised serious question marks over Conte’s future at the club.

However, the 53-year-old suggested that Milan’s win was not a surprise, remarking that the loss against Sheffield United in the FA Cup last week was a much bigger blow.

Despite claiming that Spurs need time to build, Conte’s contract is up in the summer and he even hinted at the possibility of a sacking last night (Athletic).

When asked what his plans are for the rest of the season, Conte responded (via Football.London): “I think for sure the game in the FA Cup was really, really bad.

“It was really, really bad and the players know very well that we missed a big chance to continue to stay and fight for a trophy. Today I think in this type of game and there is a big difference with the opponent.

“Today you played against Milan who last season won the league in Italy. We are talking about a big team, with a big story, a great team. We cannot compare these two defeats.

“The reality is we are out from FA Cup and now Champions League. Yeah, what I can tell you is we are working.

“We are working to try to improve and to go step by step but if someone thinks that in one day, one year, you start to win? It is difficult.

“I know that to win you have to build, you need time and you have to go step by step and to accept this type of defeat.

“This defeat because I think Sheffield United was unacceptable, but today, for the opponent, for the trophy we play, I don’t like to lose but it can happen during a path to have this type of situation, especially I repeat because last season don’t forget we play Conference League and two years ago Europa League.

“Now we are playing again Champions League but to play Champions League you know you have to improve your level because the level is high.

“In Premier League it is really difficult because you can see in the table really strong teams who stay in difficult position but we have to know that it’s not easy.

“At the same time the only way is to continue to work. I am really sorry for the fans, I am really sorry for the fans but we cannot invent the win.

“This is important to know this. We cannot invent the win or hope for a miracle one day that a trophy go into our training ground or pitch.

“We have to build and have patience. I understand for the fans, they don’t have patience because for a long time, Tottenham is not winning but what I can promise is that we continue to work really hard for this club to try to improve and then we see what happen.”

Spurs Web Opinion

This sort of excuse is certainly not acceptable as Milan themselves are having an average campaign this time out and their performances across the two legs were far from exceptional.

In fact, one can argue that they were there for the taking but Conte’s risk-averse game plan meant that they were not put under pressure in either leg.

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(Photo by James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Images)

So Easy – 

It appeared for large parts that Spurs were having a lot of the ball and were taking control of the game, particularly in the first half. In truth, I think Milan were not at all afraid of what Tottenham had planned for them. They seemed confident, and rightly so, that they could sit back and defend, put in some 7 out of 10 performances, and walk away with a clean sheet. And that’s exactly what happened.

Romero Red – 

Romero has been Tottenham’s best defender for the past couple of years, but that makes two red cards in the past month for the centre-back. To be honest, I think he would calm down a little if you put some fellow high-level defenders next to him. I feel like he loses patience at times when Spurs are playing poorly. But, at the same time, you need a player who can keep a level head through thick and thin in the Premier League, and he needs to improve on that.

Conte Gone – 

I am predicting that this is the final nail in the Conte coffin. Even if he stays until the end of the season, this is the point where I think everyone has checked out. The fans no longer believe. The players have no trophy to play for. And Conte clearly has one foot out the door. Is it time to just pull the trigger and move early for whoever is next?

Danjuma Confusion – 

Tottenham are essentially 1-0 down and need a goal to send the game to extra time. Richarlison and Pedro Porro have already been sent on. Who comes next? Surely Danjuma or maybe even Lucas Moura. Nope. Davinson Sanchez. Yes, I know Romero had just been sent off, but Spurs needed a goal and taking off Kulusevski for a centre-back just felt so pointless. What must Danjuma think of all these unused bench appearances?

Out Of Form – 

When you look across the consistent starting XI for in-form players who have played well throughout the season, you can honestly count them on one hand. Kane has scored plenty of goals while feeding off scraps. Bentancur was world-class and carried the team. Romero has been good between the silly red cards. Skipp has looked solid since coming in. Hojbjerg has been very good when next to Bentancur. But that really is about it. For the first time ever, Spurs have stacked their front line with five or six class options, and literally everyone apart from Kane is misfiring.

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Tottenham head into the break against Stefano Pioli’s side currently level at 0-0 with the home side failing to look like a threat to Milan’s lead.

Fraser Forster: Has not been troubled which speaks volumes about the half. 6.

Emerson Royal: Started the match brightly and got forward on plenty of occasions, but with limited end product.  Picked up a good defensive position late on to deny Giroud. 6.

Cristian Romero: Picked up a silly yellow card after a sliding tackle, will he ever learn? 6.

Ben Davies: Sightly fortunate after being caught on his heels for the Milan free-kick which was dragged back across goal. 6.

Clement Lenglet: Picked up a harsh yellow for an aerial challenge with Giroud which will alongside Romero, see him miss the next match if Spurs progress. 6.

Ivan Perisic: Needs to stamp his experience on this game, the interlink between Croatian and Son does not work. 5.

Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg: Made a couple of sloppy passes which should have gone to a team-mate. Needs to be pushing on and helping with the high press. 4.

Oliver Skipp: Has looked busy in the middle of the pitch and made two key fouls to stop Milan from breaking forward. 7.

Harry Kane Has found himself in more space compared to the first leg but is still not being helped by his team mates who need more belief to create chances. 6.

Dejan Kulusevski: Has seen plenty of the ball but has found it difficult to get past Hernandez.  Has overhit a couple of good chances from set pieces. 4.

(Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)

Heung-min Son: Another poor half from a player seriously out of form and confidence. 4.

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A place in the quarter final awaits, with Tottenham needing to overturn a 1-0 deficit from the first leg at the San Siro in order to keep their European dream alive in front of their own supporters.

There are plenty of nerves heading into the fixture after Tottenham put in disappointing performances in the space of the last week with defeats at both Sheffield United and Wolverhampton Wanderers to end their FA Cup hopes and also dent their chances of another season in tonight’s competition.

Spurs’ last win against tonight’s opponents came in 2011 – with Peter Crouch scoring in a 1-0 win in the Champions League last 16.

(Photo by Tottenham Hotspur FC/Tottenham Hotspur FC via Getty Images)

Among the Spurs players spotted arriving at the stadium in north London were Cristian Romero, Heung-min Son, Dejan Kulusevski and Pape Matar Sarr.

A big night of #UCL football awaits pic.twitter.com/kwMj096vmf

— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) March 8, 2023

Reporting for duty pic.twitter.com/Nc1TMzBr7j

— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) March 8, 2023

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Tottenham are back under the lights in north London and frankly, the spotlight could not be any brighter on the club at the moment after a turbulent week which saw them crash out of the FA Cup at the hands of Championship side Sheffield United and also pass up an opportunity to strengthen their claim for a top four finish in the Premier League with defeat at Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Head coach Antonio Conte is back in the dugout after returning from Italy earlier this week following his recuperation under doctor’s orders after undergoing gallbladder removal surgery.

The Italian spoke at yesterday’s press conference about the pressure ahead of a big night in the European football calendar.

He told Football.London:” The pressure, people we live for this type of game, we live for this moment. When the pressure is going up, it means that you level is going up.

“Don’t forget last season we played Conference League and instead this season we are playing Champions League. We won our group, first leg we lost 1-0 and we have possibility tomorrow to beat Milan and then to go to next round.

I think for sure don’t forget the past and to understand that we need to have step by step to improve the situation. Then if you ask me do I want to win Champions League? I say yes but then there is reality.

“We have to be ready to go game by game. Tomorrow the obstacle is Milan and we have to beat them by two goals if we want to go to the next round. The pressure is normal and we have to live with this type of pressure.

(Photo by Tottenham Hotspur FC/Tottenham Hotspur FC via Getty Images)

Spurs are once again without Hugo Lloris, Ryan Sessegnon, Yves Bissouma and Rodrigo Bentancur who are all ruled out through injury.

This is who takes to the field in N17 this evening:

Tottenham XI: Forster; Romero, Lenglet, Davies; Emerson, Skipp, Hojbjerg, Perisic; Son, Kulusevski, Kane.

Subs: Austin, Whiteman, Tanganga, Sanchez, Porro, Sarr, Devine, Danjuma, Lucas, Richarlison

AC Milan XI: Maignan, Tomori, Kalulu, Hernandez, Thiaw, Krunic, Tonali, Messias, Diaz, Leao, Giroud

Your Spurs team this evening #UCL pic.twitter.com/RKQrQN6oBY

— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) March 8, 2023

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Tottenham manager Antonio Conte was back overseeing matters with his backroom staff having returned to the club earlier this week following his recuperation in Italy after his gallbladder removal surgery.

Failure to beat Milan tomorrow will see Spurs crash out of European football’s most prestigious club competition and end their hopes of silverware for  another season, while also increasing the already toxic feeling among the fans over how things have panned out in recent weeks.

(Photo by Alex Davidson/Getty Images)

There is said to already be a broad feeling among the Spurs players that Antonio Conte will depart the club at the end of the season (The Athletic).

Among the players spotted being put through their paces at the club’s training ground were:

Goalkeepers

Fraser Forster, Brandon Austin, Alfie Whiteman

Defenders

Pedro Porro, Cristian Romero, Davinson Sanchez, Clement Lenglet, Eric Dier, Charlie Sayers, Ben Davies, Emerson Royal, Ivan Perisic

Midfielders

Arnaut Danjuma, Oliver Skipp, Pape Matar Sarr, Alfie Devine, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg

Strikers

Harry Kane, Heung-min Son, Lucas Moura, Richarlison

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Conte returned to Italy at the end of last month to continue recovering from surgery to remove his gallbladder and arrived back in England on Sunday to resume his duties at Tottenham ahead of tomorrow night’s pivotal Champions League round of sixteen second leg against the Serie A giants.

Tottenham appear to be a club with no plan at the moment with speculation mounting that the Italian will not be in charge of the north London outfit come the start of next season and it is said behind the scenes they are aware they need to take control of the situation (The Athletic).

The 53-year-old is set to be out of contract at the end of the season and despite talks having taken place over a new deal in the winter

Conte was asked about what success looks like for Spurs this season.

He told Football.London: “You know very well that for me this season represents a success if we fight. If we fight to be competitive to win something. I think that this has to be our target. Tottenham as a club has to need to have this target, every season to fight for something important.

“To fight to win. To win is not easy and I think we are in a country that is the most difficult country to win something. The Premier League has the top level and a lot of teams that want to win. Many teams are going to improve year by year and you have to be prepared to improve the level.

“Every season I want to be competitive to win something. If this doesn’t happen then it’s not positive for me.”

(Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)

Spurs will once again be without Hugo Lloris, Ryan Sessegnon, Yves Bissouma and Rodrigo Bentancur who all remain sidelined through injury, while Eric Dier sits out the fixture due to a one-match suspension following his yellow card at the San Siro.

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The pressure is mounting on Conte and his coaching staff after Spurs suffered two back-to-back defeats against Sheffield United and Wolves.

(Photo by Tottenham Hotspur FC/Tottenham Hotspur FC via Getty Images)

The Italian returned to London over the weekend after nearly three weeks in Italy recuperating from his gallbladder surgery, and The Times explain that he held a meeting with his players before Monday’s training session and is expected to return to the touchline on Wednesday.

However, the publication adds that the break has only strengthened the 53-year-old’s desire to head back to his home country at the end of the season.

The report asserts that as things stand, the expectation is that he will return to Italy in the summer and the chances of that happening before the end of the season will increase further if Spurs do not progress to the quarterfinal of the Champions League.

Spurs Web Opinion

Even if Spurs progress to the final eight of the Champions League, that might not be enough to convince the club to hand Conte a contract extension if we finish outside the top four.

At the moment, it seems like divorce at the end of the season will be the best solution for all parties involved.

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