Tottenham Hotspur

Dale Johnson
Football issues correspondent

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Mauricio Pochettino believes Chelsea should be stripped of the Premier League title for 2016-17, when his Tottenham team finished runners-up.

This is about Chelsea making £47m in secret payments, according to a Premier League investigation, to unregistered agents and third parties to seal transfers between 2011 and 2018.

The transfers included Eden Hazard, Samuel Eto'o, Willian, Ramires, David Luiz, Andre Schurrle and Nemanja Matic.

Four of those - Hazard, Willian, Luiz and Matic - were at the club in 2016-17.

During that period Chelsea won two Premier League titles (2014-15 and 2016-17), two FA Cups (2011-12 and 2017-18), the EFL Cup (2014-15) and the Europa League (2018–19).

Chelsea have been fined by Uefa, the Premier League and the Football Association, but Pochettino thinks that is not enough.

"If they admitted they broke the rules, the Premier League title was for the second-best team," Pochettino said.

Tottenham were relentless at the end of the 2016-17 season, winning 12 of their final 13 matches to finish on 86 points.

Yet Antonio Conte's Chelsea were almost as relentless, winning 11 of their last 13 to take the title with 93 points.

Spurs' tally would have been enough for the title in 2015-16, when Leicester finished on 81.

However, since 1999-2000, when Manchester United were champions on 79 points, 86 points would only have won the title twice, including the two most recent seasons.

Tottenham's problem in 2016-17 was too many draws at the start of the campaign. Despite an unbeaten 11-game start, only five of those were victories.

Chelsea lost more matches - five to Spurs' four - but secured 30 wins to Tottenham's 26.

Pochettino might argue that the attacking influence from Willian and Hazard proved the difference, with those two players having attacking contributions in eight different matches which led to points.

Then there is the mere aspect of sporting advantage - how the signings of players like Hazard enabled Chelsea to win trophies, qualify for the Champions League and therefore attract more top talent.

Read more about the debate here

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The Premier League has announced it will stage seven matches on Boxing Day this year after releasing its festive schedule.

Four fixtures will be staged at 15:00 GMT, with further matches played at 12:30, 17:30 and 20:00.

The fixture programme for 26 December, which falls on a Saturday in 2026, is considerably bigger than last year, when one game was held.

Three matches will be played on Sunday, 27 December, while three further rounds of games will be held over a period up to Thursday, 7 January.

A round of evening midweek fixtures will staged on 29-30 December, while Leeds will host Everton (20:00) for the only match on New Year's Day.

The remainder of that round will be held over the weekend of 2-3 January, with the fourth round of games spread across the evenings of 5-7 January.

The Premier League has brought forward the announcement of fixture scheduling over the Christmas and New Year period after consultation with both broadcast partners and the Football Supporters' Association and representatives from club Fan Advisory Boards.

Television scheduling for Premier League fixtures has been announced up to Monday, 2 November, with broadcast selections for the remaining games in November and December to be announced in the weeks commencing 21 September and 19 October respectively.

The Premier League has guaranteed clubs at least a 60-hour break between fixtures over the festive period to address the concerns over a congested festive schedule that follows recent expansions of the European and international calendars.

Premier League Christmas and New Year schedule

Saturday, 26 December

12:30 Aston Villa v Leeds

15:00 Everton v Sunderland

15:00 Fulham v Brighton

15:00 Ipswich v Brentford

15:00 Spurs v AFC Bournemouth

17:30 Hull v Liverpool

20:00 Newcastle v Manchester City

Sunday, 27 December

14:00 Coventry v Chelsea

16:30 Manchester Utd v Nottingham Forest

19:00 Crystal Palace v Arsenal

Tuesday, 29 December

19:30 Hull v Leeds

19:30 Spurs v Brighton

20:15 Everton v Manchester City

Wednesday, 30 December

19:30 Coventry v Brentford

19:30 Crystal Palace v AFC Bournemouth

19:30 Fulham v Arsenal

19:30 Manchester United v Sunderland

19:30 Newcastle v Nottingham Forest

20:15 Aston Villa v Liverpool

20:15 Ipswich v Chelsea

Friday, 1 January

20:00 Leeds v Everton

Saturday, 2 January

12:30 Brighton v Manchester United

15:00 Arsenal v Ipswich

15:00 Brentford v Crystal Palace

15:00 Liverpool v Coventry

15:00 Nottingham Forest v Fulham

15:00 Sunderland v Hull

17:30 AFC Bournemouth v Aston Villa

Sunday, 3 January

14:00 Chelsea v Newcastle

16:30 Manchester City v Spurs

Tuesday, 5 January

19:30 Arsenal v Brentford

19:30 Brighton v AFC Bournemouth

19:30 Everton v Aston Villa

19:30 Nottingham Forest v Hull

20:15 Sunderland v Liverpool

Wednesday, 6 January

19:30 Crystal Palace v Chelsea

19:30 Fulham v Spurs

19:30 Ipswich v Coventry

20:15 Leeds v Manchester City

Thursday, 7 January

20:00 Manchester United v Newcastle

Tottenham and Manchester United both had representatives in Belgium on Tuesday to watch Club Brugge's German striker Nicolo Tresoldi, 22. (Teamtalk), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Thursday's full gossip column

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Sami Mokbel and Nizaar Kinsella
Senior football correspondent and football reporter

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Tottenham winger Mykhailo Mudryk is set for around six to eight weeks on the sidelines after injuring an ankle in training.

The 25-year-old is understood to have sustained the injury on Monday and is currently believed to be in protective boot.

Mudryk joined Spurs from Chelsea on a season-long loan on deadline day - making him the first player to move between the clubs in 17 years - and came on as a 74th-minute substitute in Saturday's goalless draw at Nottingham Forest, which was his first senior appearance since November 2024.

The injury coincides with a three-week international break and a return in October is considered a realistic prospect.

The Ukraine international - who had also been expected to accept a call-up to the his national team squad - was handed a four-year ban in December 2024 after testing positive for banned substance meldonium, but in July this year he was cleared to return to professional football after resolving his doping case with the Football Association.

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We asked for your views on whether Marcos Senesi's minutes and if he can be a long-term starter in Roberto de Zerbi's Tottenham team.

Here are some of your comments:

Peter: It's great to have three starting options, but that's also the problem. With two of them (Jan Paul van Hecke and Senesi) having an almost identical profile, it's hard to balance game time with all of them. But with how bad our defence has been, why not give him a go against Everton?

Aston: I'm quite disappointed that Senesi isn't getting game time. I think he's an excellent player and I was looking forward to seeing him quite a bit. Obviously Van de Ven is our first-choice centre back, but I'd like to sometimes see Senesi play with him instead of Van Hecke. But all three are amazing, so there's gotta be some competition!

Nick: I'm not sure that Senesi has complained about his lack of game time, but I have long thought Spurs' biggest problem is our players think themselves better than they are. I'd rather they forced themselves into first team reckoning, or changed the game from the bench rather than moaning about not being picked. Looking at better teams, when they make changes players bust a gut to make sure they stay in. Look at Myles Lewis-Skelly - he's keeping Bruno Guimaraes out of the team. Martin Zubimendi and Mikel Merino also always make sure Arsenal see out the game from the bench. Whereas whenever we bring on a sub, everything falls flat and our football dies a death.

Martyn: The fact we spent £52m on Van Hecke means it's obvious he was going to be first choice. I expect us to play three at the back sometimes, where Senesi will thrive alongside the two Vans. He's a quality defender and will get his chances. We're three games in... Overreaction to everything at Spurs. Fueled by the social media.

Johnny: Senesi won't be RDZ's first-choice starter - that will be Van de Ven, his captain, and Van Hecke, a player whom he trusts from their time at Brighton together. With Kevin Danso and Cristian Romero leaving, Senesi will get other opportunities though, either through squad rotation, the result of injuries, being a few goals up in a game and resting players (we can dream) or actual good form in training. After three league games, I'm surprised this is even a question really.

Stuart: I think everyone expected Van de Ven to leave so Senesi was his replacement. I can't see him starting much unless Van de Ven gets injured.

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"He's comfortable playing in a possession-based team, reads the game very well and has the personality to thrive in a demanding environment," Roberto de Zerbi said on Marco Senesi after Tottenham signed the defender in June.

"I also love his mentality and desire to keep improving and I'm looking forward to working with him and seeing the big contribution he can make to the team."

Senesi was a big get for Spurs. The 29-year-old had rejected three contract offers at Bournemouth before leaving on a free, and had previously been linked with other big European clubs including Chelsea, Barcelona and Juventus.

He then went on to earn a late call-up to Argentina's World Cup squad and was part of the group that reached the final.

It was expected Senesi would slot straight into De Zerbi's starting XI - and he did for the Premier League opener away at Brentford. However, after a shambolic defensive showing from Spurs in the 3-0 defeat, he has not played a minute since.

Captain Micky van de Ven was injured for that game, but has started alongside other new addition Jan Paul van Hecke in the centre of defence in the 2-0 home defeat by Newcastle, and then as Spurs recorded their first point and clean sheet of the season in the goalless draw at Nottingham Forest on Saturday.

The statistics from last season illustrate Senesi's qualities and what he can offer a side in terms of build up. He led the entire Premier League for forward passes (1189) and successful long passes excluding goalkeepers (182), while he ranked in the top three for line-breaking passes (457) and progressive carries (388).

Interestingly, the only player to make more line-breaking passes, line-breaking actions, and have more progressive carries than the Argentina international was fellow Spurs summer signing Van Hecke.

De Zerbi's teams are built from the foundations of building from defence and inviting the press on so they can play through it. It is clear targeting defenders with the ability to progress the ball and break lines with their passing was part of the club's recruitment strategy.

However, it appears now that Van Hecke is the first choice alongside captain Van de Ven - and Senesi may need to work harder than he thought to get starts at his new team.

Spurs fans, do you see Senesi as a long-term starter? And do you think his qualities suit a De Zerbi team?

Get in touch with your views here

Nizaar Kinsella
Football reporter

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Mykhailo Mudryk became the first player to move from Chelsea to Tottenham in 17 years and the first loanee to join Spurs from Chelsea since 1992.

The Ukraine international, 25, has since returned to action, making his first competitive appearance in more than 21 months as a substitute in Roberto de Zerbi's side against Nottingham Forest this weekend.

Upon joining, Mudryk reiterated that De Zerbi, who managed him at Shakhtar Donetsk, was his "football father".

However, a move to north London was not a realistic option until the last few days of the window.

Spurs had previously explored moves for Liverpool's Cody Gakpo and then-Everton forward Iliman Ndiaye, with Richarlison set to move in the opposite direction to the Toffees.

However, Liverpool opted to keep Gakpo, while neither Ndiaye nor Richarlison agreed personal terms despite the clubs reaching an agreement. Ndiaye ultimately joined Manchester City instead.

Meanwhile, Leeds United were favourites to sign Mudryk.

Their proposed deal included a loan fee, full wage coverage and penalties if the attacker was not played.

Leeds had at least two offers rejected by Chelsea during talks that lasted more than two weeks, but remained hopeful of completing a deal because they were Mudryk's preferred destination.

Brentford also explored the possibility of signing Mudryk, having previously attempted to acquire him in 2022, but wanted an affordable option-to-buy clause that Chelsea were unwilling to include.

Leeds were blindsided when Chelsea and Spurs held club-to-club talks over deals for both Mudryk and Tosin Adarabioyo on the same day, helping reduce the size of Chelsea's squad at a crucial stage of the window.

The agreement for Mudryk also included a £75m option to buy. While that option is considered unlikely to be exercised, it is expected to establish a high benchmark for any asking price should Chelsea decide to sell the attacker next summer.

Ultimately, the Yorkshire club instead completed a deal for Eintracht Frankfurt attacker Jean-Matteo Bahoya, using an extended deal-sheet deadline to secure an initial loan move with an obligation to buy, just before the window shut.

BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club has been discussing Tottenham's start to the season, with Chris Sutton asking when boss Roberto de Zerbi is going to "take responsibility" for results against a background of the amount of money spent.

Spurs are in the bottom three having picked up just one point from their opening three league games, and are yet to score a goal in the competition - though they did put five past Charlton Athletic in the Carabao Cup second round.

"I've not seen those comments if he has done, but he's made a fair few excuses so far this season," said former Premier League striker Sutton.

"After the Brentford defeat, he spoke about their lack of physicality and then threw the forwards under the bus after Nottingham Forest. He's spent a lot of money.

"When he went to Brighton he changed things around pretty quickly and you saw his stamp on that particular team. At this moment in time, I don't think any of us can work out what Tottenham are or what they're trying to become.

"So, surely he has to do better? If you're a Spurs fan, you can think it will take time because of all the change which has happened in terms of bringing personnel in, but you also have to marry that with the money they've spent and think we should be doing better.

"I don't think that's unfair - but three games is very difficult to judge.

"Spurs fans would have expected to see more than they have and that's De Zerbi's problem."

Listen to the full episode of Monday Night Club on BBC Sounds

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We asked for your views on how you're feeling after a difficult start to Roberto de Zerbi's first full season in charge. How concerned are you with the lack of creativity? And what do you think about the Italian's comments and touchline demeanour?

Here are some of your comments:

Colin: Have to agree with De Zerbi, you can't just slot a player in and expect the rest of the team - most of them themselves new - and get the same understanding. I'm happy to be patient because look how long it's taken Arsenal!

Gary: The window is over and the press are scrambling for news. As always, Spurs are an easy target. The players need to gel. The positives of the Forest game are that we didn't lose like the last four games against them. It's an away point. Didn't concede. Give us time and leave us alone.

Rachel: I don't think any Spurs fan realistically expected the new players to gel immediately, but I sense the same old routine. I hope I'm wrong, but we're a long way from challenging anyone.

Mike: It is all so ridiculous, mostly journalistic hype. We are three games into the season and we have all the conjecture around the Premier League. Today's world requires instant gratification, hence all the comments about Spurs' spending and results. Wait until Christmas before judging the manager and transfers. At least then the evidence will be a lot more substantial.

Stan: The last thing Spurs need now is to change manager. We all need to put our faith in De Zerbi and his methods. We have three very creative players still missing, and the new players are taking time to gel, but confidence breeds confidence and a point at Forest now needs to be followed up with home wins against Everton and Villa. I'm sure we will start to see the shoots of a good team beginning to play the Spurs way.

Tor: Roberto de Zerbi is a world-class coach and we have world-class players. Give them time to properly gel, and I think we will have a great season. Asking questions about a manager just because they haven't won three games is outrageous.

Dale Johnson
Football issues correspondent

New video footage has been released that shows the ball coming off Neco Williams' arm in the lead-up to his disallowed goal in the 0-0 draw against Tottenham Hotspur.

The Nottingham Forest defender bundled the ball home in the 67th minute but video assistant referee Peter Bankes stepped in to rule out the goal for accidental handball.

Williams and Forest manager Oliver Glasner were adamant after the match that there was no proof the ball touched an arm.

While the footage vindicates the VAR's decision, it may not end the arguments about the decision to rule out the goal.

The new camera angle was not one of those available to Bankes during the game - so it is unlikely to end the anger from Forest fans over the validity of the intervention, even if we know the VAR was ultimately correct.

On the new footage, Williams touches the ball with his left arm then his right forearm before it goes into the net.

The VAR hub only has access to the broadcast cameras, and this camera was one of several which does not transmit as part of match coverage.

Bankes believed the proof on the angles he had available came from the ripple of Williams' shirt as the ball touched his right forearm.

BBC Sport understands that Pro Ref - the new name for the refereeing body that was previously called Professional Game Match Officials (PGMO) - is completely happy with the decision to rule out the goal.

There is irritation within Pro Ref about how the story has developed, partly because Williams was so unequivocal that the ball had not touched his arm - when there is now evidence to the contrary.

"I've seen the images and the replays and at not one moment did I think I handballed it," Williams told Sky Sports.

"I have seen all the images and at not one moment can you tell that has clearly hit my arms, because it never. I knew straight away I've headed it down in between my arms. It didn't hit my arm."

The feeling is that if Williams had not been so certain with his comments that the criticism would not have been as strong.

Read more on the context surrounding Williams' disallowed goal

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The Telegraph's Luke Edwards says Roberto de Zerbi's comments that "you can't just build the team with the names like in Football Manager" after his Tottenham side drew against Nottingham Forest on Saturday "ring a little bit hollow".

After a goalless draw at the City Ground left Spurs still searching for a first win of the season, head coach De Zerbi also told Sky Sports Spurs "have to improve in every part of football, organisation with and without the ball".

Spurs spent over £300m on new players over the summer with new additions Sandro Tonali, Jan Paul van Hecke, Savio and Omar Marmoush all starting on Saturday.

• Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

"The words ring a little bit hollow from De Zerbi and not for the first time," said Edwards.

"He said it's not like Football Manager and you don't buy players and just expect them to be a team. Well, actually that's your job.

"That is what you're supposed to do - build a team with your recruitment.

"They have spent heavily, he is under early season pressure. They were better against Nottingham Forest and I maintain they will get better and improve but it has been a really poor start to the season.

"If that Neco Williams goal stood it would have been three straight defeats to start the season after all the money they spent this summer.

"De Zerbi is not renowned for his calm under pressure and the pressure is already building. Lets sit back and watch the fireworks."

Spurs fans, we want to know how you're feeling after a difficult start to De Zerbi's first full season in charge? How concerned are you with the lack of creativity? And what do you think about the Italian's comments and touchline demeanour?

Get in touch with your views here

We asked for your thoughts after Saturday's Premier League game between Nottingham Forest and Tottenham.

Here are some of your comments:

Forest fans

Peter: The VAR call was ridiculous but at least we didn't lose. My biggest concern is our poor form at the City Ground. Is it now one win in our past 11 league games? We have to improve at home if we're to progress this season.

Sean: Going forward, our passing was crisp and precise and we should have put more away before the disallowed goal. I've got concerns about our defending, though, as we always seem to leave too much space or get into a situation where it feels like a last-gasp or hanging-on style of defending. A point is a point at least, and the signs are looking a lot better in terms of our performance. Liam Delap could be the signing of the season for us.

Tony: Forest were good enough for three points. Everyone is agreeing that there was no clear and obvious error in the referee's original decision but no-one has mentioned that, when the ball went over the line, neither of the Spurs defenders appealed for handball.

James: Poor VAR decisions throughout. Goal should have stood, we should have had a penalty and Spurs got away with some rough challenges. But we still shuld have done better.

Spurs fans

Trev: Some improvement in defence against an average opposition. Disappointed at the performance in central midfield, where there were very few quick, intelligent passes. Pedro Porro was good as usual. Mathys Tel lacked incisiveness on the left, allowing the opposition too much time.

Neil: Nothing to panic about. Anyone who has objectively watched all three games can see the improvement in each. I'm expecting a win against Everton on Saturday. My son is being born on Tuesday and it will be the first game he watches. That's got to bring us some luck... right?

Ricky: We are in another relegation battle. It's obvious to see on the pitch that none of our expensive new signings are fully committed to the club. We should have saved our money and kept Luke Vuskovic, Mikey Moore and Will Lankshear rather than invest in players that Manchester City, Chelsea and Brighton were more than happy to sell to us!

Edward: We need time. A goalless draw is a good sign and start. Now we need to build on that. Building on scoring and trying to win are the next priorities. Then from there, we start to build a better understanding among the players and then that's when you get the idea of team spirit and structure. All this needs to happen but none of it happens overnight. Please be patient and then good things will happen.

Nick Mashiter
Football reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Last March's 3-0 win for Nottingham Forest at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium provided the platform for the visitors' survival bid while leaving Spurs floundering until the final day.

Since then Spurs have spent over £300m on new players - contributing to the record £3.49bn Premier League outlay this summer.

Sandro Tonali, Jon Paul Van Hecke, Savio and Omar Marmoush were the new signings who started on Saturday, with Roberto de Zerbi remaining calm after another blank.

"We bought very, very good players but you can't just build the team with the names like in Football Manager," he told Sky Sports.

"We are disappointed for the result but for the performance very happy. Considering we started to work together last Thursday for the first time, for the first day.

"We have to improve in every part of football, organisation with and without the ball. Even today I thought we defended very well.

"We have to work because I think we played very well with the ball, we found the solution. I think we can be much better in the final third."

A draw was Tottenham's eighth in the league this year, their most across a calendar year since 2020, and they failed to have a shot on target in a top-flight match for the first time since April 2022 against Brentford under Antonio Conte.

Spurs have had 38 shots in the league this season with an expected goals of 3.3 and former midfielder Danny Murphy agreed with De Zerbi over what the visitors lacked.

"When Spurs did get in really good areas, they just rushed it and shot when they maybe should've passed," he told BBC Sport.

"They made the wrong choice on pullbacks or crosses when they're getting in wide areas, taking men on one too many times when they've already got the space.

"They were just missing that little bit of calmness and composure that you expect from top quality players.

"It takes time for some players [to find chemistry]. You could argue that Marmoush and Savio know each other anyway and bright footballers quickly learn each other's runs and movements.

"From a midfielder to a forward perspective, you're not always sure what they're going to do. Whereas if you played with someone for a while, it comes more naturally. So those relationships will build."

Read more here

Nick Mashiter
Football reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Spurs failed to have a shot on target until the 81st minute and even then Matz Sels could have gathered Pedro Porro's effort with his eyes closed.

With Richarlison, last season's 12-goal top scorer, excluded from the Premier League squad and expected to leave, they need to find goals from elsewhere.

Omar Marmoush and Savio, big-money signings from Manchester City, were unable to inspire the visitors.

Savio was withdrawn on the hour while Marmoush missed his best chance, shooting wide with just Sels to beat - although he was penalised for a foul in the build-up.

Tottenham did not play badly but after the summer spending spree it is not the level which is demanded or expected.

Tottenham boss Roberto de Zerbi speaking to BBC Match of the Day: "In terms of performance I am very, very proud. I'm delighted to watch my players fight like this. We didn't concede risk to concede goals.

"We are working now, because we started last Thursday, very happy for the spirit, the attitude, the behaviour of the players. The players who played 90 minutes, 70 minutes, 20 minutes, 10 minutes. This is our way, great qualities of the players. The human level of the dressing is great, now we have to work and improve in all levels of the football.

"Our mood is to win, to win, to win. But I think we have to stay calm to keep the confidence in ourselves. Then I think we have the players good enough to score many goals like [Dominic] Solanke, Savio, [Omar] Marmoush."

On if he has everything he needs for success: "I'm very happy for the transfer market, I think the club, the sporting director and the CEO worked it very, very well with ambition and clear ideas. Now we have to work because in football you cannot ask for time but without time you can do nothing."

Did you know?

• Tottenham Hotspur failed to have a shot on target in a Premier League match for the first time since April 2022 against Brentford under Antonio Conte.

• Tottenham Hotspur have failed to score in three successive Premier League games for the first time since November 2021, while it is the first time a Roberto De Zerbi side has failed to do so in Europe's big five leagues since Brighton and Hove Albion in January 2024.

Whether you were at the game or following from elsewhere, we want to know what you learned.

Have your say on Nottingham Forest's performance

What did you make of Tottenham's display?

Reaction and analysis to follow - and come back on Monday for a selection of your replies.