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Tottenham Hotspur return to Premier League action this weekend and it’ll be no easy task as Nuno Santo looks to build on their victory last time out.

The north Londoners head to the northeast to face Newcastle United at St James’ Park, where there is expected to be an electric atmosphere as it’ll be the first game under their new ownership.

Spurs defeated Aston Villa to put an end to their run of three successive heavy league defeats but they will need to continue that form with a result away from home today.

Nuno has been under increasing pressure in recent weeks and that leaves him with a tricky dilemma in terms of team selection – he’ll have to get it spot against the Magpies.

For all of the positives against Villa, there were still some aspects that could be improved on, particularly in the final third. It was actually the first time the side had bagged more than one goal in the top-flight this season.

Despite that, Spurs still sit second-bottom for average number of shots per game (10.4) in the Premier League – even the three teams in the relegation zone have fired off more attempts, whilst they also rank third-bottom for expected goals (7.25 xG).

The Portuguese head coach opted for Tanguy Ndombele in the no.10 role right before the international break but it’s a decision that failed to pay off as the Frenchman, who was not selected by Didier Deschamps last week, barely had an influence in the attack.

As per SofaScore, he managed only 41 touches, which was the lowest of any outfield starter for Spurs, whilst he made 18 passes – for context, goalkeeper Hugo Lloris made just three fewer.

One is meant to be the team’s playmaker.

Furthermore, Ndombele won just 50% of his midfield battles, proving to be ineffective and rather weak.

That has very much been the tale of the £36m-rated dynamo’s time in N17. A player, who on his day can be a world-beater, but those occasions are far and few between.

His performances when it really counts have been inconsistent, to say the least, but according to Joe Hart, the 24-year-old club-record signing is an exceptional talent.

During Spurs’ FA Cup clash with Wycombe Wanderers last season, the backup goalkeeper waxed lyrical about his former teammate to BT Sport pundit Rio Ferdinand.

“I said to Joe, how good is he? And he said ‘this kid is a world-beater, he can do anything.’ He just turned around during the game and said ‘this kid is unplayable’,” he claimed (via football.london).

Right now, however, it could be argued that the ex-Lyon star is holding Nuno’s side back as they cannot afford him coasting through some matches and then delivering in others.

It could be wise for the Portuguese to be ruthless and axe him at Newcastle this afternoon.

AND in other news, Nuno Santo hints at Spurs injury blow ahead of Newcastle clash…

Some Manchester United fans have been left blasting the display of Jadon Sancho in their 2-1 loss in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday evening.

The man signed from Borussia Dortmund in the summer transfer window really struggled in the early stages of the game and was subsequently taken off for Diogo Dalot in the first half after Aaron Wan-Bissaka got himself sent off.

In the time on the pitch that he did have, Sancho lost out on all four of his duels, and also failed to record a single shot on goal, successful dribble, key pass, cross or long ball, while he lost possession on seven different occasions (Sofascore).

It has not been the best of starts to his United career so far, and so the England international will now be hoping to kick on under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

Manchester United fans on Sancho display

These members of the Old Trafford faithful blasted his performance on Twitter, with one Red Devils supporter even going as far as to claim that he was ‘horrific’:

“Sancho was horrific bench him next game”

Credit: @FplRebelz

“I understand Sancho has been disappointing a bit”

Credit: @UTDRapha

“My days Sancho was bad”

Credit: @DarraghMUFC__

“At this point Sancho was just a waste of money”

Credit: @Uncommon_memer

“He was terrible in that first 30 mins”

Credit: @napper_abbie

“Spent £72 million on a flop”

Credit: @EricSkylet

In other news, find out whose display against Newcastle United was slammed here!

Southampton have been handed a potential boost in their pursuit of West Brom goalkeeper Sam Johnstone…

What’s the talk?

According to The Sun, Southampton transfer target Sam Johnstone has put talks over a fresh contract at West Brom on hold to focus on Championship action, with his deal set to expire at the end of the season.

The Saints are reportedly interested in a swoop for the England international as Ralph Hasenhuttl goes in search of a new number one, as is expected.

Get it done

Southampton chief Martin Semmens must ensure that he can get a deal over the line for Johnstone in 2022 and this update could hand him a boost in his efforts.

As it stands, West Brom are top of the Championship after six games. This suggests that an immediate return to the top-flight could be on the cards for the club, which could persuade Johnstone to ignore interest from elsewhere to remain in the Midlands, but there is still hope for the Saints as it is still very early in the season.

There is plenty of time for the Baggies to wobble and Johnstone stalling on talks over a new contract opens the door for Southampton to move for him if West Brom do start to struggle.

The £28k-per-week beast has already proven that he can excel at Premier League level. Former West Brom boss Sam Allardyce hailed Johnstone as ‘one of the best’ last season and praised his impact on the side. He said:

“He’s one of the best. I think that’s pleasing to see as he’s one of the two most important people in your team.

“The goalscorer is the first and your goalkeeper is the second.

“He’s right up there at the right level and he’d already saved more shots than anybody before yesterday.

“The defence was so good yesterday that Sam had little or nothing to do. That one brilliant save was a magnificent save when we needed it, but we limited Liverpool to hardly any shots on target and we had more than them.”

Last season, Alex McCarthy conceded 8.1 more goals than he was expected to based on Expected Goals Against. Johnstone, meanwhile, prevented 4.1 goals as he performed to a higher level than the average goalkeeper was expected to.

This suggests that the West Brom man could be a sizeable improvement on McCarthy, as he showed last term that he is a vastly superior shot-stopper.

The Saints must do all they can to snap him up for free in 2022.

AND in other news, Gao must avoid Saints nightmare over key decision as report reveals club’s intentions…

An exciting claim has emerged on Tottenham Hotspur’s transfer plans for next year…

What’s the word?

According to renowned transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, the north London outfit are already planning ahead to next summer in a bid to bolster Nuno Santo’s squad with a key addition.

Speaking on a recent episode of his ‘Here We Go’ podcast, the Italian journalist said:

“They are already looking at potential strikers for summer 2022.

“This summer they had the chance to sign a striker as a backup for Harry Kane, but they were not convinced by some [of the] players, so they decided to save their money and invest next summer on the right player.

“This is [Fabio] Paratici’s style and mentality.”

Exciting times ahead

This latest update should hardly come as a surprise, though it is one that should leave many around the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium absolutely buzzing.

Spurs enjoyed a fairly successful transfer window, bringing in no fewer than five new names, three of which are expected to make their presence known sooner rather than later.

Defensive colossus Cristian Romero, the playmaking Bryan Gil and an upgrade on Serge Aurier in Emerson Royal is certainly fine business indeed.

However, the one thing they lacked was the addition of an extra forward – not just to provide valuable back-up to Kane but also to potentially partner him up top.

As per the Telegraph’s Matt Law back in July, Lilywhites boss Nuno Santo wanted to change their style of play to include a two-man attack, with Danny Ings a key target.

He went on to join Aston Villa in a £30m deal instead.

Spurs also reportedly agreed on a fee for Inter Milan talisman Lautaro Martinez but that fell through after Chelsea’s move for his strike partner Romelu Lukaku, whilst Fiorentina’s Dusan Vlahovic and Wolves attacker Adama Traore were other names mooted throughout the window.

The fact that sporting director Fabio Paratici already knows that this is a problem is a positive thing as it means he is already planning to make amends in the coming windows.

That should leave both Nuno and the Lilywhites faithful teeming with excitement heading into 2022.

AND in other news, Spurs may forever rue big summer blunder over £18m-rated “machine”, Nuno must be livid…

Former All Leeds TV pundit Joe Wainman insists that Leeds United need to add more squad depth before Tuesday’s transfer deadline.

Marcelo Bielsa’s side have not been all that busy throughout the summer transfer window.

They have signed full-back Junior Firpo from Barcelona and goalkeeper Kristoffer Klaesson from Valerenga. They have also secured a permanent deal for Jack Harrison, having taken the Manchester City winger on loan.

There has not been a huge amount of squad turnover, but Wainman insists that Leeds need to add more players to Bielsa’s pool of players.

Indeed, he has claimed that the club could well move on a player like Helder Costa, whom he believes does not have the ability to make a real impact at Leeds, and make a move to sign a player such as Manchester United’s Dan James or Rangers’ Ryan Kent.

Indeed, the club have already loaned out Ian Poveda, and Wainman believes that example should be followed.

He said: “He notoriously doesn’t like a big squad, I understand, but what we do need to do is improve the depth and move on players who aren’t quite there.

“So I look at Costa, okay, bring someone like Dan James or Ryan Kent, it’s an improvement on Costa. Move Costa on.

“We’ve seen Poveda move on, so there’s a chance there for a winger to come in, it’s just whether or not we have the money to get that over the line.”

Graham Roberts has exclusively told Football FanCast that Harry Kane will be raring to go against Manchester City, amid a report from The Telegraph’s Mike McGrath that Nuno Santo will make a final decision on Saturday night.

Having reportedly skipped training ahead of his return for pre-season last Monday, the England captain looked to have possibly played is final game for his boyhood club.

But after releasing a statement on Friday which said he would never miss training and confirmed he would be returning to Hotspur Way the following day, Tottenham boss Nuno Espirito Santo has revealed that the striker is available to face Pep Guardiola’s side.

Kane hasn’t played competitively since the Euro 2020 final against Italy more than four weeks ago and will only have a handful of days training under his belt by the time the champions visit north London this weekend.

Having started all but one of Spurs’ five pre-season games together, Steven Bergwijn, Lucas Moura and Heung Min Son are likely to be the front three, but Roberts is confident Kane will play some part.

He told FFC:

“I don’t think he’ll start. Knowing Harry Kane how I know him, he would have been training when he was away, in the gym working hard.

“He won’t leave any stone unturned. He’ll be fit, but won’t be match fit, but he’ll be ready to go. It will be great if he does get on the pitch – if he does start or comes off the bench and scores the winner, that will be even better.”

Michael Clarke will use the lessons learned from his previous captains when he leads Australia against Bangladesh in his first full series in the top job. Clarke’s major duties start in Darwin on Saturday, when he steps in for the injured Ricky Ponting, and while he has thought of his predecessors, he also intends to follow his own instincts in the three matches.”I’ve always played my cricket my own way and that’s certainly the way I want to lead the team,” Clarke, who guided the side during two one-day games in the West Indies, told the Sun-Herald. “I think I can do that, along with the help and advice of those who’ve come before me.”I plan to be a captain who leads in the same style that I play. I feel that I’m an attacking and positive sort of player. I love the challenge of a hard-fought game of cricket. I like being the one who is responsible for making the right or wrong decision.”Clarke, who is now 27, has played under some of Australia’s most successful leaders and he has thought of them when working out his own outlook. “There are strengths in each of the captains I’ve played under,” he said. “I’ve had Waugh, Ponting, Warne – a lot of good captains, even at grade level. But the key thing I’ve learnt from a number of them has been to always be your own person.”You need to back yourself 100% and always believe in yourself. You need to back your instinct. If you feel like you want to make a change or something, you have to back your own judgment and ability. That’s certainly one of Punter’s strengths and it’s a strength of pretty much all the captains I’ve played under.”However, Clarke said he was prepared to go his own way. “The last thing I want to do is be like someone else,” he said. Clarke’s leadership record is currently unblemished after victories in two Twenty20 encounters and success in both the one-day games in the West Indies in July.

Sheffield United have been dealt a major blow in their bid to keep Aaron Ramsdale at Bramall Lane this summer.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a report by the Daily Mirror (via The 72), who claim that, as a result of seeing two Arsenal bids rejected for his services, the goalkeeper could be set to hand in a transfer request in order to push a move to the Emirates through before deadline day at the end of the month.

The report continues by stating that the most recent of the Gunners’ offers hit the £25m mark, while the Blades value the 23-year-old closer to £30m, with Slavisa Jokanovic’s side adamant they will not part with the shot-stopper for less than the club’s asking price.

Jokanovic will be fuming

Should Ramsdale indeed go on to hand in a transfer request in the coming days, Jokanovic will find himself in something of an awkward position, as, after seeing two bids knocked back for the Euro 2020 England squad member, it has been reported that Arsenal have now turned their attention to other targets in the transfer market as a result of the Blades’ demands.

As such, the 52-year-old manager could find himself in a position where he may well be forced to lower his asking price in order for the Gunners to come back in with another offer for the 23-year-old, or, on the other hand, drop arguably one of the most talented goalkeepers in the Championship from his first-team squad as a result of his desire to leave.

And, considering the slow start United have got off to in their 2021/22 campaign, picking up just one point over their opening two Championship fixtures, the last thing the Serbian manager needs is the man Jurgen Klopp dubbed an “incredible” player kicking up a fuss.

So, if the reports are to be believed and the £22k-per-week Ramsdale does formally submit his wish to leave Bramall Lane, Jokanovic will be in for a very stressful final couple of weeks of the summer transfer window, something that will undoubtedly leave the 52-year-old fuming – as he would surely much rather be focusing on securing United’s first win of the season.

In other news: Major Sheff Utd transfer development emerges on £60k-p/w “leader”, fans surely buzzing

Gary Cahill has left Crystal Palace following a two-year stay at the club, following the expiration of his contract [Crystal Palace FC Official].

Becoming an important player in South-East London over his two years at the club, the 35-year-old made 47 appearances for the Eagles, registering three goal contributions; one goal and two assists [Transfermarkt].

Now, he has departed Selhurst Park as he looks towards pastures new in 2021/22.

Cahill has been mooted with a move north of the border to join Rangers, however no such details have come to light of whether these rumours could come to fruition at any point [Football Insider].

Performing admirably at Selhurst Park, the ex-Chelsea man enjoyed a strong rapport with supporters of the club, and plenty of Crystal Palace diehards took to Twitter to share their thoughts on his exit.

Crystal Palace FC fans react:

Replying to the Crystal Palace FC Official Twitter account, here is what some fans had to say about the news:

“That’s the biggest mistake for me. Should’ve done everything we could to sign him up”

Credit: @official_Edstar

“Gutted he’s leaving. All the best for the future Gary, you’ve been superb”

Credit: @LukeRemnant

“Gonna be a big miss”

Credit: @cpfc_sean

“Should have given him another season. He’s been brilliant for us”

Credit: @TheEnglandMan

“No idea how we’ve let him go”

Credit: @joehyde13

“Sorry to see you go.”

Credit: @Davvo111John

In other news, Crystal Palace fans react to a coaching update.

كشف محمد بركات لاعب الأهلي السابق، عن حقيقة مفاوضات إدارة القلعة الحمراء مع رينيه فايلر المدرب السابق للفريق، من أجل العودة مرة أخرى لخلافة بيتسو موسيماني.

وتراجعت أسهم موسيماني عند جماهير النادي الأهلي بعد فشل الفريق في حصد لقب دوري أبطال إفريقيا للموسم الثالث على التوالي؛ وذلك عقب الخسارة في المباراة النهائية أمام الوداد المغربي.

وقال بركات خلال تصريحاته لبرنامج “الريمونتادا” عبر فضائية “المحور”: “الأهلي لم يتحدث مع فايلر، ولا ينوي التحدث معه من الأساس، كل الأنباء التي ترددت حول مفاوضات الأهلي مع المدرب السويسري غير صحيحة”.

طالع أيضا.. سمير كمونة: مباراة الزمالك قد تكون الأخيرة لـ موسيماني مع الأهلي

وأوضح بركات: “لو حقق موسيماني نتائج مميزة خلال الفترة المُقبلة في الدوري أعتقد يُمكنه العودة من جديد للحصول على الثقة”.

وواصل: “موسيماني لم يُحضر اللاعبين جيدًا قبل مواجهة الوداد، شعرت بأن المدرب كان متوترًا على الخط أثناء قيادته لنهائي دوري أبطال إفريقيا”.

واختتم: “توتر موسيماني يؤكد أن الأمور لم تسر بالشكل المثالي ضد الوداد، الأهلي انتظر استقبال هدف ضد الوداد في أول 15 دقيقة في النهائي، وهذا يعكس عدم تحضير المدرب للمباراة بالشكل الأمثل”.