Tottenham Round-Up, Monday 26th October: Spurs Riding High After Chelsea Win as Tel and Fernandes Shine
There's a real buzz around Tottenham after the weekend win at Stamford Bridge, with Sandro Tonali revealing just how much the early-season struggles weighed on Roberto De Zerbi before a 'big meeting' helped turn things around (Spurs Web). Jan Paul van Hecke has also lifted the lid on the squad's growing bond with the head coach, referencing that now-famous cheeky kiss as a sign of the togetherness behind the recent upturn in form (Spurs Web). Football.London reckons Spurs' back-to-back Premier League wins now give De Zerbi a real boost heading into the visit of Crystal Palace, and he can't afford to waste it (Football.London).
Mathys Tel is the man of the moment following his solo goal against Chelsea, with pundits left purring over the display and Gary Neville reportedly having to eat his words after previously criticising the forward (Football365). Tel himself was humble about it, saying "it's a step forward - I can still do better" (TottenhamHotspur.com). De Zerbi, while delighted with the goal, has urged Tel to sharpen up in two specific areas if he's to progress beyond being a mere 'talent' (Spurs Web). The recognition has kept coming, with Tel making WhoScored's Team of the Week after an 8.41 rating (Spurs Web). Mateus Fernandes also impressed, earning a nomination for the Premier League's Player of the Matchweek (TottenhamHotspur.com), though Spurs Web note he was somewhat harshly snubbed from Troy Deeney's Team of the Week despite his man-of-the-match showing (Spurs Web). Fernandes himself has sent a message to Tottenham's rivals, saying the win showed they can "beat the top teams" (Spurs Web).
The Chelsea game continues to generate debate among pundits and officials. Tim Sherwood has argued Micky van de Ven should have seen red for a challenge on Moises Caicedo (Evening Standard), while Gary Neville reckons the hosts should have been down to nine men rather than just losing Cole Palmer to a dismissal (Spurs Web). Opinion remains split on whether Palmer's sending-off was correct, with former referee Graham Barber insisting it was a clear red (Spurs Web), and Dermot Gallagher, Jay Bothroyd and Tim Sherwood all offering differing views, with one suggestion being that Fernandes "clearly provokes him" (Spurs Web). Sandro Tonali, reflecting on the turnaround at the club, named the person he feels has "suffered" most through the tough spell (Football.London).
Looking ahead, a supercomputer has run the numbers on Tottenham's prospects of a European-qualifying Premier League finish this season (Spurs Web), while Spurs Web have also attempted to predict the outcome of the next five league fixtures, suggesting Spurs could be set for a big run (Spurs Web).
On the transfer front, Spurs Web report Tottenham are considering a move for Chelsea's Malo Gusto, valued around £70m, as a possible long-term replacement for Pedro Porro amid uncertainty over the Spaniard's future (Spurs Web). TeamTalk report interest in Brazilian goalkeeper Otávio as a potential long-term No.1, with Tottenham said to have sent scouts to watch the player, who carries an £84m price tag (TeamTalk). Spurs Web also report that Chelsea and Manchester City have entered the race for Nicolo Tresoldi, a forward Tottenham have been linked with at around £42m (Spurs Web).
In loan news, Football.London's round-up covers Tottenham's contingent out on loan, including a young winger being criticised by his manager, a reported issue involving Souza, and a meeting concerning Mikey Moore (Football.London). Spurs Web add that Westerlo boss Issame Charaï has called out loanee Yang Min-hyeok, saying he isn't showing "enough intensity" even in training as he continues to find his feet in Belgium (Spurs Web).
Elsewhere, former Spurs defender Sebastien Bassong has been told by his boxing trainer Don Charles that he could have been a world champion in the ring had he not chosen football (The Sun).
This round-up is written with the help of AI, using only the day's headlines from the publishers credited above. Each point links to the original report — tap the source name to read it in full.