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Tottenham Hotspur had a tremendous start to the Premier League campaign under Ange Postecoglou but consecutive defeats, spurred on by a sudden injury crisis, have brought the side back down the earth.

James Maddison suffered a devastating blow to the ankle in the first half of last week's clash against Chelsea, with the England international set to be sidelined for the remainder of the year, while Richarlison will be absent for a prolonged period of time, having had an operation on his pubic bone.

Postecoglou is seeking reinforcements ahead of the January transfer window to add depth and quality to his attacking department and the Australian may have identified the perfect signing for Spurs.

Tottenham Hotspur transfer targets – Jota

Having moved from Celtic to Saudi Pro League champions Al-Ittihad in the summer for £25m, Jota could be available as a free agent soon, with Tottenham said to be interested in signing the Portuguese winger, according to 90min. Nevertheless, the outlet are also claiming that Spurs could even make a move for the forward if he remains under contract at his current club, providing Al-Ittihad's price tag isn't too extortionate.

The 24-year-old has featured just seven times in all competitions for the Saudi Arabian giants since joining back in July but has accumulated merely 296 minutes on the pitch in total. Jota was left out of Al-Ittihad's squad as the league allows the registration of only eight foreign players and it has been widely reported that the two-time Scottish champion could be released from his current deal as a result.

Postecoglou brought Jota to Celtic during his reign in Scotland and now could be set to reunite with the attacker, who BBC pundit and ex-player Marvin Bartley once called a "striker's dream" in Glasgow.

Jota's stats at Celtic

At Celtic Park last season, Jota outperformed all expectations, registering 27 goal contributions in all competitions, including 16 goals and 11 assists. Only the Scottish Premiership's top goalscorer Kyogo Furuhashi found the net more times than Jota. Furthermore, the exciting winger finished second in the assists table, one behind ex-teammate Matt O'Riley last term.

Ange got the very best out of Jota once before and could certainly do it again, although the Australian would need to rethink his forward line a little. With Richarlison out for a number of weeks, club captain Heung-min Son led the forward line during Spurs' 2-1 defeat to Wolverhampton Wanderers last weekend, a position he has played in 117 times in his illustrious career.

Given that Richarlison has bagged just two goals this season anyway and Son is Tottenham's top scorer, Postecoglou may look to stick with the latter up top. This would leave the left flank open for Jota's arrival.

While Jota is an excellent goalscorer from wide positions, his creativity is just as appetising and he could link up incredibly well with Maddison when the Englishman returns from his ankle injury.

Nonetheless, Jota can play on both the left and right wing, as well as down the middle if needed so it could be relatively simple for Ange to shoehorn the forward into his lineup. This would be a tremendous signing for Spurs given Jota's versatility and tremendous output in European football.

Barcelona have reportedly been fined £21,400 ($26,600) and handed a suspended one-match ban for fans' "racist behaviour" against Paris Saint-Germain.

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• Barcelona fined £21k for fans' "racist behaviour"
• Spanish side handed suspended one-match ban
• Can't sell tickets to away fans for UEFA competitions

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  According to The Athletic, the UEFA appeals body fined Barcelona £21,400 for racist behaviour, £1,700 ($2,130) for the lighting of fireworks and £4,280 ($5,320) for acts of damage during their 3-2 first leg Champions League quarter-final win over PSG in Paris. The governing body placed a suspended one match ban on the Spanish giants selling tickets to away fans for European games for a probationary period of one year from April 18.

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  Barcelona crashed out of the Champions League after PSG won the second leg 4-1 on Tuesday. Incidentally, the actions of some of their away fans shows football still has a racism problem – as Vinicius Jr has experienced – with Spain repeat offenders on this matter.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Bayern Munich didn't have any supporters at the Emirates to face Arsenal in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final after the Bavarians were punished for using pyrotechnics away to Lazio in the last 16 of the competition in March.

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  WHAT NEXT?

  Barcelona will have to dust themselves off from their Champions League exit when they face bitter rivals Real Madrid at Santiago Bernabeu on Sunday in a top of the table La Liga clash.

Ipswich Town haven't buckled under the pressure of making the step-up to the Championship whatsoever, taking the second tier by storm under Kieran McKenna this season with the Tractor Boys currently occupying second spot on 39 points – only one loss next to their name, one misstep in an otherwise fantastic start.

This means the Suffolk-based club are front and centre in an intense battle to secure an automatic promotion spot, aiming to get back into the top flight for the first time since they were relegated from the Premier League all the way back in the 2001/02 season.

Ipswich even dropped down to League One during those years away, finally picking up the pieces now to possibly pull off the feat of back-to-back promotions to face off against English football's elite teams again.

It's the first time Ipswich have been near the top of the second tier since the days of Mick McCarthy in charge at Portman Road, with young midfield talent Teddy Bishop a rising star under McCarthy who the club thought would go on to have a career playing for a top club away from the Tractor Boys.

That didn't quite materialise for Bishop, but for his new employers, the 27-year-old is outperforming Ipswich first-team stalwart Massimo Luongo.

Bishop's time at Ipswich Town

On the Ipswich books as a youngster since playing for the Under 8s, the 5 foot 10 midfielder would sign his first-ever senior contract at Portman Road in 2014.

It would lead to Bishop becoming a first-team presence for the Tractor Boys at a very young age, strutting his stuff in the first-team set-up still as a teenager.

Bishop would go on to amass 132 appearances for the Suffolk-based club over seven full seasons, injury issues often stopping the dynamic midfielder in his tracks when he was in his best vein of form.

The pressure of being a homegrown talent destined for bigger things also got the better of Bishop arguably whilst at Ipswich, hailed as a player with "Premier League ability" when first emerging onto the scene by McCarthy in the dug-out.

The 27-year-old departed Portman Road two years ago with five goals and 13 assists tallied up along the way, a bittersweet exit for the midfielder who had played for Ipswich ever since he was a child.

It's been since leaving the Tractor Boys behind, however, where Bishop has managed to revitalise his career, starring in League One with Lincoln City now.

Bishop's statistics since leaving Ipswich

Speaking about his 2021 exit from Ipswich and the "brutal" circumstances in which he was offloaded in an interview right after his departure, Bishop has used the cruel rejection he experienced by his boyhood club as fuel to succeed away from Portman Road.

Not present in the Lincoln side since a 1-0 win over Fleetwood Town in mid-October – Bishop's reoccurring fitness concerns popping up once more – the 27-year-old has shown his pedigree with the Imps when he's been fit enough to have a prolonged run in the team.

Lincoln's number 10 has two goals and two assists this campaign from 11 appearances in total, outperforming Luongo who is still at Portman Road – the Australian central midfielder notching up one goal and one assist from 16 appearances.

Bishop leaves a lasting impression on supporters at Sincil Bank when he does feature, playing an average of just 45 minutes this season yet has more goal contributions than a regular first-teamer in the division above.

His 82-minute stint against Fleetwood nearly saw Lincoln beat the Cod Army by far more goals, Bishop unable to find the back of the net with four shots on the day as per Sofascore with opposition bodies blocking two of his efforts.

There will still be a tinge of sadness for Bishop that he couldn't cut it at Ipswich beyond his stay at the club, but his current focus now will be ensuring he can get back to full sharpness again soon to help Lincoln progress in League One.

A tearful Thiago Silva has revealed that he will be leaving Chelsea in the summer, with a four-year stint at Stamford Bridge being brought to a close.

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• South American joined the Blues in 2020
• Has won the Champions League while in England
• Expected to head home at 39 years of age

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The classy Brazilian defender joined the Blues as a free agent in 2020 after reaching the end of his contract at Paris Saint-Germain. He has been working on a short-term deals since then, but there will be no extension in 2024.

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  Silva is now 39 years of age and is expected to head home after previously stating a desire to end his career back where it all began, at Fluminense. That move will be made having created plenty of lasting memories in west London, with the South American sending an emotional message to Chelsea supporters.

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  WHAT SILVA SAID

  Silva has told the club’s : “Chelsea means a lot to me. I came here with the intention of only staying for a year and it ended up being four years. Not just for me but for my family, too. My sons play for Chelsea so it’s a source of great pride to be a part of the Chelsea family – literally because my sons are here. I hope they can continue their careers here at this victorious club that many players wish to be part of. I think in everything I did here over the four years, I always gave my all. But, unfortunately, everything has a start, a middle and an end. That doesn’t mean that this is a definitive end. I hope to leave the door open so that in the near future I can return, albeit in another role here. But…it’s an indescribable love. I can only say thank you.

  “Obviously, when I started here, it was during the pandemic so there wasn’t any fans in the stadium. But through social media, it became something very special to me and then when the fans started coming back to the stadium and life was getting back to normal, I started to feel a lot of affection and respect for my story and for my start here. It is already hard saying goodbye in the most normal of circumstances but when there is a mutual love, it’s even harder. But one a Blue, always a Blue. The way in which I came to the club, with the support of the club, I got to the club as a leader even though I didn’t feel like it having arrived as the new guy. It’s always difficult to integrate but bit by bit I became part of the group and (Frank) Lampard played a big part in that. I am grateful to him for that. [It’s been a] dream, definitely a dream. Not even in my wildest dreams did I imagine that I could achieve such great things and win one of the best professional titles, the Champions League, at one of the biggest clubs in the world. Goodbyes are for those that leave and don’t come back. I intend on coming back one day…”

Ever since the PIF takeover in 2021, Newcastle United are finally in a place where they can build a team that challenges for trophies, not assemble a squad for a pittance with the hopes of surviving in the Premier League for another year.

The acquisition of Alexander Isak was one of the Magpies’ first signings under the new regime which made the rest of the division stand up and take notice.

Under the previous ownership, managers were forced to sign cheap strikers who could do a job but were never good enough to challenge for major honours. The likes of Salomon Rondon and Emmanuel Riviere spring to mind. However, there is another former player who still plays in England but is having a torrid time this season.

How much Newcastle United signed Dwight Gayle for

Having had a solid three seasons with fellow top-flight outfit Crystal Palace, Newcastle United announced the signing of Dwight Gayle for £10m upon relegation to the Championship in 2016 when Rafa Benitez was in charge at St. James’ Park.

The striker bagged 25 goals in 74 appearances for the Eagles, including the equaliser in a thrilling 3-3 comeback to all but end Liverpool's title chances during the 2013/14 season on that famous night at Selhurst Park.

Gayle didn't set the world alight but did have a superb debut season as a Magpie, scoring 23 goals in the Championship in 32 games as Newcastle were promoted back to the Premier League at the first time of asking. This was the joint-best individual season of Gayle's career, alongside his 23-goal feat on loan at West Bromwich Albion in the 2018/19 campaign.

Unfortunately, the frontman scored merely 11 goals in 88 matches after Newcastle's 2016/17 title-winning season in the second tier, according to Transfermarkt.

Gayle played just ten minutes of first-team football for Eddie Howe during the 2021/22 campaign, but Howe admitted that the experienced striker was Newcastle's "best player in training" and "one of the best finishers" he'd ever worked with. Nevertheless, Gayle was allowed to leave for free at the end of Howe's first season in charge.

Dwight Gayle's stats this season

Gayle moved to Stoke City in the summer of 2022 on a two-year deal when Northern Ireland manager Michael O'Neill was in charge. The 33-year-old's time at the Bet365 Stadium hasn't gone as well as he'd have hoped, having scored merely three goals and recorded six assists in 48 appearances.

However, eight of Gayle's nine goal contributions came last term. This time around, the veteran has failed to score a single goal in 11 games for the Potters and has just one assist to his name which came in a 2-1 win over his former side West Brom in the EFL Cup.

When compared to all other strikers from leagues similar to the Championship over the past 365 days, Gayle's stats make for painful reading.

FBref's percentile ranks weigh up how a player compares to all others in the same position in leagues of similar quality. Gayle ranks poorly in this regard and is well below the 50% mark in a number of key metrics in front of goal, especially goals and shots per 90.

Stoke City have had 14 different goalscorers this season in all competitions but not one has been Gayle. Andre Vidigal leads the club's top goalscoring charts with five goals as head coach Alex Neil is leaning heavily on the Portuguese forward to score. Newcastle United certainly parted ways with Gayle at the right time.

Emma Hayes surprisingly claimed that Chelsea only have a "small chance" of winning the WSL title despite having leaders Manchester City within reach.

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• Chelsea trailing City by six points
• Have two games in hand
• Must put their best foot forward to catch up with City

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The Blues have to stitch together a perfect run of results in the final lap of the WSL campaign if they are to defend their WSL crown. Currently, they find themselves six points behind leaders City and have an inferior goal difference of seven, but do still have two games in hand.

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  City have been in marauding form and have scored 20 goals in their last five matches while conceding just three. Hence, Chelsea must not only win their next two matches but beat their opponents by a significant margin which will help them scale down the goal difference margin.

• WHAT HAYES SAID

  Hayes was pragmatic before facing Liverpool and insisted that Chelsea have put their Champions League defeat to Barcelona in the history books and are focused on the league campaign even though the odds are stacked against them.

  “We have moved on [from Barcelona]. We had a day off. We have discussed our objectives, and now focus on this game," said Hayes.

  "After any loss, the worst thing you can have is a long period of time off. We have a small chance of winning the league, we have to focus on doing that. We are not in the driving seat, we don’t have the goal difference, we have to catch up."

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  WHAT NEXT FOR CHELSEA?

  While City have third-placed Arsenal and a stuttering Aston Villa to deal with in their last two matches, Chelsea face a bit more formidable lineup of opponents starting with Liverpool, followed by away fixtures to Tottenham and Manchester United. It remains to be seen if the London outfit can shift that extra gear at the business end of the campaign to hand a memorable farewell to Hayes, who is set to take charge of the USWNT in the summer.

Chelsea have held internal talks over signing a "nationally underrated" defender amid reports Thiago Silva is set to leave next year.

Silva could depart in 2024

Part of the illustrious Champions League-winning Chelsea side of 2021, veteran centre-back Silva has been an incredible servant since joining on a free transfer from Paris-Saint Germain.

After putting pen to paper on a move to Stamford Bridge in 2020, the Brazilian has gone on to make 130 appearances in all competitions. Impressing in that time, Silva has been rewarded with Chelsea contract extensions to cement his stay in west London, but reports suggest his time could be coming to an end soon.

"Sold to Chelsea" – Journalist claims Boehly has already agreed signing

He’s got a glowing reputation.

By
Emilio Galantini

Nov 29, 2023

The 39-year-old, when his deal expires next summer, may even return to Fluminese with South American journalist Jorge Nicola recently claiming that talks for Silva to leave Chelsea are already "underway".

Silva has been a mainstay under new manager Mauricio Pochettino this season as well, starting all 13 of Chelsea's Premier League matches so far. Teammate Benoit Badiashile, speaking to talkSPORT even called it an "honour" to play alongside the defender.

"First and foremost, it's a real honour to play alongside him," said Badiashile on Silva this year.

"And do you know what? For a young player like me, he's someone that makes things easy. He's a legend, isn't he? He's a real leader, he's very, very experienced of course. Any of the advice that he gives me is always welcome, he's advised me not only when we've been playing – he's spoken to me during the game."

Losing him will be a sore one to take for Pochettino and co, but with Silva's spell potentially drawing to a close, there is an opportunity for Chelsea to bring in a suitable long-term replacement.

Chelsea hold internal Max Kilman talks

According to reliable journalist Simon Phillips, writing on his substack, Chelsea have their eyes on Wolves defender Max Kilman.

The Englishman, who's a real mainstay for Gary O'Neil, is attracting interest from Todd Boehly and co behind-the-scenes.

Chelsea have held internal talks over signing Kilman, according to Phillips, and it is believed their interest is "firm" at this point. It's added that the west Londoners are big fans of both Kilman's experience and leadership capabilities.

The 26-year-old, who is also homegrown, has been praised for his excellence in the past by members of the English media. Football commentator Jacqui Oatley, for instance, has been under the impression that Kilman is the Premier League's "most nationally underrated" player.

Meanwhile, former Wolves defender Conor Coady has branded Kilman a "brilliant professional" to have around.

“Max has been with us for years. He trains with us every single day, he knows the role inside out, he’s a fantastic lad and a brilliant professional as well,” Coady once told Wolves’ official website.

“I thought he was outstanding, but I would expect nothing else from him. He’s brilliant to have around and is a brilliant professional.”

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has been full of praise for Declan Rice but insists he does not regret signing Mason Mount.

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• Man Utd among clubs linked with Rice last summer
• Midfielder opted for Arsenal instead
• Ten Hag says Rice would have been good for United

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Manchester United were linked with a move for Rice last summer until the midfielder opted to move to Arsenal instead. Rice has since explained his transfer decision and revealed how he wanted to play for Mikel Arteta. Erik ten Hag's side signed Mason Mount from Chelsea instead but have seen the midfielder struggle with injury throughout the campaign, while Rice has played a key role in Arsenal's title challenge.

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  Rice has scored seven goals and bagged eight assists for Arsenal this season to help fire the Gunners to the top of the table ahead of the final weeks of the season. His performances have seen him nominated the Premier League Player of the Season award, while Arteta has said having Rice and Kai Havertz in his squad have raised Arsenal's level. Ten Hag feels that Rice would have been a good fit for United but does not regret having signed Mount instead.

• WHAT TEN HAG SAID

  He told reporters: "He (Rice) is a very good player and he would absolutely have fitted in here. But it is not I am not happy with Mason. This is what you are suggesting. I am very happy with Mason and he is also a very robust player.

  "You see in his profile: he played in his last four seasons – this is the fifth – in the last four seasons he only had only a small (injury) issue at the end of his Chelsea career. Before that, he played almost all the games, three seasons after each other, with three days turnaround, he always played.

  "It is really bad luck what happened and he is a really good player. We really missed him across the game, he absolutely could have had a contribution to our levels."

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  WHAT NEXT FOR ARSENAL AND MAN UTD

  Rice will come up against Ten Hag and Manchester United on Sunday as the Gunners continue their title push. Arteta's side arrive on a run of four straight wins in the Premier League, while United have won just one of their last seven and were thumped 4-0 by Crystal Palace last time out.

With Manchester United currently enduring what has been a rather dismal first few months of the campaign, supporters will likely already be looking ahead to the upcoming January transfer window in the hope of some fresh blood being brought in to bolster the ranks.

The Red Devils were notably particularly active during the winter window earlier this year after snapping up the likes of Marcel Sabitzer, Jack Butland and Wout Weghorst on short-term deals, albeit with the latter man, in particular, failing to fire amid a limp six-month stay at Old Trafford.

The Dutchman – who scored just twice for the club in total in 31 outings – had been brought in to plug the gap following Cristiano Ronaldo's departure, with a striking addition seemingly again required this time around, as Anthony Martial has just six months left to run on his existing contract.

Amid that need for a genuine rival to young Rasmus Hojlund, recent reports have indicated that Stuttgart's Serhou Guirassy is of interest to United, even though the 27-year-old could well represent just another Weghorst as far as Erik ten Hag is concerned.

Man Utd transfer news – Serhou Guirassy

As reported by The Guardian's Ed Aarons last week, Ten Hag and co are believed to be interested in signing the Guinea striker and have even made contact with agents regarding a possible swoop in the New Year.

As per the piece, the former Ajax boss is chasing a suitable alternative to Hojlund with the Dane failing to score in the Premier League so far this season, while there is a potential for the club to try and 'find a buyer' for the floundering Martial.

Any deal for Guirassy is likely to be an attractive prospect due to his minimal release clause of just €17m (£15m), albeit with the Red Devils set to face competition from top-flight rivals Newcastle United, who also have the in-form marksman on their winter shortlist.

The stats to show why Man Utd shouldn't sign Serhou Guirassy

On the face of it, the 6 foot 2 brute looks like the perfect, bargain option to help ease United's attacking woes.

Available for as little as £15m, the former Stade Rennais man is among the top forwards in Europe at present with regard to his goalscoring form in 2023/24, having already netted 16 Bundesliga goals this season.

To put that into perspective, that figure is only bettered by former United target Harry Kane (18) in the German top-flight, while in the Premier League, Erling Haaland leads the way with 'just' 14 league goals.

Ruling out signing Guirassy may look rather foolish when the player is currently in such esteemed company, although as data analyst Ben Griffis has suggested, such a hot streak is a result of "xG over-performance" in front of goal.

According to Griffis, the forward's 'over-performance' is seemingly "very unsustainable", while he is also usually "wildly inconsistent" – hardly the words those at the Theatre of Dreams would like to hear.

While the one-time Lille man did net 11 goals in just 22 league games last season for Stuttgart, prior to that he had very much been a middling striker, never scoring more than ten league goals across his entire career in a single campaign.

Equally, as Ten Hag learned with Weghorst, success in the Bundesliga is not always a good judge of a player's talents, with the towering Dutchman, for instance, previously scoring 70 goals in just 144 games for Wolfsburg, prior to his woes at both United and Burnley – for whom he also scored just twice.

Having been stung by the frankly desperate signing of the current Hoffenheim man, the Red Devils must think again before repeating that mistake with regard to Guirassy, with it likely better to wait until the summer in order to land a target with a proven track record over a sustained period.

Tottenham Hotspur return to Premier League action away to Brighton and Hove Albion tomorrow night, with the north London outfit currently enjoying a three-game winning run, following their latest triumph at home to Everton.

That 2-1 victory saw the Lilywhites race into an early lead courtesy of goals from Heung-min Son and Richarlison, albeit with the latter man proving something of a concern in the second half after he was forced off with a back injury.

Ange's 88-touch Spurs titan who won 13 duels was a wall alongside Vicario

They weren’t at their best, but Tottenham secured three points against an in-form Everton side.

By
Angus Sinclair

Dec 23, 2023

While the hope is that the Brazilian will be fit and firing again at the Amex, there is more of a worry regarding Cristian Romero's fitness, with the World Cup winner having been withdrawn at half-time due to a tight hamstring.

With the Argentine now facing four or five weeks out, he could represent one of three alterations that Ange Postecoglou may make on Thursday evening.

1

GK – Guglielmo Vicario

The goalkeeping "revelation" – as described by Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher – was a certified brick wall against the Toffees, making seven saves in total to help the hosts claim a crucial three points.

Postecoglou will need the former Empoli man at his best again to thwart a typically lively Brighton attack.

2

RB – Pedro Porro

Having been signed by Antonio Conte to operate at wing-back, Pedro Porro has flourished as an inverted full-back in a back four so far this term, registering six assists in 17 league outings so far this term.

Undoubtedly a real creative force in that right channel, the former Sporting CP is almost a guaranteed pick for Postecoglou these days.

3

CB – Eric Dier

With Romero joining the list of absentees, it could see Eric Dier make a rare start at the heart of the defence, having replaced the South American star at the interval at the weekend.

While evidently not a favourite of Postecoglou – having been tipped for a departure over the summer – the lack of depth at centre-back will see the Englishman reluctantly selected.

4

CB – Ben Davies

Joining the long-serving Dier is another Spurs stalwart in the form of Ben Davies, with the Welshman having been a regular fixture of the side in recent months following the loss of Micky van de Ven to injury.

A partnership of Dier and Davies may not be Postecoglou's desired selection in the long-term, yet needs must for the trip to the south coast.

5

LB – Destiny Udogie

The second change from the win over the Toffees – alongside the selection of Dier – will likely be the return of Destiny Udogie, after the Italy international served a one-game ban last time out.

Only recently on the scoresheet in the thumping victory over Newcastle United, the former Udinese man will almost replace Emerson Royal at left-back tomorrow.

6

CM – Pape Matar Sarr

It is worth remembering that it was only last season that Pape Matar Sarr was merely a bit-part player under Conte and co, having been restricted to a measly haul of two league starts in 2022/23.

Fast forward a matter of months, however, and the former Metz menace is now shining under the new regime having already made 16 top-flight outings – 14 of which have come from the start – after cementing a regular place for himself in the side.

With one goal and two assists to show for that involvement, the Senegalese gem will be hoping to add to that tally against the Seagulls.

7

CM – Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg

With Yves Bissouma sidelined with suspension, a rare chance was handed to Oliver Skipp against Sean Dyche's men – albeit with there an opportunity for the experienced Hojbjerg to slot in alongside Sarr this time around.

Previously dubbed "invaluable" to the side by pundit Noel Whelan, the Dane has somewhat fallen by the wayside this season after making just three league starts, yet he has regularly made the difference against tomorrow's opponents – scoring two goals and contributing two assists in 13 career clashes.

The 28-year-old could perhaps prove a thorn in the side of the Amex outfit yet again.

8

RW – Brennan Johnson

An injury-hit start to life in the capital has somewhat hampered Brennan Johnson's involvement, yet the Wales international is swiftly starting to repay that rather hefty £47.5m transfer fee.

Still just 22, the former Nottingham Forest man now boasts one goal and three assists from 15 league outings this term, notably playing his part in both goals against the Merseysiders on Saturday.

With Dejan Kulusevski having moved into a central role of late, Johnson looks to be making that right-wing berth his own.

9

CAM – Dejan Kulusevski

Speaking of Kulusevski, following his heroics in the win over Forest – in which he registered a goal and an assist at the City Ground – the Swedish sensation wasn't quite at his brilliant best at the weekend, yet still managed to register three key passes for his teammates.

Having started every league game this season, it would be a real surprise if the 23-year-old was not selected from the start yet again tomorrow.

10

LW – Heung-min Son

Whether it be on the left flank or through the middle, Spurs' talismanic skipper continues to wreak havoc on Premier League defences.

With 11 league goals to his name already this term, the 31-year-old is doing his best to plug the gap left behind by former partner-in-crime, Harry Kane, with the Englishman now something of a distant memory as a result of Postecoglou's fabulous, free-flowing style of play.

Son is the figurehead of this new-look side, having proven himself the man to rely upon in the first half of the campaign.