A big summer for... Tottenham Hotspur

0:11Thank you.

0:30At least they have a time now. Tottenham Hotspur can reset in the summer. Decide who they want on the bus, who they want off the bus, knowing that they at least have Premier League football.

0:42Ron Walker:So after avoiding relegation on the final day of the season, Spurs have hit that reset button with a clean slate in North London. They've raced out of the traps in the transfer window, spending over£230 million in the opening weeks. but they haven't signed anyone for over a month. So why have things slowed up? Well, my name's Ron Walker. Welcome to this Tottenham Hotspur summer special podcast. I'm joined by two of the best brains in the business on Tottenham Hotspur, Sky Sports News Spurs reporter Michael Bridge and senior football news editor Lyle Thomas. Thanks so much for joining us, guys.

1:20Ron Walker:Both are primed to answer some of the hundreds of questions you've been sending us in through the Sky Sports website and app and hopefully give you a bit more optimism about all things Tottenham this summer. Before we get underway though I've been speaking to former Tottenham player and Sky Sports News regular Jamie O 'Hara about his thoughts ahead of the new campaign. I think in terms of the players that we've brought in you know like Tonali coming in, Fernandes you know we've sorted out the back four you know I've been really really happy. Still work to be done I think we can still improve especially in the forward areas but in terms of a base what we needed to improve especially the midfield area I think we've done brilliant.

1:58I like Savino. I think like what I've seen of him there's been bright sparks. It hasn't massively worked for him at Manchester City but you know like Man City did sign him right so he's obviously a talented football player. We've been interested in him for a while. I like Gakpo. I think the problem with Gakpo is he maybe needs four or five chances to score one you know but he has got something about him. You know I wouldn't be disappointed in the signing. I think he's a player I wouldn't mind. I just don't know why we don't go for Marcus Rashford. I really think that Spurs should just go like, how much do you want?

2:30How much can we get him for? Can we get a deal in place? I know he's on 350 grand a week and obviously Spurs maybe potentially can't afford that, but he's such a brilliant player. If you get him at it with a point to prove, I just think he's still one of the best players around. If he stays at Man United, I think he'll play, I think he'll feature. So I just don't know why we've not been interested in him. I don't know his character. Maybe he needs an arm around him. I think De Zerbe is a perfect manager for someone like Rashford. I think he's a manager who will get the best out of him. I think he'd be a good signing for us.

3:10I just don't know why we've not been involved. Maybe he doesn't want to sign for Tottenham, I don't know, But maybe he may be looking elsewhere. I'm not sure, but he's on a lot of money. £350 ,000 a week is a hell of a lot of money for a player where you're not guaranteeing success. So there is obviously that issue. But the left side is something we still need to address. Matthias Tell is a decent young player, but he ain't the answer. We have got to sign someone who's a top-drawer player, who gets us to another level and really pushes us on. And if we've got the money and it looks like we have and we look like we're willing to spend.

3:45If the Zerbi's come out and said we're signing another big player, well, let's go and make something happen. Forget Champions League. We ain't getting into Champions League. There's no way that's happening. We're not good enough. We finished 17th the last two seasons. Anyone whose expectation is Champions League, I just don't... We can all dream of that, right? We can see how it's had Spurs are back, Champions League. No, we ain't there yet, right? If you look at the four teams or five teams who are going to get Champions League football, they're in better positions than Spurs. so we need to improve slowly, gradually but consistently and I think if we can get in the top eight if we can get a Europa League or a Europa Conference League I think that's a good season for Spurs give me that over a Carabao Cup win Spurs need to be back amongst getting in European football and I think if that's where we can get 65 points something like that, 60 points I would be more than happy we can't have another season of being in the lower half of the table it's unacceptable

4:38Ron Walker:Right guys, some optimism there from Jamie, but wanting to sign a little bit of a sign of caution perhaps about Spurs' expectations this season. I mean, with that amount of money that they have spent this summer, where do you think that they should be aiming for this season, Michael? I think they should be aiming for top six. They've got an excellent head coach. They've recruited well so far. And not being in Europe is going to be key for this football club. And Tottenham Hotspur should be in Europe every season. I think it's 18 years out of 20 that they've been in it. but there is always that year where it's good to have a club reset.

5:11Manchester United had it last year and they finished third. The year before that, I think they finished 15th. Everyone talks about Tottenham finishing 17th when they won that Europa League final. If Manchester United would have won that final, they probably would have finished 17th and didn't go on to win their final game. So I look at the teams in Europe this season. You've got Bournemouth, you've got Sunderland, you've got Brighton, Palace again. I think they're all going to enjoy it and so they should. But don't underestimate the Thursday, Sunday. I think a season out of it Spurs should be aiming for around the 5th, 6th or 7th places

5:43Ron Walker:Some optimism there but how much does that depend on the final weeks of the transfer window as well because there's still plenty of work to do up in North London isn't there? Yeah exactly I think Spurs have obviously done some great work at the start of the window I mean they've shocked really the football world they've shocked the transfer market certainly with how how vigorously they've spent and how they've upped the wages and really put themselves in the mix for some of the top players on the market. So that's only a good thing. I think that sent a message around to all the clubs. I think Bridgie is absolutely right that playing only once a week outside of the cup competitions is going to be really in Spurs' favour.

6:19I think that they need to get the rest of the market right. They need to sort out the forwards, probably get one or two top quality forwards in, I think, which they're trying to do. And if they do that, then yes, Spurs could be a real force. So I think I'd go a little bit further than Jamie. And if they do that and the conditions are right, We could see them in the top four, top six.

6:37Ron Walker:Yeah, we talk about those unknowns. Well, in terms of what is going to happen in those final weeks with the forward line, where are we looking at that? Because there was so much optimism at the start of the window with those big money signings of Fernandes and Tonali and Van Hecker as well. And as we said at the top, it has kind of dried up a little bit. Where's, what's the next step now? I think, look, at this stage of the window, it's a bit of a game. And it's a bit like house selling and buying. You know, you sometimes have to wait for someone to sell their house before buying your house. And I think that's where we see it at the moment.

7:06Look, when you're dining at the top table, you're not always going to get the meal you necessarily want. And I think with that, I think Tottenham are going for experienced players, experienced players in the Premier League, which Sandro Tonali is one example. If I told a Tottenham supporter in March that you'd be signing Sandro Tonali, you'd probably not believe me. So I'd still like to look on the positive side. The window is not over yet. is far from done. Every Tottenham supporter knows what they need. Tottenham know what they need. And from the conversations I continue to have and what I've seen so far this summer, I'm confident they'll get that done.

7:43January was not on. It was, the mistakes were made and it nearly cost them their Premier League status. But they can look back on that now it's done and they never want to be there again. So I reiterate, I think they know what they need and I'm confident they'll get it. So of those questions

7:57Ron Walker:that we got from our readers, Daniel, AD, McGrady and Mike13 all want to know when Spurs do have that house completion, who's going to be joining them in there in that forward line? Well, look, I mean, I think it's a year today that Savino was linked with Tottenham Hotspur. I mean, I think he likes and comments on every Tottenham player's post. There's no secret that he's still wanted at the football club. He wants to join Tottenham. You know, Cody Gakbo's been mentioned as well. I mean, Liverpool need to do some business. City need to do some business as well. So they're two names that are being mentioned.

8:27There's always one or two left field as well. So, look, there's always going to be first choices, second choices, third choices. One thing I'm sure about is that this football club is still going to be top of the agenda on Sky Sports.

8:39Ron Walker:Now, looking at Spurs' current options, Archie, Toby 777 and Jaco 6573, they've all expressed a bit of concern about Dominic Solanke and Richarlis. And I think that's somewhat about form and probably somewhat about fitness as well. Where did you sit on that? Are they right to be a little bit concerned about their ability and whether they can kick on? Yeah, of course they are. I mean, look, Richarlison's an interesting one because you hear one thing where he knows it's time, that this summer's time to go. Then, yeah, he's having a time of his life and he wants to stay. Dominic Solanke's a bit of a different one because he was bought for quite a bit of money from Bournemouth.

9:17And, you know, England managers have liked him, but he's not staying fit. He's picked up another ankle injury and that's the frustration. and that would be frustrating in terms of for him as well personally and in terms of you know you can't really look to sell him when you've got injury issues so that's an interesting one. I do think Spurs need more up top whether they get it we'll have to wait and see on that one in terms of an out and out striker. I think yeah you're right and I think as well you've got to think about the players that we're talking about in their positions like Richarlison is a good example Jed Spencer is another good example of okay there might be options elsewhere but what do those options look like?

9:52Is Richarlison, is it a good move for him to move down the Premier League on loan to a Fulham or to an Everton or to whoever, these kinds of clubs? Or is he actually looking for another step in his career that he would not see as a downward step, but actually something that he feels he deserves? We also know that Richarlison's always been really keen to make sure he's in the Brazil squad. He'd love to continue to be Brazil's number nine. so that will be a factor in his thinking as well is if I'm going to leave Spurs am I going to be playing for a club regularly week in, week out at a level that's going to get me in the Brazil squad so that means it's not just a foregone conclusion for Spurs to say okay this club's coming in for you and Richarlon say yeah alright I'll go.

10:32There's a lot of factors that need to line up I think for that to happen and it's probably true for a few players at Spurs and like you said it's like buying houses, you might want to buy a house but you've got to wait for other things to fall into place Yeah, but both players, they sort of go on a bit of a run and then out of nowhere they can pick up a hamstring injury and then you're out for six weeks. And it's probably derailed both players' Tottenham careers. You know, look, both of them, they're on their day players. You know, last season against Burnley, first day of the season, Richarlison, unbelievable acrobatic kick, overhead kick, whatever you want to call it.

11:05You know, he's got it. He's great in certain moments. He's brilliant in the air, brilliant header at Villa. you know so he will always be thanked and well regarded at Spurs for scoring a key goal there Dominic Solanke an unbelievable goal against Manchester City then five days later when I'm at a press conference that I'm told that he felt something in his knee or his hamstring and he's not making that game I'm not criticizing them because that's not really their fault it's their bodies but I just feel like they've not it neither of them have had that long consistent run and my concern is whether you can rely on them long term I'd love to say you can I'd love to say you can say that about destiny a doggy but unfortunately you can't hopefully we can keep them off the

11:43Ron Walker:treatment table this season but looking away from the forward line we've kind of teased it already in terms of outgoings that we might be seeing jed spence and maybe another few players on their way out the tottenham hotspots stadium but where else do the club need to strengthen in the rest of the window if anywhere well i mean we've talked about the forward option so you they obviously want a left winger they've obviously been looking at strikers as well i mean other areas of the field for me if shed spence leaves i think spurs should be looking at another right back but probably looking at someone a little bit younger someone is a bit more of a development project maybe i mean pedro poro is actually one of the few players at spurs who you can probably bank on is going to play every game i mean he hasn't got that injury record that others have got um world cup winner um i think if you've got poro as you're leading right back then having somebody who can come in and have him as a mentor and develop for the future would be a good shout.

12:36So, yeah, perhaps right back. Where else do you think? I agree with you on right back. I think they look OK in terms of goalkeepers. I expect Guemo Vicario to move on. Antonin Kinski looks like he's going to have the opportunity to be the number one. You know, the mental strength he's shown since the Atletico Madrid night and again made some crucial saves. Wolves away. Helps Spurs get the three points after that for that free kick in stoppage time. Great save against Leeds. Great save against Everton. Good on the ball. So I think he will get the shout. I think Martin Dubravka is a very sensible signing as a number two.

13:08Brandon Austin is not going to worry about being the number three. That's absolutely fine. So right back, I agree with Lyle. I think they might be saying they'll look at. Archie Gray might be another option to play there at right back sometimes. Then you've got that defence is completely covered and sorted. We know the players that have been brought in. Sanessi, Jan-Paul Van Hecker, Kevin Danso will have another season at Spurs. Left-back, sorted, Andrew Robertson, Destiny a doggy, Ben Davis, Souza, if he stays, Leeds Link with moves away. That's me assuming that Jed Spence will go. He might have gone by the time you're all reading, you're all watching this and listening to this.

13:44Midfield is an interesting one because again, well stocked in the centre. Sandro Tenali and Fernandes, upgrade times 10 sensational upgrades great business let's be positive there yeah and you know lucas bergville remains at the club early june he you know i don't think wanted to leave the club in terms i don't like playing for spurs i think it's just concerns about being a regular starter so he's a big question mark pape sorry still at the club so and look you need to remember that there's so many forwards who still aren't ready to play first team football yet wilson odebear and Xavi Siemens, you won't see them till maybe early next year.

14:21Mohamed Kudos hasn't played in pre-season yet. Dayan Kudusevsky, I'm told it will take still, that's going to take some time. They've got to be really careful with him as well. No. So, again, I'll go back to it. It really is the forward line. It's unbelievable, right? So, for 10 years, Spurs had the best left-sided forward around in Son, the best striker around in Harry Kane. Please come back. You know, the 25-year-old versions of them. So, I'll I'll take the 32-year-old Harry Kane as well. Spurs would be absolutely done and ready to go, but that's the way it is, isn't it? It's never as simple as that.

14:54Never as simple as that.

14:55Ron Walker:I want to talk to you about Kinski, because much like what you said about signing Tonali, if I'd said to you at the start of this year, or certainly after that Atletico Madrid game, that Antonin Kinski was going to be starting the season as Spurs' number one, and that Roberto Di Zerbi will be quite happy with it, certainly openly and outwardly, you'd have probably asked me if I was all right. And it's been a remarkable sort of return arc for him, hasn't it, over the last few months? I've got so much respect for that guy, and I spoke to him after the Everton game and he pulled out of going to the World Cup with Czech Republic.

15:25And to turn down the World Cup to have minor surgery, I think, again, says a lot about him. But I was in Madrid covering it for Sky Sports News and the morning after I was seeing tweets and even from ex-goalkeepers, you should know better by saying that's his career in Europe finished. Come on, come on. Because I'll tell you, that was like dancing on ice, that game. players kept slipping and slipping Barcelona, they said it the week before in the Copa del Rey slipping over Miki van der Ven slipped over and of course when it's the goalie it's all on you, isn't it? 100 % Yeah, he was exposed by a team that was in dire straits at that point really, right?

16:02Under Igor Tudor So it was not fair on Kinski and like you said, it's a testament to the character of that player that he's come back in the way he has and also a testament to Roberto De Zerbi and his coaching methods

16:12Ron Walker:Yeah, he certainly wouldn't mind having De Zerbi in your corner, would you? Just before we move on to outgoings, there's a great question here from Luke who asks, if you were the Spurs board, you add as much money as you want. You can sign whoever you want, but you can only sign two more players this window who would be top of your list. I think from Jamie O 'Hara, it'd be Marcus Rashford times two. But what about you guys? Well, I mean, Marcus Rashford, I can understand why he said that. But I think the wages is potentially an issue. But also, I think Marcus Rashford or Michael Carrick wants to give Marcus Rashford another go at Manchester United.

16:40I hate the term like a new signing, but he is like a new signing, Michael Carrick, because he's not had the opportunity to play under Carrick. Look, you know, if we're talking fantasy and dreams, I'd say, Harry Kane, you've won your trophies at Bayern. You've won your league shields. Come back now because you're adored by everyone. But no, that's not going to happen. And he's very, very happy at Bayern. So I'm going to leave it up to them. And I'll tell you why, because I've been impressed with the midfield signings. We'll see what we get. And I have got that feeling that Roberto De Zerbi in his interview, over the past, this summer, feels like he knows.

17:15Like he's got a good feeling about what's to come. Yeah, he's certainly excited fans recently as well with some of his comments. I mean, dropping that Bomba thing in there as well. Got everybody really, really excited. Look, I mean, if I'm thinking completely neutral and rational about the market, I say rational, people might think I'm irrational saying this, but the Spurs are one left winger, right? The top left winger for me on the market at the moment is Bradley Barcola. He's still not gone anywhere else other than PSG. I know he's been widely linked with Liverpool. He's been linked with Arsenal.

17:46There's other clubs as well. Spurs want to go out and sign a top left winger. Bradley Barcola is the one for me. Now, that is me purely speaking from a source of opinion. Yeah, I think the left-sided forward is the one for me. I mean, I have to bring it up again. You've got your Kulisevski, you've got your Chevy Simons, but two very senior players who are still so long away from playing first team football again. You're like, you know, what are they going to be like? It's also, I mean, if they are fit, I'd be interested to see how he sees the forward lines coming together. Because actually, if you look at it, if he plays, you know, a number 10, two wingers, where does he see Shabby Fitzsimmons fitting in if he's got a fit Madison and a fit Gallagher and a fit Kulazeski, right?

18:29These are all players that could potentially play 10. Kudus could potentially play 10. He's played 10 for other clubs before. So does Jimmins play out on the left? How much does he mix it up? I mean that could be in Spurs' favour in terms of even just confusing the opponents. But Egers is moving those forwards around. So I'm sure he'd like to have lots at his disposal and have them all fit and see where he can fit them all together.

18:54Ron Walker:There's a heck of a 5SI team in the physio room at the moment, isn't there? Let's move on to the outgoings because there's one elephant in the room. And we haven't really mentioned too much yet, but Captain Christian Romero, who looks like he's about to leave the club, feels like might be the right time. It is the right time. There's no debate about it. It is the right time. You can't keep putting on Instagram your dissatisfaction with your employers. He did it a couple of times last season. I get it. Year to forget. We all felt it. But you are the club captain and it is the right time. Whether they get the value for a player of his ability, they're probably not going to.

19:31but we need to look at this and you know it's very similar to Jed Spence the not the foreign market and the the money Serie A has in Germany and it's compared to what we have in the Premier League is he's going to make a difference you know Luka Vuscovic who did who didn't make any competitive appearances for Tottenham will probably be sold for higher than what the club captain will probably go for because he's gone to a Premier League club so I think it's best for parties that he leaves. I think the fans are probably 99.9 % of fans would, I would say, agree with that. I'm sure we agree as well that on his day, there aren't many better.

20:08He doesn't really make any mistakes for Argentina. I think just in terms of Tottenham, it just feels like it's just, it's just his job. Ability wise, Cristiano Romero has got it all, but in terms of his, yeah, the rest of it, I mean, there's a lot of question marks there, you know, And I think it's time to move on from that era of Spurs and move on to a new era of Spurs, which has been shown by some of the players that they've brought in. Not just to have an impact on the field, but have an impact on the dressing room and really try and sort that area of the club out. So, yeah, I mean, factually, what do we know at this stage?

20:49What have we reported, Bridget? We've reported that Atletico Madrid in active discussions with Spurs at the moment about doing a deal for Romero, edging a bit closer all the time, I think. Probably expect more talk to be going on as we sit here at the moment as well. And wouldn't be surprised to see a conclusion come for that one at some point in the next few days.