Here are your Tottenham Hotspur morning headlines for Friday. 10 July.
The transfer dilemma Levy faces after end of era
The reliable long-running centre-half partnership of Toby Alderweireld and Jan Vertonghen has come to an end at Tottenham, giving Daniel Levy plenty to ponder in the transfer market.
Last night’s goalless draw against Bournemouth might even be the last time they start alongside one another in Spurs’ backline.
The former Ajax duo, both Belgium internationals, have made over 450 combined appearances for Spurs and have been key players as the club finished as runners-up in the Premier League and Champions League in recent seasons.
Verthonghen will depart this summer when his contract expires, leaving the club light when it comes to experienced and proven defenders.
Here’s a closer look at what the partnership has meant for Spurs in recent years.
Jose Mourinho gives verdict on Bournemouth performance
Tottenham have faced widespread criticism for their performance in last night’s 0-0 draw with out-of-form relegation-battlers Bournemouth, having failed to register a shot on target.
Jose Mourinho, who has faced scrutiny himself, echoed some of those criticisms in his post-match press conference, but also offered a defence, suggesting his players were good enough to have won the game.
“Performance not good enough, but good enough to win,” he said. “I am not saying a strong performance, I'm not saying a sharp performance but I say good enough to win.
“In a way they surprised us because of the way they played because since I remember Bournemouth in the Premier League I don't remember them playing the way they did, but was an option and result for them as they have a point they wanted.
“They played very direct, only direct. They didn't move the ball in midfield in the first phase like they used to do and they made it more difficult for us with their approach.
“I think we were not sharp. We were dominant behind, it was quite easy game behind, but then a lack of sharpness in attacking areas. I made changes and I think the changes helped to improve the team for the last part of the game, but we didn't score."
Tottenham face new challenger in bid to sign Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg
Southampton midfielder Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg is said to be one of Mourinho’s top targets for Spurs this summer, but there could be competition for his signature.
Eredivisie champions Ajax have reportedly entered the race to sign the 24-year-old Denmark international. That’s according to the Telegraph.
The Dutch giants are interested in a potential £15million deal, and could offer Hojbjerg something that Spurs almost certainly won’t be able to: Champions League football.
