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Roberto De Zerbi Tipped to Unleash Rodrigo Bentancur at Tottenham

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Roberto De Zerbi has been tipped to unleash a forgotten Tottenham Hotspur star who is ‘not everyone’s cup of tea’, by Football London correspondent Alasdair Gold.

The Italian was confirmed as Tottenham’s new manager on a five-year deal this week, with the north London outfit landing the manager they have wanted for months, and who was their top target if their search extended to the summer.

Spurs’ precarious position in the Premier League meant they had to act now, with De Zerbi performing a U-turn and taking the job now having been offered a long-term contract to put him in the top three best-paid managers in the Premier League.

Tottenham have also offered De Zerbi further power away from just the playing side of things as part of the new project, with GIVEMESPORT sources understanding that the 46-year-old will have a say on who the club’s next sporting director will be.

Before that, the former Brighton boss needs to keep the club in the top flight, with Spurs lying one point above the relegation zone and an unthinkable relegation to the Championship with just seven matches left to play.

Gold: De Zerbi Will Really Like Rodrigo Bentancur

Tottenham Hotspur's Rodrigo Bentancur celebrates
Premier League – Tottenham Hotspur v Aston Villa – Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London, Britain – October 19, 2025 Tottenham Hotspur’s Rodrigo Bentancur celebrates scoring their first goal REUTERS/David Klein

Now De Zerbi’s appointment has been confirmed, and fan excitement is building at the coup the club has pulled off, Gold has begun to think about which players could potentially thrive under the Italian at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

The 46-year-old has a distinct and unique way of playing that has seen Guardiola previously label him as ‘one of the most influential managers of the last 20 years’, while Liverpool boss Arne Slot called him ‘one of the best managers in the world’ before his side’s Champions League tie with Marseille at the beginning of the year.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Gold tipped the divisive Bentancur as someone De Zerbi could immediately take to.

He said: “I’ve got a funny feeling that he’s going to like Rodrigo Bentancur as well.

“I know he’s a player that’s not everyone’s cup of tea. But I think in terms of tactical and possession-based football, yes, he can be a little bit iffy with his passing sometimes, but actually as someone that was used to being in the hub of that Juventus team, the three-time Serie A title winner could fit in quite well.”

Bentancur Injury Update

Rodrigo Bentancur in action for Tottenham Hotspur

Having been a regular in the Tottenham team in the first half of the season under Thomas Frank, the Uruguay international has become a forgotten man having been out since January after suffering a hamstring injury against Bournemouth.

The 28-year-old underwent surgery at the time and the latest update prior to the international break was that the South American was progressing well in his recovery.

Whether that progress is enough to see him make De Zerbi’s first matchday squad remains to be seen, but it seems as though he has a good chance of being available for selection for the trip to Sunderland on April 12 unless he suffers any setbacks.

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Tottenham Chiefs Really Want to Sign Adam Wharton

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Tottenham are still said to be firmly in the race for one of the most in-demand Premier League players this summer. Spurs have already made a solid start to their summer business, with Marcos Senesi and Andy Robertson snapped up, and attention is now firmly on continuing to strengthen with further signings.

Spurs and Roberto De Zerbi are hoping to compete for European football next season, and while there is existing talent in the squad, it’s no easy task to go from back-to-back bottom half finishes to a top seven finish. Heavy recruitment is going to be required, and it looks as though that is what the Tottenham board intend to deliver.

Spurs still in Wharton race

Adam Wharton via Reuters

One of the most intriguing Premier League transfer narratives this summer is where Crystal Palace and England midfielder Adam Wharton is going to end up. The midfielder is expected to be on the move for big money having consistently impressed with the Eagles, and we are beginning to get a clearer picture of where he could end up.

According to FlashScore, both Tottenham and Liverpool remain firmly interested in Wharton this summer. In fact, it’s claimed Spurs view Wharton as one of their primary targets this summer. That’s despite ongoing talks over the potential permanent transfer of Joao Palhinha.

The North London club lose Yves Bissouma this summer, so it’s logical they will try to sign another midfielder or two, and there are also links with Newcastle United’s Sandro Tonali, who would likely be a Wharton alternative. Spurs are said to have been tracking Wharton for at least a year, remaining patient in timing their move.

Liverpool are also said to be keen, though, and they are said to view Wharton and AFC Bournemouth’s Alex Scott as their main targets for the midfield, although it will be one or the other. The Reds seek a midfielder capable of controlling the midfield.

‘Exceptional’ Wharton’s price and attraction

Adam Wharton in action for Crystal Palace

Wharton is likely to cost a huge fee this summer, with £100million floated as a reported Palace asking price. Though Premier League clubs might be confident of reducing that fee to around £80million despite the midfielder having three years remaining on his current deal.

Eberechi Eze joined Arsenal for £67.5million in a club-record sale for Palace, and so £80million would be a fresh record, and Wharton could push for an exit if the right club comes in this summer, which would weaken Palace’s leverage at the negotiations table.

But Wharton is always going to command a giant fee given his Premier League experience and his proven ability to thrive in huge games for club and country, while he is still only 22 years of age. Micah Richards dubbed Wharton ‘exceptional’ last year, and most connected to Palace and the Premier League would agree.


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New York Knicks Will Visit Donald Trump at White House After NBA Finals Win

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The New York Knicks are currently enduring the greatest moment in their modern era after ending a 53-year wait to secure a third NBA Championship.

The team secured the title last Saturday night, taking down the San Antonio Spurs 94-90 on the road to clinch a 4-1 NBA Finals triumph.

Celebrations have been taking place non-stop since the Game 5 victory and fans of the franchise will get to witness the stars of the 2026-winning roster when the championship parade is held on Thursday, the 18th of June.

An American tradition that typically follows for a team winning a championship or a triumphant US national team in international competition is to get an invitation from the President to attend the White House. This often sees the winning players greet the sitting President in person and pose for pictures together.

However, this has become more of a conflicting decision for teams to make in the last decade, since the 45th and 47th President, Donald Trump, has been in office due to many players being against his administration’s policies and stances. Trump’s first stint in office was from 2017-2021 while his second and current one started in 2025.

NBA Champions Haven’t Attended White House Under Donald Trump Presidency

Donald Trump Amber Searls via Imagn Images

An NBA championship-winning team is yet to visit the White House since Trump’s first election into the Oval Office, with the Golden State Warriors being the first to make their stance clear after NBA Finals victories in 2017 and 2018, respectively.

The Toronto Raptors (2019) and Los Angeles Lakers (2020) also did not visit the White House in the remaining years of Trump’s first stint.

The 2025 NBA champions, Oklahoma City Thunder, did not make the trip to Washington either after being the first champions of Trump’s second spell as President.


Donald Trump at the NBA Finals


Donald Trump Reacts to Heavy Boos He Received During New York Knicks vs San Antonio Spurs

When he appeared on the big screen, the POTUS was heavily booed by the fans inside Madison Square Garden.

Trump made an appearance at the 2026 NBA Finals, sitting in a suite alongside Knicks owner James Dolan for Game 3 of the series at Madison Square Garden.

The 47th President’s decision to attend the game was widely unpopular among the Knicks faithful, as it meant that fans were not permitted to gather for watch parties around the Knicks’ home venue, and fans with tickets had to go through extra rounds of security checks upon entering the third contest.

The President was booed when shown on the jumbotron at the game and some Knicks fans blamed his appearance at the game as the reason why their team was unable to secure a victory on that occasion, as the Spurs pulled the series back to 2-1 following that contest.

New York Knicks Made White House Decision

New York Knicks Dustin Safranek via Imagn Images

However, despite the Knicks fans’ opposition to Trump, it appears that the franchise itself is actually on good terms with the President, as the team is set to visit the White House following their Finals success.

Dolan, a long-time friend of Trump, confirmed the decision during an interview with WFAN New York on Wednesday after being asked whether he was looking forward to a potential celebratory trip to the White House.

The Knicks owner stated: “We did receive an invitation from (the) White House, which we accepted. We still have to figure out the details, but yes, of course, (we’re looking forward to it).


New York Knicks Celebrate NBA Title Win


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“I invited the President to come down for the game, right? He is a friend. I’ve known him for 30 years, and I’m very proud to bring the team to the White House,” the 71-year-old businessman added.

While Dolan will be pleased to make the White House visit and celebrate his team’s triumph with his close friend, it remains to be seen whether the Knicks players and staff display the same glee when greeting Trump and if they choose to pose for pictures with the current President.

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Arsenal Told Not To Make £100m Move For Dream Transfer Target

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Arsenal are just starting to make moves in the summer transfer window as manager Mikel Arteta assesses his options ahead of the start of the 2026/27 campaign.

After winning the Premier League title for the first time in 22 years, the rumour mill was slow to get into gear for the Gunners, but we are just starting to hear a few more noises around players potentially arriving at the Emirates Stadium now.

Christos Tzolis and Manu Kone are the names starting to make headlines in connection with Arsenal, but there is a big-money move that the club may well be working on over the next couple of weeks.

Arsenal are serious about signing Morgan Rogers

Aston Villa's Morgan Rogers celebrates scoring vs Manchester United

GIVEMESPORT understands that the Gunners are “serious contenders” to sign Morgan Rogers from Aston Villa this summer and GMS senior football correspondent Ben Jacobs has said that he would be the dream signing for Arsenal.

Rogers is likely to leave Villa Park this summer, as Villa look to ensure they continue to comply with Financial Fair Play and adhere to the Premier League’s new Squad Cost Rules, coming in for the start of the 2026/27 campaign. There are also UEFA Squad Cost Rules to comply with given they are in the Champions League next season.

A number of clubs will be linked with signing Rogers and with Arsenal in the market for a left-sided forward, he is high on their list of transfer priorities.

Jacobs said: “Offers in excess of £80million will be engaged with. Interested clubs feel around £80million whereas Villa sources I speak to feel like they get in a room at £80million, but maybe £90million and even £100million might be the number because we’re in an inflated market.”

Rogers wants Arsenal move

Morgan Rogers

Arsenal may have the advantage when it comes to signing the 23-year-old, with Gunners insider HandofArsenal saying on social media that Rogers has outlined his preference to sign for Arsenal over the likes of Chelsea this summer.

One former Arsenal star does not think it would be the right move, however.

Speaking in a blog for Betway, Gunners legend David Seaman warned Arteta against spending £100million on the England international.

He said: “As a player, he’s fantastic, but in terms of fitting into the squad, is he in the same mould as [Eberechi] Eze? He is, really. So what do you do with that?

England World Cup Quiz

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“It’s Eze’s first season at the club, you’ve got to give him a chance to really settle in, and it looks like he’s settled in already. It always takes a while to get used to team-mates and play at the Arsenal level where you’re contending for big trophies.

“I would feel like we need more of a playmaker, and Rogers is more of a No. 10, an Eze-type player. It’s tough, but that’s why I’m not the manager!”


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