Sports

Tottenham Want to Sign Eli Kroupi Junior After Fernandes and Tonali

Published

2 hours ago

July 1, 2026

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Tottenham Hotspur have been the busiest team in the summer transfer window so far and they do not show any sign of slowing down.

Spurs have already confirmed four completed deals, with goalkeeper Martin Dubravka and defenders Marcos Senesi and Andy Robertson arriving on free transfers. They also spent big on signing Jan Paul van Hecke from Brighton in a £52million deal.

Head coach Roberto De Zerbi has set out his stall to revitalise the ailing squad that he inherited at the end of March and the Spurs owners have backed their new boss with signings he has asked for.

Midfield duo set to arrive in north London

A fifth signing is imminent, with Tottenham having agreed a deal with West Ham to sign Mateus Fernandes after winning the race with Manchester United. Fernandes will become Spurs’ new record signing in a deal worth £85million.

Spurs are still in talks with Newcastle United over a deal to sign Sandro Tonali, with an initial £80million bid rejected by the Magpies. Should they manage to negotiate a fee, it is likely the Italian would then break the transfer record once more.

Tonali’s arrival would add major strength to the midfield department, which has already been boosted by Fernandes’ signing. And having bolstered his defence and goalkeeping department, all that would seemingly remain for De Zerbi would be to upgrade his forward line.

There are a number of players who will be like new signings for the Italian, with Dejan Kulusevski having not featured at all last season and Mohammed Kudus yet to play under De Zerbi.

But there are likely to be new figures arriving in that department too. Richarlison could leave if the right offer comes in for him, while the likes of Xavi Simons and Wilson Odobert will remain sidelined for the start of the campaign, which leaves Spurs a little light.

Spurs turn attention to forward signing

AFC Bournemouth's Eli Junior Kroupi celebrates — AFC Bournemouth’s Eli Junior Kroupi celebrates

GIVEMESPORT understands Tottenham will look at the market for a new No.9 this summer and Eli Kroupi Junior has emerged as a potential candidate to arrive in north London, according to Spurs insider Paul O’Keefe.

The Bournemouth striker broke the Premier League record last season for the number of goals scored by a teenager in a season, taking the mantel from Robbie Keane and Robbie Fowler before him.

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In his first season in the English top flight, the now 20-year-old notched 13 goals in 33 appearances, although nine of those goals came in the 21 starts he was handed by then boss Andoni Iraola.

Kroupi has plenty of admirers, with Arsenal and Chelsea both also understood to be keen on signing him this summer, but as Spurs attentions turn to their forward line, the Bournemouth star is in their sights, although they will have to spend big once more to sign him, with the Cherries demanding between £80million and £100million to sell him this summer.

The forward has been described as a ‘phenomenon’ and likened in style to Kylian Mbappe by Tiemoue Bakayoko.

Tottenham Expect to Sign ‘Elite’ Star After Fernandes With Deal ‘Advancing’

Tottenham are working on multiple deals.

Sports

The Bold England 11 Thomas Tuchel Needs to Name vs Mexico

Published

8 minutes ago

July 1, 2026

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Thomas Tuchel has plenty of decisions to make after England avoided a giant-killing to book their place in the last 16 of the World Cup against Mexico.

A Harry Kane brace saw the Three Lions come from behind to beat a tough DR Congo side who led for 75 minutes. While Tuchel’s men dug deep to turn the game around, their German coach won’t have liked the overall performance.

Several players disappointed and might be at risk of the chop ahead of a massive showdown with Mexico on Monday. Here is how Tuchel must set his side up for a dreaded trip to the Azteca.

Goalkeeper and Defence

England started slowly against the Congolese and were made to pay after Brian Cipenga gave the Africans an early shock. That largely came due to poor defending, and Jordan Pickford was easily beaten at his near post.

Pickford will undoubtedly remain Tuchel’s number one for the Mexico game, but the unconvincing Djed Spence cannot continue at right-back. Most of DR Congo’s threat came through Cipenga, who constantly gave Spence problems.

Once Tuchel decided to bring Spence off for Eberechi Eze and move Declan Rice into a makeshift right-back role, the Three Lions improved. In fact, that tactical switch led to both of Kane’s goals, with each move starting out on the right.

A lack of right-back options is a real issue for Tuchel and the solution may well be to start Rice in the position at the Azteca. His versatility allows him to still control games in a similar fashion to how Philipp Lahm did at right-back throughout his career with Germany.

Ezri Konsa looked nervy, and perhaps turning to John Stones for experience is the way forward. The Manchester City centre-back should partner Marc Guehi, while Nico O’Reilly deserves to keep his place at left-back.

Bringing Rice into the back four also gives the backline a leader who can ensure his teammates stay focused against a tricky Mexican attack. It’s a risky move but one that could pay off given the massive headache Tuchel has.

Midfield

England's Kobbie Mainoo speaks to media during a training camp

Moving Rice means a slot opens up in midfield and that should go to Kobbie Mainoo, who earned a starting role during the knockout stages of Euro 2024. We were so open in midfield, and the Manchester United midfielder has the technical ability to help Elliot Anderson dominate proceedings in the middle of the park.

Jude Bellingham has silenced his critics and been one of England’s standout performers. The Real Madrid man will keep his place in the number 10 role where he is thriving.

While Tuchel could opt to use Bellingham as an eight and start Morgan Rogers in the 10, the Aston Villa man didn’t impress in the 2-0 win over Panama. Mainoo’s profile will suit the type of game expected against co-hosts Mexico, and he’s fresh having been given little game time.

Attack

Harry Kane in action for England vs Croatia at the 2026 World Cup

Kane is undroppable, and if Tuchel’s men are going to win the tournament, he’ll be the one to fire them to glory. The main issue has been out on the wing with the manager constantly chopping and changing.

Noni Madueke endured a frustrating outing against DR Congo, and Bukayo Saka needs to start if he is fit enough. Another dilemma is on the left wing, as Marcus Rashford has performed better as an impact sub, but Anthony Gordon stepped up after coming off the bench in the win over DR Congo, providing both assists for Kane.

The England XI Tuchel Must Pick vs Mexico: Pickford; Rice, Stones, Guehi, O’Reilly; Mainoo, Anderson, Bellingham; Saka, Kane, Gordon

Sports

Tottenham Agree £100m Deal to Sign Newcastle Star Sandro Tonali

Published

27 minutes ago

July 1, 2026

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Tottenham Hotspur have agreed a deal worth £100m with Newcastle United to sign Sandro Tonali, according to David Ornstein.

Sports

2026 World Cup Player Ratings and Match Highlights

Published

45 minutes ago

July 1, 2026

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England have survived a scare from DR Congo to set up a mouth-watering Mexico City reunion.

Harry Kane inspired England to a dramatic 2-1 win over DR Congo at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, dragging the Three Lions from the brink of elimination after Brian Cipenga’s early strike had stunned everyone in attendance.

Thomas Tuchel’s side toiled for over an hour against a disciplined and fearless Congolese outfit before two second-half goals turned the tie in their favour, setting up a round of 16 date with hosts Mexico in the Estadio Azteca on Sunday, going into Monday morning.

England Player Ratings vs DR Congo
Player	Rating
Jordan Pickford	6
Djed Spence	5
Ezri Konsa	7
Marc Guéhi	7
Nico O’Reilly	6
Elliot Anderson	6
Declan Rice	7
Noni Madueke	7
Jude Bellingham	7.5
Marcus Rashford	6.5
Harry Kane	9.5
Anthony Gordon (sub)	8.5
Bukayo Saka (sub)	7
Eberechi Eze (sub)	6

Congo Player Ratings vs England
Player	Rating
Lionel Mpasi	8.5
Aaron Wan-Bissaka	7.5
Chancel Mbemba	7.5
Axel Tuanzebe	6.5
Arthur Masuaku	6
Ngal’ayel Mukau	6
Samuel Moutoussamy	6.5
Noah Sadiki	6
Nathanaël Mbuku	6
Yoane Wissa	7
Brian Cipenga	7.5
Meschack Elia (sub)	6

Kane’s Brace Ends Congo Resistance

Kane was the difference in a game England had barely any right to win. Held at bay bay for the best part of 70 minutes, the captain finally broke through in the 75th, nodding home Anthony Gordon’s cross to level matters. He struck again soon after, latching onto a second Gordon assist to fire beyond Lionel Mpasi and move to 13 World Cup goals, overtaking Pele in the all-time charts.

Spence Errors Punished, Anthony Gordon Changes the Game

England's Djed Spence — England’s Djed Spence

Djed Spence endured a difficult afternoon deputising at right-back, badly caught out for Cipenga’s seventh-minute opener as Congo exploited the space in behind the Three Lions. England were sluggish for long spells, before Tuchel’s introduction of Gordon and Saka on the hour mark injected the pace and directness that had been missing, with Gordon in particular proving the catalyst for the late turnaround.