Tottenham Hotspur

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We asked for your views after Tottenham's 2-0 friendly win at Championship side QPR.

Here are some of your responses:

Peter: Second game of pre-season and another win. We played really well in an attacking sense, but QPR luckily failed to convert the chances they had. I would rather say they were playing well than we were playing badly.

Brian: Lucas Bergvall looks like a tremendous bit of business and I was also impressed by Archie Gray. Get a striker and it could be a good season.

Glenn: We look much more on the front foot. Still work to do when we don't have the ball in our own half in shutting the opposition down much earlier, and we gave QPR too many opportunities near the end. The young players could save the club a fortune in transfer fees and provide the depth we need this season.

Ellington: A good, competitive run out for Spurs. Mikey Moore now has a goal and an assist in pre-season. It will be interesting to see if he stays with the first-team squad this season. I think Djed Spence is also ready to be the back-up right-back too. So far so good. COYS!

Brian: Why are we playing pre-season games against second-rate teams? Surely playing better opposition would give us a better idea of where we are?

Marseille are closing in on a £13.5m deal for Tottenham midfielder Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg. (Mail on Sunday), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Sunday's full gossip column

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Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou has said he does not think the injury suffered by Lucas Bervall against QPR is "anything significant".

The midfielder was forced off during the first half of Saturday's 2-0 win at QPR.

But Postecoglou told Spurs club media, external: "He's just a bit sore.

"For him - and for Archie [Gray] - the way we train is all new.

"We've got to look after them but I don't think it's anything significant."

Nizaar Kinsella
BBC Sport football news reporter

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Yves Bissouma and Dane Scarlett got the goals Tottenham secured a 2-0 pre-season victory over QPR at Loftus Road on Saturday.

The opener came from midfielder Bissouma, who sensationally rounded goalkeeper Paul Nardi and scored after a one-two with Dejan Kulusevski.

Late substitute Scarlett turned home from inside the six-yard box after an outside-of-the-boot cross by Mikey Moore.

Son Heung-min, Timo Werner and substitutes Will Lankshear and Moore could have added more goals as Ange Postecoglou played two different XIs in each half.

However, the hosts also squandered chances as Lyndon Dykes and Alfie Lloyd both missed from close range in the second half, after Rayan Kolli had a long-range shot saved on to the crossbar by Brandon Austin before the break.

There are also concerns after 18-year-old Lucas Bergvall, a summer signing from Djurgarden, came off injured midway through the first half.

Have your say on the game here, external

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A superb Yves Bissouma goal and a close-range effort by second-half substitute Dane Scarlett gave Tottenham a 2-0 friendly win at Championship side QPR on Saturday.

What did you learn from this game, Spurs fans?

Let us know your thoughts on the match here, external

Forward Richarlison is open to moving to the Saudi Pro League but Tottenham will demand £60m. (HITC), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Saturday's full gossip column

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It seems inevitable a host of Premier League managers will point to fixture congestion in the months to come.

When injuries mount, or when time on the training ground is squeezed, coaches often reference the intense nature of the calendar.

But research conducted by the respected CIES Football Observatory has delivered data which shows clubs are - on average - not playing more competitive games than they have in the last couple of decades.

The CIES looked at 677 clubs across 40 leagues. In looking at a period from 2012 to 2024, its findings show in 2023-24, the average club played 42.4 competitive matches. In 2014-15 that figure was 42.6 and in 2020-21 it hit 43.9.

And if focus is placed on sides competing in the Champions League, data gathered between 2000 and 2024 also shows sides are not setting fixture records in the current game, as some managers may like to loosely imply.

In looking at the five major European Leagues, the CIES claim Champions League competitors played an average of 50.8 matches last season.

In 2020-21 they averaged 57.9 and in 2002-03 they contested 55.2.

Manchester United played in 52 competitive games last season, down from highs of 71 in 2020-21 and 66 in 2008-09.

Across all of the clubs analysed, only 4% played more than 60 games last season. In 2012-13, the figure stood at 5.1%.

While clubs may play added friendlies and - it would be fair to say - individual matches tend to be longer given increased injury time in the current game, the data shows that competitive fixture numbers are flat or have in most cases fallen, even if disgruntled managers say otherwise.

The full study is here, external

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Former Spurs captain Hugo Lloris believes a "restriction in terms of investment" while building the new Tottenham Hotspur Stadium contributed to a lack of trophies in his final few seasons in England.

The French World Cup winner spent 12 years with Spurs but, despite helping them reach the Champions League final in 2019, did not lift silverware at the club.

"I am not the kind of guy that looks backwards," the now LAFC goalkeeper told BBC Sport chief football news reporter Simon Stone.

"Everything I do I try to have no regrets. At that time we did our best. We brought the club to a level that it didn’t used to be at.

"We didn’t miss much but when we reach this standard in terms of performance and results, the club was probably also focused on the new stadium. It meant there was a restriction in terms of investment. At that time, the others, Liverpool, Chelsea, Man City invested a bit more than us in the top players and in the end, it makes a difference.

"I still believe we were close but at the same time, we missed a bit. This question is good because the only thing when I look backwards, I just don’t know how things would have been if we had stayed one or two seasons more at White Hart Lane."

Spurs played at Wembley for the 2017-18 season and then until April 2019 the following season while the new stadium was completed, qualifying for the Champions League in both campaigns but failing to build on the second place finish in the final year at White Hart Lane.

"The last two seasons in that stadium we were amazing, playing amazing football," Lloris added.

"We cannot forget we played a year and a half without our own stadium. We had to deal with Wembley, which is an amazing stadium, but it was not our own.

"We did quite well because we qualified for the Champions League by being in the top four. But we faced better teams and better sides and stronger clubs than us."

Despite not being included in matchday squads after the appointment of Ange Postecoglou and leaving the December after his arrival, Lloris believes Spurs are heading towards competing for trophies under the Australian manager.

"In football life there are ups and downs and I believe right now, Tottenham are building something that is really interesting," he added. "I could see it for six months.

"I really enjoyed the idea of the football from the manager but also the direction of the club and I believe Tottenham will be competitive again.

"I think there is a new project and I am really interested to see where it is going to bring the club."

Tottenham are aiming to beat Fulham to the signature of Manchester United's 27-year-old Scotland midfielder Scott McTominay. (Sun, external)

Tottenham have been in daily contact with the representatives of Canada forward Jonathan David, 24, before submitting an offer to Lille. (Football Insider, external)

Want more transfer stories? Read Friday's full gossip column

Following Tottenham's 5-1 win over Hearts, we asked you for your thoughts on the pre-season friendly.

Here are a selection of your comments:

Ian: A really impressive attacking performance. Funny how the kids played 'Angeball' so well. Mikey Moore is a superstar in the making, as is Archie Gray. Lankshear has something about him too. Spence was superb. Can he get his head right because if he can, there is no doubting his ability.

Andrew: The future is looking bright! Emerson isn't up to the job, though, and needs replacing.

Michael: While having to temper thoughts with the facts of the game, the youngsters appear to have given Ange a very pleasant headache. Their performance against an initially strengthened Hearts was outstanding in the context of the game. The clanger came from a seasoned player! oore's goal was a great piece of skill. A lot to look forward to.

Antony: Some impressive youngsters based on this display. New signings Gray and Bervall look Premier League players already. Lankshear gives off Kane of 10 years ago vibes! Some first-teamers look a little rusty, such as Emerson and Solomon, but Son, Maddison, Johnson and Kulusevski look ready to go.

Simon: Having watched England recently, watching Spurs made me really appreciate the fluidity of movement, the outstanding pressure on the ball and the willingness, even of very young players, to take responsibility. Our manager is not available, FA!

Anthony: It's OK impressing in pre-season games but they need to turn it into results in the Premier League and the cups. We've got a good squad building up. Keep it up. COYS!

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Brennan Johnson, Will Lankshear, Mikey Moore, Djed Spence and Ashley Phillips got the goals as Tottenham secured a thumping pre-season win at Scottish Premiership side Hearts.

What did you learn from this game, Spurs fans?

Let us know your thoughts on the match here, external

Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou is also among the candidates to succeed Gareth Southgate as England manager. (Telegraph - subscription required, external)

Want more transfer news and gossip? Read Thursday's full column

Amy Canavan
BBC Sport Scotland at Tynecastle

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Hearts fell to their second defeat of pre-season, losing 5-1 despite an at-times impressive performance against Premier League heavyweights Tottenham Hotspur.

Brennan Johnson tucked in the opener after patient build-up play for Ange Postecoglou’s side.

But the visitors rode their luck before that as Kyosuke Tagawa twice squandered inviting opportunities and goalkeeper Brandon Austin magnificently denied Yutaro Oda with a sensational save.

While potency was missing in the first half, it was evident less than a minute into the second. A half-time substitute – along with Zander Clark and Barrie McKay – Scotland striker Lawrence Shankland slammed home after a defensive howler from Emerson Royal.

He was one of 11 changes at the break for the visitors and it did not take long for Spurs to find their stride again.

William Lankshear slotted beyond Clark after latching on to a delicious threaded through pass from Djed Spence to restore their lead and it was extended by Mikey Moore in another tidy move that ripped the Hearts defence apart.

It was a defence that lost Frankie Kent in the first-half after he took a James Maddison free-kick flush to the face.

There was a bright light in the backline, though, with Costa Rica international Gerald Taylor, on loan from Derportivo Saprissa, being a constant threat down the right flank in his first hour as a Hearts player.

His departure was notable and Spurs’ fourth came from another dangerous cross down their left. The ball was poked beyond Clark in a congested six-yard box, with Spence being credited with the final touch.

On his return to Scotland, Postecoglou witnessed a five-goal performance from his side as Ashley Williams added a late fifth from close-range at the back-post.

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Former Tottenham striker Jermain Defoe has announced he will be leaving the club as a coach, to focus on his next career move in management.

The 40-year-old has worked across the under-17s and under-21 squads at Spurs since officially hanging up his boots as a player in 2022.

He made 363 appearances for the club as a player and scored 143 times.

"It's been a pleasure to achieve so much at Spurs, including reaching Uefa A coaching status, which was always an ambition of mine following my playing career," Defoe posted on X, external.

"Spurs will always hold a special place in my heart and the fans already know how much the club means to me.

"However, now is the right time for me to move on and shape the rest of my coaching and managerial career. Nevertheless, I will forever remember my time at Spurs fondly."

In March last year, Defoe said the number of black managers and coaches in football was "shocking", but had hopes to inspire more players to move into the industry.

Image source, Getty Images

The football never stops.

Euro 2024 has barely finished but Premier League clubs have already started turning their attention to pre-season friendlies.

The games are spread across the globe, from Tokyo and New York to Sligo and Crawley.

So who will your team face? And when and where are the matches?

Keep across all the fixtures and results here

Nizaar Kinsella
BBC Sport football news reporter

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Tottenham are open to keeping defender Emerson Royal but have scoured the market for contingency options should he leave.

The club have already rejected an opening 10m euros (£8.4m) bid from AC Milan for the Brazil international.

One player being considered is 22-year-old Brest defender Bradley Locko, who is in France's squad for the Olympics.

However, the club's priority remains signing a forward after the arrival of midfielders Archie Gray and Lucas Bergvall, with Timo Werner's loan move from RB Leipzig also being extended.

Image source, Reuters

While many in England are lamenting the loss to Spain at Euro 2024, there are a number of players returning to their Premier League clubs draped in silverware.

Aston Villa’s Emi Martinez, Tottenham’s Cristian Romero and Giovani lo Celso, Liverpool’s Alexis Mac Allister, Manchester United’s Lisandro Martinez, Chelsea’s Enzo Fernandez and Manchester City’s Julian Alvarez all played their part as Argentina edged Colombia in the Copa America final.

Indeed, it was Lo Celso’s clever through ball that finally unlocked their opponents’ defence in the second half of extra time to set up Inter’s Lautaro Martinez for the winner.

United's Alejandro Garnacho was an unused substitute as Argentina backed up their 2022 World Cup win with a second consecutive Copa America title.

Some consolation for sad England fans of these clubs this morning.

Nizaar Kinsella
BBC Sport football news reporter

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Everton have reached an agreement with Tottenham to waive paying a further fee when offering Dele Alli a new contract.

The Blues did not pay an immediate fee for the midfielder's transfer from Spurs in January 2022, but the north London side would previously have been due a payment had he met the threshold for a certain number of appearances, and were also in line to receive money had Dele agreed a new contract at Goodison Park before now.

The 28-year-old has yet to be offered a new contract and will have to prove his fitness under Sean Dyche in pre-season.

The agreement gives Dele, who is returning from a long-term injury, a pathway back into first-team Premier League football - should Everton opt to renew his contract which expired at the end of June.

Dele is believed to be close to returning to full fitness and will be given a chance to train and play in pre-season.

The 37-cap England international is looking to get his career back on track. He spoke in an emotional interview in July 2023 about his childhood, mental health issues and time spent in rehab.

Many of the remaining parts of the January 2022 deal between Everton and Tottenham are still in place, including performance-related bonuses due to Spurs based on Dele's activity on the pitch and a sell-on clause.

Tottenham are interested in signing 19-year-old Rennes and France Under-21 midfielder Desire Doue. (Football.London), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Saturday's full gossip column

Nizaar Kinsella
BBC Sport football news reporter

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Everton have entered talks with Tottenham about extending midfielder Dele Alli's contract.

The 28-year-old joined the Blues from Spurs in January 2022 but only played 13 times before being sent on loan to Besiktas for the 2022-23 season. He has not played a competitive match since February 2023 due to injury.

Now, he is being offered a chance to revive his career on Merseyside; however, a series of complex clauses and payment structures from that original move from Tottenham to Goodison Park are blocking a potential deal.

Everton did not pay an immediate fee for his transfer but Spurs would have been due a payment had he met the threshold for a certain number of appearances. They were also in line to receive money had Dele agreed a new contract at Goodison Park previously.

The 37-cap England international has still been having treatment for his injury at Everton despite his contract expiring a fortnight ago.

He is also taking part in training sessions with other professional players through a private trainer.