November 2021
This page gives you a diary of events as they have happened at the club.
News of current and former players will be included, as well as any other Spurs related story, rumour or innuendo.
MEHSTG’s occasional spin stories have no basis in truth, but could have been true in another universe.
Previous White Hot Lines
- TRANSFER RUMOUR : – Ajax are reported to be looking to sign Steven Bergwijn on loan in January.
- UNDER-18s : – The Under-18s home fixture against Leicester City on Saturday 18th December has now been rearranged for Saturday 11th December with an 11.30 kick-off at Hotspur Way.
- INJURY NEWS : – Development squad striker J’Neil Bennett, who was on loan at Crewe Alexandra, has cut short the agreement to return to Tottenham to have treatment and rehabilitation on an ankle ligament injury he picked up in training. Being out for 10-12 weeks would have taken him past the end date of the loan in January.
- JOHNNIE HILLS : – Spurs full back from 1950 to 1961, Johnnie Hills died on Friday in Brussels, where he had emigrated to. A player who briefly contributed to the MEHSTG fanzine, everyone here sends their thoughts to his family and to his friends at this sad time.
- AWARDS : – Erik Lamela‘s rabona goal against Arsenal last season has been short-listed as one of the ten nominations for the FIFA Puskas award for the best goal of the year.
Harry Kane finished in 23rd place in the voting for the Ballon D’Or, which was won by Lionel Messi.
- FIRST TEAM : – This afternoon’s match at Burnley was postponed because of the snow on the pitch.
- OTHER NEWS : – Stevenage FC have appointed Paul Tisdale as their new manager …
- TRANSFER RUMOUR : – Ajax are reported to be looking to sign Steven Bergwijn.
- UNDER-18s : – Our Under-18s lost 0-4 away to Fulham this morning in the Under-18 Premier League Cup. The team included Southend United’s 17 year old left back Charlie Sayers, who is on trial with Tottenham.
- OTHER NEWS : – Manchester United have hired Ralf Ragnick as an interim coach until the end of the season.
- TRANSFER RUMOURS : – AFC Bournemouth, Blackburn Rovers, Nottingham Forest and Stoke City are reportedly keen to sign Development squad striker Dilan Markanday on loan in January.
Barcelona are interested in a loan deal for Bryan Gil that includes a option to buy the young Spanish winger at the end of it.
- UNDER-23s : – The Under-23s beat Everton tonight 4-0 at Stevenage FC in the Premier League 2. The goal-scorers were Jack Clarke, Dilan Markanday 2 and Malachi Fagan-Walcott.
- FIRST TEAM : – Tottenham embarrassingly lost 1-2 away to NS Mura in the Europa Conference tonight. Match Report
- TRANSFER RUMOURS : – It is reported in the Daily Express that Antonio Conte is interested in signing Manchester United defender Eric Bailly.
Spurs and Manchester United are supposedly interested in Rennes 23 year-old Croatian midfielder Lovro Majer.
Conte has allegedly told Spurs to sell Tanguy Ndombele in January according to reports today.
- OTHER NEWS : – Sheffield United have sacked manager Slavisa Jokanovic and replaced him with former caretaker manager Paul Heckingbottom …
- TEAM NEWS : – As Tottenham prepare to face NS Mura in Slovenia tomorrow, Cristian Romero is out of the match as he is suspended, but the Argentine international could be side-lined for some time, as his thigh injury is awaiting another scan before the length of time he will be missing can be assessed. Dane Scarlett has an ankle injury and Giovani Lo Celso still has the knock he picked up on international duty, so neither will be involved. Ryan Sessegnon will start the game after Antonio Conte confirmed this decision in his press conference.
- TRANSFER RUMOURS : – Tottenham are still being linked with a move for Cagliari’s Uruguayan midfielder Nahitan Nandez.
It has been reported today that Spurs might re-ignite their interest in South Korean defender Kim Min-jae, who only signed for Fenerbahce in the summer, having previously been playing for Beijing Guoan. The 25 year old would cost around 20 million Euros.
The Spanish press say that Luka Modric has turned down the opportunity to re-join Tottenham or move to Newcastle United, although if his contract talks with Real Madrid break down, then he might consider a move to Manchester City.
- FA YOUTH CUP : – Tottenham’s game against Ipswich Town in the Third round of the FA Youth Cup has been arranged for Thursday 16th December, kicking off at 19.00 at Stevenage FC.
- EX-SPURS : – Former Spurs defender Ian Hendon has joined Irish club Waterford’s coaching staff.
- OTHER NEWS : – Manager Simon Grayson has left Fleetwood Town … Keith Curle has left his post as manager of Carlisle United by mutual consent …
- FINANCES : – Tottenham’s annual financial report was issued today, showing that the club lost £80.2 million in pre-tax profits during 2021 when the country was in the grip of the Covid-19 pandemic.
- TRANSFER RUMOURS : – Spurs and West Ham United London are reportedly both keen on SC Braga striker Vitor Oliveira who scored four goals against bottom of the league club Santa Clara in the Portuguese Cup.
Rumour has it that Spurs are keeping an eye on the situations of West Bromwich Albion goalkeeper Sam Johnstone and Manchester United goalkeeper Dean Henderson as possible replacements for Hugo Lloris.
Internazionale defender Alessandro Bastoni is being linked with a move to Tottenham amid talk that Antonio Conte has asked for either him or Stefan de Vrij of Juventus be signed in January.
- TRANSFER RUMOUR : – In Italy, they are reporting that Tottenham could make a move for AS Roma midfielder Nicolo Zaniolo.
- UNDER-23s : – Spurs Under-23s came back from a goal down to overcome Leicester City 4-1 away with goals from Harvey White 2, Malcahi Fagan-Walcott and Tobi Omole. Thimothee Lo-Tutala saved a late Leicester penalty.
- FIRST TEAM : – Tottenham beat Leeds United 2-1 at the Tottenham Hotspur stadium this afternoon. Match Report.
- OTHER NEWS : – Manchester United sacked manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer today.
- UNDER-18s : – Southampton Under-18s were 3-0 winners against Spurs at Hotspur Way in the Under-18 Premier League this morning.
- TEAM NEWS : – Spurs will be without Cristian Romero for a while after he injured his hamstring on international duty with Argentina and will have a further scan in 10 days and Giovani Lo Celso will be assessed ahead of the game to see if the issue he returned with has been overcome. Oliver Skipp is suspended after picking up his fifth yellow card of the season at Everton. Bryan Gil and Ryan Sessegnon are both back in training and could be in line for selection for the matchday squad.
- TRANSFER RUMOUR : – Spurs are reported to be interested in signing Jesse Lingard who looks set to leave Manchester United.
- MEHSTG SPIN STORY : – Aston Villa’s players have asked for an interpreter or subtitles after Steven Gerrard’s first training session.
- TRANSFER RUMOUR : – A number of sources today claim that Antonio Conte wants Spurs to sign Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford.
- TRAVEL UPDATE : – Fans going to the hoe game against Leeds United on Sunday by train should be aware that there is no rail service between Stratford and Northumberland Park running on the day of the match.
- COACHING UPDATE : – Spurs have announced that the first team’s new goalkeeping coach is Marco Savorani, who was previously at AS Roma and worked with Antonio Conte at Siena before taking up the same post at Atalanta, Chievo and Piacenza
- INTERNATIONALS : – Cristian Romero went off with a thigh injury in the 53rd minute of Argentina’s 0-0 draw with Brazil in a World Cup qualifier this morning. Giovani Lo Celso played 86 minutes of the game before being substituted. Emerson Royal was an unused substitute for Brazil.
Davinson Sanchez played all of Colombia’s 0-0 World Cup qualifying draw with Paraguay overnight.
- TRANSFER RUMOURS : – It is reported that Tottenham have made a two year scholarship contract offer to midfielder Han Willhoft-King, who has made his Under-18 debut this season, as they seek to secure more of the talent coming through the junior ranks.
Joe Rodon is said to be willing to go out on loan in January.
Nottingham Forest are said to be keen on signing Jamie Bowden on loan in January, although the midfielder is on a season long loan at Oldham Athletic.
- OTHER NEWS : – Barnsley have appointed Poya Asbaghi as the club’s new manager.
- INTERNATIONALS : – France beat Iceland 2-0 in Helsinki with Hugo Lloris captaining his country.
Captain Heung-Min Son scored once in South Korea’s 3-0 win over Iraq in their Asian World Cup qualifying group tonight in Doha.
Ben Davies and Joe Rodon completed the whole of Wales’ 1-1 World Cup qualifying draw with Belgium in Cardiff tonight.
Steven Bergwijn played all of Holland’s 2-0 home win over Norway to qualify for the World Cup finals in Qatar next year and he netted an injury time goal for the Dutch.
Maksim Paskotsi played 87 minutes of Estonia’s 0-2 defeat by the Czech Republic tonight in their World Cup qualifier.
England Under-21s’ friendly in Georgia ended in a 2-3 defeat with Oliver Skipp being used off the bench in the 77th minute.
- TRANSFER RUMOURS : – Spurs were among a number of clubs to have a scout watching Italy’s Under-23s take on their Romanian counterparts tonight. It is thought that one player they may have been sent to watch was Pisa striker Lorenzo Lucca, but he remained on the bench as an unused substitute.
Antonio Conte is rumoured to want to raid his former club Juventus to snap up Dutch defender Matthias de Ligt.
- FA YOUTH CUP : – Tottenham’s Youth team have been drawn to play at home in the Third Round of the FA Youth Cup against either Ipswich Town of Aldershot.
- UNDER-23s : – Under-23 midfielder Rafferty Pedder has played a match at that level for QPR as a trial, with his contract with Spurs ending in the summer.
- PLANNING : – Haringey Council’s Planning Committee have refused Tottenham Hotspur’s application to build 867 units of accommodation near the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium despite officers recommending that the permission be granted.
- OTHER NEWS : – Derby County have been docked another nine points for accounting issues and look destined for relegation to League One being left on -3 points and 15 points adrift of safety.
- INTERNATIONALS : – Captain Harry Kane played 62 minutes of England’s 10-0 away World Cup win over San Marino, scoring four of the goals.
- AWARD : – Dilan Markanday has been awarded the Premier League 2 Player of the Month for October.
- TRANSFER RUMOURS : – A rumour hits the internet today stating Juventus’ Dutch central defender Stefan de Vrij has told his friends that he wants to sign for Tottenham in January.
- OTHER NEWS : – Norwich City have named Dean Smith as their new manager.
- INTERNATIONALS : – Matt Doherty started the Republic of Ireland’s 3-0 away World Cup qualifying win over Luxembourg, being substituted in the 90th minute by Troy Parrott.
Pape Matar Sarr came on as a substitute in Senegal’s 2-0 World Cup qualifying win over Congo today.
- TRANSFER RUMOURS : – Tottenham are said to be keen on signing 22 year old PSV Eindhoven and Holland midfielder Cody Gakpo.
Spurs are said to be favourites to sign striker Dusan Vlahovic of Fiorentina and Juventus midfielder Weston McKennie, while the club has reportedly made contact with Juventus about signing Swedish forward Dejan Kulusevski.
- OTHER NEWS : – Stevenage have sacked manager Alex Revell today …
- TRANSFER RUMOURS : – The agents of Julian Alvarez, the 21 year old River Plate striker, are said to have visited England with the aim of speaking to Aston Villa and Spurs about the sale of the Argentine international.
West Bromwich Albion’s Under-23 central defender Kevin Joshua is attracting interest from Spurs, Fulham, Aston Villa and South Coast Big Club who have been watching the left-footed 6’6″ 19 year old
- INTERNATIONALS : – Cristian Romero played all of Argentina’s 1-0 away win at Uruguay in their World Cup qualifying match, with Giovani Lo Celso starting but making way for Lionel Messi in the 76th minute.
Hugo Lloris was the French captain as they beat Kazakhstan 8-0 in a home World Cup qualifier tonight.
Ben Davies played all 90 minutes and scored his first goal for Wales, as they beat Belarus 5-1 at Cardiff City FC tonight in a World Cup qualifying match, with Joe Rodon also completing the whole game in the Welsh defence.
In the same group Maksim Paskotsi played the whole game for Estonia as they lost away to Belgium 1-3 in another World Cup qualifier.
Steven Bergwijn came on as a substitute at half-time for the Netherlands in an away World Cup qualifier that saw them held 2-2 by Montenegro.
- UNDER-23s : – Spurs Under-23s lost a friendly at Hotspur Way 1-2 against Ipswich Town today.
- INTERNATIONALS : – Harry Kane captained England for 63 minutes in their 5-0 World Cup qualifying win over Albania at Wembley tonight, scoring a hat-trick in the process.
- TRANSFER RUMOURS : – It is rumoured that Tottenham may renew their interest in signing Wolverhampton Wanderers winger Adama Traore.
Tottenham are rumoured to be interested, along with AC Milan, in Club Brugge’s 20 year old striker Charles de Ketelaere.
The rumours of Spurs re-signing Gareth Bale have been denied today.
A link to an interest in LOSC Lille’s right back Zeki Celik has emerged today.
Manchester City are reported to be ready to make a January move for Harry Kane.
- SEASON 2002-2023 : – With the Qatar World Cup 2022 taking place in the middle of the English football season, the dates for the start and finish of the season have now been announced. The Premier League season will start on 6th August 2022 and break on November 14th to give a week’s preparation for the World Cup finals. The season will resume on December 26th – one week after the final – and will end on 28th May 2023.
- INTERNATIONALS : – Heung-Min Son captained South Korea to a 1-0 World Cup qualifying home win over the United Arab Emirates.
Brazil beat Colombia 1-0 at home in a World Cup qualifier with Davinson Sanchez playing the 90 minutes for Colombia and Emerson Royal was an unused substitute for Brazil.
The Republic of Ireland drew 0-0 with Portugal in their World Cup qualifier in Dublin and Matt Doherty played the whole match for Ireland. Troy Parrott remained on the bench as an unused substitute.
Pape Matar Sarr was an unused sub in Senegal’s 1-1 World Cup qualifying match away to Togo.
Oliver Skipp completed England Under-21s 3-1 win over the Czech Republic at Turf Moor in a European Championship qualifying match tonight.
- OTHER NEWS : – Steven Gerrard has been appointed as the new manager of Aston Villa ….
- TRANSFER RUMOURS : – Allegedly, Antonio Conte is a big fan of Gareth Bale and may get the club to make a cut-price move for the Welsh winger in the January transfer window.
Spurs may have to contest the signing of Benfica striker Darwin Nunez with Barcelona and Real Madrid.
Rumours are linking Spurs and West Ham United London with an interest in signing £10 million rated West Bromwich Albion keeper Sam Johnstone.
Cameroon and Ajax goalkeeper Andre Onana is reported to be a target for Spurs, with the keeper just completing a nine month ban for drug use.
The German press claim that Everton, Newcastle United and Spurs are all interested in 23 year old RB Leipzig midfielder Amadou Haidara.
- INTERNATIONALS : – Dane Scarlett scored twice and was substituted in the 72nd minute of England Under-19’s 4-0 win over Andorra. Nile John came on as a 63rd minute substitute .
- DIETARY CHANGES : – In a move reminiscent of Juande Ramos on his arrival at the club, Antonio Conte has banned the players from having ketchup, sauces, pizza and mayonnaise in an attempt to improve their fitness.
- OTHER NEWS : – Eddie Howe has been appointed as the new manager of Newcastle United …
- INTERNATIONALS : – Steven Bergwijn has been selected in the Holland squad to face Montenegro and Norway in World Cup qualifiers in the next ten days.
- INJURY NEWS : – Denmark will be without Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg for their first World Cup qualifier this week, due to an injury the midfielder has after the Everton match.
- TRANSFER RUMOUR : – A story coming out of Italy claims Spurs are in competition with Liverpool, SSC Napoli and Internazionale for Torino’s 24 year old Brazilian central defender Bremer.
- EX-SPURS : – Development squad midfielder Laste Dombaxe has joined AFC Sudbury.
- SAFE STANDING : – Spurs have had their licence application to have safe standing areas at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium approved and this allows the club to operate these areas from 1st
- OTHER NEWS : – Newcastle United have appointed Eddie Howe as their new manager …
- FIRST TEAM : – Tottenham drew 0-0 with Everton at Goodison Park today. Match Report.
- OTHER NEWS : – Aston Villa sacked manager Dean Smith today … Middlesbrough have appointed Chris Wilder as their new manager …
- TEAM NEWS : – Winger Bryan Gil is doubtful for the trip to Goodison Park when Spurs play Everton tomorrow after suffering a hamstring injury, the same issue that is keeping Ryan Sessegnon side-lined.
- INTERNATIONALS : – Troy Parrott has been selected for the Republic of Ireland squad to face Luxembourg and Portugal in World Cup qualifiers later this month.
- UNDER-18s : – Goals from Renaldo Torraj and Rio Kyerematen secured the Spurs Under-18s a 2-1 home win over Brighton & Hove Albion at Hotspur Way this afternoon.
- TRANSFER RUMOUR : – Apparently, Spurs and West Ham United London are still keen on signing Fiorentina defender Nikola Milenkovic.
- OTHER NEWS : – Norwich City sacked manager Daniel Farke after their first win of the season… manager Neil Warnock has left Middlesbrough by mutual consent …
- TRANSFER RUMOURS : – Juventus’ American midfielder Weston McKennie is the subject of stories today saying that his future at the Italian club is in doubt, with Spurs interested in signing him for £17 million.
Tottenham are set to contend with interest from Real Madrid in Internazionale central defender Alessandro Bastoni, although the Inter chairman has said that they will not entertain any interest in their players from Spurs in the January transfer window.
Spurs are reported to be keen to sign Internazionale’s Croatian midfielder Marcelo Brozovic on a free transfer in the summer.
Is is reported in Spain and Italy that Antonio Conte will be looking to sell Dele Alli, Lucas Moura, Steven Bergwijn and Giovani Lo Celso as they are not part of his plans for the Spurs team.
It is also rumoured that Conte would like Spurs to sign 20 year old left-back Benoit Badiashile from AS Monaco.
- UNDER-23s : – Spurs Under-23s drew 1-1 away to Brighton and Hove Albion tonight, with Dilan Markanday‘s goal winning the point for Tottenham.
- FIXTURE CHANGES : – January’s live Premier League TV coverage has been announced for the following Spurs matches with changes to dates the games will now be played …
Woolwich Wanderers (Home) – Sunday 16th January 2022 – Kick-off 16.30 (Sky Sports)
Chelsea (Away) – Sunday 23rd January 2022 – Kick-off 16.30 (Sky Sports).
- RACISM : – A 21 year old Chelsea fan from Nottingham has been jailed for eight weeks after pleading guilty for sending anti-Semitic e-mails.
- OTHER NEWS : – Scunthorpe United have appointed Keith Hill as their new manager …
- FIRST TEAM : – Tottenham beat Vitesse Arnhem 3-2 in the Europa Conference tonight at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Match Report.
- COACHING NEWS : – It has been announced that Antonio Conte’s coaching staff will comprise of Cristian Stellini (Assistant Head Coach), Ryan Mason (First Team Coach), Ginaluca Conte (Technical and Analytical Coach), Constantino Coratti (Fitness Coach), Gian Piero Ventrone (Fitness Coach) and Stefano Bruno (Fitness Coach). The club have said they will provide an update on the goalkeeping coach in due course.
- INTERNATIONALS : – Harry Kane has been included in the England squad to face Albania and San Marino in World Cup qualifiers later this month.
- TRANSFER RUMOURS : – Winger Jack Clarke is attracting interest from Derby County, Millwall, Luton Town and Barnsley, with a view to signing him in the January transfer window, but there is no indication as to whether this is a loan or permanent signing.
- TRANSFER RUMOURS : – West Bromwich Albion goalkeeper Sam Johnstone is being linked with Spurs again in today’s media stories.
Harry Kane is supposedly set to stay with Spurs now that they have appointed Antonio Conte as the new manager, who wants to sign Internazionale midfielder Nicolo Barella.
In Germany, they claim Spurs and Newcastle United have been in contact with RB Salzburg about their 19 year old striker Karim Adeyemi, but he has said he would like to join Liverpool.
Representatives from AS Roma are reported to be expected in London this week to discuss the transfer of Harry Winks to Jose Mourinho’s side.
Barcelona are said to be keen to sign Tanguy Ndombele on loan in the January transfer window.
- LEAGUE CUP : – The quarter-final tie at home to West Ham United London will be played on Wednesday 22nd December with a 19.45 kick-off and the match screened live by Sky Sports.
- COACHING RUMOURS : – It is rumoured that Antonio Conte‘s brother Gianluca Conte will join him as his assistant manager, with up to seven of his backroom staff also planning to be brought to N17.
- MANAGER : – Antonio Conte has been appointed as the new manager of Tottenham Hotspur with a contract that runs to the summer of 2023 with the option to extend it then. FUrther details of the coaching staff under the new manager will be announced in due course.
- TRANSFER RUMOURS : – Tottenham are reported as being in very advanced talks to sign AC Milan midfielder Franck Kessie, who is available on a free transfer at the end of the season.
Spurs have had another name thrown into the ring from Serie A that Antonio Conte might want to sign in SS Lazio defender Manuel Lazzari.
Internazionale striker Lautaro Martinez is reported to be likely to be a target for Spurs in the next two transfer windows.
- MANAGER : – Tottenham Hotspur have sacked Nuno Espirito Santo and his coaching staff – Ian Cathro, Rui Barbosa and Antonio Dias – after four months in charge.
Rumours are that Antontio Conte – the former Internazionale manager – is the favourite if Spurs can persuade him to join mid-season and another claims that Ryan Mason will be put in charge until Christmas. FC Porto manager Sergio Conceicao is another name being thrown in as an option.
- TRANSFER RUMOURS : – Everton and Aston Villa are said to be the favourites to sign Harry Winks in January.
Tottenham are believed to have had a meeting with Fiorentina about signing striker Dusan Vlahovic, but the player is said to have set his heart on moving to Juventus.
It is being reported that Antonio Conte will want six Serie A players in his new Spurs team, with the names Stefan de Vrij, Matthias de Ligt, Federico Chiesa, Alessio Romagnoli, Dusan Vlahovic and Marcelo Brozovic put forward for his shopping list. The names of Alessandro Bastoni and Franck Kessie can be added from other sources.
- OTHER NEWS : – On what seems like a day for it, Scunthorpe United have sacked their manager Neil Cox and Barnsley sacked their Head Coach Marcus Schopp …
Previous White Hot Lines