News and gossip from White Hart Lane ahead of their final game of the season
Team news now ahead of the final Premier League game of the season and Tottenham are without the injured trio of Younes Kaboul, Sandro and William Gallas once again but have received a boost after Benoit Assou-Ekotto was passed fit for the game with Sunderland despite a minor knee problem.
Tottenham must win against Sunderland in order to have any chance of overtaking their North London rivals into fourth place and therefore qualifying for the Champions League qualifying stages ahead of the Gunners. They also have to hope Arsenal do not win their fixture with Newcastle United at St James Park in order for them to see their goal achieved.
Sunderland are missing some key men. Danny Rose is ineligible against his parent club while Stephane Sessegnon and Craig Gardner are both suspended for the tie.
Andre Villas Boas has called on his team to produce one last big performance for a fitting finale to the campaign but also reflected on possible failure to qualify for the Champions League – and suggested it would not hamper his Spurs revolution.
He has also spoken of the clubs need to bring in a technical director to deal with transfer dealings at the club. AVB reportedly feels the role is necessary if the club are to compete with the bigger teams in Europe and that it would allow the club to secure more world-class signings. Current Roma supremo and former England assistant manager Franco Baldini is the favourite to land the role.
Joao Moutinho will be a Tottenham Hotspur player next season according to sources in Portugal. The FC Porto midfielder recently reiterated his desire to leave the club this summer and Spurs were keen on signing him last year but fell short of the Portuguese clubs valuation. The source does however query whether Moutinho’s purchase relies heavily on the sale of Gareth Bale considering his lofty price-tag.
AVB has however poured cold water over any deal that might see Croatian youngster Ante Rebic arrive at the club after suggesting he had never even heard of the 19-year-old. He did reserve praise however for both David Villa and Luke Shaw.
What are your thoughts on everything Tottenham Hotspur on the 18th May 2013?
image: © goulao
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