Spurs: former midfielder's Man City tip; new deal for young defender; Edwards praised

By Dan Zeqiri

Spurs host Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City on Sunday lunchtime in this weekend’s most attractive Premier League fixture. City have taken maximum points from their first six league games, but Celtic showed on Tuesday that there are defensive frailties to be exploited. Spurs may not have hit quite the same heights in terms of performance levels, but Mauricio Pochettino’s side have been a solid unit and remain unbeaten. In the absence of talisman Harry Kane, South Korean forward Heung Min Son has hit a timely purple patch and there is an air of optimism around the club currently.

Tottenham have only scored five goals in their last five league games at the Lane however, and need to be more free scoring if they are to challenge City at the pinnacle of the division. Former Spurs midfield Jermaine Jenas is confident ahead of Sunday, using his BBC Sport column to claim:

“Pochettino will know that is how City like to play and how they gain control of the tempo of the game.

“So it would not surprise me if he makes sure Bravo is properly pressed as well, which means doing it every time Spurs go and hunt for the ball.

“It will be all or nothing, but I have the feeling Tottenham will go for it. They look at themselves as title contenders too, and they will be saying: ‘We are at home, we will be on the front foot – and we are not letting you dictate the game.”

Most teams have approached City with a great deal of caution, understandably so, and have sat off them and tried to block lines of passing to David Silva and Kevin de Bruyne. The Belgian is absent this weekend, and Swansea had a degree of success last weekend by pressing City from the front. This is Spurs natural approach in any case, so it makes sense for them to stick to what they know. Pochettino’s side are the most athletic and powerful side that Guardiola has faced, and they could surprise City with their energy levels come Sunday.

Elsewhere, Tottenham have tied down another young player in the latest of a spate of new contracts handed out by the club. Cameron Carter-Vickers has signed a fresh deal that will keep him at the club until 2019, and the 18-year-old USA international has a bright future earmarked for him at centre back. With a costly stadium move looming, it is vital that Daniel Levy and the club tie down their assets and protect their value. Carter-Vickers played in Spurs’ 5-0 EFL Cup win against Gillingham and has found himself on the bench was recent Premier League games.

Finally, there is more good news when it comes to Tottenham youngsters, with former coach Les Ferdinand tipping Marcus Edwards to be the next big thing. Ferdinand said:

“At every age group he impressed and on the sidelines we spoke about how good he was and how good he could be in the future. Every step up he’s made, he’s taken it in his stride. He looked to be a class above the other players on the pitch.”

Gone are the days when Spurs were known for being wheeler-dealers in the transfer market, bringing in hordes of players and pulling rabbits from the hat on deadline. Nowadays, there seems to be a more measured and holistic approach and their promising crop of youngsters are part of that.

Featured image: All rights reserved by Diego Gaona