Lilywhite News

Your Spurs bugler is bringing you just a bits and pieces post today, stats, deadwood, Richarkison and transfer news for the summer.

Tottenham have had 724 touches in the opposition box, more than anyone else in the English Premier League (EPL) this season.

Tottenham are also the most fouled team in the league, but Spurs have remarkably, given the VAR decisions against us, only received one penalty.

Good to hear that James Maddison is back in training and Napoli have enquired about Pierre-Emile Højbjerg.

For further reading, check out these recent articles:

• Hollywood Calls For Tottenham
• Spurs Showdown: A Wild Ride From Glory to Grit
• The Resurgence of Spurs - Levy can say "I told you so"

Deadwood

Tottenham have an issue that the hatred-hearted don't seem to understand. 

Let me explain for them why our 'deadwood' has been difficult to shift.

Clubs abroad do not have any money.

Teams who are fourth or fifth in Germany or Italy do not have the money Spurs have, thus there is no clubs we can sell to.

TV money in Spain basically goes to the top two clubs and it isn't distributed like the Premier League is, so abroad only the very top teams have money and we know Juventus and Barcelona for instance are struggling.

None of these clubs want our deadwood, unless they are virtually free, like Eric Dier and that is quite apart from the wages issue. The Premier League pay higher wages than clubs in Italy, Germany, France and Italy apart from a few players.

This is why Mauricio Pochettino told fans that the club couldn't afford to make a mistake over a £60m signing, they are a noose around the clubs neck, they prevent the club buying other players.

Richarlison

There are far too many people who attach a stigma to it when in fact it is a positive move not a negative move.

I still maintain we should be addressing these issues before they arrive by using sports psychologists more frequently.

I'm still expecting Tottenham to offload the Brazilian in the summer, despite his improved form and goalscoring.

A Richarlison scoring goals can command a better fee than the Richarlison of just a few months ago before his surgery and mental help.

João Neves

Sources have told THBN that an inquiry has been made for João Neves but he is out of Tottenham's price range I would have thought and I can't see Manchester United being able to afford the 19-year-old (20 in September) Benfica defensive midfielder without major sales..

Bryan Gil

Bryan Gil doesn't want a transfer, he wants to stay but he is only a squad player as far as Postecoglou is concerned so his game time when everyone is fit would be limited.

He is no problem in training, has the right attitude and fits in the group,l but doesn't have a long-term future at Spurs.

Alfie Devine

Alfie Devine is going on loan to Plymouth for the remainder of the 2023/24 season.

Jonathan Rowe

Tottenham are currently working on a deal to bring 20-year-old (21 in April) Norwich City winger Jonathan Rowe to Hotspur Way.

Rowe has been playing on the right for the Championship club this season (12 games) with 9 games on the left.

His goalscoring exploits have come from the right (8 goals) with only 2 from the left and 1 as an attacking midfielder.

In 25 games, the England U-21 international (2 caps, 1 goal) has scored 11 goals and had 2 assists, one assist when on the right and one assist when on the left.

Rowe has scored with his left foot (he is left-footed), his right foot, his head (3), inside the area and from outside the area.

Tottenham are on good terms with his agents, the Unique Sports Group - who also represent Ryan Sessegnon, Brandon Austin, Troy Parrott and Brennan Johnson.

They also represent Crystal Palace centre-back Marc Guéhi, plus former Tottenham players Ryan Fredericks and Andros Townsend.

Ko Itakura

Tottenham are following 26-year-old (27 later this month) Japanese international (23 caps, 1 goal) centre-back Ko Itakura.

The right-footed Borussia Mönchengladbach defender was previously at Manchester City and his agents are Base, with whom Spurs have a great relationship.

This seems to be new news to Sky Sports, but obviously, it's not new news to you guys. 

Itakura was of interest in the summer too and his release clause this summer is €10-15 million (£8.58-12.87m).

Both Tottenham and Liverpool have spoken to his club, who want to extend his contract (runs until 2026) and asked to be kept informed.

Morgan Whittaker

Alfie Devine is a sweetener for South Coast Championship side Plymouth Argyle as Tottenham are following 23-year-old (24 next January) England U-20 international (1 cap) Morgan Whittaker.

Plymouth already have young centre-back Ashley Phillips on loan from us.

Right-winger Whittaker, who has 15 goals and 6 assists in 29 games is also being tracked by Serie A side Atalanta, Fulham, Brentford and West Ham United.

We have been informed that Atalanta scout Mick Doherty was at the John Smith's Stadium on Saturday to watch Whittaker play for the Pilgrims, who drew with Huddersfield Town 1-1.

The statistics for the wide attacker this season include: 

• 13 goals from open play
• 6 goals from outside the box
• 109 shots
• 35 shots from set-pieces
• 41 shots on target
• 5 shots hit the post

COYS