Former Tottenham manager Ossie Ardiles says the club must display total togetherness to avoid relegation trouble following a 10-match winless run in the Premier League.
Spurs are currently facing a battle to retain their top-flight status for the first time in three decades.
A 2-1 defeat at Fulham on Sunday left the north London side sitting in 16th place, just four points above the relegation zone.
‘Survive this season’
An alarming dip in form has seen the club secure only two victories in their last 19 matches.
The team is currently enduring a record-equalling streak of 10 games without a win, leading to significant anxiety within the fanbase regarding the quality of the injury-hit squad.
Ahead of Thursday’s crucial home fixture against Crystal Palace, the two-time FA Cup winner urged supporters to rally behind the players.
“Our job, everybody at the club, my job and the job of everybody in Tottenham is to go behind the team,” Ardiles told the Press Association.
“We are OK right now but we could be in big, big trouble.”
The Argentine World Cup winner believes survival is now the primary objective for the campaign.
“So, everybody has to be together to achieve what we want to achieve,” he added.
“Survive this season and then we’ll see what happens next.”
Supporting mental health
Ardiles was speaking during a milestone event for his former team-mate Micky Hazard, who co-founded the mental health charity Legend On The Bench.
The organization unveiled its 100th park bench in Harlow last Thursday, with the initiative established following the death of Hazard’s nephew, Jay, in 2019.
Other club icons, including former England goalkeeper Pat Jennings and ex-captain Gary Mabbutt, were also in attendance.
“It is a wonderful, wonderful achievement,” Ardiles said of the charity’s work.
“Micky is the driving force. I come, take pictures and talk a lot of rubbish, but the proper job and the hard work is all down to him.”
“His goal was quite small but it grew and grew and he works harder and harder. It’s an incredible achievement.”
Chelsea forward Cole Palmer is battling to recapture his best form amid concerns over burnout following three consecutive summers of competitive football.
The 23-year-old was voted the eighth-best player in the world at the Ballon d’Or ceremony in September following a sensational 2024.
However, both data analysis and visual evidence suggest a significant dip in performance levels recently.
Palmer remains highly regarded at Stamford Bridge, with former boss Enzo Maresca previously labelling him the club’s "best player".
Current head coach Liam Rosenior has held multiple meetings with the attacker since taking charge, yet the player admits he is not operating at his fluid best.
Concerns over physical burnout
Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) chief executive Maheta Molango believes the England international is suffering the effects of a congested calendar.
Palmer has played through three consecutive summers without a break, featuring in the European Championship, the Under-21 Euros and the Club World Cup.
"When I look at someone like Cole Palmer, that’s three consecutive summers without a break," Molango said at the Financial Times Business of Football Summit.
"People say he’s a millionaire – yes, he is. But it doesn’t give you an extra lung or an extra leg. I want to see Cole Palmer on the pitch because he’s the one who makes me dream."
The accumulation of 112 matches for club and country in that period appears to have taken a physical toll.
Those managing the reigning PFA Young Player of the Year believe a recurring groin issue, which sidelined him for six weeks, is linked to these increased demands.
Tactical tweaks and penalty reliance
Chelsea’s medical team continue to monitor the forward closely following his return to action in December.
He was substituted after 83 minutes during the recent 2-1 defeat at Arsenal, a decision Rosenior insisted was tactical.
"When I took him and Enzo [Fernandez] off, they were both on yellow cards and I wanted Garna [Alejandro Garnacho] and Liam [Delap] to come on and give us freshness," Rosenior told BBC Sport.
"He’s absolutely fine to start the game [against Aston Villa] on Wednesday."
Despite being the team’s primary creative outlet, the statistics suggest his influence in open play has waned.
Since returning from injury, the playmaker has recorded seven goals and three assists in 16 matches.
However, four of those strikes have come from the penalty spot, highlighting a reliance on set-pieces to maintain his scoring figures.
His penalty ratio currently stands at 40% of his Premier League goals, a figure topped only by Mark Noble and Mikel Arteta among players with 40 or more goals.
Former West Ham striker Michail Antonio has signed for Qatari side Al-Sailiya, marking a return to club football 15 months after surviving a near-fatal car crash.
The 35-year-old suffered four fractures to his femur during the accident in Epping Forest, which resulted in a three-week hospital stay.
Antonio left West Ham following the expiry of his contract and has not played a club match since the incident.
He joins a Doha-based outfit that currently sits 10th in the Qatar Stars League.
Failed Premier League moves
The Jamaica international had been training with Premier League sides Brentford and Leicester City prior to this move.
Despite impressing coaching staff, he failed to secure a permanent deal with either club due to fitness setbacks.
Discussions with League One side Charlton Athletic also ended without an agreement.
Antonio revealed he tore a calf muscle just one day before he was scheduled to sign for the Bees.
“When I found out I’d torn my calf the day before signing for Brentford, I laid in bed for two days,” Antonio told BBC Sport.
“First day, I was just crying. The second day, I just didn’t want to get out of bed.”
“I thought ‘I’m back where I want to be, I’m back in the Premier League’.”
‘I had to swallow my ego’
The forward admits that finding a new employer has been a humbling experience requiring significant mental resilience.
He noted that while managers were often keen to sign him, club owners were hesitant due to his medical history.
“I’ve still got the qualities I had in the Premier League for the past 10 years,” Antonio said.
“It shows, because every single manager was putting a contract in front of me once I trained with them.”
“But there were managers and clubs who refused to look at me because of what happened – the accident, the injury.”
“Some owners went against it. In football, the manager can want you, but it’s the owner’s money.”
New start in Qatar
Antonio links up with former Premier League players Anwar El Ghazi and Mason Holgate at his new club.
While he has made three substitute appearances for Jamaica since the accident, this represents his first permanent club contract.
It remains unclear when the striker will make his debut for the Peregrines.
Al-Sailiya’s upcoming fixtures against Al Arabi and Al-Duhail have been postponed due to regional instability.
Antonio addressed the situation on social media, expressing gratitude for his return to the sport.
“First and foremost, I’m praying that God brings peace to the whole region and around the world and keeps everyone safe,” he wrote on Instagram.
“I’m grateful for the opportunity to step back onto the pitch when the time is right and do what I love.”
Inter Miami climb MLS Power Rankings as LAFC retain top spot
Defending champions Inter Miami have surged back up the MLS Power Rankings following a dominant derby victory, while Los Angeles FC solidified their place at the summit.
The latest standings see significant movement following the second week of the 2026 Major League Soccer campaign.
Herons bounce back in Florida derby
After stumbling on the opening weekend, Javier Mascherano’s side responded emphatically.
The Herons secured a commanding 4-2 victory on the road against state rivals Orlando City.
While Mascherano continues to fine-tune his tactical setup, the sheer quality within the squad proved too much for the Lions.
The result lifts the South Florida club three places to fourth in the rankings, easing early concerns about their title defence.
LAFC set the early pace
Steve Cherundolo’s men remain the team to catch after backing up their opening day win with another three points.
The Black and Gold travelled to Houston Dynamo and returned with a professional 2-0 victory.
Long-range strikes from Mark Delgado and Stephen Eustaquio demonstrated the variety of threats posed by the Californians.
Their ability to control games away from home suggests they are well-equipped to challenge for the Supporters’ Shield again.
Muller shines for Vancouver
Vancouver Whitecaps have climbed to second place after asserting their dominance over Canadian rivals Toronto FC.
The 3-0 victory was orchestrated by Thomas Muller, who continues to defy his age.
The German legend scored a brace, ensuring the Caps look every bit the side that reached the MLS Cup final last year.
Vancouver’s performance effectively silenced any debate regarding which Canadian franchise currently holds the upper hand.
Dreyer chases Messi record
San Diego FC round out the top three following a comfortable 2-0 win over St Louis City.
Anders Dreyer was the standout performer at Snapdragon Stadium, opening the scoring for the hosts.
That contribution etched the Danish winger into the history books alongside an elite name.
Dreyer is now the second-fastest player in league history to record 20 goals and 20 assists, trailing only Lionel Messi.
Academy stars lift Red Bulls
elsewhere, New York Red Bulls climbed the table thanks to a 1-0 win over New England Revolution.
The decisive moment was crafted entirely by the club’s youth system.
Three teenagers combined for the winner, with Julian Hall applying the finishing touch.
However, it was a difficult weekend for Seattle Sounders, who dropped to seventh.
Despite facing a depleted Real Salt Lake side, the Rave Green fell to a disappointing 2-1 defeat.
Micky van de Ven has turned down the opportunity to open contract talks with Tottenham Hotspur amid reported interest from Real Madrid and Barcelona.
The north London club were keen to tie the Dutch international down to a new five-year deal.
However, the 24-year-old has reportedly declined to enter negotiations as he sees his long-term future away from the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
La Liga giants monitoring situation
Reports suggest the defender’s head has been turned by admiration from both Real Madrid and Barcelona.
The former Wolfsburg centre-back has established himself as one of the Premier League’s quickest and most reliable defenders since arriving in England.
Despite Spurs being willing to offer improved terms to secure his services until 2029, the player appears set on a summer exit.
Spurs facing relegation battle
The contract standoff comes at a precarious time for the club, who are currently embroiled in a fight for Premier League survival.
Igor Tudor’s side are yet to win a match in 2026 and sit just four points above the relegation zone.
While the squad has largely underperformed during a difficult second consecutive campaign near the bottom of the table, Van de Ven has remained a standout performer.
Valuation and transfer fee
Should the defender push for a move, Tottenham are expected to demand a fee in the region of £100m.
However, that valuation could be significantly compromised if the club fails to avoid the drop to the Championship.
Relegation would likely force Spurs to soften their financial demands, making it increasingly difficult to retain a player described as "world-class" by former midfielder Jamie O’Hara.
Chelsea playmaker Cole Palmer faces a fight to retain his place in England’s World Cup squad as persistent fitness issues raise concerns for manager Thomas Tuchel.
The 23-year-old appears to be a pale shadow of the dynamic forward who starred during the European Championships.
Struggling for match sharpness and seemingly carrying a knock, the midfielder is now a significant worry for the national team hierarchy.
Burnout fears for Chelsea star
Professional Footballers’ Association chief executive Maheta Molango has suggested that the demands of the modern calendar are taking their toll.
Molango indicated that Palmer and several Stamford Bridge teammates have been left “shattered” by non-stop competitive action.
This fatigue was evident during Sunday’s fixture against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium.
The former Manchester City academy graduate looked vulnerable and lacked his usual creative spark against the Gunners.
Having played through significant pain barriers this season, participation in the World Cup would mark his third consecutive summer of tournament football.
Palmer went to ground in the 34th minute of the London derby with no opposition player nearby, further highlighting his fragility.
Tuchel faces selection dilemma
New England boss Thomas Tuchel faces a difficult balancing act regarding his attacking midfield options.
The German coach can only select a limited number of creative playmakers, leaving the Chelsea talisman at risk of the cut.
While Palmer struggled, his club captain Reece James offered a contrasting performance.
James impressed with a tenacious defensive display combined with attacking threat, boosting his own selection hopes.
Elsewhere, Bournemouth midfielder Alex Scott has emerged as a potential alternative for the Three Lions.
Scott displayed fearlessness and an ability to drive forward with the ball during the weekend’s action.
Competition for places remains fierce, with Jordan Pickford also reminding Tuchel of his quality with a breathtaking save to deny Sandro Tonali.
Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappe will undergo further assessments on a knee injury in Paris but is not currently scheduled for surgery.
The 27-year-old France international has been managing an issue with the external ligament of his left knee since late 2025.
Having missed the Champions League play-off second leg against Benfica, the striker has travelled to the French capital for specialist consultation.
Champions League doubts loom
The former Paris St-Germain attacker is confirmed to miss Real’s La Liga fixture against Getafe on Monday.
However, significant doubt remains regarding his availability for the Champions League last-16 first leg against Manchester City next week.
Representatives for the World Cup winner confirmed he is currently with members of the Real Madrid medical staff to determine the next steps in his rehabilitation.
“In agreement with the club, he is undergoing further tests on his knee with the aim of optimising his follow-up care and preparing for his comeback,” a statement read.
“No surgical intervention is being planned at the moment.”
Arbeloa prioritises long-term fitness
Real Madrid manager Alvaro Arbeloa insisted the decision to rest the prolific scorer, who has netted 38 times in 33 appearances this campaign, was reached mutually.
The Spanish giants are keen to ensure their talisman returns only when fully recovered to avoid aggravating the persistent issue.
“It was a bit of a consensus between everyone and we think the best thing is that he stops, that he recovers and comes back at 100%,” Arbeloa stated.
“It’s not going to be a question of days, it will be a bit longer, but I can’t say how long. Hopefully not too long.”
The Football Association is aiming to trial a ‘coach’s challenge’ system in a bid to reduce the frequency and length of delays caused by Video Assistant Referees.
Mark Bullingham, the governing body’s chief executive, has suggested adopting a model similar to those successfully used in cricket and tennis.
This potential shift comes amid a scheduled two-year review of officiating technology by the International Football Association Board (Ifab).
Shifting the onus to managers
Video technology has been a permanent fixture in the Premier League since the 2019-20 campaign but continues to divide opinion regarding the speed of decision-making.
Under the proposed changes, managers would likely be granted a set number of appeals per match regarding subjective on-field decisions.
Factual rulings, such as offside calls, would remain under the automatic jurisdiction of current technology protocols.
“The other interesting area is looking at what can we learn from other trials being done?”
Mark Bullingham, FA Chief Executive
Bullingham believes this approach could fundamentally alter the flow of matches by reducing constant interference from the VAR hub.
“That changes the dynamic, that reduces the amount of times when there is a VAR intervention and effectively puts the onus on the coach.”
Conflicting views on implementation
While the English hierarchy appears keen on the concept, there is resistance regarding its necessity at the elite level of the sport.
David Elleray, Ifab’s technical director, has previously argued that a challenge system is redundant in competitions equipped with comprehensive camera coverage.
“There is no reason to have challenges with VAR because the video match officials check every single incident.”
David Elleray, Ifab Technical Director
The former referee suggests such systems are better suited for competitions that operate with limited camera angles.
Despite this opposition, the FA intends to push for a trial scheme as part of the ongoing wider review into officiating standards.