Signings & the end of the Group Stage

Spurs have found themselves in the crosshairs this week, bizarrely belonging to Newcastle and Aston Villa fans who appear utterly bamboozled that Spurs could finish 17th twice hasn't sentenced the club to a lifetime of mediocrity. 

They seem to have developed the view that your league position should dictate your spending. Ignoring the last 3 seasons, Spurs have comfortably out performed Aston Villa in the league and also qualified for Europe 17 years out of 20. They also won the same cup Villa fans claim entitles them to more spending. 

This had me wondering: why are Chelsea and City, the clubs who made this league so money driven, not mentioned as part of the problem? Why is it that when Spurs break into the “elite pyramid” the organic and hard way after successfully following a 15 year plan seen as a problem instead of a model to follow?

Then it clicked. This has nothing to do with fairness. This is Aston Villa and Newcastle wanting a world in which the richest owners hold the biggest advantage. They are two of the richest clubs. A world in which Villa, Newcastle, City and Chelsea can run riot and widen the gap without regulation. It’s about wanting to be part of the elite, not equality. 

COYS #OhSo33,
– Jim

One word: WOW. What a week for Tottenham Hotspur. If you’d told me during our relegation battle that we’d be dropping millions and millions of pounds on Prem-proven players and actively winning in the transfer market I’d laugh in your face.

But here we are, six confirmed signings later and I’m beginning to feel it again – that little bud of positivity that I always associate with the club. The idea that we could challenge in the Premier League (and not place 17th) and fight for Europe. Honestly, it feels like a ploy from the club to drag me in…

Who cares though. Honestly. For the first time in recent history Spurs have gone gung-ho on their signings and are genuinely looking to build a proper squad. In just this past week the club has confirmed Sandro Tonali and Mateus Fernandes, two capable midfielders. With Xavi out for the majority of the season and Madder’s looking to ease back in, I can only say I am delighted with this midfield depth and that, when Xavi and Madder’s are both fit, this should be one of the scariest midfields to go against. Seriously. I know we don’t have Bruno Fernandes but this has gotta be good enough to compete.

Spurs are also in talks with Crycensio Summerville and Junior Kroupi, which is crazy, considering we have already spent £230m and could be looking at spending more.

Finally, after there were reports of Lucas Bergvall wanting to leave, Spurs and De Zerbi have made it clear they don’t want him to go and that he will be going nowhere. Well, this is one little win for me personally as we did sell Luka Vuskovic to Brighton. I suppose the trade was decent – they got a young, sort-of proven center-back while we got an older, Prem-proven center-back. There is disappointment on my end because of how good I know Vuskovic could grow to be, but there is a 20% sell clause Spurs have tacked onto Vuskovic so there we are I guess.

It feels like Spurs are turning over a new leaf. Honestly. With the amount of money we are spending and the targets we have tracked and hit, all I can say is: you should’ve relegated us. We are coming for everything!

Editors Game of the Week:
Gosh, is it evil of me to pick two games? I loved the France-Sweden game. It was pure class from France, who showed their guns and honestly terrified me. It was scary to see just how much talent that attacking line has, and with Olise and Mbappe going toe-to-toe for a goal, each hunting relentlessly and Mbappe chasing that golden boot.

But I also loved the Argentina-Cabo Verde game. I know it’s cliche and that it’s the last of the Round of 32, but it was just so exciting to watch Cabo Verde keep Argentina on the edge. Though they opened up the scoring, Cabo Verde came back with late goals and honestly weren’t far off. Maybe Argentina was a little off their game, even if they managed to come back, but it just shows how much the Cabo Verde side were fighting truly what you can do if you fight for each other.

Enya’s Pick:
I have to pick a Brazil game at some stage and Brazil Japan was a fun one. Being married to a Brazilian during the World Cup season is a unique experience. I don’t think many people understand the importance of the World Cup in South American countries! These games are life and death. It’s 90 minutes of stress, swear words, anger, and, in this case, relief. I almost had to take a nap after it. I am hoping us buying Tonali means Bruno Guimarães stays at Newcastle because what a player. Can’t have him coming to the wrong part of North London. My favourite part of this match was Casemiro having one of the worst halves of football I’ve seen followed by scoring in the second half and winning man of the match. 

JJ’s Pick:
Switzerland reached the last 16 with a 2-0 victory over Algeria in Vancouver; it was Switzerland's first World Cup knockout win in 88 years. Despite a fast start by the North African team, Switzerland have quietly been going about their business and Manzambi continues to shine as one of the young players of the tournament with an assist and lots of penetrating running.

They will be no easy match for any team and face the winner of Ghana and Colombia in the round of 16 next.

Here is where you can see at a glance how each Spurs player has fared during the 2026 World Cup.