NILSON ANGULO JOINS SUNDERLAND SQUAD FOR MASSIVE ARSENAL AWAY TRIP
Sunderland manager Régis Le Bris confirms Nilson Angulo could debut against Arsenal despite arriving just 48 hours before kickoff.
Sunderland are heading back into Premier League action this weekend with a trip to Arsenal at the Emirates.
Régis Le Bris says Nilson Angulo might be in the squad for that match, even though he hasn’t trained with his new teammates yet. Angulo’s only flying in on Thursday night and will barely have time to settle in before Saturday. Still, Le Bris isn’t worried about his fitness—Angulo’s been playing regularly for Anderlecht, so he’s game-ready. There’s a good chance he’ll at least make the bench and maybe even get his debut.
“Nilson’s arriving tonight,” Le Bris said. “We’ll see how quickly he connects with the squad. He’s fit; he’s played a lot. Now it’s about building that understanding with the team. Sometimes that happens fast. I hope it does. We’ll see, but he could play on Saturday.”
On Granit Xhaka, Le Bris didn’t have a clear update about when he’ll be back, but things look promising. “No update on Granit yet, but he’s doing well,” he said. “He was on the treadmill today, which is a good sign.”
Omar Alderete, who limped off late in the 3-0 win over Burnley, is also fine. Le Bris said pulling him off was just a precaution, and he’s ready to rejoin the squad.
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As for facing Arsenal, Le Bris had a clear message for his players: “We need to show the best version of Sunderland and go in as underdogs,” he said. Arsenal are playing at an incredible level right now—in the Premier League and the Champions League. They’re probably one of the best teams in Europe. It’s a tough challenge, but an exciting one too. We know the bar is high, but we’ll give it everything.”
TOTTENHAM BOARD TO HOLD EMERGENCY IGOR TUDOR TALKS DURING INTERNATIONAL BREAK
Igor Tudor faces an uncertain future at Tottenham after a 3-0 loss to Forest leaves Spurs in 17th place.
After that brutal 3-0 home loss to Nottingham Forest, there’s quite a bit of chatter coming from Tottenham Hotspur insiders about Igor Tudor’s future. The confidence around his leadership is wavering, especially given how Forest’s Igor Jesus, Morgan Gibbs-White, and Taiwo Awoniyi all found the net.
Forest went ahead just before halftime thanks to Jesus, who got a free header from a corner delivered by Neco Williams. Then, in the second half, Gibbs-White, whom Spurs had tried and failed to sign last summer, added to the pressure. Callum Hudson-Odoi made a clever play down the wing before setting up Gibbs-White, who was unmarked inside the box, and with a relatively simple finish, put Forest further in front. Questions will definitely be raised about Spurs’ goalkeeper, Guglielmo Vicario, after that.
Williams wasn’t done either, providing the assist for Awoniyi late in the game. His cross was volleyed home after the striker fended off Kevin Danso. That goal sealed a tough night for Spurs, pushing Forrest two points clear of them. Spurs now sit precariously in 17th place just above the relegation zone. The only slightly bright spot is that West Ham, another team struggling near the bottom, was also beaten 2-0 by Aston Villa.
Our transfer correspondent Graeme Bailey has been hearing different takes from Spurs insiders on Tudor’s situation. One source hinted that the players seem unresponsive to his coaching, making it difficult to see him continuing for much longer. If the club believes the squad has lost faith, they won’t hesitate to make a change. Yet another contact suggested there’s no immediate plan to replace him, though discussions are expected during the upcoming international break.
Spurs’ next challenge is Sunderland on April 12, which could be a critical moment for Tudor’s tenure.
Meanwhile, on social media, a group calling themselves ‘five elite reporters’ with a significant following claimed that Spurs legend Harry Redknapp has offered to step in as temporary manager until the season ends. Redknapp has a history with Spurs, having taken charge in 2008 when the club was struggling at the bottom of the table. He turned things around impressively, even earning Premier League Manager of the Year in 2009-10. His strong connection with the fans could help steady the ship, though it’s worth noting he’s now 79 and hasn’t managed since 2017.
Another potential option might be Robbie Keane, who is younger and already building a coaching profile while enjoying support from the Spurs faithful. Mauricio Pochettino, Roberto De Zerbi, Oliver Glasner, and Marco Silva are also mentioned as candidates.
However, Spurs face two significant hurdles in appointing a new top-tier coach. First, no ambitious manager wants to jump into such a tough situation mid-season. Second, if Spurs were to be relegated to the Championship, the whole dynamic changes, forcing the club to look at an entirely different pool of potential managers. The coming weeks will be crucial for everyone involved.
HOW JAMES MADDISON’S INDIVIDUAL TRAINING SIGNALS A SHOCK SEASON RETURN
James Maddison returns to individual training as Igor Tudor prepares Tottenham for a vital relegation battle with Forest.
Ahead of Tottenham’s match against Nottingham Forest, manager Igor Tudor gave an update on when James Maddison might return from injury. It’s a crucial moment for Spurs as they prepare to host Forest in what could be the defining 90 minutes of Tudor’s time at the club and quite possibly a key fixture that will shape the season for both teams.
Currently separated by just one point, Tottenham and Forest are locked in a battle against relegation. A win would push Spurs four points clear of the drop zone, while a loss might drag them into the bottom three. The stakes couldn’t be clearer.
Tudor’s side heads into this game with renewed energy, surprisingly positive given the mood just two weeks ago. The draw at Anfield broke a six-game losing streak, and their recent 3-2 victory over Atlético Madrid, though not enough to overturn the aggregate score, brought back a sense of belief. Young players like Xavi Simons and Archie Gray impressed, while Mathys Tel kept the opposition on their toes. The atmosphere at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium was electric in a way fans haven’t felt for months. While the Champions League hopes are dashed, that performance has injected valuable momentum into Spurs’ survival fight.
There’s also some hopeful news on the injury front. Dominic Solanke, who missed the Atlético leg with a hip issue, might be available. His physical presence adds a different dimension to Tottenham’s attack, which Tudor will surely be glad to have.
But the most promising update came from Tudor’s comments about Maddison. The creative midfielder, sidelined since August after rupturing his ACL in a preseason friendly, has begun some individual training, spotted alongside Palhinha. Recoveries from ACL injuries are never straightforward, and the team won’t rush him back. With only seven league games left after Sunday, there’s a narrow window for his return. Still, even the possibility of Maddison getting back on the pitch—someone who can change a game with a moment of skill or a precise pass—offers a much-needed morale boost.
For now, though, the focus remains firmly on Forest.