Tottenham kick-off their 2021/22 Premier League campaign today in arguably the trickiest way possible, with a meeting against last season’s runaway champions Manchester City.
New Spurs manager Nuno Espirito Santo will be hoping to make a big statement in what is likely to be a baptism of fire.
The Portuguese coach will be looking to pick up the pieces left behind by Jose Mourinho from a disappointing campaign last time out, which culminated in Spurs stumbling over the finish line to a seventh-place finish and a spot in the inaugural UEFA Europa Conference League.
It has been a summer of change at Spurs, with newly appointed sporting director Fabio Paratici bringing in talented centre-back Cristian Romero and goalkeeper Pierluigi Gollini from Atalanta, while adding young winger Bryan Gil from Sevilla.
Speculation around talisman Harry Kane’s future continues to swirl into the new season, though, with the England captain linked with a move to Spurs’ opponents.
While City continue to hold firm interest in Kane, they have managed to secure one England star in the form of Jack Grealish, who departed Aston Villa for a British transfer record of £100 million.
With Spurs fans flocking back to what is expected to be a packed Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, here’s everything you need to know ahead of the grand opener.
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Where and how to watch
Date: Sunday 15 August
Kick-Off: 16:30 (BST)
Venue: Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
TV: Sky Sports Premier League & Sky Sports Main Event (UK)
Referee: Anthony Taylor
Last Five Meetings
Manchester City 1-0 Tottenham (LC) – 25/04/21
Manchester City 3-0 Tottenham (PL) – 13/02/21
Tottenham 2-0 Manchester City (PL) – 21/11/20
Tottenham 2-0 Manchester City (PL) – 02/02/20
Manchester City 2-2 Tottenham (PL) – 17/08/19
(Results via transfermarkt.com)
Team News
Undoubtedly the biggest issue for Tottenham is the status of striker Kane. Nuno was reportedly set to hold talks with Harry yesterday evening over whether he could be involved, despite his lack of training since the conclusion of Euro 2020 and his future at the club remaining up in the air.
In terms of injuries, a concern for Spurs is the fitness of Tanguy Ndombele. The midfielder did not play a single minute during pre-season despite not being selected for France’s Euro 2020 squad, and will be doubtful of starting at the weekend, according to the Evening Standard.
New signing Romero is also a doubt for the fixture against Pep Guardiola’s side, but he has almost fully recovered from a knee injury which he picked up during the Copa America with Argentina.
However, another new arrival Bryan Gil could be involved on Sunday, after returning to Hotspur Way following his involvement with Spain at the Olympic Games.
City, meanwhile, also have some injuries to contend with. The biggest for Guardiola lies at playmaker Kevin De Bruyne, who will miss the clash with an ankle problem as per The Times.
England starlet Phil Foden will also miss Sunday’s fixture with a foot injury sustained during Euro 2020. Record signing Grealish will likely be in strong contention to replace Foden in the City line-up.
Foden’s England teammates Raheem Sterling, Kyle Walker and John Stones, alongside Brazil pair Ederson and Gabriel Jesus, may all have mixed involvement on Sunday after their busy summers with their respective national teams.
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