Harry Redknapp has claimed that Tottenham Hotspur ‘have a chance’ of winning the Champions League this season.

Tottenham recorded a 3-0 win over Borussia Dortmund in the first leg of their round of 16 match last week, suggesting that the capital outfit are on the cusp of the quarter-finals.

Barcelona will be desperate for their first Champions League title since 2015, whilst Real Madrid simply cannot be written off due to their incredible history in the competition.

Juventus and Paris Saint-Germain are also regarded by many as strong challengers for the title, but Redknapp, who managed Tottenham between 2008 and 2012, has insisted that his former club are in with a strong shout.

As quoted by HITC, Redknapp told talkSPORT:

“The Champions League is wide open. I don’t think there is one team outside of the British teams who you would look at [they are certain favourites].

“Normally, you would have a Barcelona or Real Madrid. This year is wide open. Juventus have a chance. It could be one of seven or eight teams you would look at. You wouldn’t be surprised if they won it at Tottenham. They have a chance.”

Tottenham’s lack of experience in the competition means that it would be some story if they did manage to land the trophy ahead of the likes of Real Madrid, Barcelona, Juventus and PSG.

The Spurs fans have been on social media offering their views on Redknapp’s words and not many are too delighted with his comments.

A selection of the Twitter reaction can be seen below:

Newcastle fans will be encouraged by their side’s performance despite losing to Tottenham at the weekend.

Spurs pinched a narrow 1-0 victory at Wembley after a Martin Dubravka error in the 83rd minute allowed Son Heung-Min to score the only goal of the game. Despite being unable to build on the win against Manchester City, there was plenty of reason to be optimistic after a decent display against Mauricio Pochettino’s men.

Benitez has his January signings to welcome into the starting eleven with Antonio Barreca making his debut from the bench. The £20m addition of Miguel Almiron will prove to be the difference maker for the Magpies. If the Paraguay international can display his magic, staying in the Premier League shouldn’t be a problem.

Turning his attention to the summer transfer window, Benitez should be keeping tabs on Huddersfield star – Philip Billing. Valued at £6.3m by Transfermarkt, the Dane joined the club in 2013 and progressed through the youth ranks to become an important member of the first-team. Huddersfield’s time in England’s top division looks to be coming to an end after registering just 11 points so far this season and Biling is likely to be snapped up.

The 22-year-old is a giant on the pitch and his presence in the engine room would give the Magpies some much-needed grit. Despite his size, Biling is also quality in possession and would thrive alongside Jonjo Shelvey. Still improving and developing, the Denmark international has massive potential and with his contract set to expire in 2020, he could be available for a great price.

Biling has already proven himself in the Premier League and could be the man to unlock Almiron in the Magpies attack.

Newcastle fans, thoughts?

For the second successive transfer window, Tottenham Hotspur opted to keep their chequebook closed, making no signings.

Mauricio Pochettino made history in the summer as Spurs became the first side to not sign a single player during the summer transfer window’s history. The Argentine once again admitted that signings were unlikely in January despite a host of players leaving the club. Even with many key players currently sidelined with an injury, there were no new arrivals at Wembley.

Indeed, with their new stadium completed, the summer transfer window should be a completely different story. With more funds available, there could be a massive revamp at the club with many players linked with an exit. With Toby Alderweireld expected to leave and Jan Vertonghen approaching the end of his career, defensive upgrades should be a priority.

One man Pochettino could target is Benfica rock – Ruben Dias. Valued at £22.5m by Transfermarkt, the 21-year-old is a product of the club’s youth academy and has blossomed into a key player for his side. Despite his young age, Dias is a natural leader in the back four and has captained his side on multiple occasions.

His leadership qualities would add some much-needed stability into the Spurs back four and Dias’ professionalism means he would thrive under Pochettino’s leadership. The Portugal international is also a dominant force in the air, winning 3.6 aerial duels per game in Liga NOS, meaning he should have no problem dealing with the Premier League’s physicality. As well as his defensive prowess, the youngster also excels with the ball at his feet.

Improving with every game, Dias could prove to be a mainstay in the Spurs back four.

Tottenham fans, thoughts?

تفاعل النجم البرازيلي نيمار دا سيلفا، جناح فريق باريس سان جيرمان، مع تصريحات زميله السابق، ليونيل ميسي نجم هجوم برشلونة، حول هجومه على إدارة النادي، بسبب رحيل لويس سواريز.

برشلونة أعلن أمس الخميس، رحيل سواريز لنادي أتلتيكو مدريد، بعد 6 سنوات داخل الكامب نو.

وقام ميسي، صباح اليوم الجمعة، بتوجيه رسالة وداع لـ سواريز، وانتقد من خلالها إدارة النادي، لكونهم قاموا بطرد سواريز (طالع تصريحات ميسي).

وعلق نيمار على المنشور الذي كتبه ميسي عبر حسابه بموقع التواصل الاجتماعي “إنستجرام”: “من المُدهش!، كيف يفعلون تلك الأشياء؟!”.

نيمار تزامل مع سواريز وميسي في برشلونة، لمدة 3 سنوات، قبل أنّ يرحل في صيف عام 2017 لنادي باريس سان جيرمان، مقابل 222 مليون يورو.

Manchester City are hitting the right form at the right time of the season as they look to usurp Liverpool at the top of the table.

Pep Guardiola’s men are playing some scintillating football, and smashed another four past Newport in the FA Cup today to keep that trophy hunt alive and well too.

However, the January window passed without much action for City, and we here in the Tavern feel the summer is going to be a big one for the club as they look to bring in some new faces.

There are a few positions which could do with adding too in he City squad, especially up front, where Sergio Aguero continues to bare the brunt of the goalscoring burden through the middle.

That’s why we think Inter Milan forward Lautaro Martinez might well be one of the long term answers available to City and Guardiola if they do indeed choose to make their move for a new forward in either this window or the next.

The 21-year-old only made his move to Europe in the summer, but has already shown enough to suggest he could go on to become a big hit at the right club.

Martinez has all the attributes to be a class act in his career, and the chance to come and work with the likes of Guardiola and Aguero while he is in his prime, might well prove to be a match made in heaven and a chance the player simply cannot turn down.

City fans, what do you think? Would this be a good long term signing? Let us know in the comments!

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West Ham United right-back Ryan Fredericks was arguably his side’s man of the match in the 1-0 defeat against Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday, and he may have made manager Manuel Pellegrini’s life a lot simpler as a result.

On the chalkboard

Some patchy form and an ankle injury have restricted summer addition Fredericks to just eight Premier League appearances this term, although he has started three of their previous four top-flight fixtures.

The last of those came against the champions in midweek where the speedy 26-year-old impressed against Leroy Sane, and also managed to keep his discipline against one of the toughest opponents going having picked up a first-half booking.

The former Fulham man currently faces a battle with Pablo Zabaleta for the right-back spot at the London Stadium, but he may well have laid down a huge marker with his latest display after making two tackles, two interceptions and eight clearances.

Easy decision for Pellegrini

The experienced Chilean has surely been debating in his mind who is the best option for the Irons, but his mind should have been officially made up by Fredericks’ most recent showing.

In this era of ‘big 6’ dominance, has finishing 7th become as good as winning a trophy? The Pl>ymaker FC squad have their say in the video below…

If there were any question marks over the defensive side of his game previously, those would have been swept away under the carpet on Wednesday, while he also managed to get forward and produce two crosses on a difficult night attacking wise.

Pellegrini needs to start looking to the future to take the east London outfit to where they want to be, and while Zabaleta is a reliable and experienced performer, he isn’t a long-term option for the Hammers like his 26-year-old teammate.

If the former City boss was in any doubt previously he shouldn’t be any longer, and Fredericks should be in the team to face Newcastle United on Saturday.

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Manchester United are prepared to pay a record fee to bring Borussia Dortmund star Jadon Sancho back to Manchester, although they face serious competition for the winger’s signature as reported by The Mirror.

What’s the word, then?

The 18-year-old has lit up the Bundesliga this season with eight goals and 10 assists in just 17 starts for Dortmund. Sancho has emerged as one of Europe’s most dangerous young attackers, attracting the Red Devils’ interest, along with that of French champions Paris Saint-Germain.

Both the Parisians and United are set to flaunt their financial wealth and go head to head to secure a record deal that would see Sancho become the most expensive English player ever, with any deal expected to totally eclipse the current £53m that Manchester City spent on Kyle Walker.

Sancho’s value would be well in excess of £100m, meaning his arrival would also set a club-record fee as well as an English one, and given the fact that he is under contract with Dortmund until 2022, it would take an astronomical offer to prise him away from the Bundesliga club.

Europe’s best right winger?

If United managed to pull off such a coup, then they would be nailing down a potential future Ballon d’Or winner as well as solving what has become a problem position for them in recent years.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has been playing Romelu Lukaku on the right in recent weeks, whilst the out-of-form Alexis Sanchez has also played there with the position lacking a consistent figure.

However, in bringing Diogo Dalot to the club last summer, the 20-time Premier League champions managed to find a long-term option at right-back over the ageing Ashley Young and Antonio Valencia – the Portuguese is a player who could become one of the best in his position in a few years.

If the Red Devils manage to pair Sancho and Dalot out on the right flank, both teenagers could well make up one of Europe’s best right-hand sides for the foreseeable future.

Celtic maintained their six-point lead at the top of the Scottish Premiership following a comfortable 2-0 victory against Hibernian.

The Hoops took the lead after just 24 minutes when Ryan Christie kept his cool in front of goal to give his side the advantage at half-time. After the break, loanee Oliver Burke’s deflected shot beat Ofir Marciano to secure all three points and maintain their lead at the summit. The victory means Celtic are still to concede a single goal in 2019.

Their defensive record might be commendable but Brendan Rodgers should be looking for reinforcements when the summer transfer window opens. Dedryck Boyata’s long-term future at the club remains unclear while Filip Benkovic will return to Leicester after his loan spell ends. Therefore, signing a new centre-back should be a priority for Rodgers.

One man he could look to recruit is Millwall star – Jake Cooper. Valued at just £1.8m by Transfermarkt, the 24-year-old has been a key man at the Den since joining from Reading in the summer of 2017 for just £400,000.

Once again, the giant defender has been in top form for his side which should make Celtic’s scouts sit up and take notice. Remarkably, Cooper has chipped in with five goals and six assists from the back this season – an impressive tally for a defender. Millwall tied their key man to a new contract in December meaning Celtic might have to fork out a decent fee to lure him to Celtic Park.

Cooper is getting better and better with every game and would thrive under Rodgers’ tutelage at Parkhead.

Celtic fans, thoughts?

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Liverpool fans have taken to Twitter to react after Jurgen Klopp revealed that Joe Gomez will not make the Champions League last 16 first leg against Bayern Munich.

Speaking in his pre-match press conference before the game against West Ham, the German boss said: “No, I don’t think so. After that any time, but we will see”, when quizzed if the former Charlton defender would be fit to face the Bavarians.

Virgil van Dijk is also out for the crunch clash against the reigning Bundesliga champions, meaning that Klopp may have to deploy Joel Matip and Dejan Lovren against the likes of Robert Lewandowski and Arjen Robben – truly frightful stuff for fans of the Reds.

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21-year-old Gomez suffered a fractured leg in the 3-1 win against Burnley at Turf Moor in December, and whilst the Merseysiders have managed to stay top of the league in his absence, fans are worried about dropping out of the Champions League without him.

Well, if their reactions on Twitter are anything to go by…

Manchester United are surely set to strengthen their squad heavily in the upcoming summer transfer window.

The Red Devils spent big last summer by bringing Fred and Diogo Dalot to the club. However, the Brazilian midfielder has struggled to make an impact at Old Trafford while the Portuguese is seen as a signing for the future despite some bright cameo appearances. After Jose Mourinho’s dismissal, Ole Gunnar Solksjaer has completely revitalised the United squad.

Their excellent form under the Norwegian’s stewardship has drastically increased his chances of landing the job on a permanent basis in the summer. Regardless of who is in charge, they will likely be backed by a transfer war chest as United look to challenge for the title yet again. Their budget will be bolstered by a host of fringe players who could leave the club.

One man United could target is Benfica wonderkid – Joao Felix. Valued at £13.5m by Transfermarkt, the attacking midfielder has progressed through the club’s academy after being released by rivals Porto in 2015. Felix has blossomed into a vital first-team player and is enjoying his finest season to date in Liga NOS.

The 19-year-old has been in lethal form in front of goal, finding the back of the net nine times already this season. Felix has also been the creative force for his side, registering six assists for his team-mates. The Portugal U21 international possesses excellent technical ability and pace to cause defenders problems – his expert vision allows him to constantly carve open opposition back fours.

The youngster is improving with each passing game – signing him in the summer could prove to be a masterstroke.

Manchester United fans, thoughts?