Tottenham host Charlton Athletic in the second round of the Carabao Cup this evening hoping to respond to the weekend’s woeful defeat to Brentford and get their season back on track.
Roberto De Zerbi was less than thrilled by his team’s performance as they went down 3-0 at the Gtech Community Stadium but he will be hoping that a league cup outing against Championship side Charlton can kick his team into gear. Spurs will be boosted by having Micky van de Ven and Pedro Porro available while Savio, recently signed from Manchester City, could make his debut for the club.
Charlton, meanwhile, have had a fine start to the season with victories over Derby and West Ham coming in the second division after their 3-1 triumph against Cheltenham in the Carabao Cup first round. Manager Nathan Jones is excited about the prospect of taking on Spurs but understands the difficulty of facing a top-flight team.
“It is a wonderful test,” he said, “we have to be right near our best and do both sides of the game very well.”
Follow all the action from the Carabao Cup second round with our live blog below:
Tottenham vs Charlton
The sides last met in the FA Cup back in January 2011.
Tottenham secured a 3-0 victory thanks to a goal from Andros Townsend and a brace from Jermain Defoe.
Will the same result happen tonight or are the teams much closer in quality than we perhaps expect?
Jones on Charlton’s transfer window
Just before we find out the line-ups for tonight’s match let’s here the thoughts of Charlton’s boss on how the transfer window has gone for his team.
“I am delighted,” he said od Tyreece Campbell’s new deal.
“This window has been significantly important in that we needed to improve in it, alongside that it was really important that we kept the players that were exposed and nearing the end of their contract.
“We have Lloyd Jones down, and we have TC down and hopefully we will be able to unleash a bit more good news as well.”
Tottenham can ‘reach the top’
Spurs’ new signing really does have belief that he joined an upcoming side.
Here’s a bit more of Savio’s insight from his announcement as a new Tottenham player.
“Tottenham has everything. They have one of the best managers in the world. They have the best training ground in the world,” he said.
“They have the best stadium in the world. Whenever I came to play against Tottenham here, I always told my representative about the club. When he said that the club was interested in me, I was very happy. As I said, I’ve always wanted to be here now.
“I want to reach the top with this club structure, in training, stadium and with one of the best coaches in the world, I think we can reach the top.
“With my colleagues too. We can compete for the Premier League, reach the Champions League… and so it goes, with a lot of humility.”
Savio on his switch to Spurs
Savio joins up with Tottenham from Manchester City were he found getting consistent gametime a struggle.
“It took me a while, but I’m here,” he revealed after making the move to north London.
“I’m very happy. I think everyone in my family knows that when Tottenham looked for me, I always wanted to be here.
“Now I’m here, I’m very happy, my family is happy, that’s what matters. I just have to thank God for this wonderful opportunity.”
Savio’s in the squad
Formerly known as Savinho, Tottenham’s new signing Savio could be in line to start tonight.
De Zerbi did not confirm whether the winger would or wouldn’t play but he did that that he was pleased by the signing and that Savio has a ‘big future’ ahead of him at Spurs.
“In terms of one-to-one, he’s one of the best players,” De Zerbi explained.
“He can play in the right side, in the left side. I know him from a long time, in Brighton, I spoke with him before he went to City.
“He’s a big player for us, a big signing.”
Van de Ven and Porro to start on bench
Roberto De Zerbi provided some updates ahead of this evening’s clash with Charlton and spoke about a few of his players including captain Micky van de Ven.
“[Micky] Van de Ven comes on the bench, Pedro Porro comes on the bench,” De Zerbi said of two of his star men.
“[Dominic] Solanke is available to play. I’m glad to have Pedro Porro inside and Micky van de Ven inside of the squad.”
Of players who are doubts De Zerbi added: “[Mohammed] Kudus is not ready yet and [James] Maddison suffered a small injury in the shoulder.”
Tottenham complete £85m signing of Man City winger Savinho
Savinho has completed his £85m move from Tottenham to Manchester City as Spurs have taken their spending this summer past £300m.
The Brazilian becomes City’s record sale – replacing Julian Alvarez, who moved to Atletico Madrid for £82m two years ago – and one of the three most expensive players in Tottenham’s history, along with his new teammates Sandro Tonali and Mateus Fernandes.
Charlton team to face Tottenham
Charlton XI: Brooks; Asiimwe, Koumetio, Sichenje, Mesik, Alli; Docherty, Ouma, Apter; Mbick, Knibbs
Tottenham team to take on Charlton
Tottenham XI: Kinsky; Gray, Davies, Van Hecke, Udogie; Bentancur, Bergvall; Moore, Fernandes, Tel; Solanke
