The Hoddle of Coffee: Tottenham Hotspur news and links for Monday, September 28

Hey, everyone!

Here’s a funny story: I walked away from yesterday’s match at the 89th minute, thinking I’d seen enough. What a mistake that was.

Ramble of the Day

I try to look out for the results of the bigger European clubs in the week or two before the transfer deadline closes. I’m talking about the teams who both have the funds and have developed a chaotic enough reputation that panic buying might be of interest.

There are always a small number of clubs eligible, but as long as they pull it together in those couple of weeks before the window, you can’t hope for the panic buy. This year, that group includes: Real Madrid, Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain, and Juventus. You could throw Manchester United in there — I think the result against Brighton may have softened some of the tough results this season, but even then, I don’t think they’ve positioned themselves to make a panic signing. Liverpool may join the group later today, but I think it takes a lot for them to get into panic buying mode, in part because I don’t think they have the funds for it.

I’d argue the clubs worth looking at are Chelsea, Manchester City, and possibly Bayern Munich, though they aren’t always the panic buy type. (They did just win the Champions League and will most likely win the Bundesliga again, even with a 4-1 loss to Hoffenheim.) Chelsea did rescue a result against West Brom, though it still wasn’t a great one and they may need some squad improvements anyway. I still think they may have gotten their experience of a panic buy when they replaced Kepa Arrizabalaga with Édouard Mendy.

City’s the team I’m really looking at, but I also wonder if they’ve got other problems. I read this yesterday afternoon, which may not be a signal for a panic buy, but a little bit of discord at the club, anyway.

In the end, nothing can truly promise the panic signing and maybe I’m watching that space for no reason. The true joy of the transfer window is, outside of your team doing good business, is chaos towards the end. I don’t think we’re poised for a wild end to this transfer window, but anything a bit shocking works for me. Rooting for you, City!

tl;dr: I’m hoping Manchester City goes for a panic signing with a week left until Deadline Day.

Stay informed, read this: Gillan R. Brassil on a controversy in the world of American equestrian after a tournament host refused to take the word “plantation” out of its name for The New York Times

Links of the Day

The Colorado Rapids postponed Sunday’s match against Sporting Kansas City after one player and three staff members tested positive for COVID-19.

USL’s LA Galaxy II parted ways with Omar Ontiveros after he racially abused a San Diego Loyal player.

Leicester’s Wilfred Ndidi will miss up to 12 weeks with an abductor injury.

A longer read: David Conn on how Roman Abramovich’s ownership stake in players who do not play for Chelsea reveals a murky side of football for The Guardian