Tottenham Hotspur have joined a quartet of Premier League heavyweights monitoring breakout Villarreal full-back Alex Freeman following his rapid rise in Spanish football this year. The north Londoners are actively scouting long-term right-back options amid growing uncertainty over first-choice defender Pedro Porro's future beyond this campaign.
Xabi Alonso has insisted he will celebrate if Chelsea score against his former club Liverpool in the Carabao Cup at Anfield. The Blues must do it without star Brazilian striker Joao Pedro, who faces weeks on the sidelines with a thigh problem picked up in training on the eve of Saturday's dismal 2-0 derby defeat by Tottenham Hotspur at Stamford Bridge.