International breaks tend to bring a flood of odd stories, viral trends and welcome distractions while club football is on pause. Whether it’s Barclaysmen jokes or Olivia Dean edits, fans always find something to pass the time.
This one is longer than usual, with the September and October windows effectively merged. That leaves supporters without Premier League action for two full weekends, and Tottenham won’t be back in competitive action until October 10, when Roberto De Zerbi’s side visit Manchester United.
Most of the football world is currently fixated on Manchester City’s guilty verdict, which has dominated headlines and pushed other Premier League stories aside. With a case of that size, it’s no surprise Spurs have barely featured in the conversation. Still, the news cycle keeps turning, and one of the more interesting items concerns Brazilian legend Roberto Carlos and a young Tottenham defender on loan in Portugal.
Roberto Carlos has been talking about Souza, Tottenham’s Brazilian left-back, who joined Porto in January and is spending the 2026–27 season there on loan. The 20-year-old was first seen as a signing for the future, but injuries at Spurs pushed him into first-team duty earlier than planned. He made four Premier League appearances, including a promising outing at Anfield, where Igor Tudor used him on the right side of midfield in a 4-4-2 against Liverpool.
Despite those glimpses of promise, Souza hasn’t yet convinced Spurs fans he can be a long-term fixture. Roberto Carlos has no such doubts. Speaking during the break, as reported by O Jogo, he said he avoids comparisons but that Souza arrived at Porto because of his quality, pointing to his strong form at Santos and calling the signing a great one. He added that he is fully confident Souza will deliver on the pitch and described him as a top-level player.
Souza is still waiting for his Porto debut, though that could change once club football returns. The reigning Portuguese champions have won all seven of their league games this season, and with injuries potentially opening a door, he could soon feature in Francesco Farioli’s plans. Porto’s Champions League campaign also gives him a chance to gain experience on Europe’s biggest stage.
At 20, Souza has plenty of time to sharpen his decision-making and adjust to senior football, but the priority is regular minutes. If he gets them at Porto and makes them count, the loan could be a key step in his development and boost his chances of making a bigger impact at Tottenham down the line.
