The Hoddle of Coffee: Tottenham Hotspur News and Links for Wednesday, August 19

Good morning everyone! The Premier League is around the corner- get hyped!

As we do every year, the hoddle headquarters is looking at the kits around the Premier League this season. So in the buildup to Matchday 1, we’ll be looking at the Premier League kits – the best! and the worst!

Today we’re checking out the home kits on offer. Let’s dig in:

Worst: Newcastle United

By far the worst of any Premier League home kit this season. The Toon Army’s latest looks like a scanner code you find at the bottom of a package with some teal on the shoulders. It’s a horrific sight.

Best: Crystal Palace

This might be the third year in a row I’ve put a Palace kit among the best in the league. But how could I not this year. Just look at that sash – look at it! Hoddle Headquarters loves a sash kit, so it automatically enters the best-of territory. Love the colours as well. Everything about this is tops.

Worst: Bournemouth

I don’t care how you spin it. Nothing will ever look good with that Vitality shirt sponsor bang in the centre of the chest. It’s big, it’s pink and it’s an eyesore. And it doesn’t match with the red or black at all, doubly so when you throw some of the gold piping in there.

Best: Sunderland

Popped collar aside, this is a class kit.

This’ll look quite nice for Sunderland’s first European campagin five decades. From the club: “The iconic red and white stripes are augmented with a subtle jacquard ‘S’ fashioned in the style of the handles of the FA Cup. The contemporary club crest sits within a sewn-on shield mirroring the design of crest used in 1937, while the sign-off on the back neck recreates the crest itself.”

Worst: Chelsea

Already points deducted for just being Chelsea, but the kit doesn’t help.

The whole “Chelsea” crest where usually the shirt sponsor is reminds me of that well-written chant of theirs. How does it go again? Oh that’s right – “Chelsea, Chelsea Chelsea”. This shirt is about as inspired as that.

Best: Coventry

Here we go, back to one of the great ones. This home kit from Coventry is inspired by the 1987 FA Cup team. I absolutely love the jacquard sky blue vertical stripe, which really pops with the white. A superbly done kit.

Fitzie’s track of the day: Danger Zone, by Kenny Loggins

And now for your links:

Alasdair Gold: “Praise for ‘magic’ Tottenham wonderkid as Radu Dragusin makes instant impact in Italy”

The Telegraph: “Brentford players involved in punch-up with racist van driver named”

The Independent: “Premier League referee audio to be broadcast live for first time this season”

BBC: “Musiala collapses during match for second time”