HARRY KANE is set to stay at Spurs – as he believes Antonio Conte can end Tottenham’s long search for silverware.
SunSport understands striker Kane, along with the rest of the squad, is delighted the club have nabbed the former Chelsea and Inter Milan coach following Nuno Espirito Santo’s sacking.
Nuno Espirito Santo was sacked on Monday morning and Daniel Levy has wasted no time in bringing in his successor.
Meanwhile, Newcastle reportedly want to announce former Arsenal boss Unai Emery as their new manager this week.
And we’ve the very latest from Chelsea as Thomas Tuchel eyes reinforcements in January for their title push.
Stay up to date with all the latest from around the clubs with our live blog…
LEW, WHAT A SCORCHER
Hat-trick hero Robert Lewandowski got one over Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo as he reached 81 goals in 100 Champions League ties.
Bayern’s Polish striker scorched to 80 in record time for Europe’s top domestic competition despite missing a penalty in a 5-2 rout of Benfica.
But Manchester United legend Ronaldo has 139 overall, thanks to his dramatic double in Tuesday’s 2-2 draw with Atalanta, while Messi is on 123.
Lewandowski, though, is well clear of the 73 scored by Real Madrid’s Karim Benzema in fourth place after Bayern made the KO stages with their fourth win in four group matches.
GOING DUTCH
Christian Eriksen could reportedly make an emotional return to Ajax – with him currently banned from playing for Inter Milan.
The midfielder, 30, collapsed during Denmark’s match against Finland at Euro 2020 and was rushed to hospital.
The Italian FA have ruled Eriksen’s fitness cannot rely on a ICD heart-starter, and therefore he is not allowed to play in Serie A.
That could lead to a sensational move back to Ajax, who he played for between 2010-13.
Corriere dello Sport reports that Eriksen is ‘tempted’ by a return to the Dutch giants.
It is believed he would be allowed to play in Holland with the device fitted., alongside Ajax star Daley Blind , who has also been fitted with an ICD.
CONT LEAVE NOW
Harry Kane is ready to abandon all plans to quit Tottenham – after the arrival of new boss Antonio Conte.
The England captain, 28, believes the Italian’s appointment can help Spurs now challenge for trophies, which is why he tried to force a summer move to Manchester City.
Conte, 52, was officially unveiled yesterday and will be handed a huge £150million transfer war chest.
SunSport understands striker Kane, along with the rest of the squad, is delighted Tottenham have nabbed the former Chelsea and Inter Milan coach following Nuno Espirito Santo’s sacking.
Kane was angry with Daniel Levy in the summer as he believed the Spurs chairman had backed down from a gentleman’s agreement that he could leave the North London club for City if the right offer came in.
Tottenham did not feel that City’s £125m bid was enough, so a frustrated Kane remained at the club.
DAN BOOST
Brighton have received a huge boost as Dan Burn’s injury is not as bad as first feared.
There were worries the giant defender could be out for a lengthy period after landing awkwardly on his knee when going up for a header in last week’s 2-2 Carabao Cup draw at Leicester.
But SunSport understands the results of a scan have shown the versatile Geordie, 29, suffered only swelling rather than something more serious.
The damage could still keep him out of Saturday’s home clash against Newcastle.
But he should be available for selection again after the international break.
ATALANTA 2 MANCHESTER UNITED 2
Cristiano Ronaldo saved his side again with a brilliant last-minute equaliser.
United twice fell behind but Ronaldo got them level twice, with his late 20-yard volley nestling in the bottom corner.
SCHOL-BOY ERRORS
Paul Scholes claimed Paul Pogba was lucky to stay on the field for the second half against Atalanta.
The Frenchman started in Italy alongside Scott McTominay, but was not at his brilliant best.
Having given the ball away several times and being guilty of some wayward passing, Pogba had a 45 minutes to forget.
And nobody knows that more than Old Trafford legend Scholes, one of the finest midfielders in Premier League history.
He said on BT Sport: “United have been sloppy at times.
“There have been a lot of mistakes in that half, I don’t think Paul Pogba will be particularly enthralled by his performance.
“He’s given the ball away a lot and that goal has maybe made him survive into the second half.”
RIO HAILS RUBEN
Rio Ferdinand claims Ruben Loftus-Cheek can emulate Yaya Toure.
Recalled Loftus-Cheek showed why Ferdinand rates him ‘unplayable at times’ in Chelsea’s 1-0 win at Malmo.
The former England superstar told BT Sport: “I love him. He’s a fantastic specimen, first and foremost.
“I liken him, in full flow, to someone like Yaya Toure.
“‘He can intimidate players. When he turns and goes full pelt, it’s unplayable at times.
“As a centre back that’s one of your biggest fears.
‘He’s a fantastic talent. He’s as comfortable in the wide areas of a front three as he is in front of the defence.”
VAR REAL?
Raphael Varane has suffered ANOTHER injury blow as the Manchester United defender was forced off at Atalanta.
The Frenchman limped off after just 38 minutes in Italy with United 1-0 down as Mason Greenwood came on in replacement.
It mounts more frustration for Varane, who has already missed five games with injury this season.
He did return to United’s backline for their 3-0 win at Tottenham on Sunday, which eased the pressure off manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
But Varane faces another setback after being forced off as he went down off the ball, just before Cristiano Ronaldo equalised.
The defender arrived from Real Madrid this summer for £42million, but has so far made just nine appearances.
GLOBAL CITIZENS
Manchester City have held talks over acquiring a minority stake in Russian giants Spartak Moscow.
Representatives from City Football Group met last weekend with the general director of Spartak, whose current owner Leonid Fedun is looking to sell up.
Russian reports have suggested City are interested in buying 20 per cent of the capital-based outfit.
City sources confirmed preliminary talks have taken place but insist nothing has been decided.
Should a deal be agreed, it would extend the number of clubs in City Football Group’s worldwide roster to ELEVEN.
As well as flagship side Manchester City, the umbrella organisation also has stakes in New York City, Melbourne City, Yokohama F Marinos in Japan, Montevideo City Torque in Uruguay, Spanish side Girona, Sichuan Jiuniu in China, India’s Mumbai City, Lommel SK In Belgium and French minnows ES Troyes
ON GUARD
Pep Guardiola says Wednesday’s clash with Club Brugge is “much more important” than Saturday’s Manchester derby.
Having thrashed Philippe Clement’s team 5-1 just a fortnight ago, some managers may look to keep their squad fresh for a cross-city clash but Pep insists this Champions League tie is the bigger game.
Guardiola said: “This is much more important than United.
“This game can give us an incredible step to make the last 16.
“In the Premier League there are many games, here there are just six and only three are left.
“So we have to take it seriously to make a good performance and take a step forward in qualification.
“The group stages every year get more difficult. If you drop more than one or two defeats, we’re in trouble. We lost in Paris, so we have to take advantage of being at home.”
FRANCK-LY SPEAKING
Tottenham are ‘close’ to agreeing a £165,000-a-week deal with AC Milan midfielder Franck Kessie, according to reports.
The North Londoners are said to be in talks with the Ivorian’s agent George Atangana with an £8.5million-a-year deal on the table.
The North Londoners appointed Antonio Conte as their new boss on Tuesday and the former Inter Milan chief has dipped straight back into the market with a raid on his old rivals, according to Rudy Galetti.
The Italian journalist tweeted: “Close agreement between #Atangana and #Tottenham for #Kessie.
“Engagement from €10M per season for the deal and max commission for the agent.”
WRONGS WRIGHTED
Ian Wright admits he strongly disliked Roy Keane and was hurt by his fierce rival’s jibe over ‘losers’ medals’.
Wrighty has revealed the mutual hostility extended off the pitch.
But he says as pundits the two have become mates – with Keane an ‘honest man’ the former England striker can discuss ‘serious things’ with.
Wright said: “I see him as my friend now, but like I say, when we played I didn’t like him. I didn’t like him at all.
“I remember when I won my Premier League medal, when the camera came in I remember saying ‘Roy Keane winners medal’ because Roy Keane one time said to me ‘Wrighty, you’ve got a cabinet full of losers medals!’
“It’s the kind of comment I would have said to him if the shoe was on the other foot.
“But when he said it, it hurts you but I was laughing deep down because it’s a killer, it finishes you, bam.
“Even when I reminded him, he said ‘nah I didn’t say that’. I said, ‘Roy, it’s not something you forget!’”
WORK IN PROCESS
New Tottenham boss Antonio Conte watched his new players train today – but wasn’t allowed to take the session.
The Italian has agreed a £15million-a-year contract with the Londoners to replace the axed Nuno Espirito Santo.
But as reported by The Telegraph, he is not quite READY to get his feet under the table.
The newspaper reported that former Chelsea gaffer ‘slept at the club’s training ground ahead of meeting Spurs staff and players’.
He addressed staff at lunchtime – but then watched on as the players were put through their paces because he is still waiting for his work permit.
SunSport understands he will be backed in the January transfer market, and given a £150million war chest to bring in his own players.
VAR-FETCHED
Romelu Lukaku joined Chelsea fans in utter confusion after BT Sport’s broadcast of the Malmo game was ‘hacked by VAR visuals’.
Midway through the first half of the Champions League group stage tie, viewers’ screens appeared to display ‘sparkly’ graphics across the pitch.
On closer look, it appears as though two camera angles appeared to be warring with each other, with the bright visuals simply the floodlights super-imposed over the main stream at a bizarre angle.
BT Sport presenter Jake Humphrey apologised for ‘technical difficulties’ during the half-time break.
Humphrey went on to say the feed was coming from Sweden, with BT Sport not at fault for the gaffe.
However, fans – including injured Chelsea striker Lukaku – were left initially baffled.
Lukaku tweeted: “D*mn i thought it was my TV that was tweaking.”
One viewer added: “Looked like BT Sport were temporarily hacked by VAR visuals.”
‘GO FOR IT’
Antonio Conte has been urged to go all out to bring the Europa League trophy to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Conte’s arrival in north London has left fans confident their 13-year trophy drought will soon come to an end.
And former Spurs manager Tim Sherwood reckons the Europa League is the club’s route to silverware this season.
Prior to Conte’s appointment, he told MyBettingSites: “If Spurs bring in Antonio Conte, I can see them winning a trophy this season.
“The Europa Conference League is there for the taking, the only other real competition is Roma.
“Tottenham have plenty of work to do in that competition, and aren’t sitting pretty.
“But, they have more than enough with the fixtures coming up to field a strong side and get the points to progress.
“With the right man in charge, they will win it, if they really go for it.
“They shouldn’t rest players, it is an easier route into the Europa League for them than their league position will be.”
UN-FAIR FIGHT
Villareal still hope they can keep boss Unai Emery despite Newcastle hoping to appoint him this week.
The LaLiga club’s president Fernando Roig wants Arsenal manager Emery to see out his contract until 2023.
Goal journalist Nizaar Kinsella says Roig told him Emery’s mind is ‘not drifting’ from Villarreal.
But Newcastle’s new Saudi owners reportedly want Emery in charge for Saturday’s Premier League clash at Brighton.
And if they persuade the 49-year-old to return to the Prem they would need to pay Villarreal £5.1million in compensation.
Emery lasted just 18 months at Arsenal after arriving in May 2018.
LUK’S PROMISING
Mikel Arteta is said to be interested in taking Real Madrid striker Luka Jovic on loan.
The Gunners are preparing for life without want-away forward Alexandre Lacazette who’s only got eight months left on his contract.
Despite the Frenchman coming to the end of his current deal, the Gunners still haven’t offered him an extension.
Lacazette could leave for free in January and Arteta has already lined up his replacement in the form of Real flop Jovic, the Express report.
The Spaniard claims he has no plans to let Lacazette leave before his contract ends.
SIGHT FOR SORE UNAIS
Newcastle want Unai Emery to be their new manager – and it seems the feeling is mutual.
Toon chiefs have narrowed the search down to Emery and Eddie Howe.
And reports claim Emery, 49, will be in the hotseat for this weekend’s game with Brighton.
And a video of an awe-struck Emery taking the ground in for the first time in September 2018 – prior to a 2-1 win over the Toon – has left Newcastle fans beaming.
In the video, Emery can be seen standing at the heart of the iconic stadium, drinking in the impressive vista.
Seemingly unable to tear himself away, the Spaniard continues to stare at his black and white surroundings.
Playing in the background, Newcastle-born singer Jimmy Nail’s 1995 hit Big River – a song about the city and rebuilding hope for the future – can be heard blaring out.
TIME TO FORGET
Referee Alan Young has amazingly been let off the hook completely by FA chiefs over his time-keeping clanger.
The official forgot to add on more than four minutes of stoppage time at Leyton Orient on Saturday and faced the wrath of his FA bosses yesterday.
But in a remarkable show of leniency, not only has Young kept his place as fourth official at League One Wycombe Wanderers tonight, he will face no further action over his howler.
Young, who doubles as the Chief-Executive of the Bedfordshire FA, failed to add on 4mins and 20 seconds of stoppage time at the end of the first half during Orient’s League Two home win over Hartlepool at the weekend.
To make amends he agreed with both managers to play the remaining time BEFORE the start of the second half amid chaotic scenes at the Matchroom Stadium in East London.
It is that quick-thinking and decisive action which has saved him from being hauled over the coals and taken out of the firing line and dropped from the referees’ list.
Orient were 2-0 up at the time on the way to a 5-0 win in what was Young’s first game of the season.
RONBELIEVABLE
Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand has described some of the criticism aimed at Cristiano Ronaldo this season as ‘blasphemy’ and a ‘disgrace’.
Ferdinand has defended the Portugal international when speaking on his FIVE YouTube channel.
He said: “I’ve heard some talk and the only way I can explain it, is it’s blasphemy.
“When I heard some people talking about Ronaldo’s the reason why Man Utd aren’t going to be a success.
“Ronaldo turning up at Man Utd, and yeah it’s great, but he’s going to be the reason why they don’t do anything.
“Listen, I’ve been seeing too much of it, don’t talk like that. Please, it’s a disgrace. Absolute disrespect.
“A player that’s done what he’s done in the game, a superstar of any generation, he’ll be one of the best players in any generation you can think about, and even again he just told people at the weekend what he’s about here… pressure’s on [and] he scores.
“To think that because he doesn’t press, because he doesn’t run as much as other people… that’s not what he’s there for.
“You play to people’s strengths sometimes, you can do that when you’ve got a superstar in your team sometimes for certain clubs.”
CARV A CAREER
Fabio Carvalho has turned down a sizeable contract offer from Fulham.
The whizkid, 19, now looks set to depart Craven Cottage – possibly even in January.
Carvalho is the latest jewel out of Fulham’s academy but his current deal is up at the end of the season.
The West Londoners have been trying to sign him up to fresh terms but are unlikely to make another offer after seeing their latest effort – which insiders described as “massive” – rejected.
Championship high-fliers Fulham may well now cash in on their teen sensation when the transfer window reopens in the New Year.
Carvalho has been linked to a host of clubs including Real Madrid.
KARI YOUR BAGS
Liverpool flop Lorius Karius could be allowed to leave for free in January – putting an end to his Anfield nightmare.
The bungling German stopper’s contract is up next summer and it’s highly unlikely the Reds will be renewing his current deal.
And rather than wait until the season ends, the Kop giants are ready to cut their losses and let Karius go in the New Year, according to The Mirror.
He was on the verge of another loan deal this term with Swiss side FC Basel eager to secure his services, but Karius reportedly wasn’t willing to sacrifice a significant chunk of his £25,000-a-week wages.
However, Basel haven’t given up on Karius yet and plan to try again in their pursuit in January.
SEALED WITH A CHRIS
Christian Eriksen has sent Tottenham fans into a frenzy after ‘liking’ the club’s social media post announcing Antonio Conte’s appointment.
Conte will earn £15million-a-year in North London which makes him the joint-second highest-paid boss in the Premier League.
Supporters have been left delighted by Conte taking charge of the club, with the 52-year-old to be given a £150million war chest to bring in his own players in January.
And it’s not only fans that are excited by the news, as Spurs cult hero Eriksen liked the club’s Instagram post confirming his appointment.
Eriksen was signed by Conte in January 2020 with the pair winning the Serie A title together at Inter Milan last season.
The Danish playmaker, 29, has been linked with a move away from the San Siro following his cardiac arrest against Finland at Euro 2020.
However he is free to return to competitive football should he depart Inter, with Spurs supporters urging him to return to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium after liking Conte’s announcement post.
PEP TALK
Pep Guardiola told Sergio Aguero he must not try to rush back to football after his health scare at the weekend.
Manchester City’s all time leading scorer suffered breathing problems while playing for new club Barcelona at the Nou Camp.
The Etihad boss said: “Of course, it is difficult news for everyone. But especially for him and his family.
“We wish him well, he knows it, from all the people at Manchester City.
“We wish him a speedy recovery, but it does not matter about the time. Health and life is much more important than anything else and he knows it.
“I’m pretty sure he is in very good hands, really good doctors will take care of him and he will take care of himself.
“And come back if he can – otherwise enjoy his life and enjoy what he has done. It depends, I am not a doctor.
“I don’t know precisely what he has, but be careful and be safe for the rest of his life.”
WELCOME BACK
Speaking ahead of Man City’s Champions League clash with Club Brugge tomorrow, Pep Guardiola welcome the new Spurs manager Antonio Conte back to the Premier League.
Conte and Guardiola have only faced off four times as managers, each winning twice and losing twice.
Conte joined Chelsea in 2016-17 and won the league in his first season with the Blues.
But came fifth in his second, with Guardiola’s Man City storming to the league title with 100 points.
Spurs are due to face Man City again on the 19th February, having already beaten them 1-0 on the opening day of the season.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
