Premier League

CHELSEA fans have been left alarmed by the club’s “lack of leaders.”That’s after a “painful” video emerged of stony-faced players entering the pitch before their sorry defeat to Southampton.
Chelsea fans were left concerned by Chelsea players’ lack of motivation in the tunnelCredit: Not known, clear with picture desk

Morale seemed low before Chelsea lost to Southampton at Stamford BridgeCredit: Not known, clear with picture desk
The Blues crashed to a 1-0 home loss on Saturday, with the league’s bottom feeders outplaying them in every department.
Graham Potter was roundly booed by an irate Stamford Bridge crowd at the final whistle.
And the pressure is now on Todd Boehly to make a huge decision after seeing his man deliver just two wins in 14 league matches.
However, it appears the negative mood has transferred itself to the players too.

Chelsea have a whopping 33-man squad after spending £326million on eight new signings in January.
Yet Chelsea fans fear they do not have many natural leaders after veteran duo Thiago Silva and Cesar Azpilicueta.
A video from the weekend showed the latter leading his side out for their pre-match warm-up.
But despite Azpilicueta charging through the tunnel with his head held high, his teammates looked less enthusiastic.
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The rest of them moved at a slower pace as they emerged on to the turf.
And many had their heads held low, while others simply carried completely blank expressions.
This has now sparked fears among Chelsea fans that the recent bad results have got to the players’ heads.
But it also causing concern that the Blues may have a host of stars on their hands unable to motivate either themselves or their teammates.
One supporter said: “The lack of leaders is actually painful to see. Not a single person responds to Azpi, not a single one looks hyped. 
“We literally use to have minimum 6/7 leaders and that’s why we stayed successful during Romans era.”
Another declared: “After Madueke none of them looked liked they cared one bit lmao. You can tell which way the game is going in a couple of phases. 
“The warm ups & how the first 15 minutes go. Attitude stinks.”
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One noted: “Why do they all looks so demotivated.”
Another added: “They couldn’t look less interested if they tried.” More

ANTONIO CONTE was missing from the Spurs dugout again on Sunday, as Tottenham saw off West Ham in North London.His assistant Cristian Stellini led the team to victory – keeping up his unbeaten record at the helm.
Cristian Stellini took charge of Spurs again against West HamCredit: Getty
After the game, Stellini was asked when Conte would be back, as the Italian continues his recovery from surgery.
And he revealed his boss could be back in time for the Wolves game on March 4.
He said: “No, I am not expecting Antonio is back for Chelsea but I expect Antonio will be back the week after Chelsea. For Milan or Wolverhampton.
“We have also the game in the FA Cup so maybe not Chelsea but we don’t know, because if Antonio feels well and he can live some stress without some pain or feel something strange, Antonio will be back.”
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Conte underwent a procedure to remove his gallblader.
He returned to work to take charge of Spurs’ games against Leicester City and AC Milan.
However, the Premier League-winner admitted he returned to work too soon.
Following medical advice, he has decided to remain in Italy until his body recovers.
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Spurs said in a statement: “Following a routine post-operation check in Italy yesterday, Antonio Conte will remain at his family home to recover from his recent surgery.
“Health is the most important consideration and everyone at the club wishes him well. Cristian Stellini will assume first team duties.”
Second half goals from Emerson Royal and Son Heung-min were enough to win Sunday’s London derby against the Hammers.
The vital victory moved Spurs above Newcastle and back into the top four, albeit having played a game more than the Toon.
It also meant Stellini maintained his 100 per cent record when deputising for Conte.
Antonio Conte could return to the Tottenham dugout on March 4Credit: Rex
Previously he oversaw wins against Marseille and Manchester City, while he also managed three wins with Inter Milan when Conte couldn’t be on the sidelines in Serie A.
When asked about his record, Stellini said: “No, this happen because Antonio is the gaffer, not because I am the gaffer. I only follow the project of his work and the way he works is really clear.
“I follow this and I use my experience and I use lot of the staff because we work in a team and we work very well.
“I am very happy to work with all of them, especially Ryan [Mason] because he helped me a lot.” More

PINPOINT James Ward-Prowse has revealed Southampton’s stars will buy interim boss Ruben Selles a new suit for this Chelsea raid.The set-piece specialist scored a 25-year free-kick as rock bottom Saints won at Stamford Bridge and completed the league double over the Blues for the first time since 1987/88.
Southampton match-winner James Ward-Prowse revealed what present the players are buying Ruben SellesCredit: Alamy
It was his 17th goal scored from a dead-ball situation and moves him one behind David Beckham’s Premier League record of 18.
Spaniard Selles, 39, who wore a suit, trendy trainers and a black rollneck, was serenaded by the away fans for this stunning victory and in response, the dressing-room are going to get him new ‘clobber’.
Ward-Prowse, 28, who marked the win with his signature golf-swing celebration, said: “I’m really pleased for him. He came into the club this week.
“He has given us real stability and a calmness. That is what we have needed,
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“It’s a young squad, so to be able to do deal with those things are difficult. But he has given us a familiar way of playing.
“I wasn’t too sure about the suit when we saw it in the meeting. He joked in the pre-match meeting that we would have buy him a new suit if we won.

“So, we will be off down to the local suit shop to get him a nice one.
“This is a special moment, a special day for us as a club, and hopefully a springboard to turn things round.
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“We have to make sure that we give 100 per cent no matter who the manager is. That’s the task. To do that consistently over the next few games would be massive.”
Whisper it quietly around Old Trafford but there is an argument that Ward-Prowse hits the ball more sweetly and deadly than Goldenballs Becks, 47, ever did in his pomp for Manchester United.
Ward-Prowse said: “It’s a lot of work, a lot of effort, but the rewards come and hopefully it will lead us towards wins and points.
“There is definitely an air of confidence when I strike a free-kick because I have done the practice,
“I have done the pressure moments in training. It’s up to me to go and deliver them.
“When I was a young kid in my mum and dad’s garden that was the aim – to be like David Beckham.
Saints interim boss Ruben Selles has been promised a new suit by his playersCredit: Reuters
“To put in the work and the hours validates that hard work and hopefully there is more to come.
“I was watching the golf documentary the whole day about Matt Fitzpatrick logging every shot that he takes.
“I think I better start doing that with free-kicks and taking some stats into it. We will see.” More