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    Watch Antonio Conte’s cold reaction despite seeing his Tottenham side secure vital equaliser against Marseille

    CLEMENT LENGLET’S vital equaliser against Marseille saved Tottenham’s blushes and took them to the Champions League’s Last 16.Spurs trailed after Chancel Mbemba’s opener during stoppage time in the first half and faced the prospect of crashing out early.
    Tottenham are back in the running!!! 🤩Clément Lenglet marks his 50th #UCL appearance with a huge goal to level things at the Stade Vélodrome!Things are looking up… pic.twitter.com/82BEP9mTgl— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) November 1, 2022

    Tottenham manager Antonio Conte didn’t celebrate Clement Lenglet’s equaliserCredit: BT Sport
    Antonio Conte watched along with an ice cold stare as Tottenham equalisedCredit: BT Sport
    That followed an even worse start when Son Heung-min hobbled off the pitch following a nasty clash in the 29th minute.
    However, Lenglet put Spurs back in the game on 54 minutes with a stunning header after Ivan Perisic’s brilliant delivery.
    That sparked wild celebrations among the visitors and travelling fans, but there was one person who maintained his composure at the Velodrome
    And that was none other than manager Antonio Conte, who just watched with an ice cold stare.
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    Conte is well known for his tough demeanour, especially when he is not too pleased by the overall performance.
    Tottenham players, however, celebrated with all of their hearts in front of a heartbroken Marseille crowd.
    And it all got even better in the fifth minute of stoppage time when Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg’s late strike saw the visitors win the group.
    This was a special goal for Lenglet as he hit the back of the net on his 50th Champions League appearance.
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    That goal could also pay dividends for the centre-back, who joined the North Londoners on loan from Barcelona last summer.
    The France international admitted he signed with Tottenham to convince France manager Didier Deschamps to call him up for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
    Lenglet said last summer: “The World Cup is important for me. I missed the last selection.
    “I wasn’t in the team. When you are a football player, you want to play these types of competitions. I’m here to play, to help the team to play good and to be better.
    “I hope that if I have an opportunity to go with the selection, it will be for me a dream. I’m working for that too.” More

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    Tottenham ‘make Ruslan Malinovskyi transfer move’ with Antonio Conte keen on January move for Atalanta midfielder

    TOTTENHAM are reportedly stepping up their pursuit of Atalanta midfielder Ruslan Malinovskyi.Spurs boss Antonio Conte has gone on record as saying he wants to add to his squad in the January window after a couple of poor results in recent weeks.
    Malinovskyi is being linked with a move to Tottenham in JanuaryCredit: Getty
    And Ukraine international Malinovskyi has been linked with a move to North London.
    According to Il Giorno, Tottenham have now made contact with Atalanta’s head of recruitment, Lee Congerton, over a possible deal.
    It comes as the 29-year-old searches for more game time having started just four of the Serie A side’s 12 league matches so far this season.
    And the report states he would only set the Lilywhites back around £13million.
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    But other Premier League clubs are also thought to be monitoring his situation.
    Nottingham Forest and West Ham are among the English teams keeping tabs on Malinovskyi.
    Spurs have been criticised for failing to control games in the middle of the park, while also lacking creativity in central areas.
    And Malinovskyi could provide that, with the former Shakhtar Donetsk star boasting 30 goals and 27 assists in 139 matches since joining Atalanta in 2019.
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    He has also been capped 51 times for Ukraine, bagging seven goals.
    Atalanta are not currently offering their players any form of European competition after they finished eighth in Serie A last season.
    Meanwhile, Spurs could still be in the Champions League come the new year, but that will depend on whether they can avoid defeat in Marseille on Tuesday evening. More

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    Tottenham in talks with Antonio Conte over new long-term contract despite boss refusing to commit future to club

    TOTTENHAM have entered contract talks with boss Antonio Conte over a new long-term deal despite the Italian publicly refusing to commit his future to the club.The Italian helped guide Spurs back into the top four last season but his deal at the North London club expires at the end of the season.
    Tottenham have opened talks with Conte over new termsCredit: Getty
    However, there is an option to extend by a further year.
    Despite shaky form in recent weeks, Tottenham sit third in the Premier League after 13 games played.
    They’re five points off table-toppers Arsenal and according to The Athletic, Spurs’ chiefs would like to reward Conte for the team’s form.
    New terms would see Conte earn a raise on his already £13million-a-year contract.
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    Conte has previously been quick to dismiss talk of a new contract, insisting he doesn’t need a new deal to stay at the club.
    As reported by SunSport, he said: “There doesn’t exist a right time. It could be tomorrow. It could be the last day of the season.
    “The most important thing for me and the club is to understand we want to continue together, to go in the same direction.
    “This is the most important thing. Otherwise I don’t see a problem.
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    “I don’t see another situation. I said in the past, I didn’t need another contract to be sure to stay in a club.
    “Also, for the club, it’s a good investment to have a coach like me and my staff. At the right time I’ll take the best decision.
    “At this moment, I’m really happy. I don’t want to push the club about the situation because it’s not the right time.
    “We’ve just started the season and have a long time to live together.”
    Conte was linked with a return to former club Juventus, where he enjoyed great success winning a total of eight league titles as a player and manager.
    But the 53-year-old branded links “disrespectful” to Juve’s under fire manager Massimiliano Allegri, himself and Spurs. More

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    Tyson Fury and Derek Chisora warned rival Oleksandr Usyk could make surprise appearance at Tottenham for trilogy fight

    TYSON FURY and Derek Chisora have been warned Oleksandr Usyk could be ringside for their Tottenham trilogy.The British heavyweights will renew their rivalry at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on December 3 – eight years after their rematch.
    Tyson Fury and Derek Chisora will renew their rivalry on December 3Credit: GETTY
    Fury and Chisora have already fought twiceCredit: NEWS GROUP NEWSPAPERS LTD
    Unified heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk could be in attendance for the trilogyCredit: GETTY
    Fury’s clash with Chisora is a voluntary defence of his WBC title, which unified heavyweight champion Usyk hopes to add to his collection next year to become undisputed king.
    And the undefeated Ukrainian seemingly has plans to have a front-row view for the unexpected domestic dust-up.
    During an appearance on the Unibet Lowdown, Queensberry Promotions chief Frank Warren said: “I’d hope so. It would be nice for him to be there.
    “Let’s hope so. He was at the WBO convention and my son Francis was out there [too].
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    “And he indicated, his manager and promoter, that they would make like to be there. So let’s hope they are to add a bit of spice to it.”
    Veteran promoter Warren is expecting WBC king Fury to get past Chisora and pursue an undisputed fight with Usyk next year.
    When asked if he thinks a Battle of Britain of Anthony Joshua will ever come to fruition, Warren told talkSPORT said: “No.
    “AJ’s gonna come back – a couple of fights to get him back into the situation, he’s gotta win those fights.
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    “And I think he’s very vulnerable.
    “I’m not being disrespectful to him, but I wouldn’t be surprised by any fight that he loses now because I just think he’s a very beatable fighter now.
    “If Tyson comes through Dec 3, he’s gonna fight Oleksandr Usyk and after that he may wind up fighting Joe Joyce…
    “It’s not our fault or Tyson’s fault this fight did not happen, it’s not our fault, 100 per cent.”
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    Former undisputed cruiserweight king Usyk was left stunned by Fury’s decision to fight Chisora again.
    The 35-year-old southpaw said: “It kind of makes me laugh a little bit. Why’s he doing this?” More

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    Tottenham legend Hoddle urges club to make transfer bid for James Maddison as he’d be ‘absolutely sensational’

    TOTTENHAM legend Glenn Hoddle has urged his former club to sign James Maddison in January.Maddison, 25, was heavily linked with a move away from Leicester during the summer transfer window.
    Maddison has been linked with a move away from LeicesterCredit: Getty
    Hoddle has urged Tottenham to sign the Leicester midfielderCredit: Getty
    Newcastle attempted to sign him in August for around £40million, but the Foxes refused to let their star man go.
    And now Tottenham are claimed to be considering a swoop.
    According to transfer expert Dean Jones, Spurs boss Antonio Conte is a huge admirer of Maddison.
    Tottenham legend Hoddle also believes the midfielder will be a perfect fit for the north London side.
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    He told talkSPORT: “They [Tottenham] need some creativity. Because at the moment it’s down to them [Kane and Son], it’s down to Harry dropping in and creating when I think the style of the players they’ve got up the pitch, if you did have that [Christian] Eriksen when he was Tottenham, for example.
    “Maddison, I agree with whoever said that in the background, I love him, I think he’s one that should be in the England squad.
    “I think if he was playing at the top – no disrespect to Leicester – but if he was playing in a top-six team he would be absolutely sensational and probably a shoo-in.
    “You know, someone like that who comes in off the lines, creative, you’ve only got to look at the best teams in the country and you’ve got them sort of players.”
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    Maddison has been Leicester’s most influential player so far this season.
    In 10 Premier League appearances he has scored six goals and assisted two.
    He is also on the verge of earning a spot in Gareth Southgate’s England squad for the upcoming Qatar World Cup.
    Southgate is expected to announce his 23-man squad on November 10 – just over a week before the competition kicks off. More

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    Harry Kane ‘puts Tottenham contract talks on hold until after World Cup 2022’ with Conte in line for Juventus job

    HARRY KANE has put Tottenham contract talks on hold until after the World Cup, according to reports.The striker has around 18 months left on his current Spurs deal.
    Tottenham want to extend Harry Kane’s contractCredit: Getty
    The North Londoners want to extend Kane’s stay with his boyhood club, but will have to be patient to do so.
    According to the Standard, he is yet to begin negotiations over a new deal.
    The 29-year-old wanted to leave Tottenham for Manchester City in the summer of 2021, following the arrival of Nuno Espirito Santo.
    But after being made to stay, he has started enjoying life at Spurs again under Antonio Conte.
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    For now, Kane is focused on finishing this first period of the Premier League season strongly before leading England at the World Cup in Qatar.
    He earns around £200,000 a week at Spurs, with Conte’s side determined not to let him run into the final year of his deal.
    Tottenham managing director of football Fabio Paratici is confident that he’ll be able to convince Kane to stay.
    Last month, the Italian said: “Kane is the symbol of this club, the best scorer in history and captain of England.
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    “We are confident and always in contact. There is a great relationship between him and the club, we are very optimistic.”
    Kane has enjoyed a brilliant goalscoring start to the season, netting 10 times in 12 Prem appearances.
    In addition to their No10, Tottenham also want to agree new deals with Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and Eric Dier.
    Hojbjerg’s current contract expires in 2025, while Dier’s runs out in 2024.
    Juventus are eyeing a reunion with their former boss Conte at the end of the season.
    The Italian’s Spurs contract expires after this term, although the Lilywhites possess an option to extend it by a further year.
    I think this is disrespectful for the coach that works in Juventus and it was disrespectful for me working for TottenhamAntonio Conte
    They are hoping, however, to convince him to commit to a multi-year deal before then.
    While Juve would love to bring back their man, Conte branded links “disrespectful” last month.
    He said: “It is incredible in this period. I think this is disrespectful for the coach that works in Juventus and it was disrespectful for me working for Tottenham.
    “We have just started the season. Many times I spoke about this topic and I always said I’m happy and enjoying my time with Tottenham.
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    “Then, we have the whole season to find the best solution for the club, for me.
    “For sure, I am enjoying the time to work in Tottenham. I have a great relationship with the owner, with Paratici. I don’t see problems for the future.”
    Spurs also want to extend Eric Dier and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg’s dealsCredit: Getty More

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    ‘You think Man Utd and Chelsea are in transition?’ – Spurs boss Antonio Conte slams claims rivals are a work-in-progress

    ANTONIO CONTE has mocked the suggestion that Tottenham’s rivals are “in transition”.Chelsea and Manchester United are two of the clubs chasing down Spurs in the Premier League after the North London club’s impressive start to the season.
    Tottenham face a trip to Bournemouth tomorrow after back-to-back Premier League defeatsCredit: Getty
    Erik ten Hag is attempting to mould Man United in his image after the underwhelming Ole Gunnar Solskjaer eraCredit: Getty
    Graham Potter is still unbeaten in all competitions since taking over as Chelsea boss last monthCredit: Getty
    Whereas both of them appointed new managers over the last few month, Conte is approaching his first anniversary as boss at Tottenham after a rollercoaster 12 months.
    But the Italian manager, without a win in his last three, has rubbished suggestions that the clubs Tottenham are ahead of are works-in-progress.
    When asked if Spurs could take advantage of the two clubs this season, Conte said: “If Chelsea are in transition after they won the Champions League two years ago and last season they won the World Cup, United two years ago finished second.
    “If these clubs that can invest a lot of money are in transition, I don’t know who are the title contenders?
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    “In November, we were ninth. We were playing Conference League, and you think United and Chelsea are in transition? With [Cristiano] Ronaldo, [Raphael] Varane, [Jadon] Sancho, in transition? I hope to be in transition this way.”
    It has been a busy year for Conte as he attempts to make Tottenham competitive again.
    The ex-Blues boss brought in a raft of summer signings to build on the savvy business he did in his first window.
    And while the results have not been bad, some fans have been left unconvinced by the brand of football played by Spurs.
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    Manchester United begun a new era when Erik ten Hag formally took over.
    After a horror start, the Dutchman has steadied the ship as he looks close the gap between the red and blue half of Manchester.
    And Chelsea brutally sacked Thomas Tuchel in September and replaced him with Graham Potter.
    The managerial change came on top of off-the-field unrest as Roman Abramovich sold the club after almost 20 years of ownership to American Todd Boehly and the Clearlake Consortium. More

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    How Dream Team bosses should react to the duality of Tottenham under Antonio Conte

    TOTTENHAM are in a rather curious state right now.On the one hand, the outlook looks very positive: they are third in the Premier League and top of their Champions League group.
    There can be no doubt whatsoever that the club have made progressive strides under Antonio Conte and the fact that only Man City and Arsenal have scored more league goals this season suggests the fans have been suitably entertained.
    However, there is an alternative view that not all is as rosy as it may seem to casual observers at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and this duality is asking questions of Dream Team managers.
    Conte has improved Spurs but his approach has also been criticised at times
    The truth is that, while 23 league goals is a good tally, Spurs’ football has often been passive and uninspiring.
    This month, the Lilywhites failed to muster much of a threat in defeats to Manchester United, Newcastle and, most painfully, Arsenal – their rivals’ status as league leaders may also be skewing perceptions in north London.
    Their place at the top of their Champions League is also a precarious one with Sporting CP and Eintracht Frankfurt both one point behind and Marseille another point behind them – a slip up in France next week would be fatal.
    There is a sense Spurs are far too reliant on (£7.2m), who has done brilliantly to score ten goals in 12 league outings.
    Erling Haaland (£9.4m) is dominating the scoring charts at Manchester City but the difference is that Pep Guardiola’s side have many strings to their bow, divert too much attention to the Norwegian No9 and you’ll be ripped apart by Kevin De Bruyne (£7.2m), Phil Foden (£5.8m), etc.
    Whereas limiting Kane effectively shuts down Spurs’ entire attacking thrust, which stems predominantly from counterattacks anyway.
    Kane is Dream Team’s third-best player with 86 points to his name
    Football clubs do not employ Conte in the name of aesthetic beauty, they do it to improve results and the Italian has delivered on that promise so far.
    Still, the nature of football is that supporters are not as forgiving of draws and defeats when they perceive the tactics to be overly cautious.
    There are other frustrations too: Hugo Lloris (£3.7m) is increasingly capable of the ridiculous as he is the sublime, Emerson Royal is an unintentionally (£3.1m) amusing figure (see his no-look pass straight out of play against Sporting), Yves Bissouma (£1.3m) looks a shadow of the player he was at Brighton, and Son Heung-min (£5.7m) has been rendered surprisingly ineffective for reasons that are unclear.
    The South Korean No7 has been one of the most consistently excellent performers in the Premier League since his move to English shores and last season he reached new heights when he matched Mohamed Salah’s (£7.9m) total of 23 goals to share the Golden Boot.
    This campaign, he’s scored three league goals and they all came in the space of 13 minutes against a horrendously disorganised Leicester.
    42.4% of Son’s 66 Dream Team points came with that flurry against the Foxes and a further 18 were collected with a brace against Frankfurt.
    There’s nothing wrong with a player who deals in occasional gigantic hauls but the fact he’s blanked in 11 of his 17 fixtures is a concern.
    Son has frequently cut a frustrated figure this season
    Dejan Kulusevski (£3.5m) and Richarlison (£3.6m) have both suffered injuries but their respective points-per-game averages of 2.4 and 2.5 are modest at best.
    Cristian Romero (£3.4m) and Ivan Perisic (£3.4m) were both relatively popular selections prior to Game Week 1 but neither have lived up their billing, at least not yet.
    With 41 points to his name, Eric Dier (£4m) can hold his head high, as can unexpected gem Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg (£3.1m, 53 points), who has been unusually productive in the final third with three goals and three assists in all competitions.
    Whether the combative Denmark international, more commonly known for his donkey work, is likely to maintain his lofty position in the rankings is a question Dream Team gaffers should answer with a stiff dose of pragmatism.
    Truthfully, all the while Son’s struggles continue, Kane and Dier seem the only viable Spurs assets capable of ticking over at a healthy rate in the coming weeks.
    A fully-fit Kulusevski is an enticing prospect but Dream Team managers would be wise to wait for a glimpse of the Swede’s condition and form upon his reintroduction before committing to a transfer.

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