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Kevin Phillips has been left fuming at some news involving Antonio Conte and Tottenham Hotspur.

The Lowdown: Conte bans ketchup and mayonnaise

As per The Athletic, both ketchup and mayonnaise have removed from the food menu at Spurs after Conte decided to ban the two condiments.

He is thought to believe that some of his players are overweight, so he has taken a similar regime to one he enforced at Chelsea back in 2016, when he decided to ban ketchup as well as pizza, fizzy drinks and brown sauce.

The Latest: Phillips fumes over condiments ban

Speaking to Football Insider, former Premier League striker Phillips was left fuming when he heard the news. The 48-year-old raged:

“When I look at what Conte has done, banning ketchup and mayonnaise, it’s ridiculous.

“How many times have I seen managers doing that? For me, it is complete and utter nonsense. Managers just want to make changes when they come in.

“It makes no difference whatsoever, banning sauces. It just annoys people. I’ve been at clubs when managers have taken something away and players’ backs are up straight away.

“You cannot tell me having a bit of ketchup on your lunch at dinner time will affect your performance.

“Some managers demand that though and you have to respect it.”

The Verdict: Stamping authority

The fact that Conte is implementing his own ideas and methods early in his reign, however ‘ridiculous’ Phillips thinks they may be, means that he is stamping his authority on the club, which can only be a good thing.

Just look at his track record. At Chelsea, after implementing his ban on certain food and drink, he won them the Premier League title in the 2016/17 season, and the FA Cup the year after (Transfermarkt).

It shows that his methods work, and there is no reason why he cannot enjoy success at the Lilywhites, who are desperate to secure another major trophy having not won one since 2008. If these are the small first steps to be taken towards lifting silverware, so be it.

In other news, Spurs are in ‘pole position’ to sign this ‘really crazy’ beast

Aston Villa may be set for a difficult summer, with the likes of Carney Chukwuemeka, Douglas Luiz and Matty Cash all being linked with moves away from the Midlands in recent weeks.

Meanwhile, Brazilian superstar Philippe Coutinho still hasn’t had his future resolved, with manager Steven Gerrard desperate to keep him at Villa Park beyond his loan spell from Barcelona.

However, if he doesn’t make his temporary stay at the club permanent at the end of the season, the Liverpool legend may be forced into the transfer market to find a longer-term replacement for the midfielder – brought in to help replace Jack Grealish, and John Swift could be that man to fill the void.

What’s the news?

Having been long-term admirers of the Reading midfielder, the Championship side’s former manager John McDermott has claimed that the former Chelsea youth prospect could thrive in Gerrard’s team.

“It’s hard to say [If Swift could make it in the Premier League] – you could stick him in at someone like Aston Villa as technically he’s very good,” McDermott said on BBC Radio Berkshire. “He makes goals, he scores goals and I can see him ending up at somewhere like Aston Villa or someone like Leeds United.

“He can play, he sees a pass but it’s hard to say [how good he could be] until you put them in that environment.”

He can make the step up

Described as “super-talented” by former Royals boss Veljko Paunovic at the beginning of the season, the 26-year-old midfielder will be available for free this summer, with his contract set to expire at the end of the season.

Having scored an incredible 11 goals and adding 13 more assists in 35 appearances for the struggling Championship relegation candidates, only Fulham duo Aleksandar Mitrovic and Harry Wilson have averaged higher match ratings than his 7.28, with the Serbian striker on top with a 7.65, and the Welsh winger just below with 7.40.

His form has been nothing short of remarkable, given Reading sit in 21st in the second tier, and with him taking 2.1 shots per game and 2.7 key passes per game – he is certainly capable of becoming a prime creator in the Premier League with his level of footballing intelligence, surrounded by higher quality players.

Grealish made 16 goal contributions last season for Villa before signing for Manchester City this summer in a deal worth £105.75m, and while Swift may not quite reach that valuation – his 24 goal contributions for Reading is evidence that he could be just as active in the final third – from an even deeper position than the England international.

That is something certainly worth shouting about if you are among Villa’s recruitment team.

In other news: Insider drops “serious” behind-scenes AVFC update that will scare supporters

Flocking to Twitter, many Manchester City supporters have gone wild for an update on transfer target and Borussia Dortmund striker sensation Erling Braut Haaland.

The Sky Blues and manager Pep Guardiola look likely to be quiet in the January window with City’s boss recently admitting that he does not plan to sign a striker mid-season.

His side currently sit 10 points clear at the top of the Premier League and are in pole position to retain their English top flight crown after last season’s memorable triumph.

Guardiola’s has had to improvise without a natural senior frontman by use of a false-nine system, with their only natural senior striking option Gabriel Jesus instead thriving in a new role on the right-hand side of City’s forward line.

However, the club and sporting director Txiki Begiristain look almost certain to target a world class striker in the summer as reliable reporter David Ornstein of The Athletic shares news.

He claims that City’s most ‘significant’ transfer priority is the signing of a forward and confirms that Guardiola’s ‘first choice’ target is Haaland.

It is believed Begiristain and co will ‘push hard’ to seal the Norway international’s signature as City plan to ‘hold meetings’ with Haaland’s entourage over the coming months.

City fans go wild…

Signing the £135 million-valued superstar would undoubtedly be a major coup given all the competition for his signature and scintillating form.

Haaland, racking up 19 goals and nine assists across 17 appearances for Dortmund this season, is arguably the best striker in the world on current form and City could do no better – especially considering he is still just 21-years-old.

Taking this into account, it’s little wonder Sky Blues are excited their side are set to prioritise him in the summer and think this is ‘very big’ news.

Find all of their best reactions down below:

“LETS GOOOOO”

Credit: @TshepiMoji

“YES! DO IT MATE”

Credit: @stephentpen

“Big if true, very big”

Credit: @Jdesrochers_

“At last some common sense”

Credit: @NijinskyCB

“Get it done”

Credit: @sentosabahari8

“please bring him home”

Credit: @ThisisGreatt

“YESSSSSS”

Credit: @4Foden

“Wow”

Credit: @Oilfc96

Celtic followed up their cup triumph at the weekend with a disappointing 0-0 draw away at St Mirren in the Scottish Premiership on Wednesday night.

Ange Postecoglou’s side would no doubt have been bouncing following their victory in the League Cup, but were unable to break through a resilient defence that staved off a whopping 31 shots on goal.

The Hoops could have, and really should have put the game to bed, let alone just win, and one man who really will be fearing for his place in this team, is Mikey Johnston.

The 22-year-old was given the chance to start once again by Ange, but failed to take his opportunity with both hands.

As per SofaScore, out of the six attempts that he had on goal, only three of them found the target, and there were a number of occasions where he just rushed his effort or couldn’t keep his composure to stick the Hoops in front.

Only three of his six attempted crosses meanwhile found its target, while he also lost possession 13 times over the course of the game – the third-most of any Celtic player on the pitch.

And, writing in his post-match player ratings for Football Scotland gave him a five, before saying: “Tested Dean Lyness early doors but his final ball and composure in front of goal let him down.”

It was the kind of performance that will raise some serious questions about Johnston’s long-term future at Parkhead, and whether actually in the short-term, Postecoglou should be taking him out of the side completely – a record of no goals and just one assist in 17 games in all competitions this season certainly isn’t the kind of standard Celtic expect.

Indeed, former Celtic man Frank McAvennie was very clear in insisting that Johnston simply isn’t good enough for the Hoops,  saying: “He’s barely getting a game and when he does play he is really struggling.

“Sell him. I would like to see him moved on for the benefit of his own career. Ange gave him a chance with Jota out and he’s not done anything. Some fans might disagree but he’s simply not good enough for what Ange is trying to build.”

Johnston’s display on Wednesday did nothing to silence the critics, and his time in the starting line-up is surely up for now.

Meanwhile, this Celtic man cost Ange dearly vs St Mirren…

Everton are now on the hunt for their new manager after sacking Rafa Benitez on Sunday afternoon, following a series of awful performances that has left the club in a vulnerable position in the Premier League, currently sixteenth in the league table and six points off a relegation challenge in the drop zone.

What’s the word?

Everton insider and journalist, Alan Myers, has given his perspective on who should be the next manager at Goodison Park, revealing his number one choice that hasn’t been reported as one of the clear favourites by Sky Sports.

Myers tweeted:

“My choice would be Christophe Galtier, wins the title with Lille, takes over a mediocre Nice side and now has them 2nd in the division, no ties, something fresh, passionate?”

The French manager is currently working at Nice as their head coach, in a rebuild project, and the club currently sit just behind Paris Saint Germain in Ligue 1.

Better than Rooney

Galtier is famously known for his incredible work at Lille, going into the club halfway through the season in 2017, saving them from relegation and finishing 17th in the table during his first six months in charge.

However, what followed was nothing short of miraculous as he led the team to the club’s fourth Ligue 1 title in their first title win in a decade in 2021, when they finished one point ahead of PSG.

The Frenchman left Lille in the summer of their title victory, in search of a new challenge which he found at Nice, who finished ninth in the table last season by injecting his philosophy of youth and development into the club.

He is currently flying high in the top flight French league again, sitting second, taking points from 16 of the last 21 games he has managed the side so far this term.

Wayne Rooney has been a favourite for the manager’s position at Everton long before Benitez was even sacked from the role, but Farhad Moshiri must not overlook or underestimate the success and impressive work Galtier has done over the last few years.

His influence and experience in taking teams in vulnerable positions and transforming their trajectory is fitting for the Toffees current situation, with that being said, he is a far better fit for the role than the Derby Country boss. Although he is striving to save them from relegation at the moment and is doing an impressive job of doing so, he still lacks experience, especially at the top table.

Everton are yet to reveal if they have began speaking to or have made an offer of appointment to any manager, but with the side involved in the early kick-off against Aston Villa, they will surely be looking to appoint somebody as soon as possible.

In other news: Graham Potter not interested in becoming Toffees boss

A key Newcastle United update has emerged, regarding the club’s search for a director of football to work with Eddie Howe.

What’s the talk?

Magpies reporter Liam Kennedy has revealed that he has heard the likes of Michael Edwards, Paul Mitchell and Victor Orta mentioned as possible targets for the club’s director of football role. He has claimed that PIF will take their time with the appointment, with a number of candidates still in contention.

Speaking on the latest edition of NUFC Matters, via ThisIsFutbol, Kennedy said:

“There are other people in line. I’ve heard loads of names mentioned. Of course, we’ll have heard the lad at Liverpool, whose name escapes me at the moment [Michael Edwards]; there’s the lad [Paul] Mitchell, who used to be at Southampton who’s now at AS [Monaco], is one that is mentioned.

“I’ve heard Victor Orta mentioned – the lad at Leeds who had a meltdown the other day, I’ve seen him on Sky Sports News shouting at some fans.

“And again, it’ll be one that they take their time on, it’s a big appointment.”

Buzzing

Newcastle fans will surely be buzzing with this update from Kennedy as it illustrates the calibre the club are aiming for. They are targeting top operators and want to ensure that they get the best possible person in to fill the role, as they will be leading the club’s football operations in the long-term and this is not an appointment they can afford to get wrong.

Edwards, in particular, is an intriguing target for the Magpies given his impressive work for Liverpool. He is due to depart Anfield at the end of the season and Newcastle could hold out and wait for him to join ahead of the 2022/23 campaign.

The sporting director helped to build a squad capable of winning the Champions League and Premier League for the Reds, whilst having a net spend of £130m. He is also said to have convinced the club to spend the money required to land Mo Salah, who has scored 145 goals and provided 56 assists in 224 games for the Premier League side.

To illustrate his impact on Merseyside, Jurgen Klopp heaped praise on the director for the positive contributions he has made. The German head coach said:

“If we are as fortunate and blessed as we have been so far, maybe we can create more special memories for our club in this remaining time.

“He has been a constant presence during my period at LFC and his contribution to our success is clear for everyone to see.”

This highlights the standard of candidate Newcastle are eyeing, according to Kennedy, and why fans will be buzzing with someone like Edwards being under consideration.

However, it is now down to the board to go out and ensure that they are able to convince him, or one of the other targets, to make the switch and come in to help Howe and his team.

AND in other news, 98x possession lost: Howe must brutally axe NUFC’s “manager’s dream”, he’s a passenger…

Tottenham Hotspur have been linked with a move for one of manager Antonio Conte’s former stars this week.

Reports in Spain have suggested that the Lilywhites are prepared to offer a large amount for Inter Milan centre-back Alessandro Bastoni as the Italian looks to bolster his backline ahead of next season.

It’s said that the 22-year-old is a player hugely admired by the 52-year-old head coach and that Spurs have even submitted an offer of around €50m (£42m).

Conte has largely utilised his typical three-at-the-back formation since taking the helm in N17 and he could really do with another option as full-back Ben Davies has featured alongside central defenders Eric Dier and Cristian Romero.

Therefore, there’s a need for another addition in the role and there won’t be many better options out there than Bastoni, who Conte is clearly a big fan of.

The 6 foot 3 colossus made 33 appearances during their title-winning campaign, where he averaged 1.2 interceptions and 1.1 tackles per game. He has since progressed further under new management, managing an average of 1.5 tackles and 1.3 interceptions from 27 matches this term, via WhoScored.

Some have even likened the Italy international to his Euro 2020-winning teammate, veteran Leonardo Bonucci.

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“He controls the opponent, space and with a refinement that has rarely been seen, reminds me of a young Bonucci,” said Italian journalist Mario Sconcerti.

Meanwhile, according to talent scout Jacek Kulig, Bastoni is “perfect” as a left-sided centre-back in a three – the exact positon Conte needs this summer – and is “complete,” “dominant,” and “very comfortable on the ball.”

Transfermarkt currently value the 22-year-old defender in the region of £54m, so he’s not going to come cheap, especially if Spurs want to sanction permanent moves for Romero and Dejan Kulusevski.

Once dubbed a “Rolls-Royce” with world-class potential by analysts Top Bins Talk, it’s evident that Bastoni would be something of a dream signing for Conte at Spurs, as such sporting director Fabio Paratici should do all he can to secure his signature.

In the Italian, the Spurs head coach could have a new left-sided and Bonucci-like animal in defence next season.

AND in other news, 95 touches, 69 passes: £36m-rated Spurs “monster” was Conte’s big unsung hero vs Villa…

Steven Gerrard was appointed the brand new Aston Villa manager during the international break after Dean Smith was sacked following three years at Villa Park due to a run of bad form with the side losing five games consecutively.

Gerrard is already making an impact in his short time with the club so far, as he guided the side to their first win in a handful of matches against Brighton last weekend and will be hoping to continue his confident start.

Dean Smith has also got a new job as Norwich manager, where he was appointed late into the international break, and has had a great start in his first fixture as the Canaries boss, with a 2-1 win over Southampton at the weekend, that gave them a crucial three points as they sit at the bottom of the Premier League table.

The former Villa boss has been tipped to dip into his old club’s squad to strengthen his own team, with former Villa player, Gabriel Agbonlahor speaking to Football Insider. Responding to whether Smith will take a look at some of the players from his time at Villa, he said:

“Conor Hourihane would be a good one.

“But it’s all going to depend on where Villa are. If results don’t go Villa’s way then they’re not going to let players go to a team that is also fighting relegation.

Aston Villa are expected to make moves in the upcoming transfer window as Johan Lange has confirmed the club are “identifying players” to add to the side in an attempt to avoid the drop into relegation in the second half of the season;

“I think we’re always working every day of the year to identify players with the potential of coming in to strengthen Aston Villa.

“We will work closely (with Steven) over the next six weeks to analyse the situation and we will be well prepared as we always are, if we find it is relevant to go into the market in January.”

If Smith did come to take some of the fringe players off the hands of Gerrard, it could really help to boost funds for the new manager to add the players he wants into the team. That’s without asking too much of the board to provide the funds or to have potential signings put on hold, especially in such a fragile time for Aston Villa where a relegation battle is quite possible.

Secondly, it might give Villa an advantage in freeing up space on the wage bill, something that will certainly help when it comes to the freedom of signing new recruits.

Gerrard will be hoping to relieve more pressure off the Villans this weekend in their fixture away at Selhurst Park, with another three points to push them further away from any relegation worries leading up to the New Year. At that point, their former boss might just be able to give them a hand in the market.

In other news: Gerrard handed double injury boost before Palace clash

Leeds United manager Marcelo Bielsa remains a big admirer of Huddersfield midfielder Lewis O’Brien amid January transfer links, according to journalist Pete O’Rourke.

The Lowdown: O’Brien continues to be linked with Leeds

Few players have been linked with a move to Elland Road as much as O’Brien has in recent months, in a story which refuses to go away.

The 23-year-old is still being tipped to join Leeds, and with Kalvin Phillips currently out injured, the need to bring in a new midfielder this month is undeniable.

O’Brien has continued to be a key player for Huddersfield this season, starting 24 Championship matches and being hailed as ‘very special’ by his manager Carlos Corberan.

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The Latest: Journalist makes fresh O’Brien claim

Speaking to Give Me Sport, O’Rourke talked up Bielsa’s love for the player, perhaps hinting at Leeds making a move for him.

He outlined: “I think he was interested in O’Brien. He does like him as a player. He thinks he’s got the style and profile that fits the way he wants to play football.”

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The Verdict: Snap him up, Leeds

It is easy to look down on O’Brien because he is playing in the Championship, but Bielsa’s admiration for him speaks volumes and he is someone who could be an exciting coup.

He possesses bucketloads of energy and quality in the middle of the park, possessing a similar style to Phillips and averaging 2.8 tackles and 1.9 dribbles per game in the league this season.

That highlights O’Brien’s quality both on and off the ball, and at 23, he is someone who could make an immediate difference as well as being a long-term acquisition for Leeds if they can finally entice him to make the short move across West Yorkshire.

In other news, one journalist has made a Raphinha transfer claim. Read more here.

Nottingham Forest will take on Arsenal in the FA Cup after the draw took place on Monday evening.

And a number of Forest fans have been giving their thoughts to the confirmed news on social media, delighted at the prospect of another ‘cupset’ like their clash with the Gunners in 2018.

Forest began their busy December schedule with a 2-0 win over Peterborough United on Saturday and still have five Championship fixtures to fulfil before attention can be turned to a meeting with Mikel Arteta’s side.

Forest and the north Londoners were the final two teams to be drawn, with the tie set to be scheduled between January 7-10.

Arsenal have won the FA Cup 14 times but were dumped out at the third round when they last visited the City Ground, losing 4-2 with right-back Eric Lichaj an unexpected hero for the Reds, scoring twice back in January ’18.

Forest fans react

Forest shared the news regarding the third-round tie on their official Twitter page. This is what these Reds supporters had to say in reply, with one labelling it as ‘beautiful’ and others referencing Lichaj.

“Here we go……. coyr”

Credit: @bdosanjh_9

“JUST DO IT”

Credit: @Jose_J95

“beautiful”

Credit: @aamyy_xox

“Bring @EricLichaj back for 1 game only. Let’s do it again”

Credit: @Joel_Bryan1999

“Tasty”

Credit: @Timgledstone

“Love it”

Credit: @AWRads94