Antonio Conte is a man under pressure, Jurgen Klopp is resisting asking for more new signings and Chelsea are on the verge of strengthening.
Here are the headlines for today’s English football news.
Weekend snack ice cream
Antonio Conte thinks it is “crazy” to think Tottenham could interfere in the title race this season.
Tottenham lost 0-2 at home to Aston Villa on Sunday and received an annulment after the final whistle. A different reality compared to the premiere last autumn when many thought the club’s activity in the transfer market combined with Conte’s coaching qualities would bring joy.
– I remember very well this summer, at first people talked about Tottenham as favorites for the title, but in my opinion it was crazy to read, the coach said at his press conference.
To become a title favorite and a team ready to win something, you have to have a solid foundation. That means 14 or 15 strong players, high quality and young players to develop. Every season you can add players with investments of 50, 60, 70 million pounds.
People think you reach and then win. This may be possible for a team that has won in the past. But if you are not used to it then you have to create it and that is why you need time and patience.
Daily Mail columnist Chris Sutton is one of those criticizing the Italian after the recent loss: “Conte likes to find excuses. But to be honest, his team hasn’t done well this season and it’s very much up to the coach who chooses which way to go. The team will play with it.”
Weekend Call
– I’m not a fan of (Hugo) Lloris. Graeme Souness said in a broadcast on Sky after Tottenham’s defeat by Aston Villa that his expiry date had expired.
The French goalkeeper fumbled Villa’s opening goal and, according to Souness, has been responsible for several mistakes lately.
Quote from the weekend
– We can’t keep playing Monopoly, says Jurgen Klopp.
The Liverpool boss is dashing fans’ hopes for more new signings and believes that Cody Gakbo from PSV (around SEK 400-500 million) should be more than enough in one window.
Weekend promotion
“You Blue it” reads the headline in The Sun and naturally refers to Graham Potter’s Chelsea, who lost points against Nottingham Forest (1-1). Reinforcements are on the way, according to The Athletic, who report that Benoit Badiachel will undergo a medical on Monday. The central defender arrives from Monaco for 370-380 million SEK.
weekend photo
At 198 cm, Dan Byrne is the tallest player in the English Premier League. That’s why many smiled when the defender showed up at the tiny Smart ForFour’s Newcastle training facility. The car costs just over SEK 140,000 and is probably easier to navigate compared to the Audi SUV he was seen driving last season.