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Tottenham Hotspur manager Antonio Conte’s job is now ‘completely untenable’ as a result of his rant in the press conference following the 3-3 draw against Southampton, according to journalist Jack Pitt-Brooke.

The Lowdown: Scathing attack

After his side threw away a 3-1 lead to draw against a struggling Southampton side yesterday, Conte launched a scathing attack on his players, branding them ‘selfish’ and unwilling to ‘help each other’.

The Italian claimed the disappointing result was the ‘last straw’, while also appearing to take a swipe at the Tottenham ownership, saying: “Tottenham’s story is this – 20 years there is this owner and they never won something. Why?”

After the bombshell press conference, there has been speculation about the manager’s future at the club, with talkSPORT pundit Gabby Agbonlahor insisting Daniel Levy needs to sack him as he ‘doesn’t want to be there anymore.’

The Latest: Pitt-Brooke reacts

Taking to Twitter to react to Conte’s comments to the press, Pitt Brooke said: “Never seen anything like that Antonio Conte press conference just now. 10 minutes of trying to take everyone else down with him. It was such an amazing performance you almost had to admire it.”

The Athletic journalist later added: “I don’t see how Conte can plausibly make it to Goodison Park on 3 April after this. He has made his own job completely untenable.”

The Verdict: Conte must go

The 53-year-old made a few very good points during his explosive rant, particularly in his criticism of the Spurs hierarchy being unable to compete for major trophies since taking over the club in 2001, which indicates a serious problem at board level.

This group of players has also let down far too many managers, with Conte, who has won nine trophies in his managerial career, becoming the latest coach unable to get a tune out of this Tottenham squad, with serial winner Jose Mourinho also struggling.

That said, it could be very weak of the Spurs board to allow the former Juventus boss to continue after so openly criticising his higher-ups, while he may have also damaged his relationship with some of the players after his heavy criticism.

Tottenham have been presented with an opportune time to part with Conte, given that we are now heading into an international break, and it could be wise to part ways with the manager, as keeping him will likely do them no favours in their push to finish in the top four.

A big update has emerged on Glasgow Rangers attacking midfielder Alex Lowry and his current injury situation…

What’s the latest on Alex Lowry’s fitness?

Light Blues head coach Michael Beale has revealed that the academy product is suffering from an ankle issue and is likely to be out for the next month, which comes after fellow midfielder Malik Tillman was out against Kilmarnock due to a knock.

He told the Glasgow Times: “The day before the Partick Thistle game when he was in the thinking to start; no one near him, the ball came he turned and had a problem with his ankle.

“It was a six-week injury which he is two weeks into. He is out of the boot at the moment.

“But Alex is probably four weeks from being ready to play.”

Is this bad news for Michael Beale?

This will surely be a frustrating blow for the Gers boss as it is another setback for the teenage midfielder in what could have been his breakthrough season at Ibrox.

Lowry made 12 competitive matches between August and October of the current campaign with a knee injury, which left him playing catch-up at the start of Beale’s reign after the team returned to action following the World Cup.

He has only made 11 matches for the academy side.

His phenomenal form for the club’s youth team, and van Bronckhorst’s decision to include him in the first team in 2021/22, highlights the immense talent that the youngster possesses but he will be unable to hone and develop his skills by being on the sidelines nursing an injury.

Beale will not be able to work with the teenager on the training pitch – over the next four weeks – to help him grow and get to a point where the dynamo can play regular football for the senior side and that is why this is frustrating news for the head coach.

It is particularly disappointing that this blow has arisen at the same time as Tillman, who has scored seven goals and provided four assists in the Premiership, is missing with an injury of his own.

The USA international’s absence could have opened the door for Lowry, even if it was just as a substitute, to get minutes in recent weeks and in the upcoming clash with Hibernian, which the Bayern Munich loanee is set to be out for.

Hopefully, the Rangers teenager will be able to return from this latest setback next month and burst into Beale’s plans before the end of the campaign and put his woes behind him. For now, however, it is frustrating for all parties.

Leeds United suffered their second consecutive defeat this afternoon against relegation rivals Everton at Goodison Park, and the Elland Road hierarchy will be feeling the pressure as the club fell into the relegation zone following the 1-0 loss.

The Whites are now 19th in the Premier League table after handing Everton all three points to help them move out of the bottom three, and they now find themselves two points deep in the relegation zone ahead of their clash against Southampton next weekend.

Despite having equal possession with their opponents (50%), Leeds failed to register a single shot on target and had fewer shots on goal (8 v 15), fewer accurate passes (266 v 290) and lost possession of the ball 174 times, all contributing to their uninspiring performance on Merseyside.

With so much at stake in this must-win clash for both teams, the game got off to a nervous start at Goodison Park, with neither team offering too much to worry about in the final third as they tried to scope each other out. It amounted to nothing more than missed opportunities and two yellow cards for Leeds, with Tyler Adams and Weston McKennie booked.

It was much of the same in the opening minutes of the second half, but travelling Leeds fans had their worst fears confirmed when Everton captain Seamus Coleman found the net in the 64th minute, a goal which was enough for Sean Dyche’s team to claim all three points in the relegation six-pointer.

Skubala will be frustrated following the disappointing defeat as several players failed to step up with their performances, with breakout star Wilfried Gnonto putting on one of his worst performances in a white shirt since joining Leeds last year.

How did Gnonto play against Everton?

It is no secret that Gnonto has been one of the standout performers in the team over the season so far despite the troubles that the club have faced, scoring four times in 15 games for Leeds, but today’s display against Everton was one that the talented teenager will want to forget fast.

Indeed, Beren Cross labelled it ‘the quietest display he has produced since breaking into the team’ in his player ratings piece for Leeds Live, awarding the youngster a paltry 4/10.

During his 90 minutes on the pitch, the 19-year-old – who was “struggling” according to journalist Leon Wobschall – had fewer touches of the ball (48) than goalkeeper Illan Meslier (59), lost eight duels and failed to complete 100% of his crosses, along with having no shots on goal and losing possession of the ball 18 times.

Gnonto’s nightmare against the Toffees is a testament to how desperate Leeds will be to appoint a permanent manager who can bring some identity back into the West Yorkshire club in their remaining 15 league fixtures.

The week ahead will be monumental for the powerbrokers at Elland Road in their pursuit of a new head coach, with it being almost a fortnight since Jesse Marsch’s sacking and a simply must-win clash at home to Southampton, who had an impressive win at Chelsea today, coming up next Saturday.

Chelsea will look to bring in a new centre forward during the summer transfer window, according to a fresh update from journalist Pete O’Rourke.

The Lowdown: Blues struggling in attack

The Blues are experiencing a season to forget currently, with a top-four finish looking increasingly unlikely and Graham Potter still adjusting to his new surroundings.

Chelsea have only scored 22 goals in 21 Premier League games in 2022/23 to date, with Kai Havertz their top goalscorer in the competition with just five strikes to his name.

It has highlighted the need for a new striker to arrive this summer, in order for Potter’s side to go up another gear.

The Latest: New striker this summer?

Speaking to Give Me Sport, O’Rourke talked up Chelsea’s chances of bringing in a No.9 at the end of the season:

“I think a No.9 is a key target for Chelsea this summer.

“They’ve obviously spent big elsewhere around the squad to strengthen things, but they’ve lacked a real No.9 for a while. Kai Havertz is playing in there, but that’s probably not his best position.”

The Verdict: Makes complete sense

This has to be a primary area of focus during the summer transfer window, with none of Chelsea’s current striker options at the desired standard.

Havertz doesn’t look at home leading the line, excelling more as a No.10, while Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has been a huge disappointment, scoring just three goals in 17 appearances.

Someone like Victor Osimhen would be the ideal summer signing by the Blues, with the Nigerian absolutely flying for table-topping Napoli this season.

The 24-year-old has been linked with a move to Chelsea – he has netted 16 times in as many Serie A starts this season – and his pace and physicality are not dissimilar to Didier Drogba, with Jose Mourinho comparing the two recently.

Liverpool could forge a deadly partnership within the beating heart of their midfield, with Atalanta’s Teun Koopmeiners considered a potentially arresting addition to bolster the squad.

Over the past several months, Jurgen Klopp’s Reds have been mulling over a move for Koopmeiners, with iNews stating they’ve been consistently tracking his performances, with a January move potentially forthcoming.

However, according to Fabrizio Romano, discussing transfer speculation with Caught Offside, the transfer guru suggested the Serie A outfit would be far from inclined to part with one of their most coveted assets at the midpoint of the campaign, especially following the recent sale of positional peer Ruslan Malinovskyi to Marseille.

“Rumours are there because Liverpool sent their scouts to monitor him multiple times in the last year, but things are quiet on the Koopmeiners deal, as of now.”

Deadly connection

Koopmeiners could finally give Liverpool’s German manager Klopp the stability and assurance he so craves within his starting midfield; the Merseyside outfit currently boast only 28 points from 17 fixtures in the Premier League, seven points adrift of fourth-placed Manchester United.

With a multitude of speculation soaring around the rumour mill, a bid for Atalanta’s Koopmeiners could bear fruit for a side seeking to challenge for every major honour on offer.

This season alone, the 15-cap ace has made 17 appearances for his outfit, scoring five goals and supplying two assists, impressing with his rounded arsenal and aiding his outfit in the fight for Champions League football – Atalanta sit in sixth place after 17 matches, three points behind fourth-placed Inter Milan.

And as per FBref, the “orchestrator” – as lauded by Jack Kulig – ranks within the top 8% for those in his position across Europe’s top five leagues for shot-creating actions, the top 18% for touches in the attacking penalty area and the top 18% for progressive passes received – his expansive, forward-thinking presence is exactly what the Reds need to instil a fresh sense of clarity surrounding the fortunes of the side.

And according to the statistical website, Liverpool’s very own Harvey Elliott could be one to prosper following the inclusion, with the 19-year-old ranked among the most comparable players for Koopmeiners.

Elliott has been somewhat thrust into the thick of the action at Anfield this term despite his inexperience, playing a remarkable 27 times already across all competitions this season, starting on 17 of those occasions.

Again, as per FBref, Elliott ranks within the top 4% of midfielders for touches in the attacking penalty area and the top 2% for progressive passes received, also in the top 19% as the creator of progressive passes – these similarities in offence-minded statistics, partnered with the vibrancy both ace’s bring to the pitch, would wedge Liverpool’s cohesive intensity firmly back in place.

The Merseyside outfit simply must forge a move for the burgeoning £44m-rated Dutch midfielder, with his industrious approach and dynamism within the different facets of his midfield game, he could be the catalyst to instigate success at Anfield once again.

Football Insider pundit Gabby Agbonlahor has been reacting to rumours linking Leeds United with a move for Southampton striker Che Adams.

The Lowdown: Adams speculation

The Whites appear to be on the hunt for a new forward due to Patrick Bamford’s ongoing injury issues. One player with whom the club have been linked is Adams, with Phil Hay recently teasing a January move.

Reports elsewhere have claimed that the 26-year-old, who currently holds a career-high €22m (£19.4m) Transfermarkt valuation, is among the options being considered at Elland Road.

The Latest: Agbonlahor’s comments

Agbonlahor, who also contributes to talkSPORT, was talking to Football Insider regarding a potential swoop for Adams. He wasn’t sure if the Scotland international would improve Leeds and urged the club to target a forward ‘with more quality’.

The former Aston Villa striker said: “I find it really hard to judge Che Adams. Some weeks you watch him and he looks really sharp. But in other games, he can look really poor and miss some very good chances.

“Is he going to improve Leeds? I’m not sure, to be honest. I think they need to be looking at someone with more quality.

“This Bamford problem is a real worry because you can’t rely on Rodrigo to provide the goals all season long because he’s never been that player.”

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The Verdict: Has a point…

Adams began the season in fine form, scoring four times in all competitions in August alone. However, he appears to have dropped off in recent months, with the striker missing a ‘sitter’ in Southampton’s  defeat to Nottingham Forest on Wednesday, which backs up Agbonlahor’s claim of inconsistency.

Therefore, you could say that a move for the Scotland marksman would be a gamble by Leeds officials, as there is no guarantee that he will arrive and score the goals which would guide the club to safety.

Victor Orta really needs to get this addition spot-on, though, so it will be interesting to see who the Whites pursue this month.

Tottenham Hotspur manager Antonio Conte wants two big signings every transfer window and this winter market will be no different.

What’s the word?

Insider Dean Jones has suggested the Italian demands two big additions during every transfer window and this window may now seem bigger than those gone by with his future in north London under serious scrutiny.

Speaking on the Ranks FC podcast amid the January window, the transfer guru said: “Conte wants two significant signings every single transfer window. These aren’t signings that are backup players, these are players of [Dejan] Kulusevski’s nature. He feels at the moment when Kulusevski’s not available in this team, there’s nobody else of that level.”

The Lilywhites have picked up from where they left off before the World Cup break and not in a good way as their defensive frailties continue to show following their draw against Brentford and defeat against Aston Villa on Sunday.

And with the north London side sliding down the table and outside of the Champions League spots, Jones expects Conte to demand at least two new starters during this month’s transfer window.

January magic needed

As Jones suggested, Conte is expected to want at least two significant signings but if his time in north London is now uncertain, then is Daniel Levy likely to grant him his demands?

The Italian now has just a matter of months remaining on his deal at Spurs and there will be question marks as to whether his long-term future is at Tottenham with the Londoners struggling in the way that they are.

And if Conte is to leave either at the end of the season or even before that, will Levy provide Conte with the players he wants when he may potentially have to find a new manager in the coming months?

But with their current form in mind, it has to be said for the good of their chances in qualifying for next season’s Champions League, signings are needed.

During the game against Aston Villa, Harry Kane had to wait 20 minutes for his first touch of the ball and come the end of the game only had 35 touches to his name (via SofaScore).

And their defensive frailties are there for all to see, so it seems as if it could be a big summer for Fabio Paratici if the club’s owners are to provide the funds needed to bolster their Champions League push.

West Ham United spent big in the summer, with David Moyes backed to be the man to continue the progression he had already made with this Hammers side.

The Scotsman would unload £157m on eight new faces, with the crowning jewel being their acquisition of Lucas Paqueta.

Brought in on a club-record £51m deal, there was a belief that the Brazilian could add that touch of class and creativity just in front of the midfield two to unlock the Irons’ attacking potential.

However, with 14 games under his belt for the east London outfit, the 25-year-old is yet to score and has just three assists.

It seems he is yet to recapture the form that saw him score 11 and assist seven the season prior for Lyon.

Despite this apparent poor form, he still retained his place in the Brazil squad for the World Cup.

Aside from the Cameroon loss, he has actually featured in all of their matches so far, earning his position alongside Casemiro in central midfield.

Perhaps Moyes could look to employ Paqueta in that position alongside Declan Rice when this tournament culminates, especially after if his display against South Korea is anything to go by.

Earning a 7.7 rating, he was actually the second-highest-rated player of anyone on the pitch.

His statistics help paint the picture of why, as he was a creative threat from deep throughout and even scored one himself.

Arriving late into the box, Vinicius Junior chipped the ball to the onrushing maestro who volleyed across goal to cap off a fine win. He would also record three key passes alongside a 90% pass accuracy, and was happy to muck in with two tackles too, via Sofascore.

This match stood as proof that even from further back in the pitch he could be the “warrior and a wizard” he was dubbed by Squawka.

Moyes will surely be watching, and with this string of performances thinking that maybe he has got it wrong with the first half of the season.

Perhaps January could see him dip back into the transfer window for a true no.10, and allow Paqueta to flourish in a role where he has starred in Qatar.

Queens Park Rangers could appoint Neil Critchley as the man to replace Michael Beale and the former Blackpool boss could be the ideal man to get the best out of Tim Iroegbunam at Loftus Road.

After Beale’s decision to join Rangers was confirmed earlier this week, the Hoops have been linked with a number of potential managers as his replacement, with Critchley seemingly near the top of the list.

Sky Sports journalist Lyall Thomas revealed on Twitter that the “fantastic” former Liverpool academy coach was high up on the list of candidates for QPR.

He said: “Neil Critchley high on list of potential candidates to replace Rangers-bound Mick Beale at QPR. Critchley worked with him at Liverpool and then replaced him as Gerrard’s assistant at Aston Villa. QPR looking at others too of course.”

Critchley established himself working with Gerrard in Liverpool’s academy before taking over at Blackpool in 2021, leading the Tangerines to promotion from League One in his first season with the club.

After consolidating in the Championship in the last campaign, he made the bold decision to swap Bloomfield Road for Villa Park, becoming Gerrard’s assistant at Aston Villa, where he was sacked just a few months into the job, meaning he is now available without the concern of any compensation fee.

Having joined Villa in June, Critchley will have worked closely with one of the most highly-regarded talents at the Midlands club in Iroegbunam, ahead of his loan move to QPR a few months later.

Ahead of Beale arriving at Loftus Road, he would call the young midfielder “super-impressive,” so it is perhaps no surprise that he wanted to sign him for the Championship campaign.

During his time at Loftus Road, the 19-year-old has made 13 appearances in the Championship averaging a solid 6.67 rating from WhoScored for his performances, but he is yet to contribute a goal or an assist, which suggests that Hoops fans are yet to see the best of him.

Given that Critchley has made a name for himself at Liverpool and Crewe Alexandra for establishing talents such as Trent Alexander-Arnold, Curtis Jones and Harry Wilson, he clearly knows how to get the best out of young players.

Therefore, he could be the ideal man to get the best out of the exciting Iroegbunam should he arrive at Loftus Road as Beale’s replacement.

Aston Villa have scouted Blackburn Rovers forward Ben Brereton Diaz, according to 90min.

The Lowdown: Contract situation

Hailed as an ‘extraordinary talent’ by his former Rovers boss Tony Mowbray, the 23-year-old will soon be entering the final six months of his Ewood Park deal.

The Chile international recently admitted that he would ‘hopefully’ be staying with the Championship outfit until the end of the season as they push for promotion.

He has scored nine goals in 20 league games during the current campaign, with his form seemingly catching the eye of Villa Park officials.

The Latest: Villa linked with Brereton Diaz

90min journalist Graeme Bailey provided an update regarding Brereton Diaz on Tuesday.

The reporter claimed that Villa are among a number of Premier League clubs who have scouted the forward, with a £10m offer in January potentially enough to tempt Blackburn into selling.

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The Verdict: Good idea?

Brereton Diaz can play anywhere across the front three, so he could fit into Unai Emery’s plans after the new manager played a 4-2-3-1 system in his first game in charge at Villa Park.

Described as the ‘face of Pepsi’ in Chile due to massive marketing campaigns following his international success, the Blackburn gem appears to be going from strength to strength and is still just 23 years of age.

Therefore, a cut-price move in 2023 could be a wise idea from NSWE, although they may face plenty of competition for Brereton Diaz’s signature.