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Tottenham Hotspur technical director Steve Hitchen reportedly faces being sidelined by Antonio Conte, who has taken aim behind the scenes.

The Lowdown: Poor recruitment

As per Football Insider, Hitchen was the most senior member of the recruitment team between the summer of 2019 and January 2020, a period in which they signed Tanguy Ndombele, Steven Bergwijn, Ryan Sessegnon, Giovani Lo Celso and Jack Clarke for combined transfer fees of over £150m.

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However, none of them have emerged as regular starters, with Lo Celso playing the most out of all those so far this season with 14 outings, but Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg tops the appearances chart with 20 matches under his belt (Transfermarkt).

Nonetheless, Hitchen has to take some of the blame for Spurs’ poor recruitment over the last couple of years.

The Latest: Frozen out?

According to Football Insider, Conte now wants to take full control of the recruitment process in the upcoming January transfer window with managing director Fabio Paratici, as Hitchen faces being sidelined by the manager.

The 52-year-old Italian has dropped public hints that he is ‘not too happy’ with the squad he has inherited, and behind the scenes, he is said to have been ‘very critical’ to Tottenham’s hierarchy of the signings that they have made in recent years.

However, a source from the Lilywhites has told the news outlet that Hitchen is ‘likely’ to keep his job in any potential cull, as he is ‘close’ to Daniel Levy.

The Verdict: Give Conte control

By signing the likes of N’Golo Kante and Antonio Rudiger, who are still in the Chelsea squad, Conte has already shown that he can be trusted with recruitment.

The changes that he made at Stamford Bridge earned them a Premier League title as well as an FA Cup (Transfermarkt), highlighting the success that he can bring when he is allowed to bring in his own players.

Therefore, Tottenham should allow him to collaborate with Paratici, with whom he has worked before and Juventus and therefore knows well, to take charge of their recruitment strategy in January.

In other news, a Tottenham insider expects this starlet to sign for Spurs soon

The Birmingham Mail’s Ashley Preece has dropped a major update on Aston Villa starlet Carney Chukwuemeka – and it’s one which should have the club’s fans very excited.

What’s the story?

Reports in recent weeks and months have suggested that some of European football’s biggest names have their sights on the 17-year-old, including Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich. However, Preece has now suggested that the teenager’s future at Villa Park is “mapped out”, adding that he will be a part of the first team next season.

The journalist said of Chukwuemeka: “I can tell you he will be kept in the first-team, similar to Ramsey last season. Villa will be steady with him but, given game time, he can make a BIG impression next season. His Villa future is mapped out.”

Fans will be buzzing

Hailed as a “star in the making” by The Athletic’s Gregg Evans, Chukwuemeka netted a hat-trick in Villa’s 6-1 win over Newcastle to reach the semi-finals of the FA Youth Cup last season, a performance which had Preece absolutely raving.

Writing in his post-match player ratings for the Birmingham Mail, he said: “This was a Carney Chukwuemeka masterclass. It was a clinic in how to play an advanced midfield role with the 17-year-old oozing confidence and swagger. The hype’s real surrounding this kid who, as supporters know, has been around Dean Smith’s first team for a long time now. Villa’s No.10 started almost every attack and looked to hurt Newcastle at every opportunity.

“European clubs are hovering looking to take Chukwuemeka and Villa could do with reassuring him that his future’s at Villa Park. He’s ready for some Premier League minutes. A scary talent who assisted Reddin as well. Unreal. He’s got everything.”

The teenager made his first team debut for Dean Smith’s side in the closing weeks of the Premier League season, coming on as a late substitute away at Spurs, before getting a more prolonged run-out on the final day against Chelsea (Transfermarkt).

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Given the kind of incredible talent he possesses, this latest update about Villa planning to keep hold of Chukwuemeka and involve him in the first team next season should have fans absolutely buzzing.

Meanwhile, Dean Smith could sign a new Christian Benteke for Villa in this ace…

Southampton produced an awful display on Monday evening as they were thrashed 3-0 by relegation-threatened West Brom at The Hawthorns.

Goals from Matheus Pereira, Matt Phillips and Callum Robinson secured a comfortable victory for Sam Allardyce’s side, whilst James Ward-Prowse missed a late penalty for the Saints.

Whilst there were very few good performances from a Southampton perspective, one man who particularly let Ralph Hasenhuttl down with a poor performance was Theo Walcott.

As per SofaScore, the on-loan Everton man earned a 6.5 match rating for his display, with only Ryan Bertrand (6.4) Danny Ings (6.3), Ibrahima Diallo (6.3) and Fraser Forster (5.9) rated lower of those who started the game.

The 32-year-old, who is currently valued at £5.4m by Transfermarkt, struggled to get involved in the game at all, as he registered just 27 touches and 12 accurate passes during his time on the pitch, which was fewer than the 31 touches and 15 passes contributed by goalkeeper Forster, per SofaScore.

This is significantly fewer than the 20.2 passes he has averaged per game in the Premier League so far this season, emphasising that he was nowhere near his best at The Hawthorns on Monday.

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On the opposite flank, Stuart Armstrong had 61 touches and completed 27 passes, which is more than double the amount Walcott managed, suggesting that the right winger simply wasn’t sufficiently involved in the game.

West Brom’s left-back Conor Townsend seemingly had the better of Walcott during the game, as he earned a 7.1 SofaScore rating and won six of his 10 duels, whereas the experienced Southampton man won only three of his eight.

Walcott’s replacement Che Adams also came far closer to a goal than the majority of his teammates, as his strike went narrowly wide of Sam Johnstone’s post.

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You could definitely argue that Walcott’s lack of involvement in the game cost Hasenhuttl on Monday, and now the Austrian has a big decision to make ahead of the FA Cup semi-final next weekend.

And, in other news… Forget Williams: Saints should swoop for “special” £4.5m-rated dynamo

It’s fair to say that Rangers have had a disappointing second half of the season, despite the Europa League triumphs, the side’s Scottish Premiership form has been poor.

Coming into January with a six-point lead was the ideal scenario for Giovanni van Bronckhorst and his men, then the winter break happened, and Rangers lost arguably their best player of the season, Joe Aribo, to the Africa Cup of Nations and the wheels fell off slightly.

The onus was on van Bronckhorst to strengthen, especially in the midfield areas following Aribo’s brief departure and the sale of Juninho Bacuna, however, the club missed out on an excellent opportunity.

During the summer and January windows, the Gers were constantly linked with Dutch midfielder Joey Veerman, who was playing at Heerenveen. A deal couldn’t be struck and as van Bronckhorst moved into his first transfer window with the team during January, there were hopes of a chance to secure him.

Yet again, Rangers were slack, and PSV Eindhoven eventually signed the midfielder for £5m as he joined his boyhood club.

Former Rangers striker Michael Mols lavished “perfect” praise on his fellow Dutchman and it’s not hard to see why.

Since his arrival at PSV, Veerman has scored six and notched six assists in only 21 matches, a fabulous return.

If we compare this to Aribo in the same period, two goals and five assists, it proves that the Ibrox side should have splashed the cash in January and the club may have been heading into the last four matches in the league with their six-point advantage still intact.

As the summer transfer window looms on the horizon, Ross Wilson can’t afford to let similar players of that class escape their grasp again. After all, with Aribo touted with an exit, 23-year-old Veerman would very much have been the perfect heir.

AND in other news, Van Bronckhorst can brutally axe “shaky” Rangers dud in deal for “annoyingly brilliant” £0 machine

Carlo Ancelotti must stop Marcel Brands from wasting millions of pounds with a summer swoop for Everton to sign AS Roma defender Gianluca Mancini.

What’s the word?

According to Calciomercato, Mancini is earning widespread admirers with his performance at the Stadio Olimpico, to see that Everton are not the only side keen.

Ancelotti’s Toffees are said to be big admirers of the Giallorossi enforcer, but face having to contend with Chelsea for his signature as they eye a potential heir for Thiago Silva.

Ligue 1 and Bundesliga giants Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich are on the scene, as well, with the Parc des Princes natives long-term admirers and approached Roma for further information on his availability during the recent winter market.

Scouts from Italian powerhouse duo Inter Milan and Juventus are also keeping an eye on developments, with the latter aware of the need to reinforce the guard currently occupied by 36-year-old Giorgio Chiellini and Leonardo Bonucci, who turns 34 in May.

But the number of admirers Mancini has gained has also seen Roma up their valuation of the £33,000-per-week talent they paid a combined €24m (£20.5m) for, between a loan spell and his purchase, with the defender now worth at least €10-€15m (£8.5-£13m) more.

An asking price of between €34m (£29m) and €39m (£33.5m) is not expected to scare off the Premier League sides said to be interested, while Mancini intends to evaluate his options in the summer.

Mancini’s former side, Atalanta BC, would also be owed 10% of any fee Roma receive for the 24-year-old, who has started all 23 of his Serie A appearances this season after missing two games with a muscular injury and one through an accumulation of yellow cards.

Should Everton sign Mancini?

Qualification for next season’s edition of the Champions League is expected to be crucial for any side wishing to land Mancini’s services in the off-season, as the four-cap Italy international is anticipated to put the sporting project above a potential pay rise.

Everton are in the mix for a top-four finish to the Premier League season, with a four-point gap but a game in hand all that separates them from Chelsea in the last of the qualifying spots.

Yet Ancelotti must block Brands from using a UEFA campaign as a reason to spend a vast sum to sign Mancini, as it would be questionable of the 6 ft 3 enforcer establishing himself as an upgrade on those already at Goodison Park.

Ancelotti already considers Ben Godfrey to be the best of his current centre-halves, despite Mason Holgate offering a unit-high 2.5 successful tackles from 3.2 duels per game when fielded in the heart of the Everton backline for Premier League fixtures, per WhoScored.

Mancini offers Roma 1.7 successful tackles from 2.2 attempts per game in the Serie A this season, along with winning possession back for Paulo Fonseca’s side with 2.1 clearances.

Holgate currently offers the fewest clearances by one of the Toffees’ centre-halves with 3.5 a game, while Mancini would rank last on Merseyside for aerial duels won with 1.8 from three – Holgate offers the least with two from 2.7 at present.

If Brands is to spend a significant sum – more than Everton paid for Allan (£21m), Abdoulaye Doucoure (£20m) or Godfrey (£20m) last summer – on a new centre-back, he will surely have to be a distinct upgrade.

AND in other news, Everton will listen to offers for a £16m-rated ace who has failed to live up to his price tag…

Slavisa Jokanovic has been handed a huge blow in his bid to bring Tom Cairney to Sheffield United this summer.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a report by the Sheffield Star, who claim that, although the club are monitoring the situation of the midfielder, the Sheffield United hierarchy are unlikely to meet Fulham’s £10m valuation of the 30-year-old in the upcoming transfer window.

It has also been reported that the west London side may even raise their price tag for the Scotland international if they were to receive a formal bid from the Blades this summer.

Jokanovic will be gutted

Considering just how influential Cairney was within Jokanovic’s promotion-winning Fulham team in the 2017/18 Championship campaign, the news that a deal for the midfielder looks unlikely to happen this summer is sure to leave the 52-year-old gutted.

Indeed, over his 34 Championship appearances that season, the £8.1m-rated man scored five goals, provided five assists and created four big chances for his teammates, as well as averaging 93.5 touches of the ball and 1.9 key passes per game.

These metrics saw the £27k-per-week midfielder earn a seasonal SofaScore match rating of 7.35, ranking him as the club’s joint second-best performer in the second tier that year.

As such, with Sheffield United looking to secure an immediate return to the Premier League under the guidance of Jokanovic next season, the addition of the Serbian’s former Fulham talisman would have more than likely boosted the Blades’ chances of going on to achieve this feat.

Having said that, with the man dubbed a “quality” player by Scott Parker now a few years older, as well as having suffered a rather serious knee injury last term, perhaps the fact that a deal for the midfielder looks difficult to complete is something of a blessing in disguise for United.

Although, either way, with Jokanovic looking likely to be without the services of a player he knows has the potential to fire a team to promotion from the Championship, the new Sheffield United boss will undoubtedly be disappointed.

In other news: Sheff Utd transfer update emerges on “versatile” £3k-p/w gem, Jokanovic will be gutted

Liverpool have been linked with a move for PSV Eindhoven striker Donyell Malen as Jurgen Klopp looks to strengthen his first-team squad.

What’s the story?

The Reds could be set to challenge German giants Borussia Dortmund for the 22-year-old’s signature after BVB identified him as a potential replacement for Jadon Sancho.

That’s according to Sport Witness, who cite Sky Sports transfer expert Max Bielefeld, claiming Liverpool are set to hold talks about signing Malen.

New Suarez

After being released by Arsenal without ever making a first-team appearance for the Gunners, Malen has rebuilt his career at Eindhoven.

In his homeland, the pacey striker has flourished, scoring an incredible 55 goals and providing a further 24 assists in 116 appearances for Roger Schmidt’s side.

Big things were expected of the Dutch international during his time in England, with his agent Mino Raiola stating: “I think he can be a revelation,” as Malen continued to impress for the capital clubs Under-18’s side.

Raiola may be a controversial character in the world of football, but his ability to spot a talented player is something that cannot be disputed.

His client is now valued at £27 million (as per Transfermarkt) and is seemingly being courted by some of the continent’s biggest sides.

Liverpool have a decent track record bringing in young, attacking talent from the Eredivisie. Dirk Kuyt established himself as a cult hero on Merseyside, while Luis Suarez fired the Reds to within a whisker of their maiden Premier League title.

After the underwhelming campaigns of Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino and their deputies, Klopp is thought to be in the market for a new forward this summer.

By getting Malen, director of football Michael Edwards could supply the German manager with the Anfield outfit’s next Suarez, and he must swoop for the youngster before Dortmund pounce.

While the Uruguay international, despite his obvious talent, was ultimately unsuccessful in his quest to return Liverpool to winning ways, Malen could succeed where the South American failed.

Klopp’s charges finished 17 points behind top-flight champions Manchester City last term, in part because the Cityzens scored 15 more league goals than their domestic rivals.

If Malen is snapped up by Liverpool over the coming months, then they’ll be hoping that he, like Suarez did, can replicate his Eredivisie form in England and help the Reds their Premier League crown.

And, in other news…Forget Saul: Liverpool must sign “phenomenal” 17 y/o prodigy, Klopp will love him 

Leeds United could clinch a transfer bargain this summer by making a move for Real Madrid star Lucas Vazquez.

What’s the story?

Reports in recent weeks and months have suggested that Marcelo Bielsa’s side are one of a number of sides interested in signing the 9-cap Spain international this summer, with the winger’s contract at the Santiago Bernabeu set to expire come the end of the season.

Now, Spanish publication Sport (via Sport Witness), have delivered an update on his situation, revealing the nature of his summer demands.

It’s suggested that Vazquez is looking for €3m (£2.6m) a year – a number which will be after tax. It’s added that “the player is clear” with his demands and that if Madrid don’t offer that amount then he will have no problems looking elsewhere.

Bye-bye Helder Costa

Despite only signing on a permanent deal from Wolves last summer, it appears the writing is already on the wall for Helder Costa’s long-term future at Elland Road.

Reports recently have claimed that the Whites are willing to listen to offers for the Portuguese ace, and see him as someone who could be sold to raise some cash for reinforcements.

Selling Costa for a chunk of money would more than pay for the wages of Vazquez – there would obviously be no transfer fee involved given it the Spaniard would arrive as a free agent – and it would be absolute bargain for Victor Orta.

Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane has waxed lyrical about the winger and what he brings to the table, and it’s surely music to the ears of Bielsa.

Speaking after a 2-0 win over Celta Vigo earlier this year, the French icon said: “What he’s doing right now doesn’t surprise us. Not only do I like him, we all like him because he is always on the job and reliable. He always gives everything on the pitch and we appreciate that. I congratulate him.”

Vazquez’s reliability and work-rate is something Bielsa will surely love given how he wants his teams to play with intensity, and add that to the fact he would arrive for virtually nothing, Leeds could strike gold with a move this summer.

Meanwhile, Leeds must unleash this academy starlet who’s like Raphinha…

According to West Ham United insider Claret & Hugh, GSB and co will go ‘as hard as they can’ to seal the permanent signing of Jesse Lingard this summer. 

The Latest: Lingard transfer saga…

West Ham are very eager to sign Lingard permanently after his sensational loan spell, with reports suggesting he is a priority for this summer alongside a new striker.

However, the Mail dropped a rather worrying claim recently that West Ham could miss out on the 28-year-old due to his high salary demands combined with financial difficulties caused by COVID-19.

The Latest: GSB will ‘go as hard as they can’ to seal permanent deal

Refuting that report, despite West Ham’s monetary complications, club insider C&H have now reassured supporters that the Hammers will ‘go as hard as they can’ to seal Lingard’s permanent signing this summer.

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Indeed, he apparently remains very much at the forefront of manager David Moyes’ summer transfer wish list and it is their understanding Lingard will be a top target.

West Ham’s possible qualification for Europe will only strengthen their bid to sign the Manchester United man at the end of this season but the club will ‘do everything’ try and bring him in for the 2021/2022 season.

The Verdict: And breathe…

The Mail’s report came as a worry for supporters given their desire to sign Lingard on a permanent basis.

He has been a revelation for West Ham since joining in January, scoring nine goals and assisting three others in just 13 Premier League starts (WhoScored).

Such impressive form has propelled him back into England contention as the European Championships loom this summer, with C&H’s piece potentially coming as a sigh of relief.

Making Lingard an Irons player indefinitely should be one of the club’s top, top priorities after his run and it’s evident by all the praise he has received from the media.

Pundit Alan Shearer recently explained to the Premier League’s official website how he looked set to become a ‘magnificent signing’ by Moyes and Lingard’s numbers since then have certainly backed that glowing statement.

In other news: West Ham now eyeing this EFL ace, it’s not Toney…find out more here.

West Ham United have an interest in signing Jonathan Bamba before next week’s transfer deadline…

What’s the word?

That’s according to the Express, who claim that the Irons could soon target the Lille midfielder as an alternative option to Jesse Lingard, who is yet to return to the London Stadium after a successful loan spell last season.

The 28-year-old seems likely to remain at Manchester United barring any late changes. Back in July, Red Devils boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer hinted that the England international was part of his plans for the 2021/22 season.

As a result, Bamba has emerged as a potential target capable of filling his void. It’s thought that the Ligue 1 champions value him in the region of £25m.

The Irons, however, will face competition from across Europe, with Atalanta and Bayer Leverkusen also mooted with interest.

Imagine him & Antonio

Bamba played an integral role in Lille pipping big-spending Paris Saint-Germain to the title last season – as per Transfermarkt, he provided six goals and 11 assists, averaging a direct contribution every 176 minutes.

Whilst, via WhoScored, only two other players recorded a higher seasonal average than his 7.07. And throughout the season, he displayed phenomenal work rate playing on both flanks and through the middle, where he averaged 1.2 tackles on top of 1.7 key passes, 1.6 shots and 1.4 dribbles per outing.

It’s this level of creativity that suggests he could fill the gap left behind by Lingard, who provided nine goals and four assists in just half a season.

Indeed, Bamba was dubbed the “creative leader” of Lille by journalist Zach Lowry, having emerged from a side that once had Nicolas Pepe, Jonathan Ikone and Rafael Leao as their key talismen. He went onto claim that everything went through the former France U21 international, only further explaining just how crucial he was to their success.

The 5 foot 9 dynamo is also blessed with explosive pace, something that could help dominate many a Premier League defence, with the ‘hidden gem’ said to be ‘lightning-quick.’

You can only imagine the sort of damage that the presence of Bamba could do alongside Michail Antonio in the attack. The 31-year-old machine became West Ham’s record top-flight goalscorer this week and he would thrive even more with a creative protagonist like the Lille star next to him.

Hammers boss David Moyes could form a lethal and mouthwatering frontline with the addition of the £18m-rated sensation,

AND in other news, ExWHUemployee drops big West Ham takeover claim, fans will surely be buzzing…