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Tottenham Hotspur's players have been dug out by Sky Sports pundit Roy Keane for their lack of responsibility following the exit of Antonio Conte.

What did Roy Keane say?

It has been a turbulent few months in north London for the Lilywhites who have dropped out of the top four as a result of their poor league form.

Dropped points against relegation battlers Southampton and Everton felt like a huge step backwards in the north London club's pursuit of the top four.

Matters off the pitch have not been much kinder to the club either with their director of football, Fabio Paratici, banned from all football matters.

Adding to that, Conte unleashed a scathing rant following their capitulation against the Saints prior to the international break which ultimately never saw him return to north London.

Speaking on The Overlap, Keane has now laid into the Spurs squad for their involvement in the recent downfall in north London:

(8:40) "But if you look at Spurs' last couple of games, you talk about managers and chairman, the players have got to take responsibility to get the goal in front and they just back off almost no bottle some of these Spurs players. Absolutely none whatsoever. Just get the job done."

"But at this top-level sport, it's about winning games, it's about getting over the line. So whatever about the managers of Spurs, Spurs are going to have the same problems. It's in their DNA, the players, a lot of their players just can't do it."

Are Spurs serial bottles?

A lot of people use the term 'Spursy' when it comes to the Lilywhites for their inability to perform in the big moments when it matters most.

And there are certainly some examples of that over the last few years with a number of appearances in cup finals only offering up runners-up medals.

However, finals are not supposed to be easy – that's the nature of the game – and there can be some solace taken in losing a final to some of the sides Spurs have faced over the years.

However, there are also plenty of examples where Spurs have shot themselves in the foot with their dismal displays which have caused them to let down their fans.

The recent FA Cup game against Sheffield United is a great example of this, there may be some question marks about not starting Harry Kane and Cristian Romero.

But the players who were selected were all experienced members of the squad who should have had enough about them to see the tie over the line.

Instead, Spurs were only able to produce one big chance on the night at Bramall Lane and their opposition have since booked their spot in the semi-finals at Wembley (via SofaScore).

Again, the recent Premier League draws against Southampton and Everton should have saw Spurs take six points back to north London.

Instead, they were left with just two points after they capitulated late on in both games.

So there is certainly some merit in what Keane is saying and this set of players now have eight games remaining to salvage something from their season with a spot in the top four still to play for.

But it is not an easy road ahead of them with Newcastle United, Liverpool and Manchester United all to play before the end of the month.

Tottenham Hotspur are one of the Premier League sides who could potentially look at James Ward-Prowse as a midfield option in the summer.

How much would Ward-Prowse cost?

The north London side's midfield has been decimated by injuries this season which has seen both Rodrigo Bentancur and Yves Bissouma miss a lengthy period of time.

In their absence, Spurs have had to heavily rely on Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg with Oliver Skipp and Pape Matar Sarr also playing a role in the middle.

However, the Danish midfielder has come under fire in recent weeks over his performances as the results leave Spurs adrift in the race for the top four.

Ahead of the summer window, Spurs have been linked with a potential attacking midfield option in Leicester City's James Maddison.

And another midfielder who they could potentially compete for over the coming months is Southampton's main man, Ward-Prowse.

The Saints are in serious danger of relegation with just several games remaining in the season and it is believed he would be a certainty to leave if they do go down.

This is all according to journalist Toby Cudworth who has been speaking on the Talking Transfers podcast where he noted the interested clubs in the £100k-per-week midfielder:

(34:55) "If [they] go down he's almost certain to leave the club now. Southampton probably could still command a very hefty fee for him. We talk about prices, Southampton probably seeking still around £50m we'd have thought because he's that valuable to them.

"And he has clubs who like him. Newcastle we've mentioned they're looking to strengthen their midfield looking to strengthen in a number of positions; left-wing/forwards, potentially another defender as well. James Ward-Prowse is a player who we think is capable of playing European-level football.

"So Newcastle like him, Tottenham also admire him, Aston Villa, who are now creeping up on Unai Emery. They like James will perhaps as well. So it could be a bit of a Premier League battle for him."

Would Spurs be a good move for Ward-Prowse?

Ironically, the 28-year-old has been hailed as a "machine" by journalist Alfie House and he has an incredible record against the north London side with three goals and three assists to his name in their last five league meetings (via Transfermarkt).

The midfielder even scored the equalising penalty in their most recent clash on the south coast to complete an impressive comeback for the league's bottom side.

He is a player who is renowned for his stunning free-kick ability but he has also provided an impressive return of 3.48 shot-creating actions per 90 minutes this season (via FBref).

However, he has also provided more tackles (1.74) per 90 minutes than Hojbjerg (1.61) has this season as well as more than 14 times as many crosses per game than the Dane (via FBref).

But with a valuation of around £50m, that is a big price to pay for a player who may not necessarily fit into the plans of the new manager.

It is unknown who will become Antonio Conte's successor and, therefore, the formation which Spurs will play next season is yet to be seen.

Potentially, Spurs could play with just two midfielders again and when Rodrigo Bentancur returns it could mean a potential spot in the XI for Ward-Prowse may not be there on a regular basis.

After all, Bissouma arrived in north London with the tag of one of the best midfielders outside the top six and he has failed ot make an impact on the Spurs side.

Arsenal have made plenty of transfer missteps in their desperate attempts to return to their former glory.

Whether it be Arsene Wenger trying to recapture the magic of old or Unai Emery seeking to kickstart his new regime with a bang, there are countless high-profile errors that have cost KSE dearly.

However, with Mikel Arteta currently enjoying a historic season that could culminate in the Premier League title, every blunder that led to this moment will instantly be forgotten.

In all honesty, some already have.

Calum Chambers was one such addition that arrived at the Emirates with a big reputation and an even bigger fee for the calibre of player purchased, yet completely failed to live up to the hype.

Such was the underwhelming nature of his time in north London, which spanned 302 permanent weeks, the 28-year-old has already left for pastures new.

How much did Calum Chambers cost Arsenal?

Having impressed in a Southampton outfit renowned for producing exceptional talent, the Gunners had already enjoyed the benefits of plucking youngsters from the south coast.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Theo Walcott were just two who enjoyed spells at both clubs, and it was thought the teenage defender would emulate and even surpass the levels reached. Therefore, they parted with £16m to secure the signature.

Commentator Jim Proudfoot even took to Twitter to outline the glittering future he boasted: "Big fan of Calum Chambers. Comfortable in possession, enterprising going forward and sound enough defensively. Massive future."

However, with just 122 appearances to his name across a seven-year career that was split up through various loan spells, this was far from the case.

The most league games he would feature in for Arsenal was just 23 during the 2014/15 season, yet remained on a £45k-per-week wage that would later increase by £5k-per-week too. Fortunately, that salary was covered by Middlesbrough and Fulham during two separate loan spells.

Therefore, in total Chambers would drain the club of £29.5m without offering much back in return.

In fact, so underwhelming were his displays that the Saints youth product was even dubbed an "accident waiting to happen" by pundit Tony Cascarino. Grim words indeed.

Even in his move to Aston Villa, in which the Gunners recouped just a reported £2m, the versatile defender has struggled to cement a spot in both Steven Gerrard's and now Unai Emery's team, featuring on just 24 occasions.

If the 6-foot stalwart is not good enough for the Villans, it is no wonder he was offloaded speedily by the revolution-seeking Arteta.

Whilst cruising towards a sensational league title, it is unlikely that the Spaniard will be bothered by these missteps of the past. However, it is worth remembering the failures that moulded the club into the giant they now seem to be once again.

Chelsea have made contact to bring Athletico Paranaense striker Vitor Roque to the Premier League, according to reports.

What's the latest on Roque to Chelsea?

Roque arrived in the Brazilian Serie A back in April last year, while his contract isn’t set to expire until 2027. But having made 41 appearances during his debut season in the senior team, he has caught the eye of the hierarchy at Stamford Bridge.

Spanish outlet Sport credited the Blues, alongside their top-flight rivals Arsenal, with an interest in the 18-year-old back in March, and speculation regarding a move was soon fuelled. The £5.5k-p/w talent’s father recently took to social media to confirm that he was in London, which came not long after there was rumoured interest in his son from the capital – and it would now appear that the admiration from both clubs has been taken a step further.

According to 90min, Chelsea and the Gunners are “in contact” with the representatives of Roque regarding a potential deal later in the summer. Barcelona had been leading the race, but they are currently only able to offer a loan with an obligation to buy due to their financial position, which doesn’t satisfy the striker’s agents – meaning that he’s looking elsewhere.

The SW6 outfit have held an interest in their target for a “considerable amount of time” and would be willing to table a permanent deal at the end of the season. The teenager’s camp have already “assured” the club that he is “open” to moving to the English top flight.

Should Chelsea splash the cash on Roque?

Roque is still only a teenager, but age is just a number in football as long as you have the skills to perform on a consistent basis, and Roque definitely fits that profile, having been dubbed a "diamond" by talent scout Jacek Kulig. Therefore, we feel Chelsea should absolutely cash out to secure his services ahead of their fellow competitors.

The Nike-sponsored star has scored 11 goals and provided three assists in 41 outings since joining Paranaense, where he's currently averaging 2.74 shots per game, highlighting how confident he is in the final third.

The Timoteo native also has the flexibility to play out wide on either flank in addition to centre-forward, so could bring plenty of versatility to west London for whoever is appointed as the new manager at Chelsea.

Roque is also making a name for himself on the international stage, having made his debut for Brazil during a friendly against Morocco last month, so it seems he has an extremely bright future ahead of him – one that could potentially see him featuring at Stamford Bridge.

Wolves are reportedly likely to accept a £50million offer for star midfielder Ruben Neves this summer, even if they avoid relegation from the Premier League.

The Lowdown: Neves likely to leave

At the end of last season, it really did feel as though the Portuguese had played his final game for Wanderers, not least because he waved goodbye to the supporters after the defeat away to Liverpool on the final day.

Despite constant reports suggesting Neves would depart Molineux – Barcelona looked like the front-runners to snap him up – he ended up remaining at Wolves beyond the summer transfer window.

The 26-year-old has again been one of his side’s standout players during the 2022/23 campaign, starting 27 of Wanderers’ 28 league matches and scoring five times in the competition.

Unfortunately, exit rumours have refused to go away, however, and it feels increasingly likely that Neves really will move on this time and enjoy a new challenge.

Now, a fresh update has emerged regarding the midfielder’s future – one that further suggests that he will be heading off elsewhere come the summer.

The Latest: Big-money to be accepted?

According to Football Insider, Fosun will likely give the green light to a £50million offer at the end of the campaign, regardless of whether or not Wolves have suffered relegation to the Championship.

Three of the four biggest clubs in world football – Barca, Liverpool and Manchester United – are mentioned as the potential suitors, with the world-renowned trio ‘keen to move’ for Neves.

Wolves are wary of losing him for free the following year, at which point his contract will have expired, meaning this summer is the more logical time to let him go.

The Verdict: Time to go

In an ideal world, Neves would sign a new long-term deal at Wolves, seeing out the rest of his career at Molineux and becoming an even greater legend than he already is.

Unfortunately, that is a pie-in-the-sky outlook, however, and the 38-cap Portugal international feels almost certain to leave this summer, following six years of great service.

The £50,000-a-week Neves will surely feel that a move to a bigger club is needed at this point in his career, allowing him to potentially test himself in the Champions League, not to mention sign a more lucrative contract.

It is impossible to begrudge him his move away, having made 245 appearances for Wolves and helped steer them back into the Premier League, and Wolves fans may even end up watching proudly from afar as he goes up another gear.

A number of Tottenham Hotspur fans have made it clear online that they are unhappy amid talk that Thomas Tuchel could become the club’s next manager.

What’s the latest on Thomas Tuchel and Spurs?

While Antonio Conte is still in charge, it feels as though the inevitable departure will happen sooner rather than later. Indeed, as per Sky Sports, a decision will be made on Wednesday night on whether or not he will see out the rest of the season.

Even if Daniel Levy opts against sacking the Italian for now, it seems almost guaranteed that Tottenham will be on the hunt for a new manager immediately as Conte’s contract expires in the summer anyway.

And after the current man’s incredible outburst following the recent draw with Southampton – where he brutally took aim at the “selfish” players and the club ownership – it’s likely he lost the majority of support from his own fanbase.

Damningly, The Guardian report that the squad also feel as though Conte is either “going or gone” already, so the only remaining question is, who will come in next?

Even before all this recent chaos, both Mauricio Pochettino and Tuchel were tipped as the two main candidates to be considered for the job, seeing as both are currently out of work.

However, if the German was to be appointed, it sounds as though plenty of supporters would have their reservations.

Much like Conte and Jose Mourinho before him, Tuchel enjoyed great success at Chelsea – winning the Champions League and the Club World Cup before being sacked at the start of this season.

Seeing as the path from West London to Spurs after that initial time with the Blues didn’t work out well for those past two managers, it’s easy to understand why fans might not be so keen to see history repeat itself.

With that in mind, here are some of the best reactions on Twitter…

As Manchester United edged past nine-man Fulham in the FA Cup on Sunday evening, it may well have felt as if the Red Devils had had a man dismissed of their own at times, such was the lack of impact from January arrival, Wout Weghorst.

While that may be a harsh assessment of the performance of the typically hard-working Netherlands international – as he did win five total duels on the day – the 30-year-old was somewhat anonymous in attack, with the striker's most notable contribution seeing him produce a tame attempt on goal in the first-half that was akin to something of a 'back pass', as per Manchester Evening News journalist Samuel Luckhurst.

As GOAL's Peter McVitie noted, the on-loan Burnley colossus was simply 'no threat on the ball' and looked 'a bit slow' at times, having ultimately been forced to drop into a number ten berth due to his lack of influence as a central striker.

Those woes ensured that the 6 foot 6 powerhouse now has just two goals to his name in 18 appearances in all competitions for the Old Trafford outfit thus far – all of which have come from the start – with writer Dominic Booth noting in midweek that supporters have almost come to accept the forward's "mediocrity".

To his credit, Weghorst has been a reliable figure to call upon while fellow marksman Anthony Martial has repeatedly been shackled to the treatment table, although it is no doubt a sorry state of affairs that Erik ten Hag has been left with such a goal-shy asset as his main centre-forward option – particularly with the club having been competing on four fronts this season.

The former Ajax boss may well be hoping he could call upon a prominent figure of the club's past in the form of now-retired ace, Robin van Persie, with the latter man – unlike Weghorst – a Dutch striker who certainly had the golden touch in front of goal.

How good was Robin van Persie at Man United?

Although Van Persie's spell at the Theatre of Dreams was undoubtedly brief – as he was moved on by compatriot Louis van Gaal in 2015 after just three years at the club – it is hard to question the stunning impact that he made in Manchester in that time.

Having been snapped up by managerial legend Sir Alex Ferguson in a controversial, £24m deal from Premier League rivals Arsenal in the summer of 2012, the one-time Feyenoord ace picked up where had left off with the Gunners, having previously netted 30 league goals in his final season in north London.

A first goal for the club against the Cottagers in late August set the tone for the remarkable debut campaign that was to follow for the experienced striker under Ferguson, as he ultimately proved integral in powering United to their 20th – and most recent – league title.

Handed the club's number 20 shirt upon his arrival with the aim of helping to steer the club to that landmark, Van Persie would end the 2012/13 season with 26 top-flight goals, finishing as the division's top scorer in the process.

In a season that saw the 6-foot sensation memorably score a clinical hat-trick against Southampton and net a late, stoppage-time winner in the Manchester derby at the Etihad, the 102-cap ace is perhaps most fondly remembered for his exquisite, first-time volley against Aston Villa that helped to clinch the title.

Such ruthlessness is in stark contrast to the likes of Weghorst and Martial among the current United squad, with even Van Persie's following two seasons still seeing him rack up a respectable tally, as he netted 22 league goals combined.

Hailed as "unbelievable" by Ferguson, the Rotterdam native was a true, out-and-out goalscorer in the traditional sense, although had plenty of other facets to his game, with former teammate Rio Ferdinand having stated back in 2015:

"As a player he is so silky to watch, great touch, can hold the ball up & bring others into play, timings of his runs, skills & a dream of a left foot."

Those traits would no doubt be appealing to Ten Hag amid the woes of Weghorst, with the United boss likely to have been hoping his compatriot was still fit and firing when the 39-year-old was at Carrington on media duties earlier this month.

Ahead of a summer that could see the Red Devils turn to Harry Kane or Victor Osimhen in their quest to find a long-term, centre-forward solution, what Ten Hag wouldn't give to have a prime Van Persie leading the line.

Leeds United are crying out for an injection of hunger and youthful exuberance, despite Javi Gracia’s side having earned a vital point against Brighton and Hove Albion amidst their recent poor form.

Although it seemed like a positive point gained, with other results in the Premier League going against them the Whites have now dropped into the relegation zone and seemingly will face another tough, nervy run-in.

With Jesse Marsch’s January acquisitions yet to all embed, and crucially none of them having been Gracia’s signings, it remains to be seen what impact they might actually have on their bid for survival.

What the Spaniard can control is perhaps promoting youth players in his image, who might be able to disseminate his ideals due to their eagerness to learn.

With Brenden Aaronson continuing his abysmal form on Saturday, being handed a woeful 6.1 Sofascore rating, it is the American who arguably needs replacing more than anyone. Therefore, Connor Douglas stands out as the candidate to fulfil that role.

Who is Connor Douglas?

The 17-year-old attacking midfielder has enjoyed one of his most creative campaigns thus far for the U18s, even earning a call-up to the U21s where he would translate his blistering form.

Having scored five and assisted two in just 13 U18 Premier League games, the teenage sensation had proven himself a force to be reckoned with despite his youth. This was only supported when he bagged two goals in two Premier League 2 cameos, continuing his development without breaking stride.

This has all come from out wide too, so perhaps handing him starts in his favoured position could see these numbers only bolstered.

With the ability to maintain his form at higher levels, there is reason to believe he is worth a shot in the place of Aaronson, who has scored just once all season. The 22-year-old has now gone 11 league games without a goal contribution, with his 6.51 average Sofascore rating serving to supplement his misery.

It may be a risk to throw a youngster into the fold at this stage, but he can hardly do worse than what stands in his place. At the very least, he deserves a place on the bench where exposure could be seismic for his development.

Indeed, the bar has been set so low that Douglas can play with complete freedom, and should this experiment succeed it could prove to be a masterstroke that saves Leeds this term.

In his debut for the U21s, he was given a glowing review by journalist William Jackson, as he wrote in his player ratings: “His first appearance in the U21s side and he took the opportunity to shine. Looked a real threat and found two goals with impressive finishes.”

Should Gracia hand him a further opportunity to now shine for the first team, this exciting young gem could be the next starring product of Leeds’ illustrious academy.

Newcastle United are ‘considering’ submitting an offer for Arsenal striker Folarin Balogun this summer, according to journalist Steve Kay.

The Lowdown: Premier League interest

The Gunners forward is currently out on a season-long loan at Reims in Ligue 1, with his performances having caught the eye as a result of him being their top-performing offensive player.

CaughtOffside reported last week that there was Premier League interest in the 21-year-old ahead of the upcoming window, but it wasn’t revealed where it was coming from, and it now very much looks like it was Eddie Howe at St. James’ Park.

The Latest: Newcastle weighing up bid

Taking to Twitter, Kay revealed that Newcastle are pondering whether to table an official offer for Balogun later in the summer. He wrote:

“Newcastle United are considering making a bid for Arsenal forward Folarin Balogun this summer.

“The Gunners forward who is currently on loan at Reims, has scored 15 goals in 25 games in #Ligue1UberEats this season.”

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The Verdict: Massive coup

Balogun has been excelling out on loan at Reims and whilst his price tag is unknown, it would be a massive coup for Newcastle should they be able to successfully secure his services.

The Adidas-sponsored ace has clocked up an outstanding 120 goal contributions (96 goals and 24 assists) in just 161 appearances throughout his career at youth and senior level, and he’s currently averaging three shots per league game so the numbers should be sustainable.

The New York-born talent also ranks in the 86th percentile for progressive passes received, showing that he is consistently able to get himself in the best positions in the final third.

Balogun has been likened to Napoli striker Victor Osimhen by talent scout Jacek Kulig and when you consider what he’s already achieved at just 21, he’s sure to have an extremely bright future ahead of him.

Glasgow Rangers manager Michael Beale is reportedly plotting a move to bring goalkeeper Freddie Woodman to Ibrox this summer.

The Lowdown: Woodman profiled

Woodman is currently playing for Preston North End in the English Championship, where he has conceded just 38 goals and kept an impressive 14 clean sheets in 34 games so far this season (Transfermarkt).

Their defensive record is one of the best in the division, and has kept them in mid-table in spite of their struggles to score goals.

The Latest: Beale plotting move

As per The Scottish Sun, Beale is plotting a £3.5m swoop for Woodman this summer, who scouts from Ibrox have already watched a number of times this campaign.

Rangers are looking for a new number one, as veteran Allan McGregor is expected to leave after his contract ends this summer, and Woodman fits their profile having already had loan spells in Scottish football.

Preston are willing to listen to offers for Woodman, as he is one of their highest earners, and the Gers are expected to face competition from Premier League outfits Leeds United and Leicester City for his signature.

The Verdict: Get it done

With McGregor expected to leave, 25-year-old Woodman is capable of coming in and being the new number one between the sticks for the next decade.

The six-foot-two colossus ranks in the top 25% of all goalkeepers for a number of key metrics outside of Europe’s top five leagues over the past year, while he has also been hailed for his ‘excellent’ ability to save penalties by his former manager at Swansea City Steve Cooper.

Nonetheless, giving his experience in Scotland as well, Woodman should be able to settle in fairly quickly at the Light Blues, should they decide to make their move.