Joao Felix was pleased with the brace he scored in Chelsea’s 4-1 Europa Conference League victory at Panathinaikos last night. He scored twice, with Mykhaylo Mudryk and Christopher Nkunku also joining the scoresheet.  “We’re really pleased,” said Felix afterwards. “This was a difficult game, in a tough stadium, but I thought we did a good job. We did what the manager asked of us going into the game, so we’re really happy with this win. “That’s two wins from two in the Conference League and it helps us build confidence. Whether it’s the Conference League, the Premier League or the Carabao Cup, we go to win and we’re pleased with how we are progressing as a team. “Now we have to keep working and doing the right things for the team.” On his form, Felix continued: “I’m here to fight for a place in the starting XI. “Obviously, it’s up to the manager to decide who should play each game but when I have the chance, I want to show what I can do. “I’m doing my job, I’m working hard and doing everything I can when I’m in the side. I was pleased to score my two goals but it’s most important to get the win for the team. “Now we must rest up because we have two big games against Newcastle coming up. Everyone has to be ready, because the games come around quickly. “First it’s the Premier League, and then it’s the Carabao Cup, and for sure we will need fresh players because there isn’t much of a gap between games so everyone needs to be ready.”

Tottenham coach Ange Postecoglou has rained praises on Mikey Moore. Moore delivered a terrific performance as Tottenham defeated AZ Alkmaar in the Europa League. When asked about Moore, as James Maddison has also praised the youngster after the game, Postecoglou said: “It’s pretty hard for me to keep a lid on it now ain’t it?! He was exciting to watch. You cannot deny it. There is no point denying it. I love the way Mikey is taking all in his stride, he works hard every day. He wants to develop, he understands that this is a journey. “It’s very easy for a young guy like him, who has just turned 17, to feel like he has somehow made it, but you never get that sense. It’s exciting, it is. You have got such a young player, who wants that responsibility to make an impact, rather than just sometimes with young players they are a bit worried about making mistakes. He is developing well. “We have to be really careful about how we use him, and when we use him, that is the key for us, particularly in these early stages. I have no fear throwing him in, absolutely not. I know and I see it every day, he’s a great young player and definitely more to come.” Postecoglou added: “He handles it all very well, I still think he has got a bit of growing to do. When I look at him, he certainly has in the last 6-12 months, but with all these things, rightly so, you are worried about putting too much pressure on players. Particularly in today’s world. But the thing that gives me the most confidence is how he is handling everything. “I don’t think if he does hear what Maddison said about him it will affect him tomorrow. That’s the key thing for us. It’s exciting. I was excited. I wanted us to pass him the ball. Keep giving him the ball. Great to see.”

Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez has said he did not like the manner he left things with Benfica one year ago.  Fernandez made a shocking move in 2023, after the 2022 World Cup. Liga Portugal side Benfica wanted to keep Enzo Fernandez for an extra six months or even for another season, but could not stop Chelsea from signing him for £106 million. “Let me say hello to the Benfica fans, who always send messages and remember me,” Fernandez said. “Obviously I didn’t like the way I left the club, but I am very grateful to the club and everyone for all the support they gave me.” Coach Enzo Maresca also praised Fernandez this season: “I think it’s very difficult in the way we play to find a midfielder that can attack like an attacking midfielder and defend like a holding midfielder. For instance, Arsenal are using Declan Rice as an attacking midfielder on the ball and as a holding midfielder when defending. Man City, in the past, have done this with Ilkay Gundogan. “In our case, we are trying to find the balance and find the players who can give us this kind of solution. At the moment, Enzo is the only one. When we have the ball, he is playing like an attacking midfielder, and is dropping next to Moi (Caicedo) when we don’t have the ball to help us and give us defensive balance.”

Newcastle United Chairman Yasir Al-Rumayyan is still stoked about the team’s PIF future.  Al-Rumayyan is a representative for Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) and their investment in Newcastle.  There has been speculation that PIF are reconsidering the plans for Castle.  But a source told ChronicleLive: “There is a big picture. It’s on track, the ambition was set three years ago to make the club competitive again at the highest level and that hasn’t changed. “There has been a lot done on and off the pitch in the last three years. They want sustainable success and they don’t want to be a flash in the pan. “The tone from the top is exactly the same as three years ago.”

Manchester United have been rejected by one of their desired head coaches, Simone Inzaghi. The Red Devils are currently deciding whether or not they should retain or sack Erik ten Hag.  According to Italian publication Corriere dello Sport, they reached out to Simone Inzaghi twice.  But, Inzaghi who manages Inter Milan has turned them down twice.  Simone is happy in Italy and believes he can accomplish his career ambitions at Milan.  Internazionale won the Serie A last season and are among the favourites to win the league again this campaign. 

Tottenham thrashed Manchester United at Old Trafford 3-0 on Sunday to mount pressure on their manager Erik ten Hag. United were outplayed and outpaced in their worst performance of the year as Spurs tore them to pieces.  Hotspur took the lead on three minutes as Micky van de Ven stripped United’s defence before crossing for Brennan Johnson to drive home at the far post.  For the next 25 minutes, Spurs dominated with just Andre Onana in United’s goal standing between them and a cricket score.  Around 42 minutes, things turned sore for United when captain Bruno Fernandes was sent off for a late challenge on James Maddison. He slipped before catching Maddison and was given a red card by referee Chris Kavanaugh.  The Red Devils were hoping to regroup after halftime, but fell further behind early in the second-half as Dejan Kulusevski converted a deflected cross from Johnson after a long run.  By this time, it became clear Tottenham would be taking home the points and the result was sealed with a third goal, as Dominic Solanke sent home a kick from Pape Sarr from a corner on 77 minutes.  The result sees Spurs advance to eighth position on the table, with United now in 12th place. 

Chelsea have picked Benfica centre-back Tomas Araujo as one of their top targets ahead of the January transfer window, according to reports. The Blues are eager to strengthen their defensive options and asked questions about Araujo’s availability over the summer, but Benfica were unwilling to let him go.  But Chelsea have not given up on signing the 22-year-old talent, who started four out of his team’s six league matches so far this campaign.  Transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano reports that Chelsea want to sign a new centre-back in January and Araujo is at the top of their list. They also want RB Leipzig’s Castello Lukeba.  “Another player being linked with Chelsea is RB Leipzig’s talented centre-back Castello Lukeba. The 21-year-old is one of the most talented young defenders in Europe, for sure, and he’s been linked with some French clubs as well as with Chelsea, but what I can for the moment is that there is no concrete negotiation and no concrete talks taking place,” Romano wrote on his Daily Briefing Column.  “Leipzig recently sold Mohamed Simakan, so for another key defender to move on it would have to be a crazy proposal. Chelsea are following many centre-backs, so Lukeba is one of many players they’ve been monitoring, which is absolutely normal, just like with Tomas Araujo at Benfica. “Araujo in particular is a player Chelsea really like, and they tried for him in the final weeks of the summer transfer window. At that time, Benfica didn’t want to sell the player, but he remains someone on Chelsea’s radar, and they are also scouting Lukeba, but at this moment it’s too early to predict where he’s going.”

Ipswich Town face no threat to keeping Kalvin Phillips in January. On-loan from Manchester City, it has been suggested that Phillips could be recalled after Rodri suffered a season-ending injury.   However, according to TWTD, there is no break clause in the season-long contract.  “The truthful answer is I’ve not checked,” Ipswich boss Kieran McKenna said. “I don’t think there is, but I can’t tell you 100 percent. “I know the plan from our side, from his side, from Man City’s side is that he comes here and has a season with us and gets back to playing regularly and helps the team here. “And we’re going to try and help him develop while (he’s here) and build up to a good place in his career, while he’s going to do everything he can to help the team. That’s 100 per cent the plan and I’m sure that remains the plan on all sides.”