It was a third straight defeat to Chelsea over the course of 18 days and a fourth of the campaign for Tottenham Hotspur, who showed that they are far below the level of the European champions.
That was something remarked upon by Conte himself as the Blues swept to a 2-0 victory, courtesy of Hakim Ziyech’s wonderful curler into the top corner and Thiago Silva’s close-range header from a free-kick.
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“To lose three games in 14 days [sic] means they are much stronger than you, as a team and as a squad,” conceded the Spurs boss after Sunday’s defeat at Stamford Bridge.
“You have to accept this but only after a performance like tonight.
“Because we tried everything to get a big result here.
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“But sometimes it’s not enough, especially when you play against this type of team.
“This club are on another level compared to us.”


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To try and close that deficit a little, the north London outfit are expected to be active in the final days of the January transfer window.
And with Dele Alli, Tanguy Ndombele and Giovani Lo Celso all axed from the Spurs playing squad at the weekend, the transfer gossip mill is in full effect.
Here’s a round-up of all of Monday’s speculation as the countdown begins towards the end of the January 2022 transfer window, in seven days’ time.
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Giovani Lo Celso part of a swap deal [The Athletic]
The reliable David Ornstein says that the Argentine midfielder could be part of a swap deal over the next week, with the 25-year-old taking to Instagram to inform followers that he was fully fit this past weekend, just not involved against Chelsea due to a club decision, presumably transfer related.
Sevilla interested in Lo Celso [Football.London]
An interesting addition to the above news is that Spurs reporter Alasdair Gold writes on Monday that La Liga side Sevilla have an interest in Lo Celso.
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Spurs did business with La Rojiblancos last summer, swapping Bryan Gil for Erik Lamela plus cash.
And with Tottenham linked with Sevilla defender Diego Carlos late last week, that could be an interesting watch over the coming days.


Spurs eying Weston McKennie [Football.London]
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The north London outfit have an interest in Juventus central midfielder Weston McKennie - who managing director of football Fabio Paratici signed for the Old Lady.
But any deal looks difficult to complete this January.
Adama Traore deal push [Fabrizio Romano]
The Italian transfers expert says that Tottenham will push ahead to complete a deal for Wolves winger Traore over the next days.
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The 25-year-old appeared at one point to be waving goodbye to Wolves supporters following their win at Brentford at the weekend.
Tanguy Ndombele talks on and Wijnaldum link quashed [Fabrizio Romano]
The talks with PSG continue with the side from the French capital particularly keen on recruiting another French player for their squad.
However Romano says that former Liverpool man Gini Wijnaldum has not been discussed thus far.
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No go for Kessie [Rudy Galetti]
The Italian journalist says that although Spurs have agreed a deal for Ivorian midfielder Franck Kessie, the AC Milan player wishes to see out his contract and move on a free in the summer instead.
Fiorentina midfielder considered [Fabrizio Romano]
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Fiorentina midfielder Sofyan Amrabat is another one of the players on the list of players that Conte and Paratici would like to bring in if Ndombele leaves Spurs.