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The post-Michael Beale era did not get off to a good start for QPR on Sunday as they were comfortably beaten by league leaders Burnley at Loftus Road.

With the Clarets top of the form table and QPR bottom ahead of the World Cup break, Hoops fans will have been hoping that the time off would allow the west London side to get back to their best, ahead of potentially causing an upset against Vincent Kompany’s side.

However, the game played out to the form book on Sunday afternoon as goals from Jóhann Berg Guðmundsson, Ian Maatsen and Nathan Tella handed the promotion hopefuls a 3-0 win.

The result leaves QPR outside of the playoff positions, having topped the table in October, so the Hoops will be desperately hoping to get Neil Critchley through the door at Loftus Road early next week ahead of a crucial and busy festive period.

As per Sofascore, one man who disappointed in the defeat was 25-year-old winger George Thomas.

The Welshman was hooked at half-time by interim manager Paul Hall after a sub-standard display which was far too similar to several of his disappointing displays this season.During his time on the pitch, Thomas would register just 13 touches of the ball and complete six passes, both of which were fewer than goalkeeper Seny Dieng, which emphasises just how little he was involved.He would also fail to register a single shot, successful dribble or cross during the game, also losing the ball on five occasions despite barely seeing it against the dominant visitors.It was something of a surprise that he was handed a start given that he has made just two substitute appearances in the Championship so far this campaign, but he hammered home exactly why he isn’t good enough to be a starter under the new manager.Hall will be desperately disappointed in the former Leicester City man, and it would be a surprise to see him feature from the start again in the future.

Tottenham Hotspur have sent scouts to watch Sassuolo midfielder Davide Frattesi in action, according to reports.

The Lowdown: Price tag revealed

The Italian only signed a new contract earlier this year, meaning that his deal isn’t set to expire until 2026, but his impressive performances at the Mapei Stadium appear to have caught the eye of three potential suitors in the Premier League.

The Serie A club are believed to be open to sanctioning a sale for a fee in the region of approximately €30m (£26m), and the Lilywhites have been name-checked as a possible destination.

The Latest: Spurs scout Frattesi

According to Italian outlet Il Resto del Carlino (via Sport Witness), Spurs, Manchester United and Brighton are all ‘keeping tabs’ and have their officials ‘monitoring’ Frattesi.

Fabio Paratici has sent scouts ‘to follow’ the 23-year-old having ‘been watching’ his performances since the start of the season.

However, it ‘remains to be seen’ whether any of the clubs mentioned will make an official approach to sign Frattesi, either in the upcoming winter market or next summer.

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The Verdict: Potential bargain

Frattesi has been dubbed ‘the next Barella’ by Fabrizio Romano, and for someone with bags of potential and a bright future seemingly ahead of him, £26m is well worth paying to secure his services.

The Rome-born talent has scored four goals in 15 appearances so far this term and currently averages two shots and 1.3 dribbles per league 90 minutes (WhoScored).

Only two Spurs players have averaged more shots per game, while his dribbling average is level with the two best players at Tottenham in that regard (WhoScored).

Conte has been missing a creative playmaker in his midfield, but Frattesi is an exciting prospect and could be just the man that the 53-year-old is seeking.

Tottenham Hotspur will put their focus on bolstering two key areas of Antonio Conte’s squad after the World Cup break.

One of the positions that Lilywhites sporting director Fabio Paratici will look to target is a backup forward, according to 90min this week, and there are a few names mentioned in the report, including Memphis Depay and Blackburn Rovers sensation Ben Brereton Diaz.

Perhaps most interestingly, there is a link to former Stoke City flop Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting, who has somewhat emerged as a late-bloomer for Bayern Munich following Robert Lewandowski’s departure in the summer.

On the face of it, this would be a pretty bizarre move from the hierarchy at Hotspur Way, particularly given the £60m arrival of Richarlison only a few months ago but injuries have still plagued Conte’s frontline to the point of Harry Kane appearing to be fatigued in training on the eve of England’s Group B opener against Iran.

Spurs also lack a ‘plan B’ of sorts and Choupo-Moting can offer something that few of the Englishman’s backups cannot – a towering target man presence as he stands at 6 foot 3 inches.

Several years ago, the Lilywhites had the luxury of being able to upon the reliable Fernando Llorente – who just like the Bayern star, 33 – was a vastly-experienced option and cost a bargain £12.1m.

The ageing Spaniard would go onto play a big part in Tottenham’s run to the Champions League final back in 2019 and he also featured in other cup competitions such as the FA Cup.

Choupo-Moting could fulfil a very similar role for Conte several years on – so far this season, the Cameroon international has found the net 11 times across 16 appearances in all competitions, including important goals against FC Barcelona and Inter Milan in Europe.

A goal against the latter outfit led to Forbes journalist Manuel Veth to laud the £58.5k-per-week striker’s season so far as “unbelievable,” whilst in the past, his former Paris Saint-Germain boss Thomas Tuchel described him as a “positive” and “top-level” character, which bodes well for his influence in and around the dressing room when minutes may be hard to come by.

It remains to be seen how much the 33-year-old would command but if he shows little sign of renewing his contract at the Allianz Arena, then he’d be available for free in the summer, leaving Bayern’s hands somewhat tied in January.

As such, Paratici could well sign Spurs their next Llorente in Choupo-Moting.

AND in other news, Paratici to monitor £174k-p/w World Cup star ahead of January, he’d be “unreal” for Spurs…

Everton travel to London this evening to take on Fulham in their Premier League clash at Craven Cottage, and Frank Lampard will surely be hoping that his team can pick up from where they left off after their 3-0 victory over Crystal Palace last weekend.

The Toffees are currently 12th in the table on 13 points, and another three-pointer today on the road could see them climb as high as ninth, which would put them in an even more comfortable position ahead of the World Cup break next month.

Fulham will be no easy challenge for the Merseysiders, though, as the Cottagers are currently seventh following an outstanding start to their campaign after being promoted from the Championship last season.

Former Everton manager Marco Silva has led his team to an unbeaten run over their last three games, but Lampard will be hoping that he can prove to one of his predecessors that the team he has built can nullify the Cottagers today.

As a result, the Toffees boss should unleash a secret weapon in his armoury, with James Garner familiar and experienced in defeating this successful Fulham side.

The ex-Manchester United midfielder, who was dubbed “exceptional” by former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson, spent last season on loan with Nottingham Forest in the Championship. In his most recent clash against Silva’s side, he emerged on the right side of a 1-0 win.

Garner joined Everton this summer from Old Trafford in a £15m deal, and Lampard has already made it clear that the young talent is part of his plans at Goodison Park, claiming that the midfielder can offer something “different” to the team.

The 44-year-old said: “He looks a bit different to our other midfield players in his attributes; his passing, his delivery of set-pieces and shots he can get away. He is a really clean striker of the ball in a sense of his passing… He’s going to be a big player for us.”

The 21-year-old is renowned for his versatility in the middle of the park, something he displayed frequently during his time at the City Ground last season; scoring four goals, supplying eight assists and creating seven big chances, along with averaging 1.4 interceptions, 1.8 tackles and 3.9 successful duels per game.

With that in mind, Garner could give Fulham nightmares if he is unleashed in the starting line up this evening, and could be the difference in Everton’s midfield to halt the west London side’s unbeaten run.

It’s high time that the youngster is properly unleashed for his first start for the Toffees.

Arsenal’s game with Bodo/Glimt this evening holds special significance for Mikel Arteta’s hosts.

A 15-year-old Martin Odegaard once played against them before his rise to stardom and those Norwegian ties mean there are a great deal of Arsenal fans in that region of Europe.

Indeed, the club have had to tell their own supporters not to turn up in the famous red and white of Arsenal, encouraging their supporters to create a yellow wall as we saw at the Emirates Stadium a week ago.

Arsenal would eventually win that clash but there is a feeling that the return match this evening will be tougher for the Gunners.

Bodo/Glimt don’t stray from their philosophy, playing an attractive brand of football that relies on playing out from the back.

It’s rather similar to the London club with tonight set to be a real battle of style and nerve.

Arsenal should, on paper, come away with all three points but much will depend again on their fringe players.nke

Eddie Nketiah has been a star in this competition so far, scoring two goals, flanked by the ever-reliable Gabriel Martinelli and the lively prodigy; Marquinhos.

The latter scored a lovely goal – his first for the club – on match day one in Zurich and he has looked impressive since.

The Europa League is the perfect playground for Arteta to give minutes to those who don’t play very often and we could well see a debut on Thursday night.

Arsenal reporter Charles Watts has suggested that if Gabriel Jesus does not travel, with the Brazilian set to be rested, Khayon Edwards will travel and feature on the bench having appeared in first-team training this week.

The 19-year-old is yet to taste senior football but has immense potential and is thought of highly at Colney.

Another dangerous attacker, there is an element of Bukayo Saka to his tricky nature with the teenager starring at youth level of late.

The centre-forward has scored twice in four Premier League 2 outings this term, and hit a remarkable haul of 16 goals in 16 U18 Premier League outings last season, taking on the baton from Nketiah and Reims loanee Folarin Balogun who both scored a bucket load at that level.

Balogun has earned minutes in this competition before, scoring his first senior goal a few years ago vs a different Norwegian opposition in Molde.

The hope will be that Edwards can repeat that accomplishment, with a potential debut on the cards for the young attacker this evening.

Described as a “deadly” individual by reporter Kaya Kaynak, it paints the perfect picture of exactly what he’s all about.

The thought of him potentially lining up alongside Marquinhos and co, therefore, is a tantalising one with the dangerous youngsters possessing the ability to cause any defence in the competition a hard night.

Arteta has already handed one debut to Ethan Nwaneri this term, but at just 15, that was a rather surprising call-up.

For those who know Edwards, they will be aware that his chance has been coming. It’s now time for him to grasp it with both hands and take this competition by the scruff of the neck.

Like Saka and Marquinhos have shown, there is a pathway to more regular first-team football if you can shine on Thursday nights under the lights.

This is a golden opportunity.

Tottenham Hotspur are in advanced talks to sign recruitment expert Jeff Vetere, according to Football Insider.

The Lowdown: Vetere’s career

Vetere has not held a senior recruitment position since being sacked as Birmingham City’s director of football in March 2018, which came at the same time as manager Steve Cotterill losing his job in a major club reshuffle.

The 56-year-old has extensive experience in Premier League recruitment, having worked for the likes of Charlton Athletic, West Ham United, Newcastle United and Fulham whilst they were all in the English top-flight.

He also has experience working as a scout for Real Madrid, aided by the fact he speaks five languages.

The Latest: Close to joining Spurs

According to a report by Football Insider, Tottenham are now in advanced talks with Vetere with the view for him to come in and oversee their Under-21s recruitment.

It is claimed he is a close ally of Spurs managing director Fabio Paratici, who has given the green-light on the appointment.

Negotiations are said to be close to completion, with Vetere ready to join the north London club immediately.

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The Verdict: Academy needs a reshuffle

The Lilywhites have faced criticism in recent times having failed to bring through a number of top talents from the academy all the way to Antonio Conte’s first-team.

This criticism became all the more prominent last week when Tottenham academy graduate Marcus Edwards stunned his boyhood team whilst playing for Sporting CP as they beat Spurs 2-0 in the Champions League.

Edwards was even awarded the player of the match for his dazzling display, throwing in the question as to why the north London club allowed his departure in the first place.

Therefore, Paratici will have high hopes in Vetere’s reshuffling of the academy’s operations, because, at the moment, it is failing in its production.

Tottenham Hotspur make their return to Champions League action after two years away later this evening as Antonio Conte’s side host Ligue 1 outfit Marseille in north London.

The Italian has plenty to ponder heading into kickoff amidst what he has described as a “crazy” schedule. This weekend’s Premier League clash with defending champions Manchester City will surely be on the mind, so we should be expecting some rotation.

Only winger Lucas Moura is unavailable due to injury, so the 53-year-old head coach certainly has the tools available to rejig his starting XI, just a few days after their 2-1 win over Fulham in the English top-flight.

One player who is surely in contention to start is Ivan Perisic, 33, who would replace Ryan Sessegnon at left wing-back. The Croatian veteran certainly has the tools to cause the French side serious damage.

Spurs are likely to come up against a wing-back system themself, so the former Inter Milan and Bayern Munich star could be afforded plenty of space in behind his opposite number to provide someone like Harry Kane with his pinpoint delivery into the box.

He’ll also be able to take advantage of one of Les Olympiens’ biggest weaknesses in the form of set-pieces as Perisic can certainly whip in a delightful ball from the corner, largely thanks to his ambipedal ability.

33% of Marseille’s conceded goals in Ligue 1 have come from set-pieces, too, so the 6 foot 1 dynamo really could feast at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium tonight.

The 33-year-old wing-back currently leads the Lilywhites for assists (tied with Dejan Kulusevski and Richarlison) on two assists, whilst his efforts of 2.6 key passes created per 90 sees him second to the Brazilian attacker and he can also chip in defensively, having managed 3.2 tackles per 90, too (as per WhoScored).

It’s no surprise to have seen Perisic dubbed a “monster” by i journalist Oliver Young-Myles, whilst ex-striker turned Sky Sports pundit Paul Merson believes the £18m-rated ace “makes things happen on the pitch.

As such, Conte would be foolish to not start Perisic this evening. There may be plenty of matches coming thick and fast over the next couple of weeks but the Croatian clearly has the skillset to rip Igor Tudor’s men apart.

It could well be the perfect start to their Champions League return.

AND in other news, Paratici has sealed a Spurs masterclass on £20m talent who is “tailor-made” for Conte…

Scottish football journalist Bill Young claimed that Ryan Jack did not look fit as Glasgow Rangers cruised to victory in the Scottish Premiership at Ibrox.

The Lowdown: Thumping win

Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s team enjoyed a thumping win in front of their own supporters, with new signings Malik Tillman, Antonio Colak and Tom Lawrence all among the scorers.

There may have been some nerves in the stadium with the Gers only 1-0 up at half-time, but a second-half flurry saw them ease to all three points in the end.

The Latest: Jack not fit?

Taking to Twitter, Young claimed that Jack ‘doesn’t look fit’ upon observing him during the game against St. Johnstone.

He has a long history of injury problems during his time at the Light Blues, and so it is always a worry when he does not look fully sharp.

The Verdict: Worrying

Given Jack’s injury history, it is certainly a sore sight to see that he may be struggling with his fitness.

The central midfielder lost out on four of his duels, while he also failed to record a single clearance, interception or tackle, losing the ball 13 times in total (SofaScore).

Of course, given that he missed the majority of last season through injury, it will take Jack some time to get back up to full match sharpness, and the Teddy Bears will be hoping that this is just a minor issue.

Nottingham Forest are believed to be eyeing a move for Wolfsburg forward Omar Marmoush, according to reports in Germany.

What’s the word?

As per Kicker, the Reds have been named among a handful of clubs – along with fellow Premier League side Brentford and La Liga outfit Espanyol – who are interested in signing the 23-year-old this summer.

The report outlines that the Egypt international is yet to sign a contract extension, with just a year remaining on his existing deal with the Bundesliga club, although it’s set to be only a ‘matter of time’ before the 13-cap gem is offered improved terms.

The Cairo-born menace had spent last season on loan at Stuttgart, scoring three goals and providing five assists in 23 top-flight games.

Cooper’s own Salah

Fresh from that impressive spell with Die Roten, the £5.4m-rated ace has also settled in quickly to life back at his parent club, netting a 92nd-minute winner in the recent DFB-Pokal victory over Carl Zeiss Jena at the weekend.

Previously dubbed “fantastic” by Stuttgart sporting director Sven Mislintat, the £20k-per-week forward has enjoyed a real breakthrough last 12 months or so, having also played a key role in his country’s surge to the Africa Cup of Nations final at the start of this year.

The 6 foot sensation featured in all seven games during that run to the decider, despite having only made his debut at senior international level last October, with the winger rubbing shoulders with national team icon Mohamed Salah as part of Egypt’s attacking lineup.

The hope for those at the City Ground will be that Marmoush – who also netted seven times while on loan at St Pauli in the second half of the 2020/21 season – can replicate the impact that his compatriot has enjoyed at Liverpool in recent times.

An integral figure under Jurgen Klopp at Anfield, Salah has been in simply outrageous form for the Reds since joining from AS Roma in 2017, having scored 157 goals and provided 64 assists in 255 games so far.

The 30-year-old has won a plethora of major honours during his five years on Merseyside and is arguably one of the most potent forwards in the English top flight, having finished top of the charts for both goals (23) and assists (13) in the league last term.

Even if Marmoush – who can play anywhere across the forward line – were able to hit anything near those heights, it would no doubt be a real boost for Forest manager Steve Cooper, with the Welshman seemingly wanting to add increased squad depth despite having already made 12 summer signings so far.

Amid the buzz surrounding the arrival of players like Jesse Lingard and club-record purchase Taiwo Awoniyi, if the Wolfsburg ace were to be signed, it could be him who goes on to terrorise defences in the Premier League for Forest this season, just as Salah has so often done with Liverpool in recent times.

Wolves look set to miss out on another of their reported summer transfer targets as Manchester City star Oleksandr Zinchenko closes in on a move to Arsenal.

What’s the word?

Bruno Lage’s side were credited with an interest in the Ukrainian earlier in the summer, and he could have been a superb addition to the 47-year-old’s side, given his versatility, ability and strong performances for City in recent years.

However, it is Arsenal who have won the race to sign the 25-year-old after negotiations advanced in recent days, as transfer specialist Fabrizio Romano revealed on Twitter.

He wrote: “Oleksandr Zinchenko to Arsenal, here we go! Full agreement in place since Friday with Man City for £30m guaranteed fee, personal terms also agreed. Zinchenko, always been keen on re-joining Arteta.”

A huge blow for Wolves

Zinchenko has emphasised in recent years that he is a hugely consistent player, posting a steadily rising WhoScored rating over the last three seasons, and his ability to play in midfield or at left-back would have been a huge bonus at Molineux.

Since joining City in 2016, he has gone on to make 127 appearances for the Etihad Stadium outfit, contributing two goals and 12 assists in that time.

Last season saw the former PSV Eindhoven man make just 15 appearances for Pep Guardiola’s side in the Premier League, but he was always reliable, earning an impressive 7.05 rating from WhoScored for his performances in the top flight.

His versatility earned him the praise of Guardiola last season, who said: “At the end, Oleks is another player who is so reliable. I will never forget what he has done in these three or four years, playing in a position that is not his natural position.

“You can do that for one or three games, but playing seasons, you have to be so strong in the mind. He will do it every single day.”

Following the departure of Marcal, Wolves have just Rayan Ait-Nouri and Jonny Otto available as natural left wing-back options, while Lage’s midfield would undoubtedly have been strengthened with the addition of Zinchenko.

Therefore, Wolves fans will be gutted to see their club miss out on another reported transfer target, and they will be hoping that more new signings are made before the Premier League campaign kicks off in early August.

AND in other news: Wolves in pole position for “impossible” £52m signing, it’d be an “unbelievable” coup