Conte so clinical

This has clearly been on the minds of this sextet for some time. Twelve months ago, consultant Charlie Stillitano, the chairman of Relevent Sports ( a US company which promotes football worldwide), was dragged in to address the issue.

He presented the case for extra cash, saying: “Manchester United would argue that they created soccer, not Leicester.” But neither of them did, pal. So please stand firm, you 14 other stakeholders, because this game is about more than just a handful of clubs. If not, we might as well all pack up and go home.

And do you know what? If the top six are the only clubs left standing, then they will be forced to pack their bags, too. PLENTY of love for Antonio Conte this week. After all, revenge is a dish best served cold. The Italian had to work overtime to bring Diego Costa back into the fold after the New Year. And the manner in which the Spanish striker was told his services were no longer required this week was delivered in cold-hearted fashion, via text. Costa played hardball with Chelsea during the January transfer window. Was he going to China? Did he want to leave? Everyone had to tip-toe around Diego. Pathetic, but there you go. Conte’s pay-off was delicious. Atletico Madrid have a transfer embargo in place and China has now slapped a huge tax on foreign signings. Of course, Manchester United are in the market for a targetman but as Costa was one of those under the spotlight when Jose Mourinho was sacked at Chelsea, an Old Trafford escape is unlikely. What this tells us is the deal to sign Romelu Lukaku is done.