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In a fairly wide-ranging first press conference as Tottenham manager, Andre Villas-Boas rejected the opportunity to play down expectations, instead agreeing with former boss Harry Redknapp that the foundations are in place to challenge for the title. It was also encouragingly noticeable that, in contrast to his arrival at Chelsea in which he swiftly made it clear that he was keen to overhaul the side that he inherited, the Portuguese tactician spoke about building on the work of his predecessor. He said: "We have to try to put Tottenham on the road for titles...Last year the squad started extremely well. The belief was there and the margin was there for Tottenham to win the title. "If we are able to take the squad to the levels of ambition we want, it is something we can think ...

Luka Modric has been one of the key protagonists of the summer transfer window but speculation surrounding his future had gone a little quiet over the last week, something that Chelsea are ready to remedy with a fresh approach to sign him. The Blues have already had two offers for the Croatian midfielder knocked back, the first thought to have fallen in the region of £22 million and the second £27 million, yet are determined not to take the hint and to instead attempt to force Tottenham's hand for a third time. The 25-year-old playmaker's admission that he would like to move to Stamford Bridge appears to have given chief executive Ron Gourlay and co confidence that a deal can be completed, however Betfair punters aren't quite as convinced, pricing his chances of leaving at 2.14. Andre...

The news today is that Chelsea are lining up a bid of £27 million plus Daniel Sturridge to lure Luka Modric away from White Hart Lane. The Betfair market is undecided whether he will still be a Spurs player when the transfer window closes; it's pretty much evens the pair. There are plenty of reasons why Tottenham should reject the bid and tell Chelsea they have no intention of selling such a key player to a rival club. For all of Gareth Bale's early season form, flashes of brilliance and unprecedented hat-trick at the San Siro it was the little Croatian who was alongside Michael Dawson their most consistent player over last year's campaign. He provides that vital link between defence and attack and has what football pundits like to describe as a great footballing brain, seeing things...