As much as football is about the players on the pitch, it is also – in the modern game – about the money in the bank. Wage bills and transfer spends have a huge correlation in how well a team can perform in the modern game. So, for Spurs, it is vital that spending this summer is both intelligent and considerable. With many likely exits and a shifting in the spending potential from previous summers, Spurs are expected to push on and make some big summer moves.
If they make the UEFA Champions League and Antonio Conte stays, that becomes even more likely still. However, the Italian – famous for making his demands of his bosses in public – was clear that Spurs need to spend. And they do not just have to spend a little; they need to open up the bank almost completely. Ahead of the match-up with Liverpool, Conte revealed his plans for the summer if he stays.
And for those at the top of Spurs, it would likely be comments that they have already heard in private. Now, though, the demands are public – and the fans will be raging if the classy Italian is not listened to.
What did Antonio Conte say about spending this summer?
Never one to shirk his desire to make clear what he wants, and when, Conte was quick to tell the listening press what he demands this summer from his club. Speaking about his need to see lots of summer spending, Conte was asked if he could see similarities in his Spurs project to what Jurgen Klopp built with Liverpool since 2015. On that, he said: “I don’t know but if I was sure that type of situation could happen [at Tottenham], I’d sign [a new long-term deal]!”
It was a curious comment from the Italian, but is mostly in-keeping with his usual demeanour with the press. When asked further on what he meant, Conte added: ”But the time for Liverpool was easier than now. When Liverpool started this work with Jurgen, they were a top team but not in a way they are now – consolidated with an important manager, always the same team, big investment, big money spent in the transfer market.
“They had the right space to improve and reach this level. Now, in my opinion, it is more difficult because the space [for development] is not so big. To reduce this gap, you need to spend a lot of money because you need to buy important players. You have to know this otherwise you cannot reduce this gap and hope always for a miracle.”
He also spoke of having a clear list of signings he would like, concluding: “Also, because I repeat, we’re finishing this season with only 15 players and at the moment it’s not convenient to give them a list, because the list it would be very, very, very big! You understand? It’s not a good moment to give them the list.”
Spurs fans will be hoping the trophy winning Italian is not only listened to, but that his list is brought to fruition in full. If it is, the future could be very bright indeed.
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