When a new coach comes in, they often want to put their own slant on the team. However, modern football often means that coaches are at the whims of the Director of Football or scouting departments. Put simply, there is too much money in football now for one coach – who can often be sacked after a few poor results – to have so much sway over signings. When you hire a coach like Antonio Conte, though, you expect that the club will listen and learn from his own expertise.
Without being disrespectful, Conte has achieved more than Tottenham has as a club in his playing and managerial tenure. He is one of the most decorated Italian players and coaches of his generation. Therefore, when Conte speaks, people are expected to listen. And reports suggest he has given his final verdict on many of the signings made under Jose Mourinho and Nuno Espirito Santo.
And you might not be surprised to find out that the verdict is a negative one. In fact, only Danish midfielder Pierre-Emil Højbjerg has been given any kind of meaningful pass marks. The likes of Steven Bergwijn, Giovani Lo Celso, Emerson Royal, and Tanguy Ndombele have all been marked as players Conte wants to get rid of.
Even Sergio Reguilon is seen as one that Conte would happily get rid of if it can free up the funds. Other players, like Matt Doherty, are in the ‘take or leave’ category, and are seen as players who Conte would have no problem losing.
The Italian wants to rebuild Spurs in his image, and is keen to use his surprise UEFA Champions League qualification to ensure he gets exactly what he has asked for. Spurs, then, had best be ready to dip their hands into their pockets and secure the coach more or less everything that he has asked for.
Squad rebuild is expected to gather pace in July
As most of the transfer windows and financial windows in Europe do not change until July, progress so far is slow. Many of the names being linked with Spurs are coming from English clubs, like Yves Bissouma, because the transfer window is open and many clubs are now in the new financial year.
Therefore, Spurs might need to wait to start doing business across the continent. Given the money in English football, most reports suggest the club knows that it will likely take a loss on most exits. While the likes of Reguilon and Emerson should have no problem finding takers back in Spanish football, others like Bergwijn are more limited. The Dutchman is believed to want a move to Ajax – and only Ajax. Therefore, the fee that is agreed will be down to what the Amsterdam club can afford.
Ndombele is a tough one, too, as he was bought for a club record fee and is on stupendous wages. As such, any team taking him know they are essentially doing the club a favour – this could mean that Spurs have to make some concessions just to get the exit agreed.
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