Passion might not be enough
TOP-4 PLAY LOOKS BEYOND SPURS SQUAD FOR CONTE
ANTONIO CONTE has gone to Tottenham to get them into the top four but he doesn’t have the players to do it.
This is not Chelsea, where he had ready-made wing-backs, top-quality forwards and a deep squad with a history of winning things.
This is Spurs. Conte makes them better. He’s one of the best managers in the world. But he’s not a miracle-worker.
I don’t think he will get them into the Champions League. No chance. And if he gets to spend some money but finishes fifth or sixth it’s a waste of an appointment really.
He’s signed for 18 months but they will be back to square one if he’s walked away by then. If they don’t finish top four Harry Kane (right) will be out of there too.
Conte might be the best man to get the best out of Kane again. He will make sure he stays in the box and concentrates on scoring goals.
But let’s face it, he has got to get Kane scoring or Spurs are going nowhere – and I don’t think his future is resolved now at all.
People say he’s missed the boat with Manchester City but look how many games they’ve failed to score in this season.
They need a striker and they will be back in for Kane before long.
He might say he wants to stay at Spurs now, but City can give him what they can’t – trophies. Conte may try and play two up front like he did at Inter Milan. It worked for them and they won the title for the first time in god knows how long.
But it’s hard to play in a two if you’re Harry Kane and you’ve spent basically your whole career alone up front, allowed to go wherever you like.
If you suddenly have to play with another striker and pick your runs and see less of the ball, it can be difficult to adjust. Spurs fans are going to love
Conte.
His passion and enthusiasm, running up and down the touchline, will give the club a lift.
Players will hate the training. He will work them hard but I’d be shocked if he doesn’t make them better.
You’ve got to listen when a manager with that track record speaks. They had stopped listening to Nuno. But Conte has won multiple league titles.
I just think it’s going to be hard. They are a long way behind everyone else.
Spurs have probably done this now because Manchester United are so bad that the top four doesn’t look quite so set in stone.
The longer Ole Gunnar Solskjaer stays there the more chance it gives everyone else, but even though Spurs are only five points behind the top four, on the pitch the gap is huge.
And clubs like Leicester, Arsenal and West Ham will have something to say about them getting in the top four. It’s hard.
If Conte gets them there it will be job done, even if he doesn’t win a trophy.
But if he can’t do it, or he walks away in the summer, Spurs are back to square one, and where do they go then?