EXCLUSIVE by Neil Moxley
CONTE: Inspritational
RUUD GULLIT reckons Antonio Conte has turned Spurs into ‘fighters’ – and Chelsea now need to take their heavyweight rivals seriously.
The Dutch legend thinks the Italian has rid the north Londoners of their soft underbelly and believes it’s up to the Blues to prove they can still cut the mustard under new owner Todd Boehly.
Gullit still sees Manchester City and Liverpool as contesting the Premier League title, but he believes one club is definitely making progress – and, at the moment, it isn’t Chelsea. He said: “To me, Tottenham look a little bit better –
Chelsea look the same. I think Tottenham are more aware of what they need to do.
“You need a fighting spirit. That’s what they have.
“I don’t think they are ready to challenge – yet. But they look better and that’s more because of Conte.
“I think it’s the energy he puts into the team and also what he demands from them. It’s much better. You can see they’re fighting more for each other.
Therefore they will be better than last year, that’s for sure.”
Gullit both played for and managed Chelsea for three years from 1995-98 – his signing sparked a new era at the club.
Along with Gianfranco Zola, the pair breathed fresh life into Stamford Bridge, transforming Chelsea from never-hasbeens into a genuine force within the Premier League. Gullit became playermanager and ended a 26-year trophy drought when the club won the FA Cup by defeating Middlesbrough. He may be remembered fondly but he has reservations about their summer’s work.
Surprise
Roman Abramovich’s tenure has ended, being replaced by American Todd Boehly. And while the ex-dutch master believes Thomas Tuchel is ‘a great coach’ he has reservations about their summer’s work. The former AC Milan star reckons that any element of surprise has vanished with Tuchel and he may need to vary his tactics.
Gullit added: “I think Chelsea are still the same – nothing has changed too much. They play the same system.
“Can they continue doing what they want to do?
“It’s hard – it’s interesting to see, but I don’t know if they are going to be better than last year. The surprise has gone.
“Everyone knows how Chelsea plays, how they approach it.”
RUUD GULLIT is Laureus Academy Member and advocates for the work of Laureus Sport for Good, a global charity that uses the power of sport to transform the lives of children worldwide.