Davinson Sanchez has admitted the Tottenham players have benefited from the hard work on the training field and the clarity they have had under Antonio Conte.
A lot has been made of Conte’s gruelling training sessions since he arrived at Tottenham a little over a month ago.
Ben Davies revealed a few days ago that the squad is relishing working hard under the Italian while also opening up on how detail-oriented the training sessions are.
Sanchez conveyed a similar sentiment, admitting that the new Spurs head coach puts a lot of emphasis on working hard through the week.
The centre-back told Football.London: “Yeah, definitely [it was a big step forward under the new boss]. We’ve worked a lot on every detail, trying to bring his philosophy.
“It’s not easy when a manager comes mid-way through the season. As players we have to do everything and, as a dressing room and a club, we want to be in the place we were before.
“[The clear week of training] definitely helps when you have more time to take in the details the manager wants to fix and the way he wants us to behave on the pitch.
MORE SPURS STORIES
“He’s a manager who demands a lot from everybody, even the players who aren’t involved in the games. That’s fine. That’s what we needed.
“That’s why the manager is here. He has been so clear in all aspects. So yeah, it’s all about work, when you’re working well and you are honest with your job it becomes easy, and you get what you deserve.”
Sanchez has been one of the beneficiaries of Cristian Romero’s injury, starting on the right side of the back three in Tottenham’s 2-0 win over Brentford on Thursday and again against Norwich where he even netted a rare goal.
However, he admitted it was disappointing for the Argentine to pick up an injury just as he was settling into the Premier League.
When asked about Romero, the Colombian said: “Cuti is, first of all, a great guy. I said that when he arrived but even more so now because we know each other and I know what he brings to the team,”
“It’s a shame as he worked well and has been adapting to the Premier League. It’s now about his recovery, his mentality and being ready to be back as soon as possible.
“As for my position, I’ve been ready to play in every moment the manager needs me. So yeah, we need to ready.
“Even if you’re not playing it doesn’t mean you’re not going to be involved. Football gives you chances all the time and it’s about that – being ready to take them when you’re needed.”
Sanchez also stated that playing in a back three is not something he is unfamiliar with, pointing out that that he was part of a three-man defence along with Jan Vertonghen and Toby Alderweireld on plenty of occasions in his first season in North London.
He added: “It’s a familiar position for me because when I came I played more centrally giving cover at that moment to Jan [Vertonghen] and Toby [Alderweireld]. On occasion Eric [Dier] as well, and Ben [Davies], we played in a three.
“Now it’s about taking memories about playing there and bringing the new manager’s philosophy.
“It’s a huge responsibility because you are not playing one v ones but always taking care of team-mates and giving the wing-backs more freedom to go, as happened with Reggy for the second goal. It’s about the manager’s philosophy and of course work.”
Spurs Web Opinion
I was surprised to see Sanchez get the nod to start ahead of Tanganga at right-centre-back against Burnley (before the game was postponed) and Brentford as I feel the 22-year-old is a much better fit for the role.
However, the Colombian must have impressed Conte and his coaching staff in training over the past few weeks. The Romero injury could potentially give the 25-year-old a chance to save his Spurs career.
Keep up to date with all the latest Tottenham news and opinion by following SpursWeb’s Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts.
