Kevin Phillips has admitted that he is surprised at Tottenham’s reported interest in signing Adama Traore, given the Wolves star’s inconsistency over the last couple of years.
The speculation linking Adama Traore with a move to Spurs has gone into overdrive this past week, with Antonio Conte alleged to view the pacey wide man as a perfect fit for the right-wing-back role in his system.
90 min reported recently Wolves manager Bruno Lage has given the green light for the wide-man to be sold to Tottenham after the player rejected the club’s contract offers.
The report asserted that Traore is open to a move to Spurs and that the North London club are now expected to launch a bid of £22m for him over the coming days.
Phillips has now claimed he is not convinced that Traore is capable of hitting the heights that he did a couple of years ago. The pundit asserted that he can only see the 25-year-old being a bit-part player under Antonio Conte at Spurs.
The former Sunderland striker told Football Insider: “It’s been two, two and a half years now since we’ve seen him (Traore) at his best.
“It’s worrying because he won’t be able to play at that intensity forever.
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“I’d be very surprised if Conte was to bring him in as a wing-back. His defensive qualities are virtually non-existent.
“Going forward, on his day, you can’t stop him. But his problem has just been the inconsistency.
“I can’t see him playing regularly at Spurs if he does sign there. I see him as more of a bit-part player if I’m honest.”
Spurs Web Opinion
The key variable in Tottenham’s reported interest in Traore is that Conte wants to convert the Spaniard into a right-wing-back.
Given how many times we manage to switch play and isolate our wing-backs in one vs one situations, the role could potentially bring the best out of Traore, as long as he is willing to improve the defensive side of his game.
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