Mark Lawrenson has told 888 Sport that Tottenham will be the ‘best of the rest’ next season if Conte can sort out the defence during the transfer window.
When Conte accepted the Spurs job last November, the Lilywhites were languishing in ninth place following a 3-0 home defeat to Manchester United (Sky Sports).
Fast forward seven months and the Italian has carried Spurs to a top-four finish and a return to Champions League football after a 5-0 demolition of Norwich City on the final day of the Premier League season (Premier League).
Conte’s amazing work has not gone unnoticed by pundits and, in an interview with 888 Sport, former Liverpool defender Mark Lawrenson heaped praise on the 52-year-old.
He said: “You can just tell that Conte is a proper manager. He has said some strings along the way but you can tell he is really bright and says things for a reason.
“Fergie always said that if you’re playing at the weekend, that Friday press conference is your perfect time to get something across. To make a point. And Conte does that. He makes a point by goading his players to get a reaction.
“He’s also made one or two great signings and he’s got two of the best strikers in the world. If he can sort out the rest, defensively, they can be the best of the rest; better than Chelsea, Arsenal or Manchester United.”
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Conte’s point-making has even come in the form of him questioning his immediate future at the club following a 1-0 loss to Burnley in February (Mail Online).
However, he later labelled the outburst as “strategic” and claimed that it got the reaction he desired from his players (The Athletic).
Spurs Web Opinion
There is no reason why Spurs cannot leapfrog Chelsea into third and begin to close the gap on Liverpool and Manchester City next season if Conte is rewarded for his achievements.
With two transfers already complete from Conte’s reported “six-man wishlist” (Mirror), Spurs could be ready to battle on all fronts come August.
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