Chris Waddle has labelled Tottenham’s signing of Ivan Perisic as ‘strange’, insisting that Spurs’ new signing might not be able to cope with the demands of the Premier League.
Perisic signed for Spurs on a free transfer after his contract with Inter Milan ran down. The Croat is set to reunite with Antonio Conte, who used him as a left wing-back in Milan – a position which the 33-year-old has made his own over the last couple of years.
However, despite Perisic’s impressive displays over the last two seasons, Waddle does not think the experienced wide-man’s capture makes sense for Spurs.
The legendary midfielder told BoyleSports (as relayed by The Mirror): “Ivan Perisic is a strange signing for Spurs. They need to sign another centre-back, while Allan Saint-Maximin would annoy Antonio Conte.
“Ivan Perisic is a strange signing because he’s not the most physical player, doesn’t have the best stamina, and he’s joining a league where you do need a pair of legs.
“He’s a free transfer, and it’s a little bit against Tottenham’s policies to sign someone like Perisic, but clearly Conte has got his way there, and there will probably be two or three more additions.
“They need to get another centre-back. I know they’ve got Joe Rodon, who plays really well for Wales, but he can’t seem to get a look in.”
MORE SPURS STORIES
Spurs are also reportedly eyeing a move for Allan Saint-Maximin this summer, with The Daily Mail claiming this week that the Newcastle winger’s name has been discussed in Conte’s conversations with Fabio Paratici this summer.
However, Waddle insisted that the Frenchman’s lack of end product will frustrate Conte if Tottenham do snap him up this summer.
He added: “They’re linked with Allan Saint-Maximin, and the Spurs fans would be very excited to get him. But I think he’d be a very frustrating player for Antonio Conte, and he needs to be consistent and provide more of an end product if he wants to be a starter for Spurs every week.”
Spurs Web Opinion
Waddle’s statement regarding Perisic encapsulates exactly why simply being an ex-professional does not qualify one to be a pundit.
The 61-year-old could not have been more wrong about the Croat, who is one of the fittest players in Europe.
The fact that Waddle had no qualms about making this statement despite evidently never watching Perisic play, boggles my mind.
Keep up to date with all the latest Tottenham news and opinion by following SpursWeb’s Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts.
