‘Miserly’ Daniel Levy, for once, backed his manager by opening the chequebook early to get him the signings he needed to take Tottenham to the next level.
Since Antonio Conte (main image) guided the London club to the Champions League last season, he has spent that time analysing who he needs to make the team even more formidable.
With weeks until the season begins, Tottenham has surprisingly signed six players – Fraser Forster, Ivan Perisic, Yves Bissouma, Clement Lenglet, Richarlison, and Djed Spence.
Previous managers had to ‘beg’ Levy to sign players they needed. At times, those players only arrived after the season had started, or the following season.
Others joined rival teams. The dilly-dallying cost Spurs in the past, but Conte has managed to stop the rot.
Perhaps realising the shrewd Italian would not stand for any such nonsense, Levy has sanctioned the moves, and there are rumours of at least two more incoming transfers.
Speaking to the Daily Mail, Conte said his target is for other teams to fear Spurs.
He added: “It will be a tough and exciting season. We have to try to push ourselves and try to improve. To improve in all the situations that can bring us to be competitive.”
Tottenham is among the traditional ‘Big Six’, but it has not won the league since 1961. That was only its second title, 10 years after winning it for the first time.
In that time, the other ‘Big Six’ clubs – Manchester United, Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea, and Manchester City – have won multiple league titles.
Conte can be the man to steer the club back to the top.
He certainly has the pedigree after winning three Serie A titles with Juventus (2011-2012, 2012-13, 2013-14), one with Inter Milan (2020-2021), and a Premier League crown with Chelsea (2016-2017).
Last season, Conte took over from Nuno Espirito Santo on Nov 2, with Tottenham in ninth place after 10 matches.
He was unbeaten for over two months before a slight blip in form, in February, where Spurs lost three on the bounce – the first time in his managerial career that that had happened.
Conte, however, steadied the ship. Tottenham eventually overtook neighbour Arsenal to finish fourth in the Premier League to book its ticket to the Champions League.
Bet on the Italian springing a few surprises in the coming season.
Main image: Tottenham Hotspur