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Antonio Conte once compared 30-year-old to Bonucci, now Tottenham might sign him

Photo by Tottenham Hotspur FC/Tottenham Hotspur FC via Getty Images
Photo by Tottenham Hotspur FC/Tottenham Hotspur FC via Getty Images
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LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 13:  Antonio Conte, manager of Tottenham Hotspur issues instructions to his players from the touchline during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Wolverhampton Wanderers at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on February 13, 2022 in London, England. (Photo by Tottenham Hotspur FC/Tottenham Hotspur FC via Getty Images)
Photo by Tottenham Hotspur FC/Tottenham Hotspur FC via Getty Images

According to Inter Live, Tottenham Hotspur are leading the race to sign Stefan de Vrij from Inter Milan.

Interestingly, Antonio Conte is a man who knows de Vrij rather well having managed the 30-year-old at San Siro over the past couple of years.

Conte was seemingly a fan of the Dutchman. He was a regular starter for I Nezzazzuri during the Italian’s tenure, and he even earned comparisons to Leonardo Bonucci.

What’s Conte said?

The gaffer compared De Vrij to Bonnuci during his time at Inter as he played a similar role as a ball-playing creative defender in Conte’s back three system.

“​The growth of this team comes from assimilating certain concepts. Stefan de Vrij, like Bonucci, becomes an important player because they must inevitably leave him room. Stefan is doing well. My defenders must be the first to rely on, even Godin had made assists against Udinese. We have to try it,” Conte said.

MILAN, ITALY - FEBRUARY 16: Stefan De Vrij of FC Internazionale in action during the UEFA Champions League Round Of Sixteen Leg One match between FC Internazionale and Liverpool FC at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on February 16, 2022 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images

Perfect

Tottenham need a defender who will suite Conte’s system, and that’s exactly what de Vrij is.

The Dutchman became incredibly well-adjusted to the Italian’s style of play during his time at San Siro, and as Conte says, he played that ‘Bonucci role’ very well.

Right now, Spurs look rather discombobulated at the back, and a calming presence like de Vrij would be just what the doctor ordered.

This could be a brilliant addition to the Spurs squad if Fabio Paratici can pull this one off.

NAPLES, ITALY - FEBRUARY 12: Stefan de Vrij of FC Internazionale during the Serie A match between SSC Napoli and FC Internazionale at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on February 12, 2022 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Ivan Romano/Getty Images)
Photo by Ivan Romano/Getty Images