Dean Saunders has claimed that ‘Antonio Conte is on a mission’ as Tottenham are closing in on the signing of Richarlison from Everton, as he told talkSPORT on Thursday.
The former striker added that, on top of Richarlison, if Spurs can add a ‘world-class centre-back’ and another right-back to their mix, then he can see them closing the gap on Liverpool and Manchester City next season.
For the past five years, Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola have watched their two teams be the top dogs in England’s top division.
The Reds have added one Premier League title to their cabinet, as well as a European Cup and two domestic trophies last season, whilst those from the Etihad have well and truly dominated by winning four out of the last five titles.
Nonetheless, when Saunders was asked to share his thoughts on Richarlison’s imminent transfer from Everton to Tottenham, this is what he had to say.
“His strengths are that he gets on the end of crosses,” said Saunders. “When he plays down the middle, with his back to goal, he’s not the best. That’s his weakness.
“But coming in from the flanks and getting on the end of crosses from the opposite side, I think he’s really good. And I like the way he plays. He has got that fire in his belly, so I think he is a good signing for Spurs.
“I think Conte is on a mission. Spurs are going to do really well. I think a couple more signings (on top of Richarlison), like a world-class centre-back and a right-back, then I think they have a chance of knocking on the door of Liverpool and Manchester City. And win a cup.”
TOTTENHAM TO SIGN RICHARLISON FOR £60 MILLION
During these past few years, Daniel Levy has had his critics for how wrong things have gone for Spurs, especially towards the back end of Mauricio Pochettino’s reign and what happened after he left.
But with Conte now in the dugout, the Spurs chairman is seemingly backing the Italian to the hill and back, which is proven by him putting £60 million on the table for Richarlison.
As Neil Warnock pointed out, Levy isn’t the type to splash that cash on a player who isn’t going to be first-choice, so he really must believe what Conte is bringing to the table.
Now it’s up to Conte and the players to deliver the goods next season because a lot of people will be backing them to go beyond just a fourth-place finish.
But can they go to that next level? Spurs have been craving for that all-important trophy and this is the best chance they are going to get in a long time.
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