Tottenham Hotspur should be making a move to sign Juventus defender Giorgio Chiellini to bolster Antonio Conte’s back line.
That’s according to former Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp, who is backing a move for the veteran centre back.
Speaking to The Sun, Redknapp suggested that Chiellini should be near the top of Tottenham’s transfer wish list.
Redknapp feels that Tottenham need a leader and an organiser at the back – which is exactly what Chiellini has been for years.
Redknapp believes Chiellini’s displays at Euro 2020 show he is far from finished despite being 37.
The former Spurs boss even noted that Chiellini could be Tottenham’s very own Thiago Silva after signing a veteran defender ‘worked for Chelsea’.
“Over the next few weeks, no doubt, we’ll see a list of the supposed big-name targets he wants when the transfer window opens,” said Redknapp. “I doubt very much if 37-year-old Giorgio Chiellini will be on it but, for me, he’s the one man the new Spurs manager should move Heaven and Earth to bring to London with him.”
“I’ve said plenty of times that squad is packed with talent but what they really need is a leader, an organiser, a winner – and Chiellini ticks every one of those boxes. And as for his age? Well, he didn’t do too badly at the heart of that Italian defence in the Euros, did he? It’s not as though he’s finished, by any means.”
“I love the guy, he’s a real character, and even if it’s only for a year, two at most, he could transform the place. It’s pretty obvious Conte will go with three at the back. That’s a system he loves and has been successful with before, so I think that’s a given. You stick Chiellini in the middle and let him run the show. You don’t need him in the channels, just heading the ball away and organising the rest.”
“He played under Conte at Juventus when they were winning everything, so there’s already a relationship there. It worked for Chelsea when they got Thiago Silva, who was nearly 36 at the time, and I could see Chiellini having the same impact at Spurs. He’s got a year left on his contract at Juventus but I’d have a go at getting him. And if that fails, then go for his pal Leonardo Bonucci on the same basis.
Would Chiellini really join Tottenham?
It’s hard to imagine such a move – even with Conte now at Tottenham.
Sure, the pair fared well together with Juventus and Italy, and Conte called the defender ‘fantastic’ just a few months ago, but Chiellini will surely finish his career in Turin.
Chiellini is Mr Juventus, racking up more than 500 appearances for the club whilst winning 10 league titles with the club – including the second division.
With more than 18 months left on his Juventus deal, Chiellini seemingly doesn’t have plans to leave any time soon.
Tottenham can offer that Conte reunion, but convincing Chiellini to finish his career anywhere but Juve sounds incredibly difficult.
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