Antonio Conte has delivered an update – as per Football London – on Japhet Tanganga after the Tottenham man underwent surgery. But amid reports over a potential exit, do his comments suggest Tanganga will stay?
Tanganga, 22, has been absent from the Tottenham side for their last eight Premier League matches – due to a knee injury. While he might not have started, he would have been on the bench as cover for Cristian Romero.
The England Under-21 star is also able to play as a right-back, and could have competed with Matt Doherty and Emerson Royal – both of whom were out of form in recent weeks. Doherty has since improved on the right.
Conte spoke in his press conference regarding Tanganga, stating that the Tottenham doctors did all they can to avoid surgery for the defender – but he has now been forced to go under the knife, and he is out for the season.
“With Japhet the medical department tried until the end to find a solution but in the end it was the best solution for the player and the doctor to have this operation, this surgery to clear his knee. He will be ready next season.”
Do Conte comments suggest Tottenham will keep Tanganga?
CalcioMercato reported in January that Spurs were open to the permanent exit of Tanganga for a fee of £21million, with AC Milan among those to be taking a look. He has a contract at Spurs until the summer of 2024.
But Conte saying that he will be ready for next season is intriguing. Is he simply saying that Tanganga will be fit for the 2022-23 campaign? Or does he suggest that he is looking forward to working with him next season?
Tanganga is certainly well down the pecking order, third choice at right wing-back and behind Romero and Davinson Sanchez on the right of the back three. But Conte’s comments do suggest he expects to keep Tanganga.
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