If you were to build the prototype Antonio Conte footballer, he’d probably end up looking a lot like Juan Cuadrado.
Juventus’ Colombian international is exactly the kind of direct, chalk-on-the-boots sort of wideman that so often forms the bedrock of the best Conte sides. See Marcos Alonso at Chelsea, Achraf Hakimi at Inter Milan.
The Tottenham Hotspur boss tends to favour experience over exuberance too, perhaps a result of his rather short-term, win-at-all-costs approach to management.
Conte’s Inter squad contained more veterans than a Dad’s Army reunion. Ashley Young, Alexis Sanchez, Arturo Vidal, Aleksandar Kolarov, Diego Godin and former Chelsea favourite Victor Moses all joined the Nerazzuri during his time at the helm.
Every single one of those players arrived at the San Siro with a league title under their belts, during spells at Manchester United, City, Atletico Madrid and more.
The implication was clear. If Inter were to take the next step, from nearly-men to trophy-winners, they needed players who knew what it takes to succeed at the highest level.
The perfect signing for Conte’s Tottenham?
As we said, Cuadrado and Conte is a match made in footballing heaven.
According to Rudy Galetti, Italian journalist, Tottenham have made contact with Cuadrado’s agent to enquire about whether the one-time Chelsea winger would consider a second spell in the Premier League. A second spell in London.
Conte knows Cuadrado well. Not just from his time at Stamford Bridge but also his multiple spells in Serie A.
“With Juan Cuadrado, in my idea of football I love the role of the winger when doing a one-v-one,” Conte said during his spell in West London (Standard)
“Cuadrado is one of these (who thrives in these situations). I am pleased to train him.”
Unfortunately for Conte, he didn’t get to ‘train’ Cuadrado for long. The speedy South American was unsettled in England and jumped at the chance to return to Italy, joining Conte’s former employers Juventus.
Now 33, and with his contract expiring in July, Cuadrado may feel he has unfinished business. Unfinished business under Conte and in England.
Tailor-made for the Tottenham boss’s 3-5-2 system, the five-time Serie A champion would add some title-winning nous to a rather green Spurs squad lacking proven winners following the departures of Gareth Bale and Joe Hart.
His age – 33 – might put off most managers. But not Conte.
Cuadrado would not be a long-term signing. But Conte is not a long-term manager.
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