Athletic reporter Charlie Eccleshare has told Give Me Sport that Antonio Conte wanted Tottenham to sign a player like Ivan Perisic at right wing-back – despite the signing of Djed Spence, and two other options in that position on the right.
Perisic, 33, was one of seven summer signings at Tottenham. The club also brought in Spence, Fraser Forster, Clement Lenglet, Yves Bissouma, Richarlison and Destiny Udogie. The latter has returned to Udinese on loan for the 22-23 term.
But Spurs did all of their business at the beginning of the window. Spence joined little after the club returned from their pre-season tour of South Korea, while Udogie joined recently but is back at Udinese. Conte wanted more.
Indeed, reports claim he was left “disappointed” on deadline day. Now, Eccleshare claims that despite having Spence, Emerson Royal and Matt Doherty – he wanted a player like Ivan Perisic on the right. However, that did not materialise.
“They’d already brought in Spence. But I think, if it were up to Conte, if he could have had a Perisic equivalent on the right, someone who is a more plug-in and play option, I think he probably would have been up for that.”
Conte wanted player like Perisic at right wing-back for Tottenham
The issue with Conte wanting a player in that position, is that Spurs would have had to sell either Emerson of Doherty. Or both. Spence comes in and is likely to be one for the future, getting the odd outing here and there.
Doherty is a player that Conte trusts, but he is a player that lacks the physicality of Brazil international Emerson. If Conte could bring in a player that embodies those traits – like £125k-a-week Perisic – it would have made sense.
But Spurs would have had to sell one or two of their three current options. Perhaps, even loaning Spence back out, as they have done with Udogie. For now, he will have to make do with Emerson, Doherty and Spence.
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