Ian Wright has stated that he ‘can’t understand’ why Antonio Conte doesn’t like Tottenham Hotspur being described as a counter-attacking team.
The former striker was told by journalist and European football expert, Miguel Delaney, that Conte corrects you in his press conferences if you describe Spurs as a ‘counter-attacking’ team, as he told Premier League Productions (17/10/22 at 2:35 pm).
But Wright, who has backed the north London club to go on a Premier League title challenge this term, can’t see Tottenham other than being a ‘pure’ counter-attacking team, so he questions where that issue stems from.
In comparison to what Chelsea are now under Graham Potter and what Mikel Arteta is producing over at Arsenal, those two are seen as the more attack-minded teams on paper and also the possession-based sides.
Now, it’s each to their own because, whilst Arsenal are playing this free-flowing style and their rivals are seen as being more rugged, it’s the latter who are in the Champions League and who are also scoring as many goals as their neighbours (Tottenham’s 22 to Arsenal’s 24 after ten matches).
Nonetheless, this is what Delaney and Wright made of Tottenham’s style under Conte.
“Apparently, Conte doesn’t like his football being described as counter-attacking,” said Delaney. “If you bring it up in a press conference, then he will correct you.
To which Wright responded: “Really?” And the Independent journalist added: “But it’s very different to what he did with Juventus and with Italy. To a certain extent with Chelsea, although, I do think he did lean into that with Chelsea.
“I have been told separately, by people who know him in Italy, that there is a thinking that one of the reasons Spurs look stale, at the moment, is because he’s trying to conserve their energy and their physical output for the season, for after the World Cup. So he’s consciously having them restrained right now. That could prove, if true.
Wright stated: “When I have watched them at the Emirates, I don’t know what else you would call them if you don’t call them ‘counter-attacking’. Simply because they are so deep in their own box, there is no other way you can describe how they were playing.
“I felt they weren’t tight enough on people. We know they are breaking, then bam, Harry Kane or Son, then the games over. I don’t think you can describe Spurs, at the moment, other than counter-attacking because they don’t have that player in midfield who links the play, so you can play out and play like a possession game. I can’t understand why he would correct that because I see Tottenham as a pure counter-attacking side.”
EFFICIENT TOTTENHAM
Whilst Conte seemingly doesn’t like the counter-attacking tag, his team can, at least, be described as efficient.
With the front three Spurs have at their disposal, well Harry Kane and Son Heung-min at least, they are utterly ruthless and efficient in front of goal.
That’s why they are in the Champions League this season and have only lost two games in all competitions.
And if they continue down those lines, then there is no reason why they can’t be singing and dancing at the end of the season with a trophy to their name.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
