Jamie O’Hara has told Stadium Astro that Matt Doherty has told him Antonio Conte is the best manager he and a lot of the Spurs squad have played under – but that they have had to win the Italian’s trust first of all.
Spurs remain in the race for fourth place, although Arsenal’s 2-1 win over Leeds on Sunday has seen the Gunners go four points clear. However, Arsenal and Spurs do battle on Thursday – so it is all to play for.
It comes after Tottenham nabbed a point against Liverpool, but were unlucky not to hold onto all three – Luis Diaz’s speculative effort deflecting past Hugo Lloris off the toe of midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur.
Ex-Spurs midfielder O’Hara was discussing Ryan Sessegnon after the left-footer gave an interview to Stadium Astro – and O’Hara said after that Doherty and others have told him that earning Conte’s trust is pivotal.
“Speaking to a few of the players, speaking to Doherty about Antonio Conte, I asked him what he is like. The players absolutely love him, but what he said is, you’ve got to earn his trust, you have to earn his trust first.
“If you don’t, it can be a tough ride for you. But once you’ve got that, and you’re on your side and he knows he can rely on you – the players say he is the best manager, the best manager they have ever had.”
O’Hara on Doherty, Conte: Clear which players have Tottenham trust
The starting XI picks itself, other than a couple of positions. Nine of the 11 can be named quite easily – Hugo Lloris, Cristian Romero, Eric Dier, Ben Davies, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, Rodrigo Bentancur and the front three.
The only areas in which Tottenham do not have regular guarantees is at right-back and left-back. Doherty is probably first choice over Emerson Royal but is injured. Sessegnon is battling Sergio Reguilon at left-back.
But it is clear which players Conte trusts and it will also be clear which ones he does not trust – come the summer window.
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