Andros Townsend has defended Tottenham’s call to sign Ivan Perisic and stated that he ‘still has the ability’ to do the job for Antonio Conte.
With Spurs signing two 30+ years olds this summer, the signing of 33-year-old Perisic drew criticism because of his age, but Townsend made it clear that he is ‘not a pensioner’ in footballing terms.
The Croatia international, who reached the final of the 2018 World Cup, joined on a free transfer after leaving Inter Milan, where he won the Serie A title under Conte’s stewardship.
The experienced forward isn’t coming to Spurs to start on a regular basis because a certain Heung-Min Son is ahead of him in that order, but he will be as valuable on the pitch as he will be to the younger players off it.
Nonetheless, this is what Everton winger Townsend made of Tottenham’s call to bring in the ‘tricky’ Perisic this summer, as he told talkSPORT.
“He’s a player I have always enjoyed watching him,” said Townsend. “He’s a tricky winger. I have watched him for Croatia at previous World Cups and at the Euros.
“He’s a player that has done well for Antonio Conte, so he knows he still has the ability and he knows he’s still not a pensioner and he can still do it at the highest level.
“As a winger, he is a player I am excited to watch and see what he can do in the Premier League.”
MORE TO COME FROM TOTTENHAM…?
With Spurs returning to Champions League football, they certainly need to bulk up their squad and it’s something Daniel Levy hasn’t previously done well.
But, so far, three new faces have arrived, including Yves Bissouma, and there are more deals seemingly bubbling away under the surface at Hotspur Way.
Everton duo, Richarlison and Anthony Gordon, have been mentioned recently, as well as a possible ambitious move for Inter Milan’s, Alessandro Bastoni.
Whatever happens, it seems as though Levy is backing Conte in the summer transfer market, after he helped them to Champions League football last season.
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