Paul Scholes has claimed that Tottenham boss, Antonio Conte, would strike ‘fear’ into the Manchester United players, as he told Premier League Productions (19/02/22 at 1:45 pm).
The former midfielder questioned whether Conte would ‘become available’ in the summer because he thinks he is ‘too good’ for Tottenham.
At the second time of asking, and after sacking Nuno Espirito Santo midway through the season, Spurs knocked on Conte’s door and got a positive response.
It was some coup from the north London club to snap up the Italian’s coaching talents, after his recent success stories at the likes of Inter Milan and Chelsea.
During his playing days, Scholes played for one of the most demanding managers of all time and he likes what he sees from Conte.
“I keep going back to that word ‘fear’,” said Scholes. “I think he would strike fear into Manchester United players.
“To go to Man City and do what they did. The plan that they had. When you are playing against Man City, you have no choice, you have to play on the counter-attack, then hope your best players perform.
“I think someone like Conte, there is no doubt that he is an elite manager. I still think there are question marks over Pochettino. He did brilliantly with Tottenham and he got them to a Champions League final. He almost won the league.
“Going to PSG, people are a little unfair on him really saying ‘it’s going to be easy and it doesn’t matter if he’s going to win the league’. But what if he wins the Champions League? I can’t see him coming to Man United.
“Then there is Conte. I never understood why he took the Tottenham job. I always felt that he was too good for those group of players. Could he become available in the summer?”
After losing three Premier League games on the bounce, Conte showcased his worth when his Spurs side beat Manchester City 3-2 at the Etihad over the weekend.
Once again, it was another stoppage-time win for Tottenham, just like they did at Leicester City a number of weeks ago.
Fighting till the end and winning in such a manner isn’t something Spurs have showcased that often.
But Conte is clearly having a mental impact on these players because they have looked like a different animal under his stewardship.
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