Arsenal legend Ray Parlour has been blown away by the running stats Tottenham Hotspur have posted since Antonio Conte’s dramatic return to the Premier League, speaking to talkSPORT (21 December, 9.50am).
Imagine, for a second, that Conte fixes you with one of his famous steely glares, his gunmetal eyes boring into your soul as he barks at you to run the New York marathon.
You certainly wouldn’t hang around.
According to The Times, Tottenham’s players have covered 115 kilometres on average in the seven weeks after hiring the former Chelsea, Juventus, Inter Milan and Italy boss.
Compare that with their numbers under his much-maligned predecessor, Nuno Espirito Santo (100 km).
Even under Jose Mourinho, a coach for whom the word ‘uncompromising’ would feel like an understatement, Spurs only averaged 107 kilometres per game.
So what’s different now?
Have the likes of Harry Kane, Harry Winks and co been whipped into shape by the little Lieutenant from Lecce. Or is there a more tactical explanation for Tottenham’s new-found energy.
How far can Tottenham go under Antonio Conte?
“That’s amazing,” said Parlour, a three-time Premier League winner, upon hearing Spurs’ running stats under Conte.
“Nuno was very pragmatic,” adds fellow talkSPORT pundit Darren Bent.
According to the former Tottenham striker, Conte’s up-and-at-’em approach may explain why Spurs are suddenly covering far more ground than before.
“(Nuno’s style was to) sit back and wait to counter-attack. Maybe, when you’re sat in your shape, you only move 10 or 15 yards,” Bent muses.
“You look at Conte, certainly the game against Liverpool (a thrilling 2-2 draw on Sunday), they were high energy.
“They tried to press, they played from back to front, they were trying to put balls in behind, they were running forward.
“I do think he’s very demanding, Conte. The work-rate has to be a certain level to play in one of his teams.”
Despite mustering eight fewer attempts on goal than Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, no one could argue that the better chances did not fall the home sides’ way.
It’s a reflection of how far Tottenham have come under Conte that a comeback draw against a fearsome Reds side felt like two points dropped.
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