Tottenham Hotspur

Tottenham Hotspur

Premier League • England

Antonio Conte ‘questions everyone’ at Tottenham, ‘should have stayed at Inter’ – pundits

Antonio Conte looks on during the Carabao Cup semi-final second leg against Chelsea, January 2022

Pundits thinks Antonio Conte ‘questions everyone’ at Tottenham and ‘should have remained at Inter’, amid the manager’s struggles in North London.

Conte has had to deal with a series of ups and downs since joining Tottenham, especially in recent weeks. Spurs beat Manchester City 3-2 on February 19 thanks to a late Harry Kane header, only to lose to Burnley in their next outing.

They responded to that setback by easing past Leeds United 4-0 at Elland Road. Goals came from Matt Doherty, January signing Dejan Kulusevski, Harry Kane again and Son Heung-min.

However, they failed to build on that victory once again by crashing out of the FA Cup to Championship side Middlesbrough in their next game. They were taken to extra time by Chris Wilder’s men, who went through to the quarter-final thanks to Josh Coburn’s winner.

According to Conte’s agent, Massimo Brambati, the former Chelsea boss is ‘thinking of leaving’ Spurs.

That’s because Conte realises there is ‘a margin beyond which he can’t go with certain players’.

Former players talk Antonio Conte predicament

Former Italy players Francesco Baiano and Antonio Di Gennaro add to the managerial uncertainty. During an interview with Tuttomercatoweb (via Sport Witness), Baiano said: “When you go up in the running, you have to be happy with the players you have in the squad.

“He alternates very good things with others less so, he has to build the team. With hindsight, it was better to stay at Inter.”

Tottenham keeper Pierluigi Gollini set for early exit

Tottenham keeper Pierluigi Gollini set for early exit

Tottenham keeper Pierluigi Gollini could secure an early exit as he has reportedly convinced an Italian team over a summer move

Di Gennaro added: “The two winter signings of 65 million [Kulusevski and Rodrigo Bentancur] are not cheap at the economic level. I think with his latest statements, he wanted to question everyone.”

Conte remains in charge of the club, for now at least. Though another defeat against Everton on Monday could see his future come into more doubt.

Update on Spurs target Sven Botman

Meanwhile, Tottenham and Newcastle centre-back target Sven Botman is reportedly ‘moving closer’ to joining Milan, and the two English clubs are waiting to see if a deal will be struck.

Newcastle want to land Botman, but Tottenham are also hoping to prize the Dutchman away from Lille.

However, Newcastle and Spurs may be left disappointed. Transfer journalist Nicolo Schiraclaims Botman is ‘getting closer’ to linking up with Milan.

He is willing to pen a five-year contract with the Rossoneri, who are currently fighting for the Serie A title.

Milan are attempting to sort out a transfer agreement with Lille ahead of the summer, according to Schira.

The update leaves Spurs and Newcastle essentially in limbo. They will need to enter negotiations pretty quickly if they want to torpedo the deal.

READ MORE: Conte threatened Tottenham squad with remarkable punishment if they failed to beat Leeds