Tottenham Hotspur

Tottenham Hotspur

Premier League • England

Tottenham new boy shares Antonio Conte belief after revealing two key figures behind move

Rodrigo Bentancur after a Tottenham Hotspur match

Rodrigo Bentancur has revealed two familiar figures helped convince him to join Tottenham Hotspur, before adding why he thinks he will become a better player under Antonio Conte.

Bentancur was one of two Tottenham signings in the January transfer window. Like Dejan Kulusevski, he joined the club from Juventus. A central midfielder, he helped replenish an area that was deprived of a few players in the same month.

It is the first time he has played in the Premier League. His only previous clubs were Boca Juniors and Juve.

He has walked into a tricky situation at Tottenham, who have been struggling for form recently. But he will be trying to help them improve and believes he has made the right decision.

Behind his choice to join the Premier League side were fellow Uruguay internationals Luis Suarez (formerly of Liverpool) and Edinson Cavani (currently of Manchester United).

Explaining the transfer, Bentancur told Sky Sports: “I was following my situation while on international duty, and as soon as Luis Suarez found out that there was a possibility of me coming to play in the Premier League, and for Tottenham, he made himself available to give me as much information as I required.

“Suarez said it would be a great move for me and it would help me both professionally and personally. If I needed anything, he was willing to help me out.

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“Edinson Cavani got involved too. I asked him [about the move], even though he will be an opponent, and he said it was a spectacular league to play in and it would benefit me greatly.”

At the age of 24, Bentancur will be hoping to make the most of his new opportunity. He is under contract with Tottenham until 2026.

Bentancur makes Antonio Conte claim

Rodrigo Bentancur playing for Tottenham Hotspur

Someone else at the club whose long-term future is less certain is head coach Antonio Conte. He took charge earlier in the season but only on a deal until 2023.

Some have raised fears of him walking away from the club if he is not backed in the transfer market. But Bentancur clearly believes in Conte and thinks he will help him develop further.

Bentancur added: “It certainly has been a real dream of mine to play in this league. I used to watch English football and the Premier League as a kid growing up.

“The fact that Antonio Conte was here was a massive factor in helping me make up my decision to join Tottenham, and a big motivation.

“I feel that he can dramatically improve me as a player and I’m looking forward to learning from him big time.

“Things have been going really well. I’ve had the help of all of my team-mates and all the backroom staff, so I’m excited to get going.

“His track record is amazing. He’s won lots of titles and has been successful wherever he’s gone.”

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