Premier League: Antonio Conte’s possible plan for Tottenham Hotspur is something PL clubs needs to be afraid of: After months of speculation and being linked to clubs like Real Madrid, Manchester United, and even Tottenham Hotspur (in the summer), the Italian boss has finally decided to pen down an 18-month contract with the Lilywhites.
Today’s announcement day for Antonio Conte as new Tottenham manager. Contract until June 2023 to be signed this morning, official pics and meeting with the squad together with Fabio Paratici. ⚪️🇮🇹 #THFC
Spurs are ready for the new era with the Italian manager.
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) November 2, 2021
The Italian boss succeeds former Wolves boss Nuno Espirito Santo, who has been sacked after just 10 Premier League games. As many had already feared the Portuguese were never a good fit for the North-Londoners.
Nuno’s counter-attacking style never suited the team, his attacking tactics were heavily criticized after his team had only scored 9 times in 10 league games.
Club announcement.
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) November 1, 2021
Premier League: Antonio Conte’s possible plan for Tottenham Hotspur is something PL clubs needs to be afraid of
Conte’s primary philosophy:
The Italian manager usually deploys a 3-5-2 or a 3-4-3 (he has also occasionally used a 4-3-3 with traditional wingers), with the 3 central defenders at the back, Conte’s philosophy is usually providing a solid base using his center-backs and then allowing the forward players to express themselves.
Conte’s game-play works around fast attacking transitions and playing-out from the back.
Center-Backs under Antonio Conte:
Conte’s 3 central defenders usually split to facilitate easy and rapid build-up play. During his time with Inter Milan, Conte’s central defenders often went long, with Romelu Lukaku’s brilliant hold-up play and interplay.
Tottenham Hotspur’s center-back especially Cristian Romero possesses similar qualities that allowed Inter Milan to be successful. When not in possession of the ball Antonio Conte’s teams are usually well-drilled, the center-backs make themselves compact, which makes Antonio Conte’s teams hard to be penetrated.
Wing-Backs under Antonio Conte:
Conte’s 2 wing-backs are the most important players in his system, providing width and making overlapping runs beyond the strikers when attacking. The full-backs make a back 5 when the other team has possession, helping the team to cover spaces in behind and making defensive transitions easy.
Wingbacks act as wide wingers when attacking, putting in crosses, and creating overloads in the final 3rd. Conte’s generally likes pacy and fast full-backs and Sergio Regulion and Emerson Royale certainly fit that mold.
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Mid-fielders under Antonio Conte-
During his time at Inter and his final year at Chelsea, the Italian used a 3-man midfield, which included a defensive midfielder, a box-to-box midfielder, and a number 10. The primary role of the defensive midfielder was always to shield the defense and ball progression to the forwards, usually through long switches and defense splitting passes.
The primary role of the box-to-box midfielder was to play in between the lines, showing creativity and flair, the box-to-box midfielder also helped in transitions.
The role of the number 10 was to play the killer pass as well as score goals, with runs in behind the defense and even beyond the strikers. Antonio Conte has players at his disposal who can fit well into this system, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, Oliver Skipp, Harry Winks, Tanguay Ndombele, Giovanni Lo Celso, and Dele Alli.
Attackers under Antonio Conte-
One thing Antonio Conte’s teams have always shown is that- understanding between the 2 forwards is always telepathic. The players that play upfront should always know when to make what run and when will the pass come.
Previous such pairing includes the likes of Romelu Lukaku and Lautaro Martinez, Eden Hazard and Diego Costa, Son Heung Min and Harry Kane seem to have a similar sort of telepathic understanding on the field, if not even better.
😳 “Conte once said that if a player ever ignored his tactics, he would kill him!”
🏃 “I spoke to @Youngy18 and he said Conte will make you run non stop! I think it’s exactly what this #MUFC team needs.”
Gabby Agbonlahor believes Antonio Conte could be what Man United need. 🔴 pic.twitter.com/bOayMuwnNM
— talkSPORT (@talkSPORT) October 27, 2021
Premier League: Antonio Conte’s possible plan for Tottenham Hotspur is something PL clubs needs to be afraid of
How could Tottenham lineup in a 3-5-2 formation under Antonio Conte:
Hugo Lloris
Cristiano Romero, Eric Dier, Ben Davis
Emerson Royal, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, Tanguay Ndombele, Giovanni Lo Celso, Sergio Reguilion
Harry Kane, Son Heung Min
