How has Antonio Conte transformed Tottenham?
By Oli Dickson Jefford
Wednesday’s calamitous 2-0 defeat to Chelsea in the first leg of their EFL Cup semi-finals highlights the improvements Tottenham need to make.
However, there is little doubt that they have improved massively since Antonio Conte took over as manager just over two months ago.
Defeat to Conte’s former side at Stamford Bridge was just the second time Spurs have lost since the Italian arrived in North London, and they remain unbeaten in the Premier League during that time.
A strong run in the league has seen them move back into top four contention and a strong second half of the campaign could see them return to the Champions League for next season.
Since Conte’s arrival, there have been some notable changes which have helped transform Tottenham.
Attacking emphasis
Spurs’ strength is undoubtedly in attack, with Harry Kane, Heung-Min Son and Lucas Moura one of the best forward lines in the Premier League.
In recent times under Jose Mourinho and Nuno Espírito Santo the side have played defensively and not to their strengths, and that has cost them.
Since Conte’s arrival he has reshaped strategy so that Spurs counter more and are more effective when they attack, ensuring more service is provided for the front three.
This change has seen Tottenham score more frequently and kill off opponents with more ease, with the days of grinding narrow victories under Mourinho and Espirito slowly ebbing away.
Kane has undoubtedly benefited from this with the England captain showing a gradual return to form in recent weeks after a slow start to the campaign.
It has also massively benefited Moura who is more consistent than he ever has been at the club, arguably being one of Spurs’ players of the season so far.
Physical improvements
Traditionally, Conte’s sides are renowned for being supremely fit and able to maintain a consistent level of energy from the first minute to the last.
The Italian makes his players undergo demanding training sessions to make sure they are as fit as they can possibly be, and ready to face any challenge put in front of them.
Though there is still a lot of work to do in regards to this, it has been noticeable in recent weeks that several Spurs’ players are looking less fatigued towards the end of matches.
One example of this was the recent win over Watford, where Spurs were able to maintain a high press throughout and ultimately grab a well-deserved winner through Davison Sanchez in the dying stages.
It was also evident in their dominant Boxing Day win over Crystal Palace, and the thrilling 2-2 draw versus Liverpool shortly before that.
With a demanding second half of the season coming due to previous covid delays for almost every side, such physical improvement could benefit Tottenham greatly.
Greater confidence
Conte is a great motivator and it seems that the players have more self-belief and confidence since his arrival in early November.
Compared to his two predecessors in the managerial role, the Italian is outgoing, not afraid to hide his emotions and seems like someone who would inspire great belief in his squad.
This is particularly important considering several senior players were reportedly unhappy when Espirito Santo was hired last summer, and failed to generate much of a relationship with him.
All the players seem to have a great relationship with their new manager and seem happier and more passionate on the pitch when celebrating, with Conte clearly impressed with some of the characters in his dressing room.
The energy and motivation he provides is certainly helping many of the players, particularly the likes of Kane and Eric Dier who were struggling early on this season.
There is still undoubtedly a lot of work that Conte needs to put in at Tottenham, but things are certainly heading in the right direction after the opening months of his reign.
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