This is the thing people overlook: it's not what Conte says but what he doesn't say that indicates his plans For the most obvious example, him saying that Bergwijn was his choice to be Kane's understudy with no mention of Dele said a hell of a lot without him saying anything Similarly how he speaks highly of Winks' coachability or how he's looking forward to working with Lo Celso, yet he describes Ndombele in the most objective manner possible The good news is he's spoken highly of Gil
He’s earned a reprieve for half a season providing he don’t resort back to his sidewards bollocks - and he also needs to cut trying to dribble out on the edge of our box! Nearly cost us twice the other day, man must've thought he was Mousa Dembele or something. All seriousness I did say a few days back that we need to be doing all we can to get Ndombele and Lo Celso out the door, as well as Dele if there’s interest and that Winks should be the one to stay with a new CM coming in. He meets the minimum requirements of being available most weeks and giving his all, amazing how tough that is for some…
And right on cue, Conte provides evidence to compare his opinion on Lo Celso with his opinion on Ndombele Note he doesn't say "Gio is 25 years old and plays for Argentina"
Lo Celso being injured so often has probably helped him in that Conte hasn’t seen enough to realise he’s equally as useless as Ndombele
Given how his biggest (and most public) criticism of Ndombele is he's not a team player, that's something very much in Lo Celso's favour Yes, he doesn't go for the 30+ yard through balls to feet that Ndombele regularly tries, but also he doesn't routinely surrender possession and instead lets a move develop, and that is very much where Lo Celso has a place in Conte's team because when you look at some of the team goals we've scored lately you can see Lo Celso as part of the team doing that, but Ndombele is too direct for that
I’d go as far as saying he’s been more useless. At the very least Ndombele’s provided a few bits of genuine quality albeit sparse, hard to think of anything the Argentinian has actually done… Cameo goal vs City? About it I’d say.
Lo Celso and Ndombele are the two worst transfers in our history, not just because of their price tags but because of their lack of effort on the pitch or their lack of effort to get on the pitch. Paulinho, Soldado, Janssen, Rasiak, Zamora, Gilberto, Armstrong, Nkoudou etc at a least put in real effort...they may not have been suited to the club or the league or may not have been who we needed or even good enough but at least they looked like they were trying when they played.
I still reckon if Poch bought Paulinho instead of inheriting him from AVB’s disaster he’d have been a great signing for us. One of those “right player, wrong manager” situations. By the time Poch came in the guy was broken here. Man was a box to box midfielder who scored goals and AVB basically tried making him a Wanyama destroyer DM… poor guy was destined for failure with that oaf in charge.
Some random bits from various sources, mainly Spanish and/ or Italian: We might try and sign Griezmann. Currently on loan at Atleti but apparently Atleti are struggling financially. We’ll make pre-contract moves for Kessie and Romagnoli of Milan (somewhat believable seeing as we know Fabio loves a freebie and both are positions we’re linked with strengthening). Kulusevski keeps popping up 7 times a day. Conte supposedly feels his position here would be on the right of Kane (Lucas’ spot). One report has even suggested a swap for Lo Celso. We’re preparing an offer for Ousmane Dembele.
Gio has been one of my great disappointments. He should be so good and his performances for Argentina show he has talent and application. But I’m becoming increasingly suspicious that his absences for club and continued availability for country are no exact coincidence, which suggests an attitude towards his club football that is quite the opposite to what some of his previous firey performances would suggest. His performances after the Covid break in Jose’s first season should have been a platform to build on but instead he’s had countless injuries and appears to be not so bothered about turning out for Spurs as he is for Argentina. Getting rid is months overdue at this point.
Conte seems to see him as a returning asset, which is a bit more than can be said for Ndombele. I'll admit that it ain't much and may not last very long...but I think he'll be in the team in the next few games and we and Antonio shall see if there's anything there. I'm reckoning his future won't be decided until the summer.
He's just been a really pointless signing in general. Even excluding the injuries (which is seemingly 80% of Spurs career!) there's been very little about him. I understand his pride to play for his country but when both he and Romero ****ed off on the first flight out of here after Prem clubs had asked their players to stay just felt like a big "**** you" from the pair. The fact they then had to return with egg on their faces after authorities cancelled their game within about 6 minutes made the situation so much worse. As for what he actually does for Argentina though, means little to me, international football is very different to club football and generally of a lesser standard in my opinion. Crouchy was prime R9 Ronaldo for England and Townsend turned into Arjen Robben. His career in European club football has seen him be a squad/ bit part player with PSG, one great season with Betis and then a complete flop here in England. Sooner he's gone the better for me. The fact I'd truly pick Winks over him any day of the week is probably the most damning thing I could say.
Yeah I think he will be here until the summer. But he’s shown nothing to convince me he can be a success at Spurs. I don’t think he was even doing anything impressive when Jose made the loan permanent (thanks for that)
Saying that Lo Celso doesn't put in effort is simply wrong Also, saying that Paulinho put in effort is also wrong, as that's one of the reasons Poch was happy to ship him out PDQ
Another Calcio Mercato journalist has now said Juve have made their first approach for Lo Celso. Player is keen on the move but there's others interested. Sounds like an initial loan, which I suppose makes sense even if a permanent would suit everyone. Someone responded to the guy saying anything in a Kulusevski swap and he said it's an idea but not concrete at the moment.
Lo Celso and Ndombele haven't helped themselves, but we've not helped them either. We bought them and then basically stopped playing systems that worked with them in them. From Mourinho's low block to Espirito Santo's 4-3-3 and now Conte's 5-2-3. I'll never understand why so many clubs don't seem to consider where players fit into things. Barca buying Coutinho for an insane fee when they don't play an attacking midfielder, for example. Utd signing Maguire for £80m, then playing a high line most of the time is another. Some players are versatile and good enough to adjust to any manager and system. Others will thrive in the right circumstances and wilt horribly in others. Don't sign Paul Pogba if you want someone who's going to play like Roy Keane.
