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May 19th , 2024

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ANTONIO CONTE IS BUILDING A TROPHY-WINNING SQUAD

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Sports

A year ago

Former striker Robbie Keane told Stats Perform believes Antonio Conte is assembling a roster at Tottenham that could finally end the club's lengthy quest for silverware.

 

After bringing Nuno Espirito Santo's career to an early end, Spurs pulled off a coup by signing Conte as their head coach last November.

 

When Conte took charge, the north London club was in eighth place in the Premier League, but a strong second half of the season saw them leapfrog fierce rivals Arsenal to fourth place.

 

Indeed, Tottenham's 71 points in the 2021-22 season were more than they had earned in only three previous Premier League seasons (86 in 2016-17, 77 in 2017-18 and 72 in 2012-13).

 

Conte described guiding Spurs back into the Champions League as "being a trophy," yet the team hasn't won any silverware since winning the EFL Cup in 2008.

 

Conte has already begun to bolster his squad ahead of the 2022-23 season, with Inter likely to sign experienced winger Ivan Perisic, a league winner in both Germany and Italy, on July 1.

 

Other major names have been connected, and Keane, who spent eight and a half years with Tottenham in two stints, feels the newcomers can help the club win championships.

 

"I think what he's trying to do is get the business in early," Keane remarked during a press conference before of his involvement in the Soccer Aid charity event on Sunday.

 

"Perisic, a player with a winning mindset, has already been brought in from Inter. He's clearly been successful in his endeavors.

 

"That, I believe, is what Conte intends to achieve. Because a lot of the Tottenham players haven't won anything, he wants to bring in those who have already been there and done it.

 

"Two to bring someone in like him, and I'm sure they'll do more business in the next month or so," says the entrepreneur.

 

Conte has a history of winning big trophies as a manager, including the Premier League title and FA Cup with Chelsea during his previous tenure in England.

 

"Conte is a champion. He has a winning attitude, and there's no doubt that he'll bring that to the table "Keane went on to say.

 

"Tottenham must achieve something next season, either by winning the FA Cup, the EFL Cup, or the Champions League. The Premier League, in my opinion, is a step too far.

 

"I believe they have a chance if they bring in three or four players, but I believe Liverpool and Manchester City are simply too far ahead at the moment.

 

"But I think winning the FA Cup and the EFL Cup is a step in the right way, and maybe finishing in the top four again."

 

In contrast to a year ago, when Harry Kane's prospective exit dominated headlines, Tottenham's entire focus this window is on adding to the squad.

 

Since Conte's arrival, the England international has appeared more settled, and he scored five goals in Tottenham's final five Premier League games in 2021-22.

 

Kane now has 17 goals in the Premier League this season, which is tied for his second-lowest total in the division in his eight seasons as a regular starter, alongside 2018-19.

 

He was outscored by teammate Son Heung-min, who was left out of the PFA Team of the Year despite finishing as the league's joint top scorer with Mohamed Salah.

 

To Keane's astonishment, Son was not listed on the list of nominees for the Players' Player of the Year award.

 

"It's weird that I wasn't even nominated," Keane stated. "He's one of the top players in the Premier League in my opinion.

 

"It's fantastic what he and Kane are accomplishing at Tottenham.

 

"I taught Harry since I've known him since he was a child! He's a good player who has continued to score goals as he has in the past."

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