Spurs 21/22: Conte? Conte!!

scott bankheadcase

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I don't see how any result on Sunday changes the fundamental dynamics of the situation, which are that Kane wants to leave, Kane is willing to signal that openly (as he has already) but won't totally throw his toys out of the pram by refusing to play for Spurs or submitting a formal transfer request, and that without Kane forcing his hand Levy won't sell him at a price that City will pay.
The big issue with Kane leaving is that he has 3 years left in his contract. With that, Levy won’t sell for less than 150M. City won’t go that high and there’s no other suitors.

Kane will be at Tottenham this season (next year when he’s down to 2 years, Spurs will still get a decent price, but it will be one someone will be willing to pay unlike now). Levy has too much leverage and too much incentive to keep him.

I think they sell next year and, depending on how this season goes, bring Poch back and start a rebuild with the money.
 

Morgan's Magic Snowplow

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The big issue with Kane leaving is that he has 3 years left in his contract. With that, Levy won’t sell for less than 150M. City won’t go that high and there’s no other suitors.

Kane will be at Tottenham this season (next year when he’s down to 2 years, Spurs will still get a decent price, but it will be one someone will be willing to pay unlike now). Levy has too much leverage and too much incentive to keep him.

I think they sell next year and, depending on how this season goes, bring Poch back and start a rebuild with the money.
I agree that Levy won't sell at a price City will pay but I think Levy is making a mistake. There is obviously risk in selling Kane as he is an amazing player and then there is uncertainty about replacing his contribution. But if you can get something like £110m, that could go really far in this summer's market in terms of rebuilding because European clubs are so broke. You have young players that are really highly rated like Houseem Aouar, Renato Sanches, Donyell Malen, etc being discussed in the £20-25m range. Add 4-5 really promising young players to the talent Spurs already possess and you've got something pretty interesting to build on.

Its also easy to underestimate the risk involved in keeping Kane. What if he gets a big injury or has a down year that suggests he might be declining? Given that he will turn 29 next summer, there are definitely plausible scenarios where he only fetches half of what he could sell for this summer or even less. And the money might not go as far in next year's market if European clubs are in better shape financially.
 

coremiller

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The big issue with Kane leaving is that he has 3 years left in his contract. With that, Levy won’t sell for less than 150M. City won’t go that high and there’s no other suitors.

Kane will be at Tottenham this season (next year when he’s down to 2 years, Spurs will still get a decent price, but it will be one someone will be willing to pay unlike now). Levy has too much leverage and too much incentive to keep him.

I think they sell next year and, depending on how this season goes, bring Poch back and start a rebuild with the money.
I don't think the plan is to bring Poch back anymore. Hiring Paratici as a DoF doesn't make sense when part of Poch's issue the first time around was that he wanted more control of transfers.
 

Zososoxfan

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In the 'things that never change' category, Spurs allegedly had a nice deal lined up but ultimately the player headed for WHL turned it down. Spurs were going to send Dav Sanchez and 30M to Sevilla in exchange for Kounde. That would've been an awesome deal, but Kounde said nahhhh I'm good. The Espiritu around the club remains weak.

I also think I saw Spurs linked to young Argentina and Atalanta CB Cristian Romero. He had an outstanding performance in the Copa finals and in the early stages, but it also seems like a lot of big clubs caught the same whiff.
 

Zososoxfan

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I read somewhere that the deal is a 2-year loan with both an option to buy and a vesting clause requiring to buy if triggered (likely matches played). Transfer fee after 2 years is around GBP$15M. That's a really good deal structure. If they can get Romero, that's a very strong move. Still really hoping they buy a backup for Hoj at DMF. I don't think Skipp's stout enough for it and there's no one else on the squad who can do it. And Hoj can't play another 10,000 minutes this season.
 

scott bankheadcase

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I read somewhere that the deal is a 2-year loan with both an option to buy and a vesting clause requiring to buy if triggered (likely matches played). Transfer fee after 2 years is around GBP$15M. That's a really good deal structure. If they can get Romero, that's a very strong move. Still really hoping they buy a backup for Hoj at DMF. I don't think Skipp's stout enough for it and there's no one else on the squad who can do it. And Hoj can't play another 10,000 minutes this season.
I think there's too many other holes and that Skipp proved himself on a promoted team last season.

I think Skipp is the guy that rotates with PEH this year.

Also, looks like Spurs have something in the works with Sevilla for a Lamela+ 25M swap for Bryan Gil (who I admittedly know nothing about).
 

DJnVa

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Also, looks like Spurs have something in the works with Sevilla for a Lamela+ 25M swap for Bryan Gil (who I admittedly know nothing about).
Gil is a 20 year old that is pretty highly regarded. I love Lamela, but that would be a good get.

Wiki already updated. lol

He’s signed for Tottenham Hotspur and he hates Eddie Timmins so much that he would do anything to smash his ugly face in and score a lot of goals for the Yids this season he’s just incredible and also Dylan Mellars is a lanky prick.
 

scott bankheadcase

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Gil is a 20 year old that is pretty highly regarded. I love Lamela, but that would be a good get.

Wiki already updated. lol
I'm assuming he and Reguilon were teammates at Sevilla (evidently Reggie has been liking every rumor about this on social media). Left footed, so put him at RW with Son and Kane up front? That's... kinda exciting.
 

DJnVa

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I'm assuming he and Reguilon were teammates at Sevilla (evidently Reggie has been liking every rumor about this on social media). Left footed, so put him at RW with Son and Kane up front? That's... kinda exciting.

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Bryan Gil appears to be a dribbly winger with near elite progressive carries, good at bringing the ball into the box, and with a super high ceiling. (But can he nick a water bottle from an opposing team’s physios?)


And, on the other hand, Paratici is not the only one who thinks Bryan Gil has the potential to turn into an amazing player. He’s been highly rated by Sevilla for a while now — an AS article from March says he had a €50m release clause and that Sevilla were considering slapping a €100m price on him to keep bigger clubs from sniffing around. From that perspective, this seems like a pretty good deal.
 

Zososoxfan

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I think there's too many other holes and that Skipp proved himself on a promoted team last season.

I think Skipp is the guy that rotates with PEH this year.

Also, looks like Spurs have something in the works with Sevilla for a Lamela+ 25M swap for Bryan Gil (who I admittedly know nothing about).
What are the more glaring holes that need fixing? I'll grant you RB is a real concern, although I'm bullish Nuno can get the most out of Doherty (again). CB is still not great, but you could do worse than Dav, Rodon, Dier, and Japh. There's still an outside chance Toby sticks around. I'd probably put RB as priority 1, with CB and DMF as 2A and 2B.
 

scott bankheadcase

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What are the more glaring holes that need fixing? I'll grant you RB is a real concern, although I'm bullish Nuno can get the most out of Doherty (again). CB is still not great, but you could do worse than Dav, Rodon, Dier, and Japh. There's still an outside chance Toby sticks around. I'd probably put RB as priority 1, with CB and DMF as 2A and 2B.
You have a lot more faith in the CBs than I do. I have that as priority 1, with only Rodon as a possible longer-term starter (I think we get one more year of Toby, but then he's gone as well). Then RB, then backup striker, then depth in AM (Ndombele and Lo Celso can't stay fit), before I get to DMF.

Though maybe I also just think Skipp is ready.
 

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Bryan Gil appears to be a dribbly winger with near elite progressive carries, good at bringing the ball into the box, and with a super high ceiling. (But can he nick a water bottle from an opposing team’s physios?)
My familiarity with Gil is three hours old, but this certainly seems like the kind of deals this team should be making - sending out old, peaked non core players in order to bring in younger, high potential players. Or course, I can't help but think that this is exactly what Poch told us was needed in the Summer of 2019.
 

veritas

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You have a lot more faith in the CBs than I do. I have that as priority 1, with only Rodon as a possible longer-term starter (I think we get one more year of Toby, but then he's gone as well). Then RB, then backup striker, then depth in AM (Ndombele and Lo Celso can't stay fit), before I get to DMF.

Though maybe I also just think Skipp is ready.
I agree CB is the biggest need, especially if Nuno goes with a back 3, which I think really suits the talent on this team...well, except for not having 3 good CBs.

This team doesn't really have a true DM, nor would they need one in a back 3 system. Hoj is a more defensively minded central midfielder, but he's a central midfielder.

I'm really curious to see how Nuno uses Lucas, I think he's capable of playing the wingback-ish role Traore did at Wolves.
 

Zososoxfan

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Spurs are reportedly ready to ship Coco Lamela and (E)$25M over to Sevilla for Bryan Gil. Even though I know Sevilla fairly well, Gil doesn't stand out in my memory. He's a 20-year old winger (primarily LW) with good dribbling skills and tons of promise--most pundits think he'll be on the Spain NT before long. I love Lamela more than most, but packaging him in exchange for a young promising player is terrific business. I get the impression that Paratici just sees a player that he loves long term and is acquiring him now before he becomes unaffordable. Nevertheless, Paratici presumably still has holes to fill at CB, RB, and DMF for the short term. I hope/wonder if Gil's transfer has any affect on Kounde's willingness to come here or if that ship has officially sailed.
 

DJnVa

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Spurs are reportedly ready to ship Coco Lamela and (E)$25M over to Sevilla for Bryan Gil. Even though I know Sevilla fairly well, Gil doesn't stand out in my memory. He's a 20-year old winger (primarily LW) with good dribbling skills and tons of promise--most pundits think he'll be on the Spain NT before long.
His nickname is apparently "Little Cruyff". He has 3 caps for Spain's senior team, but he's tapped to break into the full squad soon.


Nevertheless, Paratici presumably still has holes to fill at CB, RB, and DMF for the short term. I hope/wonder if Gil's transfer has any affect on Kounde's willingness to come here or if that ship has officially sailed.
They are reportedly after Cristian Romero, who was the Serie A defender of the year last season at Atalanta (on loan from Juvetus, where Paratici signed him).
 

Zososoxfan

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His nickname is apparently "Little Cruyff". He has 3 caps for Spain's senior team, but he's tapped to break into the full squad soon.




They are reportedly after Cristian Romero, who was the Serie A defender of the year last season at Atalanta (on loan from Juvetus, where Paratici signed him).
Romero had an outstanding Copa and Spurs aren't the only ones sniffing around. Romero has the potential to be an elite CB--although advanced stats seem to point to his value being tied to the Atalanta system allowing him to be super aggressive (FWIW, Atalanta play 3ATB). He's an excellent CB for progressive passing and has very good speed, but the insinuation is that he might not be as good in a deeper block. In any event, he certainly passed the eye test at the Copa playing in a back 4, and even making Otamendi look good!
 

coremiller

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Gil seems a good prospect and swapping Lamela for young talent is smart business but dribbly wide players are hardly a position of need with Son, Bergwijn, Lucas, and Sessegnon around. We'll see what other business they do but I'd rather have devoted more resources to RB, CB, DM.
 

scott bankheadcase

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Caught 1st half of the friendly today. Maybe not much to take from it but:

Nuno played a straightforward 4-3-3 most of the game.

Skipp looked great and I think there’s times he might actually play with PEH and not just rotate.

Defense was an aggressive mid-block. Lots of possession, albeit against inferior opponent.

maybe some signs of not playing the anti-football like they did last year.
 

DJnVa

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Caught 1st half of the friendly today. Maybe not much to take from it but:

Nuno played a straightforward 4-3-3 most of the game.

Skipp looked great and I think there’s times he might actually play with PEH and not just rotate.

Defense was an aggressive mid-block. Lots of possession, albeit against inferior opponent.

maybe some signs of not playing the anti-football like they did last year.
He said yesterday that his system gets installed after he feels the players are fit. But yes, there are some signs.


Other news:

  • It seems like Gil and Gollini are done deals, with Lamela heading out.
  • Son's new deal expected to be announced soon.
  • Gil seen as someone that can give Son some time off. Lamela wasn't effective on the left side, whereas Gil played mostly on left last season.
  • "Paratici's style of negotiating for up to 10 players for every squad position he wants to fill is renowned and the spiderweb of transfer activity fits in with a man many label a 'workaholic'. "
  • Spurs still working on Cristian Romero. Atalanta is about to activate his buy clause from Juventus for £13.8m then Spurs expected to hand them a nice profit on that. Romero is interested in move.
  • Ndombele has been out as he has become a father for the first time.
  • "Tottenham fans have been craving transfers since the window began and in the days ahead they will certainly get their wish. "

What Paratici did on Wednesday, Ndombele's absence and Cristian Romero, Pierluigi Gollini latest - football.london
 

Morgan's Magic Snowplow

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What do you guys think is Tottenham's total net transfer budget this summer? Romero (Atalanta rumored to be asking 55m euro) plus Gil (rumored to be 25m euro plus maybe some bonuses) is already 80m or more and I assume you still want to sign a RB, a backup striker to replace Vinicius, and maybe a midfielder. I'm sure you'll sell a few players but I'm assuming Kane stays and it doesn't look like there is a huge market for raising funds via other outgoings.

If Levy was planning to drop 100m net this summer then its hard to understand why Conte got cold feet at the last minute.
 

67YAZ

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Romero could be pricy, but he’s a clear fit for Nuno. At Wolves, Coady & Boly were key distributors making a lot of progressive passes from deep to the wings to spark counters. Because the wingbacks are expected to get upfield fast following a turnover, the CBs are expected to find them quickly or, if sufficiently open, go all the way to the wide forwards. They’re not difficult or imaginative passes - they’re built into the system and meant to present wide open targets - but requires a CB who is fast and accurate with the pass.
 

Zososoxfan

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What do you guys think is Tottenham's total net transfer budget this summer? Romero (Atalanta rumored to be asking 55m euro) plus Gil (rumored to be 25m euro plus maybe some bonuses) is already 80m or more and I assume you still want to sign a RB, a backup striker to replace Vinicius, and maybe a midfielder. I'm sure you'll sell a few players but I'm assuming Kane stays and it doesn't look like there is a huge market for raising funds via other outgoings.

If Levy was planning to drop 100m net this summer then its hard to understand why Conte got cold feet at the last minute.
My impression is that the coverage of Spurs' managerial search and potentially leaks obscure how close/far Conte was. IOW, I'm not so sure it was that close before getting called off. And even if it was close, that doesn't do away with the possibility that Conte was just trying to leverage Spurs for a different gig.

WRT striker, I wonder if the club feels confident in having Parrott as the backup striker for Kane. Son also can play some striker, and I wonder whether Nuno would consider Lucas or Bergy at CF. I only mention Bergy because CF is listed as a secondary position for him on Transfermarkt--not sure if he actually played CF at Ajax or elsewhere.
 

veritas

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What do you guys think is Tottenham's total net transfer budget this summer? Romero (Atalanta rumored to be asking 55m euro) plus Gil (rumored to be 25m euro plus maybe some bonuses) is already 80m or more and I assume you still want to sign a RB, a backup striker to replace Vinicius, and maybe a midfielder. I'm sure you'll sell a few players but I'm assuming Kane stays and it doesn't look like there is a huge market for raising funds via other outgoings.

If Levy was planning to drop 100m net this summer then its hard to understand why Conte got cold feet at the last minute.
It's because they're selling Kane. Not linking because The Sun, but it sounds like Kane to City is imminent.
 

67YAZ

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It’s easy to imagine Harry standing up, clinking his glass 3 times, and making a toast that is so incomprehensibly mumbly that some drink bloke in the back is like “Take the first Pep…together as Man and City…started 5 years to go…100 per ten in my fees!!!”
 

Kliq

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It’s easy to imagine Harry standing up, clinking his glass 3 times, and making a toast that is so incomprehensibly mumbly that some drink bloke in the back is like “Take the first Pep…together as Man and City…started 5 years to go…100 per ten in my fees!!!”
Harsh but true.
 

DJnVa

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I just read that story and it seems pretty questionable. Kane supposedly announced the news to guests at a wedding, including the transfer fee and his wages? I would wait for something more reliable.
Carty Free:

Oh, did I mention that the article’s author, Clemmie Moodie is one of the Sun’s gossip columnists? And that Charlie Kane follows her on Instagram? And that she’s close to the Kane family and that there’s a photo of Harry posing with her from a couple years back?
 

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Lots of SK fans are disappointed that Son won't be playing for a club in the Champions League. Not me.

He was incredibly grateful to have gotten a chance to play in the EPL. Now he shows his loyalty and gratefulness by staying with the Spurs.

Can't wait for the season to start!
 

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1. If they can get £160m for Kane (or any player) they need to do it. The sourcing seems weak or at least weird..... but Charley Kane getting drunk at a wedding and running his mouth sounds slightly plausible.

2. A potential alternate funding source is the soon to be announced stadium naming rights deal which could put £25-30M in their pockets this year right away and that much per year over the life of the deal. Adding outgoing player sales and what they would normally spend on transfers, that could get close to the £100M it looks like they are going to spend.

They're probably just doing a summer of 13 style pre big sale purchases.
 

scott bankheadcase

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Lots of SK fans are disappointed that Son won't be playing for a club in the Champions League. Not me.

He was incredibly grateful to have gotten a chance to play in the EPL. Now he shows his loyalty and gratefulness by staying with the Spurs.

Can't wait for the season to start!
I honestly think Son values that Spurs gave him a new contract last time when there was a real chance he would have to do military services for a large part of it.

Seems an awesome and standup person.
 

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I honestly think Son values that Spurs gave him a new contract last time when there was a real chance he would have to do military services for a large part of it.

Seems an awesome and standup person.
Good point @scott bankheadcase, I forgot about that.

I just saw from a SK soccer channel (the most informative one I in know of) that Son was in no hurry to sign. The Spurs were where his heart was.

It also mentioned that other teams he would even consider were MU (Jisung Park was his hero growing up) and Real Madrid (his favorite team growing up).

No mention of how horrible the new away kit is, however.
 

DJnVa

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Toby is off to Qatar (?!?!) for €13m and Spurs still after Romero as replacement.



Fabrizio Romano


Tottenham still in negotiation for Cristian Romero but no agreement yet on €55m fee - he’s the priority. 100%.
White circle
#THFC Plan B: open talks to sign 3 different defenders with same amount. Tomiyasu [€18m], Milenkovic [€15m] and Zouma [€25m]. Caleta-Car, NOT even an option.
 

DJnVa

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The Athletic, on Gil (pronounced Hill):

“You can see why the Sevilla fans are so sad,” says the Seville-based journalist and editor of Football Espana Alan Feehely. “Gil is able to express himself on the pitch and looks like he could be about to explode. He’s been compared to Grealish and I see that in the way they’re not built for the current age of systems and processes. They’re wildcards. But if he is with the right coach he could do really well.

“In Spain, everyone has earmarked him along with Pedri and Fati as being the stars of a new era of Spanish football.”
Bryan Gil (pronounced Hill) - Spurs' new signing is fearless, direct and similar to Grealish – The Athletic
 

coremiller

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Getting meaningful cash for Toby at age 32 is good business. He's been a great player for Spurs and I'll miss him.

Just two years ago, Spurs played in the Champions League final with an XI of Lloris, Trippier, Alderweireld, Vertonghen, Rose, Sissoko, Winks, Eriksen, Dele, Son, Kane. Five of them are already gone, and 3-4 more could leave this summer (Lloris, Winks, Sissoko, Kane). We could be down to just Dele and Son left.