Ben Davies: Conte will ‘be looking’ for upgrade after ‘infuriating’ Spurs development – pundit
Antonio Conte will “already be looking towards the summer” after a number of defensive mistakes cost Tottenham dear against Southampton, according to Paddy Kenny.
The former Republic of Ireland goalkeeper, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, claimed the errors will have “really infuriated” the 52-year-old Italian.
Ben Davies shanked his clearance in the build-up to Armando Broja’s first-half equaliser before Emerson Royal’s lax marking allowed Southampton to claim a 3-2 victory at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Wednesday (9 February).
Speaking post-match and quoted by football.london, Conte insisted his side have to “reduce mistakes and improve in other aspects”.
Kenny suggested the former Chelsea boss will already know where the weaknesses lie in his Tottenham defence.
“Everyone makes mistakes and Davies will be disappointed,” he told Football Insider‘s Ewan Kingsbury.
“But the way they’re letting goals in will really infuriate Conte because his style of play relies on being solid at the back.
“They need some recruitment in that defensive area. They need to tighten up, and I’m sure Conte and the recruitment team will already be looking towards the summer.
“If you keep conceding two or three goals every game then you aren’t going to win matches, it’s as simple as that.
“It’s an area that Conte has specialised in throughout his career. He will know that they will need to be strengthened in the transfer window.”
Conte swooped to bring Juventus duo Dejan Kulusevski and Rodrigo Bentancur to Tottenham in January.
Wednesday’s loss was the Italian’s first home defeat since Inter fell against AC Milan in October 2020.
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