Conte set to unveil ‘unappealing’ plan after crushing Romero update from Tottenham – pundit
Alex McLeish has admitted Antonio Conte’s plans to improve the Tottenham defence have been dealt a shattering blow by Cristian Romero’s injury.
The former Scotland manager, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, claimed the 52-year-old’s focus on defensive stability may be unpopular among the fanbase.
Journalist Jonathan Veal quoted Conte on Wednesday as saying Romero’s injury is “serious”, more so than fellow countryman Giovani Lo Celso’s.
Tottenham slumped to defeat in the Europa Conference League last night, losing 2-1 away to minnows NS Mura.
Reacting to Romero’s injury update, McLeish told Football Insider‘s Russell Edge: “Conte won’t be too bothered about flair and the attacking aspect at the moment.
“What he’ll be focused on is making sure Tottenham don’t ship goals. He’s particularly tough in that department.
“If you go back to his Chelsea days, he lost to Arsenal early days and famously changed to a back three – and all of a sudden they were playing excellently.
“When he changes to that back three, he does it to almost perfection – going forward and defensively.
“He can make them a tougher nut to crack, rather than the laissez-faire Spurs we see sometimes.
“It won’t appeal to people, but he’s very good at tightening teams up.”
Conte is keen to address the defensive situation at Spurs in the January transfer window.
Football Insider revealed earlier this month (November 20th) that Spurs are targeting Juventus star Matthijs de Ligt.
Conte’s priority is to sign at least one top-class centre-back in the winter window.
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