De Vrij tipped to be Conte’s lieutenant at Tottenham after source update – pundit
Danny Mills has tipped Tottenham to complete a deal for Stefan de Vrij.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the ex-Man City and England defender suggested De Vrij could be Antonio Conte’s general on the pitch at Spurs.
A source with knowledge of the Inter Milan defender’s situation told Football Insider (November 15) he has told friends he is aware of Tottenham’s interest and would like to find out more about a potential move.
De Vrij, 29, is out of contract in the summer of 2023 and was a key part of the side that won Serie A last season under Conte.
“The issue is how much are you going to pay for him,” Mills told Football Insider correspondent Connor Whitley.
“Are they going to get him in January or wait until the end of the season when it might be a bit cheaper?
“Again, Conte will know what he wants, he’ll know the sort of players that he needs. If he can bring in a couple then brilliant.
“We’ve seen in the past with his transfer dealings, he wants to spend money, he needs to spend money. Whether he’ll get that in the first window we’ll have to wait and see.
“Often managers go back to players that they know and have worked with in the past for that reason. They know what they’re going to get.
“You try and minimise the risk, minimise the gamble. If you know the player’s character, you know him personally, you know the way he trains, you know the way he plays, you know his fitness levels.
“You’ve got a much greater chance of that working out. People ask ‘Why do managers always go back to players they’ve worked with in the past?’ Well, that’s the reason and it is common sense.
“It doesn’t matter what line of work you’re in, you go back to people you know and people you trust.”
In other news, Tottenham have told a rising star to find a new club.