Conte and Levy at loggerheads at Tottenham after BBC’s talks update – finance expert
Antonio Conte and Daniel Levy are “pulling in different directions” at Tottenham in their response to the current Covid situation.
That is the view of finance expert Doctor Dan Plumley, speaking exclusively to Football Insider about a recent meeting of top-flight managers.
BBC Sport reported last Friday (24 December) that the talks over the league’s response to rising Covid numbers had taken place the previous day.
But Spurs boss Conte, whose side have been one of the worst-hit by recent outbreaks, described the discussions as “like talking to a wall”.
Clubs have chosen to continue playing throughout the frantic festive period and will fulfil fixtures if they have 13 fit players plus one goalkeeper.
Plumley claims that there are big discrepancies between both staff and players and those making the decisions upstairs.
“Everybody is under pressure,” the Sheffield Hallam University expert told Football Insider’s Adam Williams.
“The owners and the Premier League want the games to take place. They know there are financial implications.
“The managers and players are after one thing and the league is pretty steadfast they have to carry on.
“The fans are heavily involved too. We love our traditional festive football, whereas a lot of countries have an earlier winter break.
“So there was never going to be a one-size-fits-all resolution from that meeting because people are pulling in different directions.
“There are financial issues related to that because the games are what generates money. You always come back to the money one way or another.”
Liverpool’s Jordan Henderson has recently spoken out over the issue of player welfare, which he feels is being ignored.
Man City boss Pep Guardiola meanwhile has floated the idea of collective action from players and staff.
In other news, pundit wowed by Lucas Moura after “big” Tottenham player reveal.