Tottenham news: This is who to blame for dire January after confirmed news – pundit
Blame for the “disappointing” January window at Tottenham lies with both Antonio Conte and the club’s board, according to Noel Whelan.
The former Leeds striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, claimed the summer window will now be “crucial” to Spurs’ ambitions and Conte’s future.
Tottenham allowed four players to depart last month before sealing transfer deadline day moves for Rodrigo Bentancur and Dejan Kulusevski.
Speaking to Sky Sport Italia (16 February), Conte revealed he feels Spurs “weakened” their squad in the January window.
As quoted by the Daily Mail (18 February), the former Chelsea boss said the “club now doesn’t want me to speak to Italian media”.
Whelan suggested Conte will have wanted to bring in four players during the winter window.
“I think the blame lies with both parties,” he told Football Insider‘s Russell Edge.
“I don’t think Conte would’ve allowed four players to go out the door if he didn’t want them to leave. They were surplus to requirements.
“What was part of his plan was probably to bring in four players instead of two – just to match up the ones that left.
“That would’ve allowed him to have that same depth with possibly a bit more quality and with players he could trust, but it didn’t happen.
“He’ll be disappointed about the window. It doesn’t make sense from a footballing perspective, but he has cut down that wage bill.
“It just makes this summer transfer window even more important – it’s so crucial.”
Tottenham sit eighth in the Premier League.
Conte is contracted until summer 2023 having joined the club in November 2021.
In other news, pundit believes Tottenham have the ‘next Jan Vertonghen’ after ‘brilliant’ player news confirmed.