Conte explains the kind of players Tottenham Hotspur needs

LEEDS, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 26: Dejan Kulusevski of Tottenham Hotspur celebrates after scoring their side’s first goal during the Premier League match between Leeds United and Tottenham Hotspur at Elland Road on February 26, 2022 in Leeds, England. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)

Lost in the shuffle of Tottenham Hotspur’s win over West Ham was a short riff from their coach, Antonio Conte, explaining how to recruit for the Premier League.

Not only one or two, but players also have to check many qualities as the Premier League is tough. That is how Tottenham Hotspur Coach Conte started his response to a rambling question trying to get Conte to take a dig at prior Spurs recruitment. Instead of saying anything about past recruitment at Tottenham, Conte listed what a few of those qualities need to be for a player to find success in the league.

Essentially, Conte has broken down what he looks for in a new player; we probably should listen.

Conte’s Footballing Requirements at Tottenham

Although a player needs more than two qualities overall, from the perspective of football, there are two things Conte is looking for, proficiency technically and tactically. From a technical standpoint, does the player have the skill to play the role or not? Then tactically, does the player understand the game to play the position and function?

Interestingly, Conte noted that you could work to improve the situation with both of those aspects of play. In other words, he can coach a player to improve their skill and understanding, assuming they are, of course, coachable.

These two traits make sense, particularly given Conte’s system approach. Does the player have the skill and understanding of the game to excel in the role? The tactical football aspect is one reason we have seen players like Rodrigo Bentancur and Dejan Kulusevski hit the ground running, and others like Emerson Royal struggle.

And once more, these are coachable concepts, so all of the players, those getting it and not, should improve.