Why Tottenham should plot a January swoop for Andrea Conti
Back in 2017, a report from the Sky Sports had claimed that Tottenham were looking at then Atalanta star Andrea Conti as a replacement for Kyle Walker. But a move didn’t materialise and the Italian, instead, went on to sign for AC Milan in the summer of 2017.
Andrea Conti, 25, has not had the best of spells at AC Milan ever since he arrived from Atalanta, as he has been ravaged by two knee injuries.
He only managed 12 Serie A appearances last season, despite returning from injury in October with former manager Gennaro Gattuso preferring Davide Calabria at right-back ahead of him.
New Milan manager Marco Giampaolo has started the new campaign with Calabria, leaving Conti on the bench in the first two games.
Unless an injury or suspension forces Calabria out of the first-team picture, it looks unlikely to see Conti get regular opportunities this season.
With that in mind, Tottenham must reignite their interest in the one-cap Italy international when the transfer window reopens in January.
Tottenham sold Kieran Trippier to Atletico Madrid in the summer, leaving Mauricio Pochettino with Serge Aurier and Kyle Walker-Peters as options at right-back.
Serge Aurier, who was close to leaving Spurs in the summer, is behind Kyle Walker-Peters in the pecking order and is yet to make a single appearance so far this season.
The matter of fact that Aurier was snubbed in favour of Davinson Sanchez, a natural centre-back, against Arsenal tells how far he has fallen down the pecking order.
The Ivory Coast international has been twice named on the bench and twice failed to make the squad altogether this term.
Walker-Peters has been Pochettino’s first-choice at right-back following Trippier’s exit. He suffered a hamstring problem that saw him miss the Arsenal game but the good news for all Spurs fans is their academy star is back to training.
Nevertheless, if Pochettino deems Aurier unreliable and not good enough to start games when fully fit, he must replace the Ivorian with Conti.
Conti is an attacking right-back with good technique, passing range and crossing ability. Due to his marauding runs and smart decision-making in the opposition half, the Italian is particularly impressive as a wing-back in a 3-4-3, which is a system Pochettino has used a lot at Spurs.
Read More Tottenham news, click here: Tottenham latest news
The 25-year-old is one of the best attack-minded right-backs in the Serie A and knowing that he isn’t the first-choice at Milan under Giampaolo, he could be ready to join Spurs.
All in all, he would be an upgrade on Aurier and provide competition for the promising Walker-Peters.
Verdict
Conti would be a smart addition to Tottenham’s defensive ranks and could revive his career under the management of Pochettino.