Jamie Redknapp has urged Tottenham to back boss Antonio Conte after the north Londoners’ frailties were laid bare during their Carabao Cup semi-final exit to Chelsea.
An Antonio Rudiger header saw Thomas Tuchel’s side coast through to the Wembley final on Wednesday night as the European champions wrapped up a 3-0 aggregate win over Conte’s out-of-sorts side.
The Italian has enjoyed huge success as a manager and has been tasked with improving Tottenham’s fortunes after taking the helm in November.
Jamie Redknapp has urged Tottenham’s board to back Antonio Conte in the transfer market
Redknapp stated that Conte will be determined to transform Tottenham and win silverware
However, he has a sizeable job on his hands in north London and has called on Spurs chairman Daniel Levy to provide the signings necessary to bridge the gap to Chelsea, Liverpool and Man City.
And former Spurs star Redknapp has echoed those sentiments, insisting that the Tottenham hierarchy need to throw all of their financial support behind the former Inter boss in order for him to work his magic at the club.
‘They [Spurs] are sixth in the Premier League, two points behind Arsenal with two games in hand. This is why Tottenham are in a bit of a predicament,’ he told Sky Sports after the game.
The north Londoners’ frailties were laid bare in their Carabao Cup semi-final exit by Chelsea
‘Conte signs elite, ready-made players. He brought Rudiger, [N’Golo] Kante, David Luiz. At Inter he brought in [Romelu] Lukaku, all experienced players. If you’re going to give Conte free rein, that’s what he will want.
‘In the wing-back positions, they ended up playing with [Matt] Doherty today, it didn’t really work. You’ve still got good players there. He’s not gone there to finish top six, he’s gone there to try and challenge for the title. He wants to be competing. He knows what he needs to do. You’ve got to back him and you’ve got to back him now.
‘Levy’s eye isn’t as good as a lot of the managers. You’ve got Conte, give him what he needs. They need to strengthen. Give him what he needs.’
Redknapp added that Spurs need players ready to hit the ground running, having previously signed younger players with the potential to grow.
Ashley Cole believes Conte should be given time at Tottenham but requires new signings
‘ [Tanguy] Ndombele has not been a success, [Davinson] Sanchez has done okay, the rest have been hit and miss. You can’t buy players hoping they’re going to be stars in two or three years.
‘I’m excited to see what Levy does now, because with this system you’ve got to get the right players.’
Former Arsenal and Chelsea star Ashley Cole also suggested that the project on offer at Spurs under Conte should be enough to draw a whole host of stars to the capital.
‘I assumed that’s the reason he didn’t join the first time because they didn’t want to back him. Tottenham is a massive club, great new stadium, great manager. They need backing. Kane needs players around him with top, top quality,’ he said.
Conte has demanded backing in the market and is keen on signing Wolves star Adama Traore
Conte has held talks with Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy and managing director of football Fabio Paratici over transfer targets.
The Tottenham boss made it clear that he wants to strengthen his squad. They are targeting a new right wing-back, with Wolves’ Adama Traore under consideration, while they are also looking to bring in two attackers.
Speaking about the meeting, Conte said: ‘It was a good meeting. With Paratici I have the possibility to speak every day, but to have the possibility to speak with our owner was important. Also because I like to have this type of relationship, to be honest and to always tell the truth.
‘I don’t like to tell a good lie to keep a good relationship or to show myself to be too polite. It was good to tell the truth and it was a good meeting.
Conte won the Premier League title at Chelsea and wants to win silverware with Tottenham
‘Now the situation is very clear. I was satisfied to have this conversation with the owner and now it’s OK for me.’
Redknapp said before the game that there is no comparison between Chelsea and Spurs, with the Blues more ambitious in the transfer market at present.
‘In terms of comparing Chelsea to Tottenham, I don’t think you can. You never see Spurs in the market for a Lukaku, it’s not how they run the club,’ he claimed. ‘They’ve got to be hunting for those players.
‘Conte wants to take Tottenham to titles. When you acquire a manager like that, don’t expect him to be happy finishing sixth.’
The 52-year-old has won trophies at Chelsea, Juventus and Inter, with Spurs fans hopeful that he can end their 14-year hoodoo for silverware.
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