Perry Groves cannot see Antonio Conte leaving Tottenham despite suffering three defeats in their last four home league games.
Spurs were booed off after falling 2-0 to Aston Villa on New Year’s Day, leaving them in fifth place, two-points adrift of Manchester United.
Goals from Emi Buendia and Douglas Luiz gave Unai Emery the perfect start to 2023, but plunged Conte and Spurs to another defeat at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
It was a limp performance from the hosts who fell behind for the seventh league game in a row and looked incapable of getting themselves back on level terms.
Conte is yet to agree to a contract extension despite a willingness from Spurs to tie the Italian down to a long-term deal.
Even with his contract set to expire in the summer, former Arsenal winger Groves doesn’t believe Conte will either walk away from the club or be axed anytime soon.
“Financially I’m not sure if Daniel Levy would want to pay that compensation,” Groves told talkSPORT.
“There’s going to be a lot of tough talking and honest talking because Conte will say that his squad needs freshening up. He was backed at the beginning of the season so this is another test because this could very quickly implode for Spurs.
“I know a lot of Spurs fans want [Mauricio] Pochettino back because they want to see exciting, flowing football.
“You’re not gonna get that under Conte but normally you get winning football and he’s not providing that at the moment.”
The games come thick and fast for Conte and an upturn in form is needed quickly to avoid Spurs slipping further down the table.
The Italian takes his side to Crystal Palace in the Premier League on Wednesday before Portsmouth visit north London in the FA Cup.
But the following four fixtures could make or break Spurs season starting with the visit of leaders Arsenal followed by a trip to Manchester City.
They then travel to Fulham before hosting City in early February.
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By: Lee Davey
Title: ‘This could implode’ – Antonio Conte and Daniel Levy should have ‘honest talks’ after Aston Villa defeat – but Tottenham can’t afford to sack Italian for Mauricio Pochettino
Sourced From: talksport.com/football/1290938/antoio-conte-daniel-levy-tough-talks-tottenham-mauricio-pochettino/
Published Date: Sun, 01 Jan 2023 17:45:39 +0000
