Sergio Reguilon says he already knows he will become a better player under Antonio Conte after just one week of working with the new Tottenham manager.
Conte was appointed Spurs boss last week and has already overseen two games: a 3-2 victory over Vitesse in the Europa Conference League and a goalless Premier League draw with Everton.
Reguilon started at left wing-back – a position he admits is new to him – in both games and looks certain to hold that position down, with Ben Davies playing on the left of the back three.
The Spaniard has been speaking to another wing-back, Achraf Hakimi, who excelled under Conte at Inter Milan last season before moving on to Paris Saint-Germain in the summer.
And in an interview with the London Evening Standard, Reguilon revealed his early impressions of working with Conte, which appear to correlate with what Hakimi has told him.
“The gaffer is special,” Reguilon said. “He loves training hard but now we don’t have a lot of time to work on the things he wants on the pitch. So we did a lot of meetings with videos this week.
“I’ve never played five at the back before. I have to learn quickly. The gaffer has told me he wants me to be solid in defence but at the same moment I have to arrive in the box, help the strikers, score goals, give assists. Now I have more of a chance to score goals and give assists. So let’s work.
“I have to see many videos with the staff to do what they want on the pitch. I’m enjoying the position a lot because I can attack more but I have to run double!
“I’ve watched a lot of videos of Chelsea and Inter Milan, and I have a friend at Inter, Achraf Hakimi who I spoke to about the gaffer. He told me I will improve a lot under him and I want to do that as soon as possible. He said I will have to work really, really hard but I will improve a lot. In one week, I can already see that.”
It’s great to hear Reguilon is willing to work hard and improve in the required areas of his game. The 24-year-old has been inconsistent throughout his time at Spurs but clearly has the potential to excel under a good manager.
I think it’s fair to say we will see the back of Dele + Ndombele. These are two players who don’t have the right attitude for Conte’s style and expectations. Both are “luxury” players, who can do amazing things as long as the team around them are performing really well. But Conte won’t want to carry luxury players, he’ll want 11 work-horses out on that pitch week in week out.
Wouldn’t be surprised to see Mason or King take over from Conte in 18-36 months.
Dele + Ndombele and kane all need to go for the sake.
I said kane will only get 9 goals in the prem this season// 4 pens and 5 outfield