Tottenham: Conte plan for £42.2m star 'makes no sense' at Hotspur Way | OneFootball

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·11 August 2022

Tottenham: Conte plan for £42.2m star 'makes no sense' at Hotspur Way

Article image:Tottenham: Conte plan for £42.2m star 'makes no sense' at Hotspur Way

Tottenham signing Nicolo Zaniolo to use as a right wing-back makes absolutely no sense, according to journalist Dean Jones.

Some reports have suggested that Antonio Conte wants to bring in the AS Roma attacker to play in the aforementioned position for the north London club.


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Article image:Tottenham: Conte plan for £42.2m star 'makes no sense' at Hotspur Way

What is the latest news involving Zaniolo?

90min recently reported that Tottenham had an offer for Zaniolo rejected. It is believed that the proposal was a loan with an obligation to buy the player for €35m (£29.5m).

The same outlet stated that Roma wanted €50m (£42.2m), while it was also the football website who claimed that Conte plans to use the 23-year-old as a wing-back. Since then, however, it has emerged that the Serie A outfit are now not keen on allowing him to depart.

Whatever the case, it would be a strange move given that Zaniolo has spent the majority of his career playing as an attacking midfielder and winger.

That being said, Conte has used natural wingers in the wing-back position before, with the likes of Victor Moses and Ivan Perisic coming to mind.

What has Jones said about Conte, Zaniolo and Tottenham?

Jones is not convinced by the idea of Conte using Zaniolo as a wing-back at Tottenham.

Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, the transfer insider said: “One of the things that concerns me is Zaniolo as a right wing-back has been talked about. It makes absolutely no sense.

“I mean, Tottenham have already got three players that can play that position, and that’s not the best use of Zaniolo from everything I’ve seen of him.”

Should Tottenham sign Zaniolo and convert him into a right wing-back?

No. As Jones said, it makes very little sense. In Matt Doherty, Emerson Royal and Djed Spence, who only arrived at Hotspur Way this summer, Spurs already have options there.

£42.2m is also a lot of money. Given that Tottenham do have Doherty, Emerson and Spence, they would surely be better off investing that cash into another area of the squad.

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Article image:Tottenham: Conte plan for £42.2m star 'makes no sense' at Hotspur Way

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From Zaniolo’s perspective, you also have to wonder if he would even want to play as a wing-back. A move from Roma to Spurs sounds appealing, but the Italian may have some doubts about coming in to be utilised in defence.

All in all, it is hard to see how Zaniolo joining Tottenham this summer to play as a wing-back would benefit anyone. But Conte has obviously done similar with other players in the past and has probably seen something in the Italy international to give him encouragement to do the same thing once again.

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