Antonio Conte explained that he will attempt to improve Ben Davies in a similar fashion to his development of Cesar Azpilicueta at Chelsea.
Speaking to Sky Sports after Tottenham Hotspur’s 3-0 Premier League win over Norwich City yesterday, Conte credited Davies for his adaptation to the new regime.
The Wales international started on the left of back three against Norwich, the fifth time he has featured in that position under the Italian coach.
Traditionally a left-back by trade, the 28-year-old is transitioning into a more central defender as the seasons pass by.
He has been deployed in a defensive trident on numerous occasions for his national team as well, so the switch at club level shouldn’t be too strange.
Awesome Azpi
It is a move that certainly benefitted Azpilicueta during his time working with Conte.
Chelsea’s captain changed from full-back to centre-back in the 2016/17 campaign, as the Blues successfully implemented a 3-4-3 system.
By all accounts, the decision to alter the Spaniard’s role worked wonders.
A modification that Conte hoped would work for Davies as well.
“Ben is playing very well and I think in that role specifically I can get out the best of him,” said the Spurs chief.
“It happens the same with Cesar Azpilicueta and the three central defenders.
“It’s important to be good defensively but at the same time it’s important to play football, with personality, to play the ball.
“And when you find a team that is defending low, it’s very important in this system.”
Tuchel owes Conte
Thomas Tuchel can thank his rival Premier League manager for adapting Azpilicueta’s role in the team.
The German settled upon a very comparable system to Conte following his appointment as Chelsea boss in January.
Within his 3-4-2-1 set-up, Tuchel installed the £150,000-a-week (Spotrac) skipper as a centre-half, but on the right rather than the left.
Another string to add to the Spaniard’s already brilliant bow.
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