Managing Director Football: Fabio Paratici

[luRRka]

Watford do find some fairly interesting players for their budget. Will be interesting to see what he can unearth with a bit more cash.

Udinese have brought in some really good players as well. Rodrigo de Paul, udogie, molina etc

 

[PaulThurston]

Watford do find some fairly interesting players for their budget. Will be interesting to see what he can unearth with a bit more cash.

Is it just me or does he look like Steve Warnock?

 

[EQP]

Calciomercato has said not to be surprised if Spurs make a late move for Sergei Milinkovic-Savic as Conte adores him

Once Gio, Tanguy and maybe Winks all find a new temporary/permanent home, we'll likely see a bid in for another CM. Would absolutely love SMS. I know Conte prefers a 343 but SMS in a 352 against "bigger" teams would be insanely solid.

 

[VancouverSpurs]

Once Gio, Tanguy and maybe Winks all find a new temporary/permanent home, we'll likely see a bid in for another CM. Would absolutely love SMS. I know Conte prefers a 343 but SMS in a 352 against "bigger" teams would be insanely solid.

I can see this too. Think about the game yesterday (and all our recent games against Tuchel's Chelsea). They overload us in midfield every time. We managed to change the game when we shifted our formation to give a few extra bodies in midfield (Son and Kulu cutting in from the sides). Conte's too smart not to learn from these games and possibly alter his 3-4-3 for games against Chelsea. That or we change the personnel. I think Bissouma would have been a better partner for PEH/Bentancur yesterday.

 

[chrissivad]

 

[EQP]

Spoiler: Athletic article on Gabbanini

Tottenham have appointed Leonardo Gabbanini — one of the key men in the Pozzo scouting network — as the club’s new chief scout, The Athletic can exclusively reveal.

The 42-year-old left his dual role with Watford and Udinese in May and started work with Spurs last month amid the major restructuring steps being taken by the club led by sporting director Fabio Paratici, who has already taken on Andy Scoulding into a key role from Rangers.

The position, in what has been described by a senior source as an “important role”, is for Gabbanini to help develop the structure of the scouting network under the guidance of performance director Gretar Steinsson. The aim, in working closely with Steinsson and Paratici, will be to align the various scouting departments from academy to first team and help with the overall recruitment strategy.

Gabbanini’s role at Watford become more prominent after a similar restructure behind the scenes in 2019. After Andy Scott left his position as sporting director — a role that was heavily focused on domestic recruitment — he wasn’t replaced and instead, Gabbanini assumed an overarching position that brought the UK recruitment team, which includes former Tottenham senior scout Allan Randall, under his control.

The transition from a Pozzo family position to Tottenham coincides with the Premier League side signing a player from Udinese Destiny Udogie. It’s unclear how much of an influence Gabbanini had directly on that signing, but certainly has in depth knowledge of the left-back.

Formerly a player at Fiorentina his career was cut short by injury but he quickly switched into coaching and fulfilled academy roles at Sampdoria and latterly, in Florence. During his time working with the academy there, he helped nurture the talent of Federico Bernardeschi, who went on to play for Juventus and Italy.

“Before moving from the field to the desk, he had already shown undoubted talent scout skills,” says Maikol Di Stefano, who worked alongside Gabbanini when he managed Italian lower league team Civitanovese. “I would say that Leonardo is ‘the man with the suitcase in his hand’, considering that the last time we met, he was in an airport. The truth is that, in recent years, precisely to improve his scout qualities on the field, he has travelled extensively in Europe, looking for new talents.”

His role at Watford — who had no comment to make — and Udinese was his most senior role prior to joining Tottenham, but he wasn’t given a high public profile and preferred to stay under the radar. “Leonardo is a person who is very close to his family and who does not like to appear,” says Di Stefano. “Despite the role he plays, he doesn’t even have an active social network. He has always been like that, a lover of work well done. Where study and experience are the masters, where rather than taking a shortcut, he has always preferred to walk uphill. In three words: straightforward, intelligent and prepared.”

It’s understood that Gabbanini regularly oversaw scouting meetings held at London Colney (Watford are neighbours to Spurs’ north London rivals Arsenal) and in Udine and then convened focused larger meetings held in advance of transfer windows. Those meetings would that draw on the expertise of scouts from around the world who could offer guidance on their plans for the future.

Sounds really exciting. The Pozzo family approach to scouting is insane and Leonardo's contacts and list of players should hopefully helps us get a couple talented youngsters to add to the academy and 1st team.

 

[only1waddle]

Once Gio, Tanguy and maybe Winks all find a new temporary/permanent home, we'll likely see a bid in for another CM. Would absolutely love SMS. I know Conte prefers a 343 but SMS in a 352 against "bigger" teams would be insanely solid.

Absolutely on board with this switch to 352 when we play better sides, or high/relentless pressing sides.
CB and CAM would be a huge boost to the squad, potentially the most complete we've ever had.

 

[greavesy461]

In a 3-5-2, it slightly pains me to say it but Richi-Kane might be the best bet, rather than Son-Kane. Blasphemy?

 

[EQP]

In a 3-5-2, it slightly pains me to say it but Richi-Kane might be the best bet, rather than Son-Kane. Blasphemy?

Can you imagine having Richarlison running at you and being a complete nuisance for 60-65 minutes and then we bring on a fresh and eager Son to see out the game Yeah, 352 with Richy and Kane would be interesting to see.

 

[only1waddle]

In a 3-5-2, it slightly pains me to say it but Richi-Kane might be the best bet, rather than Son-Kane. Blasphemy?

Options, we can't afford elite level players in these positions who perform 7/8 games out of 10, so we need a variety to change games, if it means Richi/Kane are a perfect two up top then it confirms our transfer business has been a success.

 

[SirHarryHotspur]

Another feather in the cap of Fabio if he has managed a loan and to get Napoli paying a major part of Ndombele's wages,

 

[Trix]

Calciomercato has said not to be surprised if Spurs make a late move for Sergei Milinkovic-Savic as Conte adores him

Weren't they the main outlet shouting about our interest in Zaniolo whilst the British press all shrugged their shoulders?

 

[Hotspur88]

Still confident we bring two more in before the deadline ??

Lo Celso and Ndombele gone, Gil close and Tanganga very possible. Winks who knows, I'll keep my mouth shut on that one ?.

 

[mark87]

Hoping it's an attacking midfielder and a centre back.

 

[luRRka]

Hoping it's an attacking midfielder and a centre back.

I'd imagine so, it's a replacement for gil and tanganga (and potentially sarr) as per Conte comments

 

[Metalhead]

Still confident we bring two more in before the deadline ??

Lo Celso and Ndombele gone, Gil close and Tanganga very possible. Winks who knows, I'll keep my mouth shut on that one ?.

Thanks @Hotspur88

 

[Chris Flynn]

Still confident we bring two more in before the deadline ??

Lo Celso and Ndombele gone, Gil close and Tanganga very possible. Winks who knows, I'll keep my mouth shut on that one ?.

Keep Winks name out your fucking mouth

 

[WiganSpur]

Hoping it's an attacking midfielder and a centre back.

True, although really depends on the quality of both.

 

[South_GA_Yid]

I can see this too. Think about the game yesterday (and all our recent games against Tuchel's Chelsea). They overload us in midfield every time. We managed to change the game when we shifted our formation to give a few extra bodies in midfield (Son and Kulu cutting in from the sides). Conte's too smart not to learn from these games and possibly alter his 3-4-3 for games against Chelsea. That or we change the personnel. I think Bissouma would have been a better partner for PEH/Bentancur yesterday.

Watching Leeds vs Chelsea, As an American, just love Adams and Aaronson. Add McKennie, and I would have loved all 3 at Spurs. Chelsea have had no time to breathe on the ball in the first half

 

[Spursberg]

Watching Leeds vs Chelsea, As an American, just love Adams and Aaronson. Add McKennie, and I would have loved all 3 at Spurs. Chelsea have had no time to breathe on the ball in the first half

Does not help when Contes Tatic is to fall back in a 5-4-1 when under pressure. I love how Leeds press but it is not how Spurs press, so they would not be the same in our team. That being said, i do hope we go 3-5-2 when we meet Leeds or we will get same treatment as Chelsea, as Leeds give you absolutely no breathingroom in midfield, you need one more player in there.