Antonio Conte made it clear at the beginning of the year that Tottenham need experience in order to grow and be competitive quicker. Tending to opt for younger players in the transfer market who have the qualities to become big players in the future, Spurs' transfer approach will be different this summer under Conte.
The Italian head coach will look to bring in experienced professionals, with Ivan Perisic one player who is reportedly in line for a move to Tottenham Hotspur Stadium once his Inter Milan contract expires. A versatile left wing-back who has played in some huge games for club and country in recent years, the 33-year-old is exactly the type of player Tottenham need to help them hit the next level.
Set to turn 34 in February, some fans may have questioned why Spurs are moving for a player in the latter stages of their career. Speaking to Bayern Munich's website back in November 2019, the Croat outlined why all teams need of blend of different ages and his goal to play on until his late 30s.
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"Every team needs experienced players, young players and a few in between. We at Bayern have this blend," he explained. "Besides, 30 isn't old at all! I'm feeling good. My plan is to play for another seven or eight years. I've never had major injury problems (touches wood). I hope it'll go on like that."
Perhaps underestimated by some in the past, Perisic has made quite a name for himself over the past decade and won numerous honours at club level as well as playing a major role in Croatia's run to the 2018 World Cup final. Amid a few doubts over his age when he joined Bayern as a 30-year-old, Perisic has outlined that it's on the pitch where he silences any doubters, something that will certainly appeal to Conte.
"Unfortunately I've never had very good ties to the media. I just don't like to see my face in the newspaper every day, that's not my cup of tea, but a footballer who thinks like me will never muster much support," he added. "When I joined Bayern, people said, he's already 30, he can't be so fresh any more. But I don't care. The pitch is the only place where I give answers. That's the only place where it counts."
