“Say what???
“Come again?
“Did I hear you right the first time about Antonio Conte having set his sights on PSG after the PSG Champions League ouster with Mauricio Pochettino about to be sacked ‘imminently’ in the very near future? And Conte is ready to ditch Tottenham at the wink of an eye the moment the Argentine is out from PSG as he has already pitched himself to the Parisian club?”
The above startling dialogue is but one concocted to be an exchange between two imaginary protagonists – one probably a top-flight football journalist and the other his informant reaction would not be happening nor would it have gained further traction had it been news of Mauricio Pochettino hastily packing his bags to catch his flight to leave the French capital and can’t wait to make his long-awaited re-entry into Tottenham’s stadium – even if he had to parachute himself into it. Nor would there be any stinging acrimony from the Parisien mobs at his leaving the Parc des Princes either – ultras or otherwise as they are only too eager to see the last of him.
However, it being instead a report buzzing alarmingly that Tottenham’s maestro Antonio Conte has pitched himself log, stock and barrel to Paris Saint-Germain’s top brass via his entourage to replace the still-incumbent Argentine gaffer is a whole new ball game altogether.
The salacious rumor and hype instantly generated have both since escalated considerably although sources close to the Italian have been hastily trying to consign the scandalous rumors to the garbage bins. As a matter of fact, the grapevine has been abuzz with even more appetizing claims after the initial news, no longer rumors, were leaked out.
Apparently, the rumors were sparked by the news of the Park des Princes’ incumbent boss Pochettino expected to leave the French capital following the club’s failed ambitious attempt – with him at the helm – hoping to secure Champions League glory only to have the grand ambitions fizzle out with a lame whimper at the hands of Real Madrid as Karim Benzema moved like greased lightning on that fateful day to seal the casket for PSG with his scintillating hat-trick within all of 17 dazzling seconds.
The Parc des Princes giants were left immobile within those mesmerising 17 seconds as time came almost to a standstill while the Madridistas magically dismantled the Parisians that were left completely dumbfounded and shell-shocked, with their entire ensemble of some of the most costly superstars trying to stop the debacle from getting any worse but all to no avail.
Neither Kylian Mbappe, Neymar nor even the great Lionel Messi himself could do anything to stem the tsunami that was the perfect storm they had never expected. In short – Pochettino couldn’t deliver the goods as far as the PSG top brass were concerned. And the exit door beckoned unerringly to the stumped Argentine gaffer.
And with that scenario we now cut back to the present where Conte is allegedly hell-bent on securing success for Spurs next season as the current one is already fast coming to a close. However, he still wants six new players if he is to fulfil his grand plan in North London.
But the Daily Telegraph states Conte will not be satisfied with having Spurs in the mix for top four again, targeting silverware instead. It comes after a bombshell report the former Chelsea boss had flashed admiring glances towards decision makers in Paris.
Journalist Fabrizio Romano claims that the rumors are not coming from Conte or his people and he remains committed to the task in hand at Tottenham.
The Telegraph also report that on PSG’s end, they have strongly dismissed the rumors which have come out this week.
Their report claims that club sources have strongly dismissed the suggestions they are interested in Conte when Pochettino leaves.
Looks finally like the fuse has been put out. Or at least for now.