Paul Robinson has expressed his surprise at comments made by Sergio Reguilon about Antonio Conte’s training sessions.
Reguilon had told Sky Sports “the last weeks and the international break have been the worst weeks of my life!” His comments are about the intensity of Conte’s training.
The Italian took over a Tottenham team that ran little and was not fit enough for a top-six club.
He is addressing that and wants his players to be in top shape for their matches.
Robinson cannot believe Reguilon’s admission and says being at optimum physical shape should be the norm at the club.
Robinson told Football Insider: “I’m shocked by what Reguilon said.
“These are professional footballers. It should be a lifestyle for them. Everyone else in the Premier League is doing it.
“Spurs were 20th in the stats for distance covered and sprints under Nuno. It was awful.
“The team ran 11km more in Conte’s first Premier League game in charge when compared to Nuno’s last. That says it all.
“The players were not working hard enough, they were not fit enough and their attitude and application wasn’t right.
“It is the easiest thing in the world for a manager to come in and say the players aren’t fit. You hear most managers say it when they are appointed. But in Spurs’ case, it was very true because the stats back it up.”
The Boy Hotspur Says
Reguilon’s admission shows why Spurs struggled under Nuno Espirito Santo.
The Portuguese boss was far too nice to his players. No wonder they couldn’t fight to save his job.
The intensity and quality of the Premier League require every club to be physically fit to compete.
Conte has started in the right direction and the difference between his time and Nuno Santo’s should be obvious by the end of this season.