Rodrigo Bentancur believes Tottenham manager Antonio Conte has given the club a clear playing identity, which has inspired their strong start to the season.
The midfielder arrived at the club during the January transfer window following a £20million move from Juventus. During his time at Spurs, the 24-year-old has become a popular figure with team-mates and supporters.
Bentancur has featured in the starting line-up in 28 of his 31 appearances for the club. Overtime, the midfielder has built a strong partnership in the middle of the park with Dane Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg.
The player is enjoying life under Italian manager Conte telling Sky Sports: “Antonio has a lot of qualities, but I think above all he is a manager who wants to win and is very motivational. He lives football like few other managers I have known.
“You see it on the bench. He is in the game all the time. He doesn’t relax for a second and he doesn’t allow us to relax either. I believe that is one of the most important things about him.
“After that, he has given an identity to the team that we didn’t have before, in terms of the way we play, and I think we are showing the benefits of that this season. He wants to win, like all of us.
“It’s a pleasure to have him as my manager.”
Tottenham have enjoyed a strong start to the campaign and currently sit third in the Premier League.
The club have also made good progress in the Champions League and are top of the group following a 3-2 victory over Eintracht Frankfurt.
Bentancur praised Conte’s tactical knowledge, adding: “Tactically, he likes his players to be well-positioned.
“I think I’ve learned that very well and I do it very well. I would say it’s my biggest strength, actually. It’s what he likes most about me.
“He also asks that we never drop our intensity, that we try to always press and don’t allow the opposition to have the ball easily.
“Then, he wants us to try to play our game, to enjoy ourselves when we can. I think we are generally we have been doing that.”
Tottenham have nine games remaining before the World Cup break. Conte’s men will take on Everton, Manchester United and Newcastle in quick succession before turning their attention back onto European duties.
Spurs have endured one league loss this season, which came at the hands of league leaders Arsenal. As things stand, the North London outfit are just four points adrift of their local rivals.
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