Conte confronted with first problem as Spurs boss with former side standing firm

Antonio Conte’s appointment as new Tottenham Hotspur boss may have surprised many in the footballing world, but few can doubt Spurs’ ambition having signed a coach who has won five league titles in the past decade. 

The former Chelsea manager took the Blues from a tenth-placed finish to table toppers, delivering the club’s fifth and most recent Premier League title in 2017.

Spurs fans will get to see the Italian in action for the first time on Thursday evening, as Conte will take charge of the club’s game against Dutch side Vitesse Arnhem having been granted a work visa in time for the fixture.

With such excitement surrounding the appointment of such a successful coach, talk is already turning to who Conte might look to sign in the January transfer window.

However, it appears that he may have to look elsewhere if he was considering raiding his former side for new recruits.

As per The Express, Inter Milan are prepared to block any advances from their former manager for their current crop of players.

Speaking to Sky Italia, sporting director Ausilio explained that they will not let players leave for Spurs.

Barella impressed under Conte last season

“I’m not worried about Antonio Conte and out players,” he said.

“In January we won’t consider any possible exit.”

Spurs had been linked with a quartet of Inter players in recent days, including both Marcelo Brozovic and Stefan De Vrij.

Alessandro Bastoni had also been touted as a potential target, while Nicolo Barella, who was signed by Conte and played an instrumental part in their title charge last term, was another name linked with a reunion.

The likes of De Vrij, meanwhile, would sure up Spurs’ leaky defence, with the likelihood being that Conte will opt for a back three system operating with wing-backs.

His switch to this system early on in his first season with Chelsea was what kickstarted the Blues’ title charge.

Another name linked with a move to North London is Fiorentina striker Dusan Vlahovic, who has been an apparent target for the club for several months now.