Tottenham Hotspur defender Ben Davies has revealed how much Antonio Conte has impacted all of the players at the club following Sunday’s hectic 2-2 draw with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
Spurs made up for a poor first half performance in the London derby by battling hard to come from behind twice in the second half, as the Lilywhites once again showed just how far they have come under the Italian.
And Davies has admitted that Tottenham ’s players would “run through a brick wall” for their manager, who was just as passionate and caught up in the drama of the game as those on the pitch during his return to his former employers.
Although Spurs came from behind twice to secure a point and avoid a sixth straight defeat to their hosts, it was Conte who grabbed the majority of the headlines following his touchline antics with opposite number Thomas Tuchel that resulted in red cards for the pair. However, Davies admitted that his manager’s behaviour came as no surprise to the players.
"We’re used to seeing that passion from him!" Davies said via football.london. "His record speaks for itself. He’s a world-class manager, but as a person and as a man on the side, you can’t help but want to run through a brick wall for him.
"He’s animated, he’s very clear in what he wants from his team. He’s very passionate. When he speaks, you can’t help but just sit there and listen."
Harry Kane’s 96th minute equaliser ensured a share of the spoils in this early season London derby, as Spurs followed up their 4-1 opening weekend victory over Southampton with a respectable result at their rivals in the capital, proving that they are capable of competing with the very best in the league.
How far will Antonio Conte takes Spurs this season? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.
And it was the England captain who also received praise from Davies following Sunday’s fixture. It was Kane's expert timing and movement in the box that ensured he got himself on the end of Ivan Perisic’s corner to glance a header into the back of the Chelsea net with seconds to spare.
Kane failed to get on the scoresheet during that convincing victory over Southampton the previous week, but proved that there would be no early season hangover with a second blank in as many games. And following that goal, Davies believes his teammate is playing the best he ever has during their eight years together in north London.
He said: "I think he’s looking as good as he ever has. He’s a top player. He’s shown time and time again the class that he’s got and he’s off the mark again. Let’s hope he can have a successful season.
"I think Harry is not just a top, top player, he’s a top professional as well. He’s one of the first in, he’s always willing to do the hard yards and it’s no surprise he’s got to the top."
But as much as Davies has praise for his comrades, he also deserves recognition for his own performances. He played a vital part on Sunday by setting up Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg’s equaliser and then helping to win the corner that led to Kane’s equaliser, as he continues to prove why Spurs offered him a fresh deal last month.
Since signing from Swansea City in 2014, the 29-year-old has made 273 appearances in all competitions, but it was last season where he really stood out after being converted into a centre-back by Conte as part of a preferred back three. However, with Clement Lenglet’s arrival from Barcelona this summer, Davies now faces a tough task to keep his place.
But Conte has stuck by him in the first two games of the campaign at least, following on from admirable performances in that left centre-back role last year. Lenglet may be naturally fitted to that position on the left of the back three, but if Davies can keep performing to the high standards he continues to set, then his worth to Conte will only grow as the season goes on.
