Michael Dawson has tipped Antonio Conte to lead Tottenham Hotspur on another long run in the Champions League and start to push Manchester City and Liverpool in the Premier League.
Conte is set to remain in charge of Spurs next season and the club's owners ENIC have overseen a £150m cash injection into the coffers, with the vast majority set to go towards transfers this summer to build a much stronger squad. After watching Conte lead Spurs to fourth place in the Premier League and a return to Champions League football, former Tottenham defender Dawson believes next season will bring big things for the team as they look to close in on the top two.
"They can go on a great Champions League run. You look back to 2019 when they got to the final, no-one expected that. It was an incredible journey, so many ups and downs. Cup competitions are fine margins, I know how hard it is to win that. We’ve seen it with other teams this season where you can be in control and then five minutes of madness in football and it changes," said in an interview with William Hill.
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"The aim’s got to be to be in the top four again, realistically that's what the aim is. I think the top two for me will again be challenging for the title, but if you make improvements then your aim has got to be, can you close the gap to the top two? And that’s what Spurs have got to do. That’s it, and try and cement yourself in the top four.
"Manchester United are going to be better, it’ll be interesting to see what happens with Chelsea, but it’s about what Spurs do – signing the right players, keeping on improving and keeping on getting the best out of the players that are in the squad because they’ve got an incredible squad. They’ve just got to try and keep on building."
One player who lit up the season for Spurs was Son Heung-min, who won the Golden Boot with Mohamed Salah with 23 goals in the Premier League.
"He ranks right up there amongst the world’s best players, right up there. He’s such a threat, he scores goals," said Dawson. "When him and Harry [Kane] combine together, they’re the best in the Premier League. They’re a joy to watch. I watch a lot of games and they are a joy, the way they combine together – Son runs in behind if Harry comes short. So yeah, he’s up there with the world’s best players, without a shadow of a doubt.
"He runs in behind, the goals he scores. When he gets one on one with a goalkeeper, you always fancy him to hit the back of the net. I just think he’s a threat. Defenders don’t like running in behind. He runs from wide areas, which is always hard for a defender if you get caught flat-footed.
"He’s always got the run on you, he’s quick anyway. His movement is brilliant, which is why he’s up there, and that’s why he gets all the recognition he deserves. To get 23 Premier League goals, and not one being a penalty – it’s remarkable and credit to him.
"I think Sonny getting those 23 goals, joint with Salah, makes him my Spurs player of the season. Incredible."
He added: "What impresses me most about him is the love for the game he has. He’s certainly a fan favourite, he’s one of those players that’s always makes time for people. He’s always got a smile on his face. He loves the football club, he loves being there, he loves being a fan’s hero. He connects and you have to connect with the fans and to make that bond.
"When you go through periods of the season where you maybe don’t score for a few games, as he did, you’ve still got that love that helps you when you need rooting for. He loves it, he’s always got time for people and that’s what it’s about, because he’s an icon. He really, really is. Everyone loves him. He’s a superstar."
