MATT BARLOW: Tottenham under Antonio Conte and are now back to where they before the Italian

When Tottenham went to the Etihad last season, it was after three consecutive league losses. They trailed in eighth place, with 36 points from 22 games, Antonio Conte complaining about transfers and gathering storm clouds.

And they won: an improbable victory over Manchester City that revived an ailing campaign, inspiring Conte and his team to a final sprint that ended with fourth place and a return to the Champions League, a semblance of success and cause for optimism.

Eleven months later, they return to the city once more in a desolate frame of mind after Sunday’s derby, when Arsenal tore them apart at home, their hated neighbors and the runaway leaders at the top of the table.

Tottenham is spinning as a club: it seems that Antonio Conte’s days are numbered

“Bad result, bad first half,” said Spurs winger Dejan Kulusevski, reflecting on a fourth defeat in five Premier League home games. ‘They scored a lucky goal and after that we didn’t play well enough. We couldn’t touch them. They are a very good team, they are not the best in the league luckily, so it was difficult for us to keep the ball, to put pressure on them.

‘The second half was much better. We couldn’t score, that’s the bad thing, but we created a lot of chances.’

Hugo Lloris took the blame after his own goal. At 36, there are valid questions about his form and future, but Lloris isn’t the only underperformer. The resurgence of Eric Dier has been reversed. Son Heung-min has scored just four league goals. Kulusevski has only started nine games in all competitions and Rodrigo Bentancur’s absence since the World Cup has been deeply felt.

Exactly 11 months after the shock win at Manchester City last season, they again travel there with seemingly dim hopes of a win.

The last-gasp win there last season kicked off a remarkable run that put them in the top four.

Richarlison returned from Qatar with another injury. Cristian Romero missed the last five games before the World Cup, but played all seven for Argentina in Qatar and has not been on good terms with Tottenham ever since.

Coach Conte could feel that international football conspired against him in this congested season. Others might say the same. Chelsea and Liverpool are beset by injuries. All four Champions League teams are failing, even Manchester City with their usual high standards.

Those who purr have endured less physical and mental stress. Manchester United and Arsenal have the complications of Thursday nights in Europe, but Europa League football is not of the same quality or intensity as the Champions League. They can rest players and even lose points without criticism, so there are excuses but the Tottenham faithful are fed up with excuses. Hence the dissenting groans at the final whistle on Sunday.

Unlike City, Chelsea and Liverpool, they have not seen a trophy in 15 years and no evidence of progress in the last five. Even when they reached the Champions League final, they did so with the air of a team just past their prime.

Arsenal’s performance in the north London derby at the weekend provided evidence of the gulf in the class.

Tottenham then tried to take a shortcut with winning coaches like José Mourinho and Conte, who know what it takes, who wasted no time making it clear that they couldn’t compete at the top of the league with the team and buying power at their disposal. .

The idea of ​​the manager with a Midas touch is a fallacy. Yes, they can make the difference, but the players are still key. In addition, good players within a larger vision through recruitment and development of the academy and shared by the man who chooses the team.

Spurs were nowhere near the talks when Erling Haaland, Cody Gakpo or Mykhailo Mudryk were discussing a club change. Liverpool hijacked their deal for Luis Diaz and Arsenal kept their interest in Gabriel Jesus at bay.

Chairman Daniel Levy has invested in an attempt to meet Conte’s demands in the transfer market but ultimately must realize that his head coach is not a good fit for his recruiting power.

Spurs can outbid Nottingham Forest for Djed Spence, but Conte wants mature, reliable players ready to satiate his ambition to compete for the biggest prizes, not more prospects when he has Ryan Sessegnon, Bryan Gil and Pape Sarr.

Djed Spence sums up the difference in strategy between Conte and the club’s hierarchy

He made this clear. They still spent £20m on Spence and he hasn’t played. This month, a right-back tops the shopping list. Spurs like Pedro Porro from Sporting Lisbon but are reluctant to honor the £40m release clause.

If it feels like they’re going around in circles, it’s probably because they are. Only, this time, with Arsenal flying like a club acting together and Kane’s contract entering its final year.

Mourinho and Conte were appointments designed to appease Kane and convince him that Tottenham were serious about winning, but they are no closer to winning than they were. Conte isn’t sure he’ll stay past the end of his contract in June.

In fact, suddenly, doubts arise as to whether Levy would want to stay with him or if the fans would object.

Since his failed escape attempt in the summer of 2021, Kane has had the steely gaze of a man determined to bide his time, sticking to his advice and determined not to forget what he saw as a broken promise to let him go when City were interested. .

The club are now at risk of losing Harry Kane this summer with seemingly little sign that they will compete.

Unless Spurs want to see him leave on a free transfer in 2024 at the end of his contract, they should consider selling their biggest asset this summer. Bayern Munich and Real Madrid have been linked and Wout Weghorst’s provisional loan from Manchester United bolsters the theory that they plan to test Levy’s resolve in the summer.

Kane will turn 30 in July. By then, he will be Tottenham’s top scorer and will have nothing left to keep him in North London.

Of course, things could return to their place with another upset win at Manchester City on Thursday. Conte’s side could easily come back together when everyone is fit, catch up with their rhythm, sneak in fourth and return to the Champions League.

It doesn’t seem likely but it is possible. They did it last year. They can do it again.

Hell, they might even go and win the FA Cup, but why would Kane want to extend their stay when they’re stuck in this endless loop? And where will they be without him?