Fabio Paratici called Dejan Kulusevski and Rodrigo Bentancur’s adaption to the Premier League ‘very, very quick’ following their move from Juventus to Tottenham.
The pair left the Bianconeri in the January transfer window in order to work with Antonio Conte in North London. Neither player was particularly central to Massimiliano Allegri’s project in Turin and the moves made sense for all parties. The move was further facilitated by the fact that the Spurs managing director of football was previously Juventus’ sporting director.
Speaking in a press conference, Paratici first discussed the competitiveness of the Premier League.
“The Premier League I think is the most important league in the world. The competition is so high for coaches, players, clubs and managing directors so it’s really competitive.
“So also it’s a big challenge but it’s a nice challenge for everyone of us that has the opportunity, the chance to be here and to fight to be better, like a professional, like a person, because the competition is important for every one of us.”
He then discussed Kulusevski and Bentancur’s adaptions to the English topflight.
“We know, me and Antonio, we know these players very well because me I was in Juve before and Antonio because he was in Italy, so he knows very well the players. We know that the character and mentality and the style of these kind of players would be right for us.
“So their adaptation was really really quick. So this was really the news, because normally some players need time to adapt, to adapt to the Premier League, to England, whatever, so for Rodrigo and Deki it was really, really quick.”
Finally, Paratici discussed the impact made by defender Cristian Romero, who joined from Atalanta last summer.
“He is a really important player for us, but I think not just him, he has a big impact but even the other defenders, they work very well at the moment.
“Eric Dier is amazing, Ben Davies the same. Sanchez, Tanganga and Rodon, when they played they did well, so we have a very good group of defenders, so we are happy.”
The 21-year-old Kulusevski has made an immediate impact in North London, scoring two goals and providing four assists in his first 11 appearances under Conte, including a goal in the 3-2 win over Manchester City.
Every word Spurs' managing director of football Fabio Paratici said about the summer to come, recruitment, Antonio Conte, Bentancur, Kulusevski, Romero and his message to the fans. https://t.co/xvCKKTlBPK
— football.london (@Football_LDN) March 26, 2022
Well done. You’re SOOOO clever. Maybe you can sign Rabiot and Ramsey for free, on exaggerated salaries, as well, for Spurs. Then we can see who “has adapted” so well……