Leeds United have become renowned for their immense physical output throughout the Premier League this past year.
Rarely has a newly-promoted side had such a successful first season back in the top flight, with the Whites finishing in ninth place on 59 points.
Key to Leeds' success has been their top-level physical fitness, which is said to have exceeded every other outfit in the Premier League throughout 2020/21 - both in terms of sprints made and distance covered.
While Leeds are not currently in the hunt for a new manager - despite Marcelo Bielsa's contract situation, which is expected to be resolved this summer - Tottenham Hotspur are.
Spurs have now gone over 50 days without a permanent manager since the sacking of Jose Mourinho.
Ryan Mason took charge of Spurs' 3-1 Elland Road defeat back in May, but has since given up his interim post.
Antonio Conte emerged as a front-runner for the position last week following his explosive departure from Inter Milan.
Conte had just sealed a first Serie A title in a decade for the historic club, but due to financial trouble, vacated his post.
Writing for The Athletic, Jack Pitt-Brooke claims that some Tottenham players were concerned with the potential appointment of Conte, due to his supposedly demanding expectations.
"Some of the Tottenham players had their own reservations about the possible arrival of Conte. They had heard from their friends at other clubs just how extreme and demanding Conte’s methods were, and how little attention he paid to the academy and to younger players," Pitt-Brooke says.
These concerns appear to have been a tad unfounded, however.
According to Understat, last season in Serie A, Inter's PPDA was eighth highest.
PPDA stands for Passes Per Defensive Action, meaning on average how many passes your team allows the opposition before attempting to retrieve it with a tackle, block or interception.
The lower the PPDA, the more aggressive a team's press is.
By comparison, Leeds' was the lowest amongst the entire Premier League.
Nevertheless, if Pitt-Brooke's claim is true and sections of Spurs' squad were concerned with a potential Conte appointment, it reflects badly on them, not wanting to exert themselves to the best of their physical capabilities.
Leeds United are living proof that with superior fitness, come many benefits, not least an improved league position.
Considering Spurs finished just three points ahead of Leeds this season, despite their enormous budget, wage bill and roster of international players, those supposed reservations are perhaps something the North London club may want to address.
