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Alasdair Gold

The problem with those Lucas Moura Fenerbahce links and Tottenham's centre-back transfer plans

Jack00: "Is the main plan for the summer still to bring in two new big starting centre-backs?"

Alasdair says: "The plan, as I understand it, is for Spurs to bring in a left-sided centre-back and one who can play either on the right or centrally. I'd expect there to be a departure or two in that department as well this summer."

irishkev: "I am curious to know if you think Conte's current illness might affect him staying beyond the end of the season or not? I could see him settling into life back with his family during this time and not wanting to come back to England at all, but also I could see him feeling like he missed a lot of this season and wanting to give next year a real go."

Alasdair says: "To be honest, as long as Conte recovers fully and there's no indication that he won't, I don't think his surgery really has an impact on his Spurs future. I think that will be decided by other factors.

"Don't forget he spent all summer back home with his family and a portion of the World Cup break and he still came back to N17. It's not an ideal living situation but it's something he's got used to as he and they travel to and from the UK constantly.

"I think what happens on the pitch and in the boardroom will have the biggest bearing on what comes next at Spurs."

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FrustratedDannyRoseBestLB3: "Who is the rudest player/manager you have had to deal with? Anyone who really didn’t want to answer questions or was just problematic?"

Alasdair says: "Honestly, we've been quite fortunate as reporters with the players Spurs have had in recent seasons. There haven't been any egos and most are very good talkers. I've personally never have anyone be rude to me.

"The only thing I can think of, and it's not particularly rude, is the old trick some players would do of pretending they were on their phone when they walked through the mixed zone to avoid having to speak to the media. I remember one player's face when his phone rang as he was holding it to his ear. It was rather amusing!

"The managers have all been great to speak to. Nuno of course was difficult to get much out of and he seemed to be permanently disappointed in me, but I've enjoyed speaking with all of them. "

josh91: "Do you feel Stellini has made a few telling comments about Conte's management style in recent interviews? Whilst he praises him with every second breath and obviously respects him greatly, he's also said he feels they work more as a team without him. He also referred to Conte making decisions without explaining why to any of them. Makes me wonder if the squad is reacting better to the Stellini, Mason partnership due to their transparency?"

Alasdair says: "I think what he's saying happens with almost every manager. That's why they're the manager and get paid the big bucks. They have to ultimately take the decisions if they believe it's the right thing to do, whether their coaching staff agree with it or not. It's natural that without them it's going to have to be more of a democracy because the hierarchy doesn't exist."

Tilewa: "If/when Spurs sign a new keeper in the summer, do you see Hugo Lloris staying at the club and being shepherded out of the starting XI slowly, or the new recruit quickly replacing him?"

Alasdair says: "Much depends on Lloris. He'll have a year left on his deal, as will Forster. Spurs are looking to bring in the long-term successor to the Frenchman this summer and having been at the club for 11 years at that point, you'd expect Lloris to be given the choice over whether he wants to fight it out with the newcomer and help him adapt or make it a clean break and move on for what might be final move of his career.

"Lloris has always spoken about heading back to France to play and perhaps if he feels he's going to spend more of next season on the bench then it might not be a hard decision for him to make."

bonedeep: "With Ben Davies' performance against West Ham being as good(or better) as anyone else's at left wing-back this season, is it safe to say that outing Sergio Reguilon was a big mistake?"

Alasdair says: "I just don't think Sergio Reguilon really adapted to being a wing-back, which surprised me because I felt he had all the tools to do so. It never seemed like Conte truly trusted him in the role and he didn't offer enough going forward."

tombennett: "With the Qatar takeover happening at Manchester United, money pumping into Newcastle and the financial powerhouses at Chelsea and Manchester City, then add Liverpool and Arsenal into the group, are Levy and Enic not worried about being left behind?"

Alasdair says: "Spurs have certainly held discussions about potential investment with interested parties so that could yet happen to help them compete, but it's worth noting, from his statement in the club's recent financial results, that Daniel Levy is expecting the new UEFA FFP rules to level the playing field when the come in in two years' time. For me, that's putting a lot of faith in a system that hasn't always had the desired effect, but the Tottenham chairman seemed certain the big spenders will not be able to continue unchecked."

gazspur: "Any truth on Spurs being willing to let Lucas leave and join Fenerbahce on a free before the end of the Turkish transfer window? Would be a real shame to let him go."

Alasdair says: "There doesn't seem to be any current indication from within the club that he will leave before the summer. If that did suddenly change, t's a move that doesn't really make any sense for Spurs or, financially at least, Lucas.

"To loan out Bryan Gil and then also allow Lucas Moura to leave would be crazy. Antonio Conte has finally got proper squad depth in those attacking positions and to lose one of them for the sake of around three months' wages would be daft.

"Spurs and injuries just seem to go together so gambling your top four hopes on not having two players for each of the attacking slots would be mad.

"I understand Lucas was open to leaving in the January transfer window but if he stays for the remaining few months he will depart as a free agent in July, which is far more lucrative for him, and he would get a proper goodbye from the Tottenham fans, after the club declined to take up the option to extend his contract by 12 months before that option ran out in December."

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