Matt Doherty has been speaking about how Antonio Conte does indeed trust the Tottenham Hotspur ace.
Doherty has experienced a rather frustrating time of things since his move to Tottenham back in 2020 starting just 22 league games and this season has been no different with the Republic of Ireland international being afforded just four minutes domestically.
However, he is still seemingly very much in favour at Spurs as Conte does indeed still trust him despite his serve lack of game time, something the defender has spoken about while out on international duty.
Doherty confirmed to the media that Conte does indeed still have trust in him and his ability to perform.
“I understand where the manager is coming from in terms of where he thought my fitness was and he was right at the end of the day.
I know that he trusts me, I know that once I’m back fit again he knows what I can do for him and he wanted me to come away and try to get two games in and he kind of said in his press conference that I’d be available after the international break fully for selection, so that’s kind of the plan if Stephen [Kelly] obeys him.”
Should Doherty be starting for Spurs?
Yes!
No!
TIF Thoughts on Doherty’s situation…
Towards the back end of last season, Doherty appeared to be earning the trust of Conte having started seven league games in a row, keeping two clean sheets and also popped up with five-goal involvements, but was then dealt a major blow when he was forced off against Aston Villa with a season-ending injury.
He would have been hoping to pick up where he left off pre-injury this season, however, he’s failed to dislodge first Emerson Royal and now Ivan Perisic, who was deployed on the right-hand side in Spurs’ 6-2 win over Leicester City.
It will be a huge confidence boost for Doherty knowing that his club manager, someone who thrives using wing backs and has coached some of the best, does indeed trust him and is looking to call upon him after the international break.