'Disappointing for Spurs fans' - Journalist now claims Conte doesn't want £19.8m-rated star

According to journalist Pete O’Rourke, Argentinian midfielder Giovanni Lo Celso ‘doesn’t figure’ in Tottenham Hotspur boss Antonio Conte’s plans for next season once the player arrives back from Villarreal in the summer. 

Lo Celso was sent out on loan by the Italian manager in the January transfer window after failing to make an impression on him during his first few months in charge. Since then, his game has improved, but O’Rourke feels it won’t be enough to warrant him a spot in Conte’s squad back in the English capital.

Since joining the Spanish side, Lo Celso has cemented himself as a regular starter – despite not being able to register a goal or assist during his 15 appearances for the Yellow Submarine (Transfermarkt) – and helped Unai Emery’s side make a surprise run to the Champions League semi-finals where they face Liverpool.

With Conte not involving Lo Celso, there are questions over his future, with O’Rourke telling GiveMeSport he doesn’t believe there is one for the player at the club.

He said: “He started off really well at Tottenham and then went off the boil, which is disappointing for Spurs fans, but he is a quality player on his day.

“I think Villarreal are seeing the best of him right now, it seems like he doesn’t figure in Conte’s plans moving forward, so if he continues to impress, it’s only going to raise his price tag.”

TIF Thoughts on Lo Celso…

The former Real Betis midfielder, who is valued at £19.8 million (as per Transfermarkt), has experienced hot-and-cold form since joining Spurs back in 2019, only making 84 appearances for the Lilywhites in that time with eight goals and six assists (Transfermarkt). He often found himself on the bench, with only two of his nine Premier League appearances