---
title: "Tottenham Hotspur: Journalist makes Matt Doherty claim involving Antonio Conte"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/tottenham-hotspur-journalist-makes-matt-doherty-claim-involving-antonio-conte/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Emilio Galantini"
section: "Premier League"
published: "2022-02-06T14:35:09Z"
modified: "2022-02-06T14:35:09Z"
---

# Tottenham Hotspur: Journalist makes Matt Doherty claim involving Antonio Conte

**Speaking to [Give Me Sport](https://www.givemesport.com/87968637-antonio-conte-doesnt-fully-trust-tottenhams-matt-doherty), journalist Pete O’Rourke has shared his thoughts on Tottenham Hotspur defender Matt Doherty and manager Antonio Conte.**

### The Lowdown: Doherty linked with January exit…

At the start of January, Doherty was one of the main players [linked with a move away from north London](https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11675/12512934/spurs-reject-ajax-15m-steven-bergwijn-bid-hold-tanguy-ndombele-exit-talks-and-open-to-dele-alli-offers) amid Conte’s mooted N17 rebuild.

\[freshpress-quiz id=”383375″\]

Alas, despite the rumours, Tottenham’s wing-back remained and actually featured fairly regularly throughout last month – even attracting praise from figures around the club.

[Club insider John Wenham](https://www.footballinsider247.com/insider-tips-doherty-to-stay-at-tottenham-despite-talks-he-was-set-to-go/) lavished the Republic of Ireland international following some of his ‘best’ performances in a Lilywhites jersey, but following on, O’Rourke has shared an opposing belief involving Doherty.

[embed.podcasts.apple.com (embedded)](https://embed.podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-football-terrace/id1603861145?itsct=podcast_box_player&itscg=30200&ls=1&theme=auto)

### The Latest: O’Rourke not convinced…

Speaking to [GMS](https://www.givemesport.com/87968637-antonio-conte-doesnt-fully-trust-tottenhams-matt-doherty), the reporter has shared his belief that Conte doesn’t actually trust the 29-year-old – taking into account the Italian’s chase for a right-wing-back in January.

“Doherty’s been in and out in recent weeks, but I’m not sure Conte fully trusts him,” he explained.

“If he had signed another right wing-back in January, that would have pushed him down the pecking order.”

### The Verdict: Fresh start…

We believe O’Rourke may actually have a point given Tottenham and transfer chief Fabio Paratici’s chase for [makeshift RWB top target Adama Traore](https://theathletic.com/news/tottenham-considering-fresh-approach-for-adama-traore/8OHBdqVsYX1j/) for the majority of last month.

However, after that move was [hijacked by Barcelona](https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-10455401/Adama-Traore-seals-dramatic-return-former-club-Barcelona-rejecting-Antonio-Contes-Spurs.html), Doherty may have a chance to revitalise his Spurs career under Conte going by some of his impressive outings.

Former Spurs boss Jose Mourinho once called the defender ‘impeccable’ ([Alasdair Gold](https://mobile.twitter.com/alasdairgold/status/1368936159750086656)) but it remains to be seen whether Doherty can work his way into becoming a fully fledged regular under Conte ahead of the final few months of 2021/2022.

***In other news: Tottenham offer new deal to ‘top’ player after he blew Nuno away, find out more [here.](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/tottenham-hotspur-news/tottenham-hotspur-contract-claim-emerges-involving-defender-tobi-omole/)***