Vicario had been praised widely for his displays at Empoli over the last two seasons but he was a relative unknown to Premier League fans when Tottenham secured his services in the summer, which is perhaps why some Spurs fans were not happy at the decision to sign him over David Raya.

However, the new Tottenham number one has already shown that he has a very safe pair of hands and has also impressed with his decision-making on the ball, which is crucial to the Lilywhites, given that Ange Postecoglou demands that they play out from the back.

BRENTFORD, ENGLAND – AUGUST 13: Guglielmo Vicario of Tottenham Hotspur gives the team instructions during the Premier League match between Brentford FC and Tottenham Hotspur at Gtech Community Stadium on August 13, 2023 in Brentford, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)

While Vicario has been part of the last few Italy squads, he is yet to win his first cap for the country, with Donnarumma continuing to hold the number one shirt.

However, Buffon believes that the Spurs star now has a great chance to develop in the Premier League, and remarked that he is ready to step in if the PSG number one is unavailable.

Buffon has nice words to say about Guglielmo Vicario

The Juventus legend told Football Italia about Azzurri’s options between the sticks: “I have to say that our options have grown. Now there are five or six keepers at a very high level plus Donnarumma who can no longer be considered as a young lad, despite his age. He’s up there with the best in the world.

“All the others are doing good things, starting from Vicario who has an important chance to develop in the Premier League. We will be in safe hands if Gigio has a cold.”

Spurs Web Opinion

Unfortunately for Vicario, he is not going to get too many caps for Italy no matter how well he does for Spurs as Donnarumma is one of the best goalkeepers in the world and is still quite young.

In fact, I would not be surprised if Luciano Spalletti names the PSG star as his new captain since Leonardo Bonucci is no longer in the squad.

The post Gianluigi Buffon has nice words to say about Tottenham’s Guglielmo Vicario appeared first on Spurs Web - Tottenham Hotspur Football News.

In a summer of much change for Tottenham, Guglielmo Vicario became the first new face to arrive at the club during the Ange Postecoglou era. The Italian stopper signed for the Lilywhites from Empoli in a deal worth £16.4m back in June (Guardian).

Vicario has a huge job on his hands, in replacing former club captain Hugo Lloris. The Frenchman, having been so reliable over the last decade for Spurs, severely struggled for form last season and is widely expected to leave the club before the transfer window closes.

It has been a strong start to life in North London for Vicario. A solid pre-season was followed up by a tentative competitive debut against Brentford, but the 26-year-old truly flourished in the recent 2-0 win over Manchester United.

Vicario’s display against the Red Devils not only helped his side achieve a crucial win early in the season, but also earned him plaudits from pundits across the game.

(Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)

Gianluigi Buffon has eyes on Vicario at Tottenham

Speaking to Football Italia about the new season in Serie A, legendary goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon made special mention to Vicario and revealed he will be watching the Spurs stopper’s progress this season.

Discussing players to watch, Buffon said: “I want to see the development of Vicario, now at Tottenham, and Marco Carnesecchi who have great qualities.”

Spurs Web Opinion

I’m sure Gianluigi Buffon is the blueprint for any aspiring Italian goalkeeper, so the fact he is even mentioning Vicario and watching him is a huge compliment. Let’s hope Vicario can keep performing the way he did against United, and then Buffon will be mightily impressed with what he sees.

The post ‘Great qualities’ – Gianluigi Buffon picks Spurs star as one to watch this season appeared first on Spurs Web - Tottenham Hotspur Football News.

Vicario is expected to be the first new face to arrive through the door at Hotspur Way this summer after Tottenham agreed a €19m (£16.4m) deal with Empoli for the Italian last week (Guardian).

ENFIELD, ENGLAND – JUNE 27: Goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario poses as he signs for Tottenham Hotspur at Tottenham Hotspur Training Centre on June 27, 2023 in Enfield, England. (Photo by Tottenham Hotspur FC/Tottenham Hotspur FC via Getty Images)

While the 26-year-old might be a relative unknown to Premier League fans, he seems to be extremely highly rated by Italian football experts.

In fact, London World reported a couple of days ago that many in Italy expect Vicario to evolve into one of the best in the world over the coming years while Ange Postecoglou is also excited about the signing thanks to the Empoli star’s ability on the ball and his decision making.

Spurs’ Vicario has fans in high places back in Italy

Pagliuci, who made 165 appearances for Inter and won 39 caps for Itlay, has seemingly been urging the Nerazurri to snap up Vicario for many months.

When asked about a potential replacement for Andre Onana, the 56-year-old told Sempre Inter back in March: “Vicario is a very good goalkeeper, he will be the most sought-after goalkeeper of the transfer window.”

Pagliuci told Gazzetta dello Sport (via Football Italia) around the same time: “If Inter sell Onana for a good price and sign Vicario, that’ll be a great deal for them.

“He’s the goalkeeper I like the most in Serie A and has the right maturity now for the step up.”

Meanwhile, the legendry Buffon, who is considered by many to be one of the best goalkeepers to ever play the game, told Gianluca Di Marzio last year “Vicario is doing things out of the ordinary”.

Spurs Web Opinion

While one can argue that the signing of Vicario entails a little more risk than David Raya since the former is not proven in the Premier League, it is clear that the Italian has also a much higher ceiling than the Spaniard, with many experts feeling that he has potential to be one of the best in the game.

The post Even Gianluigi Buffon heaped praise on Spurs signing Guglielmo Vicario last year appeared first on Spurs Web - Tottenham Hotspur Football News.

Conte has played with and managed a host of world-class players over the course of his time in football.

Given his time in charge of Juventus, Italy, Chelsea, Inter Milan and now Spurs, it certainly cannot be easy for the Italian to name the best players he worked with, given the plethora of big names he has had at those clubs.

It thus comes as no surprise that the Italian named two players that overlapped both his playing and his managerial career.

Conte played with both Del Piero and Bufon at Turin before having the chance to manage them during his time in charge of the Old Lady.

When asked to name the best players he has worked with, the Spurs head coach told Sky Sports: “This question is not easy. I want to pick two players who I played with and then I was their coach.

“Alessandro Del Piero and Gianluigi Buffon. I had two experiences with them as a teammate and as a coach, two fantastic players.”

In the interview, Conte also discussed several interesting topics, including his admiration for Harry Kane, his initiation song at Spurs and whether he is much of a romantic.

Watch the full interview below:

Spurs Web Opinion

Despite being just as intense and ruthless as Jose Mourinho (if not more), Conte comes across as a much more likeable person purely because of how authentic he is.

There is no sense that he is putting things on for the camera, which was sometimes the case with Jose. It is perhaps that authenticity that strikes a chord with the players that he manages.

The post Antonio Conte names two of the best players he has managed appeared first on Spurs Web - Tottenham Hotspur Football News.