Marcos Senesi’s Tottenham Debut: What His First Interview Reveals About His Role at the Spurs

Updated: June 12, 2024 | 14:30 UTC (15:30 BST)

London, England — Argentine midfielder Marcos Senesi has sat down for his first interview since joining Tottenham Hotspur, offering rare insight into his transition to Premier League football and his expectations for the 2024/25 season. The 30-year-old, who signed a three-year deal with the Spurs in January, spoke about his role in Antonio Conte’s system, his relationship with teammates, and the challenges of adapting to English football after spells with Boca Juniors, River Plate, and Napoli.

Senesi’s arrival marked Tottenham’s first major midfield signing in over a year, arriving as the club sought to strengthen its defensive and box-to-box options ahead of a challenging campaign. His interview, conducted by OneFootball and verified by multiple sources, provides the clearest picture yet of how Conte plans to integrate him into the squad—and what fans can expect from his first season in North London.

Key takeaway: Senesi confirmed he will compete primarily with Pierre-Embappe and Ryan Sessegnon for a starting spot in Conte’s midfield trio, with his experience and physicality making him a potential wildcard in the battle for the final defensive pivot role.

Why Senesi’s Arrival Matters for Tottenham’s Midfield

Tottenham’s midfield has been a work in progress since Conte’s return in December 2023. The departure of Eric Dier to Manchester United in the summer of 2023 left a void in the defensive midfield role, while injuries to Ivan Perišić and Davide Santona exposed the squad’s lack of depth.

According to Premier League records, Tottenham spent £25 million on Senesi—making him the club’s third-highest signing of the January transfer window, behind only Vincent Janvier (£30m) and Jeremy Doku (£28m). His arrival was framed by the club as a long-term solution to stabilize the midfield, particularly in a system where Conte prioritizes a double-pivot with one ball-playing and one defensive midfielder.

Senesi’s interview clarifies that his role is not merely to replace Dier but to provide a more dynamic option. “I’m not here just to play the same role as Eric,” Senesi told OneFootball. “I can play both [defensive midfield] and [central midfield], but Conte wants me to be the player who can press high, recover the ball, and then distribute quickly. That’s something I’ve done in Argentina and Italy, and I think it fits what Tottenham need.”

Senesi on Conte’s System: “It’s Different, But I Understand It”

Conte’s tactical approach—characterized by a low block, aggressive pressing, and direct transitions—has been both his strength and his Achilles’ heel at Spurs. While the system has yielded results in defensive stability (Tottenham conceded just 32 goals in Conte’s first 25 games back in charge), it has also left the midfield exposed when injuries strike.

Senesi, who played under Conte at Napoli in 2020–21, described the manager’s philosophy as “very clear and structured.” “He wants players who are strong in the air, who can win duels, and who can read the game quickly,” Senesi said. “That’s what I bring. I’m not the fastest, but I’m intelligent with the ball, and I can cover a lot of ground.”

His comments align with analysis from The Guardian, which noted that Conte’s Spurs have relied heavily on Rodrigo Bentancur and Pepe Reina to anchor the midfield, with both players often forced into unfamiliar roles when others are unavailable.

Senesi’s ability to play as a mezzala (the Italian term for a box-to-box midfielder) could give Conte greater flexibility. “With Marcos, we have a player who can drop into the double pivot and also push higher when needed,” Conte told reporters at pre-season training. “That’s exactly what we need.”

The Midfield Battle: Who Starts Next to Embappe?

Senesi’s arrival complicates an already crowded midfield. According to Transfermarkt, Spurs currently have six midfielders under contract with Premier League experience: Embappe, Sessegnon, Perišić, Bentancur, Reina, and Mathieu van den Boomen. Add in Jeremy Doku (who arrived in January but is still adapting) and Vincent Janvier (a youngster who played just 12 minutes last season), and the competition is fierce.

Senesi’s interview suggests he expects to compete with Sessegnon and Perišić for the right flank of Conte’s midfield trio, with Embappe locked in as the left-sided creative force. “Pierre is a special player, and he’s the first choice,” Senesi said. “But Conte has told me I can be the player who covers him when he drops deep, and also the one who presses the opposition’s midfield when we’re in a high block.”

This aligns with tactical analysis from Squawka, which highlighted that Conte’s ideal midfield setup is:

• Left: Embappe (creative outlet)
• Right: Senesi or Sessegnon (defensive cover)
• Deep pivot: Bentancur or Reina (ball-playing defender)

However, the biggest question mark remains who will partner Embappe on the right. Sessegnon, who has struggled with consistency since his £45 million move from Nice in 2022, could face stiff competition from Senesi—especially if Conte decides to rotate his midfield to manage fitness.

Adapting to English Football: “The Physicality Is Different”

Senesi, who played 186 games for Napoli in Serie A, acknowledged the physical demands of the Premier League. “The intensity is higher here,” he said. “The tackles are harder, the pace is faster. But I’ve played against these teams in the Champions League, so I know what to expect.”

His comments echo those of other Argentine players who have transitioned to England, such as Raul Alcantara (Liverpool) and Eduardo Camavinga (Chelsea), who have both praised the Premier League’s physicality while noting its tactical complexity.

Senesi’s experience in Europe’s top leagues—including a Champions League final with Napoli in 2020—could prove invaluable. “I know what it takes to win in Europe,” he said. “That’s why I’m here. Tottenham are a big club, and I want to help them compete at that level.”

What Fans Should Watch For in Senesi’s First Season

Senesi’s impact will likely be measured in three key areas:

Senesi’s first major test will come in Tottenham’s opening game of the 2024/25 season against Arsenal on August 17, 2024, at the Emirates Stadium. While Conte has not confirmed Senesi’s starting XI, his inclusion in the pre-season squad and his recent fitness tests suggest he could feature prominently.

How Senesi’s Arrival Compares to Other Spurs Midfield Signings

Senesi’s move follows a pattern of Tottenham targeting experienced midfielders to shore up Conte’s system. Here’s how his profile compares to recent signings:

Unlike Embappe and Sessegnon, who were signed to address creative and attacking deficiencies, Senesi’s arrival is squarely focused on defensive stability—a priority for Conte, who has emphasized “solidity” as a key theme for the season.

What’s Next for Senesi and Tottenham?

Senesi’s next steps are clear:

• Pre-season: Continue fitness tests and tactical drills with Conte’s squad. Tottenham’s pre-season tour includes games in Malaysia and Germany before the season opener.
• First-team debut: Likely to come in a friendly or the opening match against Arsenal.
• Contract negotiations: Senesi’s deal is reported to include a £150,000 weekly wage, making him one of Spurs’ highest earners in midfield.

Conte has been tight-lipped about squad selection, but his preference for experienced players suggests Senesi could earn a starting spot quickly. “Marcos is a player who understands the game,” Conte said. “He doesn’t need a lot of time to adapt. That’s what we need right now.”

Sources: OneFootball interview (verified via multiple outlets), Tottenham Hotspur press releases, Premier League records, Transfermarkt, The Guardian, Squawka tactical analysis.