Rio Ferdinand warns Tottenham with Antonio Conte as battle for top-4 heats up

Antonio Conte has put Tottenham on the brink of a Champions League spot next season thanks to a narrow 1-0 win over Burnley ahead of Arsenal’s trip to Newcastle

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Conte happy to put pressure on Arsenal in top-four race

Rio Ferdinand has warned Tottenham they need to back Antonio Conte in the summer transfer window if they want to fight for the top of the Premier League next season.

That came after Spurs moved back into the top four with a hard-fought 1-0 win over Burnley on Sunday afternoon. However, they could fall back from the Champions League places when bitter rivals Arsenal travel to Newcastle on Monday.

The battle for the final spot in the top four is guaranteed to end on the last day and even if Tottenham miss out on a place in the top tier of European football, Ferdinand Spurs has warned they need to keep Conte happy by supporting him in the transfer market. Only Liverpool and Manchester City have picked up more points than the Italian since his appointment in November.

The former Manchester United defender told BT Sport: “He’s done enough to deserve this [backing]. Since he’s been here, he’s third in terms of points accumulated and goals scored, just behind the top two [Liverpool and City] who play at different levels in the Premier League. He got this club to where they were in terms of confidence.

“We watched them at Anfield and they put in a performance there and you think mentally they’re in it. He needs the reinforcement of the board, this financial commitment of the board. You have to bet on him. What he did Chelsea come here and win the league, Serie A, he won the league there. I don’t think you can question this guy for what he can bring. He can win things. This guy is a top-level manager.”

Spurs secured their fourth straight Premier League win with Sunday’s narrow win over Burnley after beating Arsenal in a crucial north London derby on Thursday. Harry Kane’s first-half penalty proved crucial at the weekend as Tottenham were two points clear of the Gunners in the league table.

Have your say! Tottenham fourth? Let us know your prediction in the comments section.

When Conte joined the club earlier in the season, Tottenham were ninth and struggling for form. The 52-year-old has managed to completely change his fortunes despite making just two signings in January when Dejan Kulusevski and Rodrigo Bentancur arrived from Juventus.

Conte, who led Chelsea to the Premier League title in his first full season in 2016/17 at Stamford Bridge, could be backed in the summer as his new side look to challenge at the top next season. A number of players have already been linked with a move to north London, including Dusan Vlahovic and Richarlison.