9 months ago
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IF TOTTENHAM felt the venomous outbursts would end with Antonio Conte’s exit, they were wrong.
Because new keeper Guglielmo Vicario is known for having quite the temper himself.
Guglielmo Vicario was in pre-season action for Tottenham earlier this weekRexSo much so that back in his homeland of Italy, he was dubbed “Venom” after the furious comic superhero played by Tom Hardy in the Hollywood movie franchise.
Vicario, who joined Spurs from Serie A side Empoli for £16.3million last month, said: “It’s by two guys from broadcaster DAZN in Italy.
“They told me, ‘When you play sometimes you get angry, you feel angry, so you feel like Venom’.
“Also Venom starts with V, Vicario starts with V.”
Asked how his supposed anger manifests itself on the pitch, the 26-year-old added: “I shout, maybe. My facial expression can change in some critical moments of the game.
“I hope to do this not many times because I think we have a big squad, so I trust in my lads.”
Spurs fans had plenty to fume about last season as their side finished eighth — failing to qualify for Europe — with Conte sealing an acrimonious exit in March.
Everything seems calmer now the more diplomatic Ange Postecoglou is in charge.
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AlamyThe Australian, 57, took the long road to the top managing in his home country, then Japan and Scotland before finally reaching the Premier League with Spurs.
Vicario has had a similarly scenic route to England’s top flight, working his way up the divisions in Italy.
Back in 2014-15, when Harry Kane hit 21 Premier League goals to become the star of Mauricio Pochettino’s first season as Spurs boss, Vicario was on loan in Serie D with minnows Fontanafredda.
The Udine-born stopper, whose childhood idol was Azzurri goalkeeping legend Gianluigi Buffon, said: “Serie D to Tottenham is like a dream for me. I’m inside of my dream, I want to live my dream.
“The manager and I started from the bottom to reach the top and for us I think it’s a big success of courage. A big mentality.
“Coming up from the bottom is not so easy. It’s a big challenge with myself and himself and we have to be happy for our process.”
I need to adapt as Spurs is a big club
Guglielmo VicarioVicario spoke in flawless English at a kids’ coaching session in Perth, Australia, on Spurs’ pre-season tour — a far cry from the warm-up friendlies he faced at Venezia, Cagliari, Perugia and Empoli.
He added: “I need to adapt as Spurs is a big club. We have many, many fans so it’s different.
“When I was in Serie D it was impossible to see it like this.”
Vicario, who has been called up for Italy duty in recent months but is yet to receive a cap, may show his wrathful side on the pitch.
But off it there is evidence of his kind-hearted nature. His family have taken in a Ukrainian refugee mother and child who have fled their war-torn homeland.
And Vicario has struck up a close relationship with the 11-year-old son, Milan. The Spurs keeper added: “He is my little brother.
“When I come back to Udine to see my family, I spend some time with him. He is good. He is going to school, he learns Italian.
“I hope he feels good because in Ukraine now the situation is not so good with the war.
“So we try to give them a smile and I hope they don’t have to think of the situation in their country.
“When I’m on the pitch, thinking about them is important. It’s like a strength it can give.”
GettyGUGLIELMO VICARIO spoke at a Spurs training session with beneficiaries from Telethon – one of Western Australia’s largest charities – raising funds to deliver programmes for sick, vulnerable, and disadvantaged children.
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