‘I could not dream this’ – who is new Spurs keeper Kinsky?
s Tottenham’s goalkeeping crisis over? After first-choice Guglielmo Vicario was injured in the autumn, Spurs manager Ange Postecoglou turned to Fraser Forster and Brandon Austin.
It was far from an ideal situation amid poor results, but Tottenham might have now found a solution in their new 21-year-old signing Antonin Kinsky from Slavia Prague.
He made an impressive debut for Spurs on Wednesday night, making several saves as they beat Liverpool 1-0 in the Carabao Cup semi-final first leg.
When asked if it was the best night of his life, with his family making the trip to watch and embracing him post-match, Kinsky replied: “Yes, probably.
“I am a big dreamer. I always like to make my own visions but I would never have dreamed this. I am really happy for the whole club and I am so happy for me and happy for the whole team.”
Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou, added: “We sensed his confidence when we first spoke to him. That is a big occasion for a young lad and he handled himself outstandingly.”
Kinsky played in the Czech Second Division as recently as May 2023 but, this season, has had a meteoric rise to become one of the best goalkeepers in central Europe, sparking comparisons with compatriot and legendary Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech.
However, there is a different decisive figure behind Kinsky’s upbringing: his father, who approved the move to Spurs.
Antonin Kinsky Sr is a former goalkeeper with almost 400 games across the Czech and Russian leagues and five international caps. Since his childhood, Kinsky Jr has dreamed about achieving similar success in goal – and looks to be on the right pathway.
His dad has been supportive all along, also during negotiations with Tottenham.
As Spurs chairman Daniel Levy travelled to Prague, the meeting with Kinsky’s dad proved to be decisive. Kinsky Jr confirmed that in the interview with iSport.cz:, external “I have been listening to my dad until this moment. I would not have this chance without him.
“From the start, I considered Tottenham to be a great opportunity, but I waited on a green light from my father. The meeting with Mr Levy convinced him.”
It has been a turbulent season for Kinsky. In the summer there were rumours about a summer departure from Slavia due to a lack of playing time, but he stayed as the first-choice goalkeeper Jindrich Stanek got injured at Euro 2024.
Kinsky stepped in and helped Slavia with great performances, conceding only seven goals in 19 league matches.
He was also convincing in their Europa League games and caught attention with his aerial prowess, reflexes, and distribution skills.
Tottenham’s deal to bring Kinsky in is worth an initial fee of about £12.5m, with reports, external the fee could rise to £16.6m, making Kinsky the fourth-biggest sale in the history of the Czech league, only behind Tomas Soucek, Tomas Rosicky and Adam Hlozek.
That was practically unimaginable just over a year ago. After spending a season in the Czech second tier on loan at MFK Vyskov, Kinsky joined FK Pardubice for another loan from Slavia Prague, where his playing time remained very limited despite his talent.
Kinsky started the season as first choice at FK Pardubice before a red card, but – after serving his four-match ban – there was nothing to stop him. His potential was evident.
Martin Shejbal worked at Pardubice as a goalkeeping coach and worked closely with Kinsky. “He’s a big pro, he works on himself all the time,” he told BBC Sport.
“He got to the top thanks to the fact that he works harder and more than other players and goalkeepers.”
