Antonio Conte claimed to be ending the current PL campaign with just 15 players.
What did Antonio Conte say?
The Italian manager has acknowledged that his summer transfer list to Spurs will be very, very large at this point in time, while also revealing whether the club would look to sign Dejan Kulusevski outright. Antonio was named Tottenham’s new permanent head coach in November as the manager replaced sacked Nuno Espirito Santo after the club’s poor start to the season, and has since helped the team back into the PL’s top four. Antonio Conte is aiming to secure a Champions League return for Spurs, but it has been reported that he is eyeing a squad overhaul to take the club to the next level in 2022-23.
Antonio says his focus is blocked on the remaining PL games, but with the title-chasing clash against the Reds next weekend, the Italian has also expressed frustration at the squad’s lack of depth. Asked if he had given the club the list of players he wanted during the summer window, Antonio Conte said at the pre-match press conference that no, no, no. They are completely focused on this season. According to Antonio Conte, also, because they end this season with only 15 players and at the moment it is not convenient to give them a list, because the list would be very, very, very big!
Conte talks about Kulusevski
The Italian manager managed to bring duo Dejan Kulusevski and Rodrigo Bentancur to Juventus in January, the Swede arrived on the initial loan deal. Dejan has already made a huge impact with Tottenham and they are obligated to buy him for £29m at the end of his loan in 2023 if he hits certain targets, but Antonio indicated the deal could be completed sooner than that.
Insisted on whether he advised Tottenham to make the Swedish player’s move permanent, Antonio Conte said yes, he thinks Dejan Kulusevski is on loan, but it’s like the deal is over. Kulusevski is a 100% Tottenham player in every aspect. Not officially, according to Antonio, but Dejan is a 100% Tottenham player.