The Tottenham boss also spoke about the busy transfer window the club had in January ahead of the FA Cup game against Graham Potter’s Brighton.
Tottenham had a busy January transfer campaign, with a host of incomings, and many outgoings as well. Dele Alli has joined Everton in a permanent deal after six-and-a-half years with Spurs.
Tanguy Ndombele, Bryan Gil, and midfielder Giovanni Lo Celso left the North London club on loan. There were a few exciting signings as well, with Juventus duo Rodrigo Bentancur and Dejan Kulusevski joining the club. The Uruguayan signed a permanent contract, while the Swedish talent is on an 18-month loan.
Speaking at a press conference ahead of Tottenham’s FA Cup encounter against Brighton, Conte felt that the players who left on loan needed more game time, and that the decision taken by the club was in the best interest of all parties involved.
The Italian also pointed out that it was strange to dispose of so many players in the winter transfer window, also subtly hinting at some errors of judgement in the past.
“The players that went on loan, they needed to play more games. I think it was right for both sides, fIt was strange to send in January three players to go on loan and one player to sell.
It means that maybe in the past, you have to see what you did and maybe to understand that there were some mistakes in the past or the club and also for the players because these players needed to play more games.”
Conte remarked, as per Football London.
The former Chelsea and Juventus manager added that Tottenham needed a better transfer policy, and that signings must be made that would reinforce the squad. He felt that players who did not fit the system should not have been bought. Expressing that some of the decisions regarding loaned players weren’t quite upto the mark, Conte stated that there were plausible mistakes made in the past.
Speaking of new signings Bentancur and Kulusevski, Conte said that the two players fit the Tottenham philosophy and would make valuable additions to the squad. He also remarked that when he first arrived at the club, he was unsure of the depth the side had, in case of an injury to any of the main players.
After this window, Conte believes, the side has become much more complete. He felt that the midfield needed strengthening, which is why Bentancur was brought in. The club were also missing a right-sided attacker, a role which Kulusevski fills, in addition to his ability to play in the full-back or wing-back positions.
Conte also acknowledged that the Premier League is one of the more challenging leagues in the world, calling it “a different sport”. He believes that the players have to raise their game as per the requirements of the league, which in itself is a very difficult task.
Conte also declared that he has come with a vision to win the Premier League, but also conceded that the journey is still long for his Spurs side. That said, Conte assured that he was confident of their chances, clearly stating that his ambition is to win the league itself.
