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Romano shares what Conte told Tottenham squad about his future before win
Fabrizio Romano what Antonio Conte told the Tottenham Hotspur squad ahead of the Manchester City clash in the wake of the surprise interview he gave which led to speculation surrounding his future.
Conte only joined Tottenham in November. And he would have been aware that turning their fortunes around may not be a simple task. However, it did appear that things were not going to plan.
Spurs had lost their previous three Premier League games. And the team who then lay ahead for Conte and Tottenham was Manchester City. For many, four top-flight defeats in a row looked inevitable.
The last thing Tottenham probably needed was for an interview with Conte to then emerge in which he seemed to be critical of what the club did during the January transfer window. Reports subsequently claimed that Mauricio Pochettino was being lined up should Conte walk away.
‘This what he told the team’
Outside doubts over his future were emphatically put to bed at the weekend however. Tottenham produced a stunning display to beat Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium.
Spurs still have work to do clearly. But the victory whetted the appetite for what is to come from the club in the coming years. And judging by what Conte reportedly told the Tottenham squad before the win, the Italian is absolutely determined to be a success in North London.
“Behind the scenes, what happened was that Antonio Conte, the day before Man City vs Tottenham game, he wanted to speak directly with the team. And he said this concept to the team: ‘I’m here to fight with you. I’m here to fight for you. And I’m not here to make interviews to make my way out of Tottenham. I’m focused on Tottenham’s project’,” .
“If he says these words, it’s because he wants to push the club to do something special in the summer, to sign important players in the summer, to show winning mentality as the players are doing and he is doing as always.
“And this what he told the team and squad before the game. He wanted the game with Man City to be the statement from the team.”
Conte will be just as desperate for reaction from Tottenham squad in upcoming games
There is absolutely no question that it was a remarkable result from Tottenham at the weekend. And it was a real statement from Conte.
However, getting the players motivated for a clash against Manchester City should not be the biggest challenge. Of course, Spurs did the double over the champions this season.
It is the games against the likes of Burnley, Leeds and Everton where Conte needs to see that ruthless side from Tottenham. On paper, they should have set their sights on nine points.
Picking up those points is going to be just as important for the rest of their campaign.