‘After two weeks I said we need to improve’: Antonio Conte tells Daniel Levy he NEEDS January signings for Tottenham to compete, after analysing ‘who I can’t count on’ as soon as he arrived
- Antonio Conte has called on the Tottenham board to provide new signings
- The Italian, 52, has been tasked with closing the gap on the club’s rivals
- Conte says he needs new additions in order to strengthen his current squad
- He added that he has evaluated which players will stay and which will go
Antonio Conte has called on the Tottenham hierarchy to provide fresh signings in the January transfer window after the Italian revealed he will hold talks with the board over where his squad needs to be strengthened.
Conte, 52, took the helm in north London earlier this season and revealed just weeks into the job that his new squad is far from the ability he expected when he first arrived.
The former Chelsea and Inter Milan boss has garnered good results from his side, although they failed to defeat Southampton last time out, and he has admitted that he needs new faces in order to close the gap to their rivals in the top four.
Antonio Conte has issued a plea to Tottenham’s board to provide new signings next month
Conte, 52, took over earlier this season and wants to strengthen to close the gap to top four
‘For sure,’ Conte said when asked whether his squad needs additions in January, via Football London.
‘After only two weeks I said we needed to improve the quality of this squad and for sure we need to. I was sure after seven to 10 days about this and then I had to make the evaluation over who I can count on and who I can’t.
‘The gap is very large and we need to work a lot and try to build and improve our squad.’
Conte also revealed this his ‘player evaluation’ is complete and he has identified which stars will feature in his plans and who will be heading for an exit.
He revealed that he will talk with the board about January plans (above: Daniel Levy)
The Italian has a history of falling out with those above him, as was showcased at Chelsea
‘I made evaluation after two months of work with my players. The situation is more clear than before. I am waiting to have a meeting with the club to give my opinion about the squad and what I think about our situation.’
Tottenham will be hoping that they can avoid any tension with Conte over transfers as the Italian has a history of falling out with boards over recruitment and has previously used press conferences to bemoan the decisions of those above him.
At Chelsea, he demanded the club sign Virgil van Dijk and Romelu Lukaku, but the Blues were unable to get either deal done and the Dutchman joined Liverpool while the Belgian striker went to United.
The Italian added that Harry Winks has proven ‘reliable’ and he can ‘count on’ the midfielder
Conte’s gripes with the Blues board ultimately led to his downfall and his west London stay ended just two years into his reign, despite winning the Premier League and FA Cup at Stamford Bridge.
Meanwhile, Conte heaped praise on the ‘reliable’ is Harry Winks. Conte has brought the midfielder in from the cold and he said that he can ‘count on’ the Englishman.
‘Winksy is playing well. Winsky showed to be a reliable player,’ he added. ‘For this reason, Winks will stay here. I’m finding out which players are reliable and I can count on them. Winksy showed me I can count on him.’
The Italian’s side will begin the New Year with a trip to Vicarage Road to face Watford, who are in the midst of a five-game slump after losing 4-1 to West Ham last time out.
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