Antonio Conte, the Tottenham Hotspur manager, has laughed off suggestions that Manchester United and Chelsea are in “transition”.
Conte’s top-four rivals are still bedding in new managers, with Erik ten Hag and Graham Potter arriving at their respective clubs since the end of last season.
Some pundits have claimed that the relative upheaval, in contrast to Spurs, who appointed Conte a year ago, gives the north London side an edge in their battle for a Champions League place this season.
But Conte said: “If Chelsea are in transition after they won the Champions League two years ago and last season they won the World Cup, United two years ago finished second. If these clubs that can invest a lot of money are in transition, I don’t know who are the title contenders?
“In November, we were ninth. We were playing Conference League, and you think United and Chelsea are in transition? With Ronaldo, Varane, Sancho, in transition? I hope to be in transition this way.”
The Italian also believes now is not the right time to talk about transfer plans for January or his long-term future.
Spurs turn their focus back to Champions League action with Sporting Lisbon’s visit on Wednesday. Victory would secure Tottenham’s place in the knockout stage but they have a growing injury list and have lost consecutive matches to Manchester United and Newcastle.
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