Antonio Conte admits decision to allow player to leave was not his

Antonio Conte has admitted that the decision not to renew Lucas Moura’s contract at Tottenham Hotspur was made by the club.

The 30-year-old has suffered with injury this season and has struggled for game time having also had to battle against the likes of Dejan Kulusevski, Heung-min Son, Richarlison and Harry Kane for a place in the starting eleven.

Moura’s current deal expires in at the end of the season and also included the option of an extra year, however, Spurs have decided against activating it and is something that Conte claims he respects having revealed that the Brazilian was a key part of his plans coming into this season.

He can now speak to foreign clubs over a pre-contract agreement for next season and has been linked with a return to his homeland (Arnaldo e Tironi on YouTube, via ESPN).

Conte told Football.London: “This is the decision of the club. For sure this season is a difficult season for Lucas. Also at the same time for us, also honestly in my mind when we planned this season Lucas was an important player for us. If you see the season, he’s played one or two games, maybe also in the Champions League against Marseille but with pain.

“First of all the damage is for me and the team because a player like Lucas is a good player and also he helped us reach the Champions League.

“Don’t have the possibility to use him and for the injuries. Was really difficult, Kulusevski and Richarlison injured. Wasn’t easy. Then if you ask me about the decision of the club, I respect the decision the club makes.”

Lucas Moura
(Photo by Vincent Mignott/DeFodi Images via Getty Images)

SpursWeb Opinion

It seems odd that the club are making decisions over the head of Conte, first the Djed Spence transfer and now this. Moura will be best remembered for his dramatic hat-trick in the Champions League in 2019 against Ajax as the London club reached the final.

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