‘Become a title contender’ – Conte opens up on Spurs process and need for solid foundation

Antonio Conte has claimed that time and patience is needed to turn Tottenham into title contenders, as well as consistent investment above a sustained period of time. 

Despite Tottenham putting in a solid, yet uninspiring first-half display, for once not going into the break a goal or two down, the Lilywhites reverted to type in the second 45.

Hugo Lloris spilt a simple save out into the centre of his box, allowing Villa to work an easy finish into the back of an unguarded net via Buendia. One goal became two 15 minutes later when Douglas Luiz capitalised on some shocking defending at the back for Spurs.

Unfortunately, that was it for Tottenham. Although they had plenty of the ball, they lacked the creativity to open up the Villa back line, without the likes of Kulusevski and Bentancur on the pitch.

That makes it ten games in a row across all competitions that Tottenham have conceded first, and there are only so many times you can do that and still earn points (TransferMarkt).

Conte said (Football London): “But for the financial of the club, I continue to repeat that last season we made a miracle, I continue to repeat. It happen why?

“Because we played only one competition and we play with 12 to 13 players and they didn’t have injuries in the last 15 games and we played with best players every game because, I repeat, we played only the league.

“Don’t forget three games to go Arsenal were four points than us and that we finished 20 points less from Manchester City and we did a miracle, but I knew which was the situation.

“Then I was very clear with the club because in this moment and before to become a title contender, because I remember very well in the summer, at the start, people talked about Tottenham as title contenders but in my experience it was a bit crazy to read this.

“To become a title contender, to become a team ready to fight to win something you need to have a solid foundation. That means to have 14 or 15 strong players, quality and the other young players to develop.

“And every season you can add two players but two players to invest £50m, £60m, £70m and in this way it means you are signing important players that improve quality and the level of your team but this is a process guys. It’s a process.

“People think you arrive and you win. This can happen for a team that are used to winning in the past. But if you are not used to it it means you have to create this situation and for this reason you need time and patience.

“I understand that the fans are disappointed because they can say ‘but we’ve been patient for a long time’, I understand it but the situation is this. If you want the truth I can tell you the truth.”

Spurs Web Opinion:

The next two weeks are going to be very telling. Either the board will back Conte and give him the new signings he actually wants. Or a lack of financial backing likely hints towards an exit for the Italian and perhaps a return of Mauricio Pochettino.

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