‘Build something important’ – Conte plays down importance of January signings

Antonio Conte has insisted that he did not speak to Tottenham about the money available to spend in January before taking the job, adding that he was more concerned about building a long-term project. 

Since Conte’s arrival, the speculation linking Spurs with moves for various Serie A stars has gone into hyperdrive.

There have even been suggestions of a £150m war chest being available to the Tottenham boss during January.

In an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport last week, Conte hit back at the idea that he needs to spend big to succeed, pointing out that he has helped his previous clubs to make more money than he spent.

The 53-year-old conveyed a similar sentiment in his press conference on Wednesday, claiming that the money available to spend was not a reason he accepted the Spurs job.

Conte also expressed a desire to build something ‘great’ with Tottenham over the long term.

When asked if the Tottenham players can expect new players to come in during January, the Spurs head coach told Football.London: “Honestly when I decided to become Tottenham manager I didn’t speak about this aspect. 

“When you take a job, you have to make your evaluations and you have to feel your sensation and honestly, I felt Tottenham was the right club to work and to bring my ideas and philosophy of football.

“For this reason, I accepted the job. I didn’t talk about January or the way to improve the team. I repeat: I’m here because I have great enthusiasm, great patience to start a new work with Tottenham. 

“If I’m here, it’s because I want to build something important with the club. I know at the moment we’re a bit far from the top clubs but we need to work to improve the situation.

“To start and to also to create a good basis where you start – and then you build. We can do this and then our fans will support us and for sure, at the moment, it’s not simple. 

“But I have great enthusiasm and great patience and I believe that here we can build something important. We need patience and time but I have great desire to do something great.”

Spurs Web Opinion

These quotes suggest that Conte views this project at Tottenham as a more long-term one than many of his previous ones. However, the Italian might also be saying that to relieve pressure off himself and the side to get immediate results.

The length of Conte’s contract certainly does not point to a long-term project. I would be very surprised if he had not discussed the funds available to spend in the next few windows before accepting the job. 

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