Antonio Conte warns Tottenham players after Champions League defeat: ‘Nobody is unchangeable’
Antonio Conte warned Tottenham the player that “no one is immutable” when he is targeted reacts to Champions League defeat to Sporting Lisbon.
Spurs face the bottom of the table Leicester City in the Premier League on Saturday, four days after recording their first defeat of the campaign with a 2-0 comeback at Estadio Jose Alvalade.
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Son Heung-Minwho was bound to Liverpool‘S Mohamed Salah for the Premier League Golden Boot last season, came under close scrutiny after a slow start to the season and when asked if the Korean could be substituted, Conte said: “No player is impossible replace.
“This has to be very clear. No player is irreplaceable. Because if I say this, it’s just trying to help my players and trying to avoid injuries, trying to have those players. players in top form and have a good performance.
“If I say this it’s just to protect my players and give them the ability, in every moment, to be at the top. Then you know very well that you can play a game well, another game you can score, another you don’t, but my job is to try to protect my players and protect the team. Also, to find the right way to get results.”
Conte also explains why Yves Bissouma has only started once since his £25m summer move from Brightonbut hinted at making changes to Leicester’s visit – the last of the opening seven games before this month’s international break.
“There are players like Richarlisonwho quickly joined the group, [Clement] Lenglet used to be the same, [Ivan] Perisic Conte added.
“The only player who is struggling a bit tactically is Bissouma, but he is also improving a lot in all aspects. I’m sure when we start again and play 13 games [before the World Cup]for sure he is another player I can trust but I try to make the best decision for the player because I want to protect the player.
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“In the Champions League they are always big games and for this reason I need all my players. I need all my players ready to rotate to be ready wherever they are when they’re ready. I call them out and play well for the team. , for the club, for the fans, for everyone.
“You know very well that we have to try in every game to win. This is our reality and for this reason you have to understand that when we lose we are absolutely head-to-head. .
“And for this reason we have to feel, we have to get angry a little bit, and try and have a good reaction. Because now we have the ability to play another Premier League game, and against For us it’s important to get a win, but at the same time you know you’re playing against Leicester.
“The group isn’t loyal to them right now because we’re talking about a really good team, a really good squad.”
