Antonio Conte says it was 'CRAZY' to see Spurs as title contenders

Antonio Conte says it was ‘CRAZY’ to consider Tottenham as title challengers at the start of the season after their dismal 2-0 home defeat by Aston Villa… and insists it will take ‘time and patience’ to transform his side into contenders

• Antonio Conte claimed Spurs were not ready to be considered title challengers
• The Italian’s team slumped to a 2-0 defeat at home to Aston Villa on Sunday
• Spurs now sit fifth in the Premier League, 13 points behind rivals Arsenal
• The 53-year-old also called the club’s fourth-placed finish last season a ‘miracle’ 

Antonio Conte has urged that he needs ‘time and patience’ to develop his Tottenham side into genuine title contenders.

The former Chelsea boss saw his side fall to a defeat against Aston Villa on Sunday, marking the latest setback in a poor run of form that has seen his side collect just 7 points from 21 available since losing to Manchester United in October.

Speaking following the loss, Conte explained that he did not believe his team possessed the depth in talent in order to be discussed as potential title challengers prior to the current campaign.

Antonio Conte has claimed his side were not ready to be considered potential title challenges prior to the current campaign

‘I was very clear with the club and in the summer people spoke about Tottenham as title contenders. From my experience it was a bit crazy to read this but you have to accept this. 

‘To become title contenders you need a solid foundation, 14-15 strong quality players and the young players to develop and every season you can add two players, but two players to invest £60m, £70m players to improve the level of your team.’

Defeat on Sunday means Spurs now sit thirteen points behind their North London rivals who have a game in hand, and Conte lamented his side’s lack of a creative spark after the loss.

The Italian coach spoke after his side’s poor run of form continued with a 2-0 defeat against Aston Villa 

‘We have different characteristics. We don’t have many players who are really good to beat the man.’ Conte said.

‘We don’t have many creative players in our team. For sure today was really difficult to find space in the first half. I’m sure that if we don’t concede the goal, we could win the game instead.

‘The goal that we conceded killed us in confidence and in many situations for sure. You have to try to improve and develop these players and especially young players to be even stronger.”

Conte took charge at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in November of 2021 following Nuno Espírito Santo’s sacking as the club sat ninth in the table having suffered five defeats in their opening ten fixtures.

Conte claimed his side’s fourth-placed finish last season after thrashing Norwich on the final day was a ‘miracle’

Despite their poor start to the season, Conte would transform the side, leading them to pip Arsenal to a Champions League place on the final day of the season after losing just once in their final eleven games.

Speaking on his inaugural campaign at the club’s helm Conte called the team’s turnaround success a ‘miracle’.

‘For the potential of the club, I continue to repeat that we made a miracle. It happened why? Because we played only one competition with 12, 13 players and they didn’t have injuries in the last 15 games and we played only the best players. 

‘Arsenal were only four points up and we finished 20 points less than Manchester City. We did a miracle and I knew the situation.’

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