• News

Conte aims dig at Pochettino and Mourinho over Tottenham transfer business

Antonio Conte at Tottenham
Getty Images
Advertisement

Antonio Conte has taken a swipe at former Tottenham managers over the club’s transfer business.

Antonio Conte aimed a thinly-veiled dig at former Tottenham bosses Mauricio Pochettino and Jose Mourinho over their transfer mistakes at the club.

Conte took over from Nuno Espirito Santo in November 2021 and used the recently-concluded January transfer window to bolster his squad.

Dejan Kulusevski and Rodrigo Bentancur both joined the north London club on deadline day from Juventus, and while Conte is pleased with his signings, the Italian warned the club must raise their game when trying to sign players.

“We have to pay more attention in the market to sign players,” he said. “It becomes of fundamental importance.”

The Mirror claim that Conte’s comments appear to have been aimed at Pochettino and Mourinho, both of whom signed players who failed to live up to expectations.

Tanguy Ndombele joined Pochettino’s Spurs side in a club-record move worth £63m in July 2019, but consistent injuries prevented the 25-year-old from nailing down a regular starting spot.

Mourinho signed Matt Doherty from Wolves who has also fallen out of favour under Conte and could be on his way out of the club in the summer.

Conte also spoke about the club’s new signing, Kulusevski, saying: “Kulusevski – good player, very young and great talent.

“He can play No 9 or No 10 but also has the potential to play wing-back. Good quality.”

Spurs are back in action on Saturday when they host Brighton in the fourth round of the FA Cup.

x