Conte questions Tottenham's ambition

0 Comment(s)Print E-mail Shanghai Daily, July 28, 2017
Adjust font size:

Conte.



Chelsea manager Antonio Conte has questioned the ambition of English Premier League title rival Tottenham Hotspur after a summer of inactivity in the transfer market for the north London club.

Tottenham was champion Chelsea's closest pursuer last season, finishing 7 points behind, but has failed to strengthen with chairman Daniel Levy saying the EPL transfer spending is "unsustainable".

Tottenham's only transfer activity was selling England right-back Kyle Walker to Manchester City for 45 million pounds (US$59 million).

"If (Spurs) don't win the title, it's not a tragedy," Conte was quoted as saying by the BBC.

"If they don't arrive in the Champions League, it's not a tragedy. If they go out in the first round of the Champions League, it's not a tragedy. If they go out after the first game that they play in the Europa League, it's not a tragedy."

Conte said for Chelsea, Arsenal, Manchester City, Manchester United and possibly Liverpool, those kind of failures were tragedies.

"Every team has to understand what their ambitions are," the Italian said. "If their ambitions are to fight for the title or win the Champions League, you must buy expensive players. Otherwise you continue to stay in your level. It's simple. My question is this: What are Tottenham's expectations?"

In marked contrast to Tottenham, the other top clubs have been spending heavily.

Chelsea signed striker Alvaro Morata from Real Madrid for a club-record fee reported to be 70 million pounds and paid around 40 million pounds for Monaco midfielder Tiemoue Bakayoko. United bought signed Romelu Lukaku from Everton for a reported 75 million pounds while City has splashed out in excess of 150 million pounds.

Follow China.org.cn on Twitter and Facebook to join the conversation.
ChinaNews App Download
Print E-mail Bookmark and Share

Go to Forum >>0 Comment(s)

No comments.

Add your comments...

  • User Name Required
  • Your Comment
  • Enter the words you see:   
    Racist, abusive and off-topic comments may be removed by the moderator.
Send your storiesGet more from China.org.cnMobileRSSNewsletter