PLAYERS MUST MAKE IT CONT’

ANTONIO Conte has warned his squad that it’s up to them to make him happy, and not the other way around.

The Tottenham manager is trying to keep the lid on sky-rocketing levels of anticipation among the club’s supporters.

With a wealth of riches to choose from, the hard-nosed Italian is going to have to make some tough choices.

But when asked about Emerson, Matt Doherty and new signing Djed Spence vying for the right wing-back spot Conte (inset) said: “It is not up to me to keep them happy but for them to keep me happy!

Better

“They must do that with their performances and show who is the better player. There is a World Cup this season and many players want to play regularly.

“We are trying to do things with common sense.

“That is the only way I know how to do it.

“It is not simple, you try not to make mistakes in the transfer window but to improve the quality of the squad with four competitions to play.”

With much speculation over whether Spurs can close the gap on champions Manchester City and Liverpool, Conte also pointedly observed he was just seven months into his revolution. He said: “With Man City and Liverpool you talk about two of the best clubs in the world, working with the same coaches for seven years.

“That puts them in a position making it difficult for the others to close the gap. If other clubs spend £100m (€120) on six players, they can do it on one player.

“I think for a club like Spurs to challenge them you must have a manager there for five or six years too. I have worked with the players for just seven months, and already it is easier for me because they know what I want.”

Yves Bissouma, the €36m midfield summer signing from Brighton, is a doubt for tomorrow’s opener against Southampton.