TODAY 2PM Antonio: It’s all or nothing now
ANTONIO CONTE expects maximum dedication from Tottenham players as he starts his bid to revive the club. If he gets that he promises he will take them back to the top. This is the area the former Italy, Chelsea and Juventus manager comes into own as an authentic, modernday super-coach.
The new Spurs boss, whose side travel to
Everton today, said: “Every single player must think, ‘I wake up at the start of the day to improve myself’.
“He has to do this from the start of the morning until the end when he goes to sleep.
“You have to think, ‘I am a professional and I must find the way to improve myself’ – especially if you have the talent.
“It’s a pity when you see a good player who is not exploiting 100 per cent their possibility, their capacity.
“The work of the coach is only to try to push every player to ask of themselves their best – 100 per cent.”
Sounds a simple recipe but his two sacked predecessors in the Spurs hot-seat, Jose Mourinho and Nuno Espirito Santo, might beg to differ.
However, Conte is confident he can unlock the undoubted potential lurking inside a squad that reached the Champions league Final in 2019.
Whether that is getting Harry Kane back among the goals, Tanguy Ndombele dictating and creating or Dele Alli somewhere close to his long-forgotten best.
Conte added: “I think maybe my best bit as a coach is to improve the player. But it’s important the players have a willingness to do this, otherwise it is very difficult for me and my staff.
“In Tottenham we have a lot of space for improvement. My job is to improve every player.
“They must show me they deserve a chance to play.the door is open for every single player.”
Meanwhile, Everton striker Richarlison (left) insists he can take the strain of scoring goals while Dominic Calvert-lewin is sidelined by injury.
Rafa Benitez’s side face Spurs on the back of three successive defeats, with Richarlison playing in a more central role.
He said: “Centre-forward is my original position. Of course Dominic is sorely missed but I like that responsibility. It’s not something new for me.
“So I hope to score goals and help our team to get back to winning ways.”