Antonio Conte laments lack of creative players at Tottenham

Antonio Conte has lamented the lack of creative players currently on the books at Tottenham Hotspur following a disastrous defeat to Aston Villa.

Spurs rang in the new year with a very disappointing display at home to Villa, losing 2-0 thanks to goals from Emi Buendia and Douglas Luiz. The defeat leaves Tottenham without a win in two following their draw with Brentford on Boxing Day.

Speaking to BBC Sport after the defeat on Sunday, Conte highlighted the lack of creative options at his disposal at the club, stating: “We have to know that our life is this. We have to fight every game for one point or for three points. This is the truth, especially when you are without two or three important players and have difficulties.

“We have different characteristics. We don’t have many players who are really good to beat the man. 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 and improve and develop these players and especially young players to be even stronger.”

At his press conference following the game, Conte was keen to highlight that he believed last season’s qualification for the Champions League was a ‘miracle’ due to the lack of injuries Spurs suffered at the end of the season.

“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.

“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.

“People think that you arrive and you win in this way. If people are not used to this you need to create this situation, you need time and patience.”