Tottenham future, Kulusevski & Bentancur injuries, Son form

Antonio Conte has delivered a press conference ahead of Tottenham’s Premier League trip to Crystal Palace on Wednesday evening.

Spurs are have won just one of their last five competitive matches and were on the end of a 2-0 defeat at home to Aston Villa on New Year’s Day.

They now face a rather daunting battle to finish in the top four and secure another season of Champions League football.

Here’s what Conte had to say.

Are you happy at Spurs and with the club’s project?

“I am happy but I always say to you I am happy. I want to stay here. I am enjoying my time in Tottenham, I am enjoying my work in Tottenham. I always say this and I am happy but it doesn’t mean I cannot tell you what we are doing. We are trying to create a base foundation.

“Maybe from the start of my experience here I am repeating always the same thing. It is difficult for me every day to repeat the same thing and for you not to understand. It is difficult. I am happy to stay here because I am at a modern club, I have a good relationship with the players and I have a good relationship with the club.

“Sometimes I go home and think I have to study much more English because I am not good to transfer my thoughts to you because I am not good.

“This is a problem between me and the club. Now I am really committed for this club and for Tottenham. Then there is this project and I signed a contract with this club to accept this project and try to build and help the club. During this process it can happen, one thousand things. The club can sack the manager or there are different visions, different situations.”

What’s the latest on Rodrigo Bentancur’s injury?

“About Rodrigo Bentancur, he has started to work. He’s still not ready and also for the FA Cup game [on Saturday against Portsmouth] but we hope to have him back for the next Premier League game [next Sunday against Arsenal].”

When will Richarlison be back in training?

“About Richarlison, we have to see and check the situation and for sure in the future he will have another MRI to understand very well his situation.”

Will Dejan Kulusevski be fit to return on Wednesday?

“Kulusevski is not a serious injury but you know we need to monitor it day by day and tomorrow and then we take the best decision.

“I don’t know [if he can face Palace]. We have today and tomorrow to check his situation. We’ll see. The injury is not serious. If the player gives his availability then he could play. Otherwise we have to wait and have patience for the next game.”

Can you explain Son’s poor form this season?

“Son for sure is struggling to find the best form and after the injury [fractured eye socket] he had against Marseille he struggle a bit. Also the World Cup he didn’t score but we are talking about a player that if we put him in discussion, we are in trouble because Sonny and [Harry] Kane are the two most important players, with [Hugo] Lloris. If we have doubts about them, we are in trouble.”