Antonio Conte slams Tottenham’s transfer policy, says squad was weakened in January

• Conte says Tottenham’s January transfer business might have weakened the squad for the rest of the season
• The likes of Delle Ali, Bryan Gil, Tanguy Ndombele and Giovani Lo Celso left the club, some on loan
• The Italian manager is still adapting to Tottenham’s policy of developing players from the club instead of consistently buying ready-made talents

Antonio Conte believes Tottenham Hotspur weakened their squad in the January transfer window after four players left the club.

Tottenham had a busy winter transfer window, but the club’s deals mainly involved exits.

While the North London club brought in Juventus pair Dejan Kulusevski and Rodrigo Bentancur, the club let Tanguy Ndombele and Giovani Lo Celso leave on loan.

Delle Ali also moved to Everton on a permanent transfer, while Bryan Gil secured a loan move to Valencia.

In an interview with Sky Sport Italia, Conte was brutally honest as he admitted he was struggling to understand the club’s transfer policy.

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Ndombele and Lo Celso were two of the club’s expensive signings, while Gil only joined Tottenham six months ago from Sevilla.

"What happened in January wasn't straightforward. Four players left the club and they were important ones,” Conte said.

"Two came in, so in numerical terms, instead of strengthening, on paper the squad was weakened."

At Chelsea and Juventus, Conte was backed with ready-made signings, but the Italian does not enjoy the same luxury at Tottenham.

"Bentancur and Kulusevski are ideal prospects for Tottenham because the club is after young players who can improve and develop, rather than players who are the finished article. That's the story here,"

Struggling Tottenham

Since taking charge of the North London club on November 2 2021, Conte has managed to turn the club’s fortunes quite impressively, and the team is now well in the fight for a top-four finish.

But in recent weeks, Tottenham have experienced a spectacular dip in form after going nine games unbeaten in the Premier League.

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Three straight losses in a row have seen Spurs slip to eight in the Premier League, and Conte’s side are seven points adrift a the top four, albeit with three games in hand.

Manchester City hit five past Sporting Lisbon

Tottenham’s next Premier League encounter is against an in-form Manchester City, who warmed up for the clash with a brilliant display away at Sporting Lisbon.

In the Champions League last 16 first-leg, Pep Guardiola’s side emerged 5-0 winners against Sporting, thanks to goals from Riyad Mahrez, Bernardo Silva, Raheem Sterling and Phil Foden.

City look like one of the favourites to win the Champions League, and are also in a comfortable position in the league, sitting nine points ahead of second-place Liverpool.