MY ACCOUNT
Dejan Kulusevski did not take offence to Antonio Conte’s criticism of his Tottenham side and is still happy to play under the Spurs coach.
Conte labelled his players “selfish” after Tottenham drew 3-3 with Southampton, despite leading 3-1 with 15 minutes to go.
It came just two weeks after Tottenham, who are fourth in the Premier League, exited both the FA Cup and Champions League in the space of a week.
Conte is widely expected to be sacked, but Kulusevski, when asked if he was offended by the coach’s comments, said: “No, because I know what I bring to the team every day.
“I know that I prepare myself to do as good as I can, and that’s why I can always look myself in the mirror.
“Sometimes I know I don’t play good enough, and I can take responsibility for that, but what he said is for him, that’s his word.
“I respect him, and he helped me a lot during my career. So, he’s still a very important man in our club and in my work.”
Spurs midfielder Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg suggested Conte needed to be “a little more precise” with his words, but Kulusevski believes the players can have few complaints after a poor run of form.
“He was very disappointed, as were us players, and we have to accept that,” said the winger.
“We lost all the cups, we went out in Champions League also. So, I know that sometimes we have to be sad and angry, and that’s how he took it.
“Somebody else will take another way; we just have to respect his words.”
As unlikely as it now seems, Kulusevski was then asked if he would still be happy to play under Conte and replied: “Yeah, absolutely.”
