MY ACCOUNT
Tottenham head coach Antonio Conte has outlined an aim to “win the Champions League and Premier League” ahead of his side’s Premier League opener against Southampton this weekend.
Spurs finished last season strongly to pip rivals Arsenal to fourth place and Champions League qualification.
They have since been very active in the transfer window in order to beef up their squad as they look for silverware this upcoming campaign, having not lifted a trophy since 2008.
Richarlison, Everton’s top goalscorer last season, arrived in a £60million deal, while Ivan Perisic, Yves Bissouma, Djed Spence and Clement Lenglet, on loan, have all also been signed.
This business has raised expectations at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, but that is no issue for Conte, who has himself set lofty targets.
When asked what a successful season would look like for Spurs, Conte told reporters: “We want to win the Champions League and the Premier League.
“I think my target and the club’s target is to try to continue to improve, to develop the process we have started seven months ago.
“It doesn’t mean that if you lift a trophy, or you win the Premier League or Champions League, or you get a place in the Champions League, that you have achieved your target.
“It means that we have to try to develop in every aspect, because my experience tells me that we are going in the right direction.”
Conte revealed midfielder Oliver Skipp will not feature against Southampton on Saturday, while Bissouma may also be absent.
“In this moment, we have only one player who I’m sure we will miss against Southampton, and that is Oliver Skipp,” Conte explained on Thursday.
“About Bissouma, I think we have another day or two to check his physical condition. Nothing serious, but I don’t want to take any risks for the next games.
“Tomorrow, we have another training session to make an evaluation about him.”
