Tottenham Hotspur supervisor Antonio Conte is “not really happy” that the Premier League will resume simply eight days after the World Cup and hinted he would possibly relaxation gamers for the Boxing Day match at Brentford.
Out of the 12 Tottenham gamers who featured in Qatar, Conte has dominated France goalkeeper Hugo Lloris and Argentina’s Cristian Romero, who performed within the ultimate final Sunday, out of Monday’s sport.
“It is a strange situation and honestly to play so quickly, only one week after the World Cup, I am not really happy,” Conte mentioned in feedback printed in British media on Sunday.
“It is impossible to give them a lot of rest and for sure with the players that didn’t play the World Cup and we work for four weeks… Now they are at a level that is better than the players who finished the World Cup.
“For this reason I think I have to make the best decision for the game against Brentford,” Conte mentioned, including that the gamers who returned from the World Cup are “not at the top” degree in the meanwhile.
Rodrigo Bentancur will miss the sport on account of suspension however has additionally been coping with a hamstring concern whereas Richarlison will probably be out for 3 to 4 weeks on account of a hamstring harm he picked up taking part in up for Brazil on the World Cup.
Conte mentioned Lucas Moura has been “struggling” with a tendon concern.
“It’s a difficult situation because I have a good player in my squad, but he’s never available. It’s like you don’t have him,” he mentioned.
Tottenham is fourth within the desk on 29 factors after 15 matches, eight factors behind chief Arsenal which has a sport in hand.