Antonio Conte rejects comparison between rejuvenated Tottenham and his Chelsea title-winners

All smiles: Antonio Conte remains unbeaten in the Premier League as Tottenham manager
Tottenham Hotspur FC via Getty Images
Dan Kilpatrick @Dan_KP26 December 2021

Antonio Conte insists there is no comparing Tottenham with his all-conquering Chelsea side of 2016-17, despite another impressive display in Sunday’s 3-0 win over Crystal Palace.

Spurs made it six League games unbeaten under Conte, and moved up to fifth, after goals from Harry Kane, Lucas Moura and Heung-min Son downed the 10-man Eagles.

Conte’s Chelsea started slowly and went on an incredible winning run of 13 matches – eventually ended by Spurs – on their way to the League title.

But the Italian dismissed comparisons between Spurs and his title-winners, insisting his current side still have work to do to reach the top.

“No, I think it’s different, I don’t like to compare [the] situations because there’s too big a difference [between now and] my experience in the past,” Conte said.

“Also, I remember very well I started the season [with Chelsea] and when you start the season you have the possibility to work with your players and to also make decisions about your players. This is different.

"For sure we have to continue to improve, to exploit the confidence that is going to improve us. We know very well and I know very well, we have a big job to do.

“It’s good to get three points, to score three goals with your three strikers. It’s good to keep another clean sheet. We know very well we have to work very hard to improve the situation. As always I like to tell. We had to blow and run.”

Lucas was Spurs' star man on Boxing Day, setting up Kane and Son with pinpoint crosses and doubling their lead himself with a brave header from Emerson Royal’s cross.

Moments after the Brazilian’s goal, Palace were reduced to 10 men when Wilfried Zaha was sent off for a second booking following a reckless shove on Royal.

Conte believes Spurs have much work to do to reach the level of his Chelsea title-winners
Getty Images

“We have the strikers that are very good at receiving the ball and creating something important, to make assists,” Conte said.

“At the same time, we have very good strikers when they have space in front of us to attack. We’re trying to improve both situations. When you find a team that stays in their half, you have to be good to use more quality. Not run but to use all your quality to make a good pass, to beat a man in a small space.

"But for us it’s great to have these type of strikers. Steven Bergwijn is another player with these characteristics. We have to continue to work and continue this with the strikers. I’m happy today because they scored and they have to thank the rest of the team because they worked very hard to create chances. They scored and I am very happy for them.”

Asked about the partnership between Emerson and Lucas, Conte added: “We’re talking about two Brazilian players. For sure, being the same nationality helps them. I’m happy because they have a good link and connection but for sure Emerson has big space for improvement. Emerson is very young and he has to continue to work.

“In that side, to have Lucas Moura and this good connection could be good for the whole team.”

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