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Spurs manager Antonio Conte has revealed the three most important players he currently has at his disposal.
As reported by LiveScore, the boss says that the club would begin to struggle without Harry Kane, Son Heung-min and Hugo Lloris.
Conte was speaking ahead of his side’s Premier League meeting with Crystal Palace on Wednesday evening.
The north London outfit take on the Eagles at Selhurst Park after a disappointing 2-0 loss at home to Aston Villa on New Year’s Day. They are fifth going into the match.
Palace meanwhile won at Bournemouth by the same scoreline on New Year’s Eve.
Spurs boss reveals three key players
Kane, Son and Lloris were all in action for their respective countries at the 2022 World Cup, with France goalkeeper Lloris going all the way to the final, ultimately losing on penalties against Argentina.
England captain Kane fell at the quarter-final hurdle against Lloris’ France, with South Korea star Son losing to Brazil in the round of 16.
The trio are now back at Spurs, with Conte explaining just how crucial they are to his operation.
“Son for sure is struggling to find the best form and after the [facial] injury he had against Marseille [in the Champions League] he struggled a bit,” said Conte.
“Also the World Cup he didn’t score but we are talking about a player that if we put him in discussion, we are in trouble because Sonny and [Harry] Kane are the two most important players, with [Hugo] Lloris.
“If we have doubts about them, we are in trouble.”
Conte emphasises plans to stay at Spurs
Conte also addressed some rumours about his future at Spurs, remphasising his happiness at the club and his desire to stay.
He was understandably frustrated at the loss to Villa to bring in the New Year, with that defeat coming after a 2-2 away draw with Brentford.
The north London outfit have now conceded at least twice in each of their last seven league games. Moreover, they conceded first in all of those matches.
The disappointing run comes after a strong start for life at Spurs for the Italian, who is keen to continue pushing on with the club.
“I am happy but I always say to you I am happy,” Conte told reporters. “I want to stay here. I am enjoying my time in Tottenham, I am enjoying my work in Tottenham. I always say this and I am happy, but it doesn’t mean I cannot tell you what we are doing. We are trying to create a base foundation.
“Maybe from the start of my experience here I am repeating always the same thing. It is difficult for me every day to repeat the same thing and for [the media] not to understand. It is difficult. I am happy to stay here because I am at a modern club, I have a good relationship with the players and I have a good relationship with the club.
“Sometimes I go home and think I have to study much more English because I am not good at transferring my thoughts to you.”
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