Antonio Conte has responded in Friday’s press conference when asked about new Tottenham signing Arnaut Danjuma – as per Football London – and the Italian gaffer has admitted he feels sympathy for the Netherlands international.
Danjuma, 26, joined Tottenham on a £27m loan deal from Villarreal in the January window as one of two signings at Spurs. Him, and Pedro Porro, on a deal from Sporting Lisbon. Danjuma has since managed just four substitute outings.
The ex-Bournemouth man came off the bench to score at Preston on debut. He has made substitute outings against Leicester, Sheffield United and Milan in the first leg. He has been left on the bench more than he will have liked.
Danjuma has been left on the bench against Chelsea, West Ham, Wolves and now, Milan in the second leg. Conte was asked about his decision to leave him out – claiming he was coming on, had it not been for Cristian Romero’s red card.
“I’m sorry for him because he arrived in January and the club wanted to sign him on loan. He has good characteristics and good quality and maybe he has not specific characteristics to be a number 10,” Conte said in Friday’s presser.
“He’s more a second striker or a winger. I’m seeing his desire, his will in every training session and against Milan if we don’t have the red card for Romero, he was coming on to play with a 4-2-4. I have to try to find the best solution.”
Conte responds when asked about new Tottenham signing Danjuma
Danjuma will be frustrated. A 1-0 loss to Wolves would surely have been the ideal time to bring him on. Against Milan, too. It was strange to see Lucas Moura used ahead of him against Sheffield United and then Wolves, both 1-0 losses.
With Nottingham Forest approaching on Saturday, you would expect that Danjuma may get his chance even if it is off the bench. Conte’s comments could be a hint that he may use the Netherlands ace this weekend – he deserves it.
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