Dejan Kulusevski has stated that ‘I can look at myself in the mirror’ after reacting to Antonio Conte’s outburst following Tottenham Hotspur’s 3-3 draw to Southampton on Saturday.
The Tottenham winger added that he respects Antonio Conte and he is still willing to work under the former Juventus and Inter Milan boss.
Whilst Dejan Kulusevski was praising Conte, a certain Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg urged his outspoken boss to be ‘more elaborate’ in his comments (Sky Sports).
It’s understandable that there will be varied responses to Conte’s outburst because of how honest he was, with suggestions that Harry Kane is avoiding England’s media duty because of just that (Daily Express).
Nonetheless, whilst Kulusevski was asked to share his thoughts on Conte’s comments, the £110k-a-week star (Spotrac) was also told about Hojbjerg’s comments.
But the 22-year-old shared that he was unsure if he agreed with the hard-hitting Spurs midfielder, who is one of the more senior men in the dressing room, as he told Sky Sports News (22/03/23 at 3:10 pm).
“No, (I didn’t take offence to Conte’s comments) because I know what I bring to the team every day,” said Kulusevski. “I know I prepare myself to do as good as I can, that’s why I can look at myself in the mirror.
“Sometimes I know that I don’t play good enough and I take responsibility for that. But what he said, it’s for him, it’s his words, but I respect him and he helped me a lot during my career. He is a very important man at the club and in my world.
On if he agreed with Hojbjerg’s comments: “I don’t know. He was very disappointed, as are the players. We have to accept that. We lost all the cups. We went out in the Champions League also. I know that sometimes we have to be sad and angry, that’s how he took it. Somebody else will take it another way. We have to respect his words.
“Yes, absolutely (happy to still work for Conte).”
TOTTENHAM ARE BETTER OFF GETTING RID
There was a lot of truth spoken by Conte and he was right to question the mentality of the club, not just this season, but for decades now.
But, the fact of the matter is, will he be here next season? No!
So, those at Hotspur Way are just delaying the inevitable and just waiting for things to explode even more after the international break, that’s if they keep Conte on board.
As soon as that first defeat hits the fan after the international, then the media will use Conte’s words from post-Southampton to throw more oil over the fire, and in truth, in Tottenham’s plans to finish fourth, it’s not going to help.
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