Antonio Conte told football.london that his right wing-backs need to make him happy rather than the other way around as they battle for a spot in his Tottenham Hotspur team.
The Spurs boss has currently got Matt Doherty, Emerson Royal and summer signing Djed Spence as options in the position and has stated that both Lucas Moura and Dejan Kulusevski can also play in the role if required with the former doing so at times during this pre-season.
Doherty started Tottenham's final pre-season friendly of the summer against Roma last weekend and Conte praised the Irishman but added that he was not at the required fitness level yet following his knee injury suffered towards the end of last season. That lack of fitness could open the door for Emerson to start against Southampton on Saturday but Conte appeared to hint to football.london that Doherty is the one who he wants to get to the stage he was last season as a regular start with Spence to learn his trade in the Premier League.
READ MORE: Every word Antonio Conte said on transfers, Djed Spence, Skipp, Bissouma and Perisic fitness
"For the right side we have a similar situation like Ivan [Perisic] to Matthew. Matthew had a serious injury and I think worse than Ivan. Now he is working a lot. He has had a bit of time to come back to be fit like last season," he explained when asked whether he would need to move on one of the three right-backs.
"I hope to bring him in the same situation as last season as I think Matthew, he played really well. At the moment we need to have a bit of patience. He needs to have a bit of patience but is working very well to be fit quickly.
"Then we have Spence. Spence, I said to you that he was an important investment for the club for the future, he is a really good prospect and young player. For sure it is important for him to understand very well with us to adapt himself to the demands of Tottenham.
"With him we have to work and have patience. The same for the player. Then there is Emerson. Emerson is fit. Yeah. This is about the wing backs, the situation. I hope that I was clear to explain the situation."
When pushed again about how he was going to be able to keep three players happy if they all remained at the club and were battling for one spot, he said with a laugh: "But they have to make me happy, no?! You understand? With performances, to bring me to think but who is the better player. You understand? They have to make me happy, no. Not me! Okay."
READ NEXT:
Yves Bissouma on why he likes Conte and how he's feeling after Covid plus Oliver Skipp update
- Tottenham news and transfers LIVE: All the latest updates and rumours from the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
- Full Tottenham Premier League fixture list for 2022/23
Antonio Conte asks for two crucial things from Cristian Romero if he is to be a Tottenham star
Antonio Conte admits club wanted Djed Spence but he greenlit deal as he can become 'important'
