Antonio Conte has labelled Richarlison’s comments after Tottenham’s Champions League exit to AC Milan as “selfish”, though the Spurs boss insisted he did not believe they were aimed at him.
Tottenham crashed out of Europe at the last-16 stage after a goalless draw in north London, with fans voicing their discontent at yet another insipid display as the hosts failed to test Milan.
Speaking after the match, Richarlison said he “didn’t understand” Conte’s decision to bench him and voiced his frustration at the lack of minutes he has been given this season since his summer move from Everton.
Conte revealed the forward has since apologised for those comments, but the Italian had no issue with what he viewed as Richarlison’s assessment of his form this season.
“He didn’t criticise me,” Conte told reporters. “He said his season was s*** and he’s right. His season has been not good.
“He had injuries, played and scored in the Champions League and then went to the World Cup and then had a serious injury. He’s scored no goals for us. I think he was really honest to say his season was not good. His season has not finished yet. If he deserves to play I’ll give him the opportunity.
“For the rest of the interview, I think he made a mistake. When you speak of ‘I’ and not ‘us’ you are being selfish. I say to my players if we want to build something important and win a trophy we have to speak with ‘we’ not with ‘I’, because otherwise you’re thinking of yourself.
“He made a mistake and he apologised and it was good for me to clarify with the team again about this. In this aspect we have to improve. We have to be more of a team and show more spirit positive, especially in negative moments.”
Tottenham now have all their focus on securing a top-four spot in the Premier League, with the club’s trophy drought extended by another season after FA Cup and Champions League exits.
Conte called on his side to show some fight in the months ahead, believing they have been “a bit soft” as he admitted it has been a struggle to bring a stronger mentality to the club.
“Sometimes it’s not enough to be a good guy,” Conte said. “You have to to show the right desire and fight to win the game and the duels, to be nasty.
“I think that sometimes we are a bit soft, but I’m the coach and I’m the first responsible for this to happen and it doesn’t happen every time.
“I have to improve the team and I have to improve the spirit of my team. It always happened in the past and I hope it happens here.”
