Former Tottenham player-turned-pundit Jamie Redknapp has warned Antonio Conte that he may not be backed by Daniel Levy in the transfer market. It comes as the Lilywhites fell to defeat against Aston Villa as goals through Emi Buendia and Douglas Luiz got their year off to a poor start.
With the January transfer window now open, Spurs could gain some momentum with new additions to the squad to help bolster their options. Antonio Conte has warned that it could be tough to compete though, given the big figures spent by other top four contenders.
He told reporters: "I continue to work and to improve and to help you to improve the club, to create a solid foundation and then to develop. At the start of the season I was very, very clear with the club. I said 'ok we can be competitive to win but try to continue to improve but in the way that we can do it', because also you have to know that there are clubs who can invest £200m or £300m and others with different policies and I repeat you have to respect the policy."
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With that being the challenge facing Conte in the coming months, Spurs face a potential tough January window while those around them strengthen. It's a warning that Redknapp had also given the Italian, claiming that it may be unlikely that Levy would back him in the window.
He told Sky Sports: "You have to back your manager but for Daniel Levy to change how he's done it for many years is just not going to happen, it's not going to happen and I think the more you provoke him the more you're going to upset him. Chelsea, Man City, Man Utd, they do it, bur I don't think Tottenham do it (go out and spend big money on proven players)."
It remains to be seen if Spurs will be able to land their ideal targets in the transfer window, however inactivity could see them drop out of the top four race.
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