Caretaker manager Cristian Stellini admits “it’s not easy” for Arnaut Danjuma at Tottenham Hotspur after the striker who chose the Londoners over Everton after an 11th hour change of heart in January was kept on the bench again in the sides’ 1-1 draw at Goodison Park.
The Dutch international was all set to become the Blues’ first signing of 2023 before Spurs hijacked his loan move from Villarreal, ensuring director of football Kevin Thelwell failed to bring any new faces through the door in the winter window. Since returning to England, the former Bournemouth man has played just 11 minutes of Premier League football for Tottenham so far and was spared what surely would have been a barracking from the home crowd here as he was again left on the bench.
Stellini, taking control of Spurs for the first time since his former boss Antonio Conte’s exit, said: “Danjuma is one player, obviously we have three important players in our front. Today we used Lucas and then when we had 10 players after the red card, we cannot change.
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“Danjuma is a good player, his effort is fine, we are happy with him. He needs to wait for his time because with our squad it is not easy to play in the front three.
“It’s not easy for him. We understand him but we are happy.”
The Italian admitted Tottenham did not do enough after the first sending off to hold on for a win. He said: “I think we didn’t lead the game with the ball after the (Abdoulaye Doucoure) red card. We had the chance to control the game better than we did and you have to do it with the ball because you have one extra player and you have to lead the game.
“We have to move the ball side by side but we were frantic and we know very well we have to improve in this aspect. It’s a long process and we don’t change that in one night.
“We needed to keep the ball, move the ball quickly and find the space to attack. This is the way we play the game with one extra player and we have to do much better.
“It’s about intention to keep the ball and wait for the right moment to try and score. We had some chances but did not find a way to score.
“Also, you need players ready to move and respect the plan. The plan was clear in my idea and with one extra player, we can do better than this.”
Stellini added: “We knew very well the strongest skill of this team: long ball, second balls and set-pieces are the aspects to take care of and we did well for all the game but with 11 players, you have to control the game with the ball. When you have a team like this, in their stadium, it’s never easy.
“We were struggling to find the right way to speak to the players and the resolution to keep them calm because sometimes when you’re winning the game you have to be calm and control, to be lucid, this is what we tried to explain to the players.
“Against this type of team, they are very direct, you have to be strong and when you have the ball, you have to find the right solution. We arrived well around their box but after this you have to find a way to score."
The 48-year-old, who has served as Conte’s assistant at Juventus, Internazionale and Tottenham before stepping up to his current role, said: “They were both red cards. Lucas’ tackle was dangerous and the hand was clearly on the face of Harry and I was very close to the situation.
“Lucas was disappointed. Sometimes this type of tackle, you don’t want to be dangerous but it was unpredictable, the ball was there and you take the player and this is a red card, it’s dangerous.
“The (Everton) fans, it is normal, they are unhappy but in my opinion it was a clear red card. You have to realise the situation if the fans are unhappy, the decision was taken and I think it was a good decision.”
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