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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Sport
Marc Mayo

Dejan Kulusevski reveals ‘my body has changed’ thanks to Antonio Conte’s training methods at Tottenham

Dejan Kulusevski has lauded Antonio Conte for “changing my world” after swapping Juventus for Tottenham.

Spurs signed the Swedish winger, 22, in January on an initial loan deal and he has put his starring role in the team down to Conte’s training methods and motivation.

“At Tottenham my body changed, mainly thanks to the exercises in the gym, in no time,” he told La Gazzetta dello Sport.

“We work a lot every day and better than I did in Italy. I love how we train in London and for sure the credit goes to our coach. I’m very happy to play for him.

“I have never known in my life a motivated person like him. When he speaks, it enters your heart by force.”

Kulusevski was tipped as one of Europe’s next big things when he signed for Juventus in 2020 but he struggled to nail down a place in their line-up.

The decision to leave the club has been described as the “best” he could have made with the player explaining why he much prefers working under Conte than Bianconeri boss Massimiliano Allegri.

“Honestly, the difference between the two is huge,” he added. “Their ideas are completely different. In London you work more in the gym and the results are visible.

“From Juve to Spurs my world has changed.”

He continued: “Mentally, I always went on the pitch to give my best. At Juve, however, it didn't work despite my commitment.

“For sure, at Juventus I didn't feel very good for various reasons and when you realise that things are not going well, then it is difficult to reverse it while still in the same environment.

“So the choice to leave Italy was the best I could have made in that situation.”

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