Antonio Conte has delivered a blunt assessment of some of Tottenham’s previous signings, Richarlison among them, and made his feelings about the club clear following his exit in 2023.
Richarlison’s future has been a hot topic in recent weeks, especially in the final days of the summer window. The Brazilian looked set to leave before the September 1 deadline after being omitted from Spurs’ 25-man Premier League squad. A move to Brazil was reportedly on the cards once the English window shut, but no deal came together, so his next step is unclear.
The 29-year-old cannot play for Tottenham in the league until after the January window at the earliest, and only if he is put back on the club’s official squad list. Spurs’ Carabao Cup exit to Liverpool last month also means his first chance to feature again would be the FA Cup third round in January.
Conte, who spent 16 months in charge, spoke to The Athletic about his time in north London and described Richarlison and other recruits as ordinary, unremarkable signings. He added that his own mentality simply didn’t fit the club.
The Italian said he joined with the ambition of turning things around, partly because Fabio Paratici was there. Spurs were ninth when he arrived, and they finished fourth, ahead of Arsenal.
He also recalled messaging then-chairman Daniel Levy after a draw or a dropped result, only to be told not to worry because the next game would be won. Conte said he was baffled by that attitude and kept urging Levy to see how serious things were.
What frustrated him most, he explained, was hearing people around him claim Tottenham would never win anything and were losers. In his view the club were mocked then and still are now. He pointed to Arsenal’s 3-0 defeat at Brighton, when people joked that Arsenal had turned into Tottenham, and said that sort of banter really irritated him.
