Tottenham Hotspur boss Antonio Conte has agreed with Richarlison by admitting the Brazilian has been s**t this season.
On Wednesday night, after Spurs crashed out of the Champions League, summer signing Richarlison delivered a scathing rant.
The forward told TNT Sports Brazil: “There haven’t been enough minutes given to me. This season – and forgive my language – has been sh*t.
“That's what I didn't understand, too (being a substitute). It was going well, in a good sequence, two wins against West Ham and Chelsea.”
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Now, ahead of Spurs’ Premier League clash with Nottingham Forest this weekend, Conte has hit back. You can watch the footage below.
He said during his press conference: “First of all I watched the interview of Richarlison. He didn't criticise me. He said his season was s**t 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.”
Conte went one step further and labelled Richarlison as selfish.
The Spurs boss continued: “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.”
It has been a torrid week for the North London club, after their Champions League elimination, doubts started to creep in about Conte and star man Harry Kane’s futures.
Can Spurs get back to winning ways against Forest this weekend? Only time will tell.
Topics: Tottenham Hotspur, Antonio Conte, Richarlison, Football
Marcus Chan