Antonio Conte has backtracked over earlier claims he had made that Tottenham are only two transfer windows away from challenging for the Premier League title, insisting instead now Spurs realistically require three. He ruled out a title fight with title holders Manchester City this season.
Under his care, Tottenham have spruced themselves up, winning three and drawing two of their first five fixtures in the new campaign, with a remake of their squad this summer. Eight signings were completed in the recent transfer window, bringing onboard the likes of Richarlison, Yves Bissouma and Cristian Romero, whose loan deal was made permanent.
Whilst confessing he is pleased with the club’s transfer activity this summer, Conte is aware of the wide gap between his side and those at the Premier League’s summit. Backtracking on his previous claims that Spurs only needed two more windows to strengthen and emerge as title contenders, Conte now believes it may take three.
“We did what the club could do,” the Italian said ahead of his side’s weekend clash with Fulham. “We did good things but I have to be honest, if I say we have the squad of a top team there is still too much distance and for this reason we need to know we just started this process to improve the squad.
“We tried in January and in this transfer window. But to be competitive and to fight to be a title contender, and also to get a place in the Champions League you need at least three more transfer windows to improve and try to be at the same level as the other top clubs.”
Conte’s latest revelation is a contradiction of claims he made just last week that two windows may be all that is required to see his side take their roles as genuine Premier League title challengers. He previously admitted: “If you compare to last season, we are more complete. But to reach other teams at the top level we need time, patience and transfer markets, at least two transfer markets to reach the same level.”
Having drawn 1-1 with West Ham on Wednesday night, Tottenham are now third in the Premier league table, four points adrift of Mikel Arteta’s Gunners, and two behind Manchester City. Spurs had experienced an impressive resurgence under Conte last term, having leapfrogged the Gunners to a fourth-placed Premier League finish. Prior to his takeover, the north London club were languishing in ninth in the table.