Antonio Conte press conference: Transfer latest; Son form; Champions League draw
By Sean Walsh
Antonio Conte has addressed the media ahead of Tottenham's trip to Nottingham Forest on Sunday.
Spurs remain unbeaten so far this season and will look to continue that run at the City Ground this weekend.
Ahead of their journey to the East Midlands, Conte spoke to the media about a number of subjects. Here's what he said at Hotspur Way on Friday afternoon.
Transfers
What's the latest on Tottenham selling players?
"For sure if there are players that go out, then we need players to come in. The club know very well the importance for me to have a squad with a couple of players in every role.
"For sure we want to make happy every single player but at the same time we have to make the right evaluation for our club, for our team so we'll see what happens."
Can you confirm if Spurs have received bids for Sergio Reguilon or Harry Winks?
"There are players that are in the plan and other players we want to try to give them the possibility to play more regularly and to take more time to play. I repeat we are trying to find the best solution for both the club and the team, but also for the players."
Son Heung-min's form
Are you concerned that Son has not yet scored this season?
"You know very well we're talking about a really really important player for me and for the club. For sure, I think Sonny in the last three games had chances to score but there's a moment where you're a bit lucky or a bit unlucky. I think no problem with Sonny's performance, his attitude & commitment is always up very high. I'm happy with his performance and I don't see any problems with him.
"For sure, you know very well when you're a striker you like to score and when you score and win you're happy. But at the same time we always have to put the club winning before the interests of ever single player. But it's not a problem. I repeat, he's an important player, last season he scored 23 goals... No problem. No. I'm sure when he goes to score he will gain the right confidence."
Champions League draw
Tottenham have been drawn with Eintracht Frankfurt, Sporting CP and Marseille in the Champions League group stage, what are your thoughts?
"You know very well we're talking about the most important and most difficult competition in Europe, maybe in the world. Because you find the best teams in the world in this competition. Our group, I see balance. I see balance in our group.
"For sure our target is to try to go to the next round, this has to be clear. I think we gained the possibility to play this important competition and we want to enjoy, to play good football and possibly to go far."
Tottenham's performances
Would you agree that Spurs' results have been better than your performances so far this season?
"Honestly I think the performances were good in my opinion. For sure if you think you play against Wolverhampton and you won. Compared to last season we lost 2-0 and after the first half we struggled a bit and then media or somebody thinks every game we go to win 2-0 or 3-0, you're in the wrong way.
"Because we have to fight in every game. Do you think it will be easy against Nottingham Forest on Sunday? I don't think so. We know our strengths and weaknesses. We are trying to improve these aspects but I repeat: the presumption has to not be part of us. We leave the presumption to others, to tell what they want to say.
"We have to continue to work. Now we have seven points more than last season. With these three teams we lost. This is the truth. If someone tries to see negative aspects, OK it's good. We're working to improve."
Nottingham Forest
What's the latest team news? Are Cristian Romero and Oliver Skipp available for selection?
"[Romero's] recovery is going very well. I think at the start of next week, like Skippy, they start to have the training session with the rest of the team, but for this game they are not available.
"I have to check a couple of situations about Lucas and Gil because today they didn't have a training session with us but we have tomorrow to make the right decision for both players."
What have you made of Nottingham Forest's Premier League return?
"Forest started the season very well. I think it's good, nice to have Nottingham Forest in the Premier League because we're talking about a club with a great history.
"I've seen there's a great enthusiasm, great atmosphere, my expectation is to play around a lot of noise. But we're working well and preparing well. We know the game will be difficult. We have to go into the game with the right mind and try to do our best."