Antonio Conte reveals plans to rest Harry Kane
By Sean Walsh
Tottenham head coach Antonio Conte has admitted that he will have to give all of his stars a rest at some point over the next few weeks - including striker Harry Kane.
Spurs kick off a run of seven games before September's international break with a trip to Notttingham Forest on Sunday.
From October until the start of the World Cup in mid-November, Tottenham will then play a further 13 times.
Kane has often insisted on playing every game possible when fit for Spurs, but Conte has revealed that all of his players will need to be taken out of the starting lineup at some point in the next couple of months.
"I repeat, we are talking about a situation that we have to start to face - on Sunday we have to play seven games every three days," Conte said.
"After every game, I will have to check the situation with all of the players for tiredness and injuries. And one player will not be able to play in all seven games - it is impossible.
"I am not a magician! I cannot forecast this, but we go game by game to make the best decisions for the team and for the players."
Tottenham have made six signings so far this summer, though there has only been one instance of their new recruits starting this season - Ivan Perisic's full debut against Wolves last Saturday.
Conte previously said that this was in an attempt to lean on Spurs' continuity from the back end of last season, but most of his new signings are now ready to start.
"It’s positive for me to have players early because we can work with the new players and bring these players into our ideas," he added.
"Richarlison, Clement Lenglet, Yves Bissouma, Ivan Perisic - they are ready to go into the team and to play. We will do it because it would be crazy to think we can play the same team every game in 23 days [21 days] with the same team."
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When pushed for an update on Djed Spence - who was not named as someone 'ready to go into the team' - Conte replied: "I was very clear at the start when I said this signing is a really good prospect, he’s a young player. This signing, the club wanted to invest in this player.
"The difference is clear. To play in the Championship with Nottingham Forest and then with Tottenham, he needs time to adapt himself in many aspects, in the physical aspect and the tactical aspect because now he is working with another coach.
"I’m seeing a lot of desire, a lot of will, from this player to try to reduce this gap and to be ready. With a young player, it’s important to have patience, to work and then to improve. I’m sure Djed for the future will be an important player for Tottenham."