“He gave no explanation” – Tottenham player insists Antonio Conte hasn’t explained dropping reason

Dejan Kulusevski started this season on a bright note, with a goal and assist in Tottenham Hotspur’s 4-1 league win over Southampton.

After making four starts in August, Antonio Conte left the 22-year-old out of Spurs’ starting lineup for the first three matches of this month, before including him in the XI against Leicester City.

The Tottenham manager doesn’t usually provide explanations to his players for dropping them from the starting side.

Prior to the clash against the Foxes, Conte admitted he broke his own rule and had a chat with the Sweden international, after getting him off the bench for three matches in a row.

Fotbollskanalen interviewed the attacking midfielder and asked for his his views on the comment made by the Italian.

“He gave no explanation. It was more that he wanted to talk and hear how I was doing. Personally, I didn’t feel like I needed to ask why I wasn’t playing because I felt like I was playing at a really high level right now. It was more that we talked and joked around a bit,” he said.

“Yes [joked a bit]. I like him very much as a person and look up to him very much. I am very grateful to have him.”

Conte’s decision to omit Kulusevski from Tottenham’s starting XI for three matches this month seems to have only made the Swede more motivated, which may have been the reasoning.

“I felt really, really good and really strong. I have played the best football in my life in these months. I felt calm because I knew I changed the matches. I was not stressed about it,” Kulusevski explained.

Regarding his role at Spurs, the Swede said: “Really good. I am very pleased with my role and how the team develops. I am very hopeful for the future.”