Antonio Conte moved to praise Tottenham’s transfer business after watching his team put Newcastle United to the sword on Sunday.
Spurs came from behind to thrash Eddie Howe’s side 5-1 and move back into the Premier League’s top four for the first time since September.
While Harry Kane will naturally receive many of the plaudits for another masterful playmaking display, Conte picked out winter arrivals Dejan Kulusevski and Rodrigo Bentancur when speaking in his post-match press conference.
The former teed up Heung-min Son for Spurs’ third to take his tally up to two goals and five assists in ten Premier League games since he joined on loan from Juventus, while Bentancur again impressed in central midfield.
Conte may have somewhat of a reputation as a demanding figure in the transfer market but hailed the pair’s arrivals.
Should Tottenham manage to leapfrog Arsenal in the battle to qualify for next season’s Champions League, the duo will have played no small part.
“He [Kulusevski] started to play with Atalanta, then he went to Parma and he played a fantastic way”, said Conte.
“When I was coach of Inter I tried to ask to sign him but Juventus, perhaps they put more money, and they got him.
“He’s only 21, 22 and he’s strong and good physically. For Tottenham I think he’s a great signing for the present and the future.”
Of Bentancur, Conte said: “We’re talking about a strong player but also Rodrigo Bentancur.
“We lost four players but with these two new signings we made this squad more complete, with more balance.
“I think that it’s very important in football to have a clear idea and vision because in this way football is more simple.”
