Antonio Conte has reiterated that Tottenham will need time and further investment before they are in a position to compete in the Champions League following Tuesday night's 0-0 draw with Eintracht Frankfurt.
Conte stuck with the same side that slumped to a disappointing 3-1 defeat against Arsenal in the north London derby at the weekend, but they were unable to make amends against their stubborn hosts in Germany. Spurs did produce an improved performance, though, and had golden chances to clinch the points through Harry Kane and Son Heung-Min.
Tottenham invested heavily in the summer after clinching a top-four spot and a return to Europe's premier competition under Conte. However, the Italian has once again stressed that the Londoners are still not in a position to go toe to toe with Europe's elite.
“We weren’t able last season to face two competitions,” Conte said immediately after Tuesday night's stalemate in Frankfurt. “Now, we have to go step by step, have patience, take time, you need to have time and to build an important squad to face a competition like the Champions League.
“If you think ‘yeah, I want to make some rotations’ and it is a bit difficult. We know this situation with the club and the club knows very well we need time and patience, to try to go step by step. I spoke about the transfer market, that we needed more transfer markets to reach a good level. We know this. At the same time we want to be competitive, to try to do everything.”
Although Tottenham were unable to bag all three points, their Champions League destiny is still in their own hands. They are second in Group D, which is wide open; just three points separate leaders Sporting Lisbon and Marseille, who occupy bottom spot.
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Conte's call for patience and further investment is similar to comments he made earlier in the season, in the wake of Tottenham's impressive start to the new Premier League campaign. Prior to last weekend's defeat at the Emirates, Tottenham, along with Manchester City, were one of the only unbeaten sides remaining in the top-flight.
But Conte, who also made similar calls for further investment regularly during his turbulent tenure at Chelsea, remains adamant that his side still requires significant strengthening if they are to challenge for major honours in the future.
Speaking back in August, the former Inter Milan manager said: “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.”
