Dejan Kulusevski cannot hide striking Tottenham truth after Antonio Conte admission

Tottenham forward Dejan Kulusevski says he has no problem with manager Antonio Conte describing players as ‘selfish’ because he knows what he brings to the table.

Conte’s job is on the line after an outburst following a 3-3 draw with Southampton in the Premier League where he questioned the mentality of his players and partly the ambition of the board.

Spurs were leading 3-1 at some point in the game before eventually being pegged back to end the with only a point, and landing a blow on their Champions League ambitions.

A few weeks prior, the Lilywhites were knocked out of the FA Cup by Championship side Sheffield United and followed that with a tame exit in the Champions League after a 0-0 draw with AC Milan.

Kulusevski who is back home in Sweden for the international break admits the Italian manager has played a key role in his career and he can understand his recent frustration.

The Swede said after being asked if he was upset following his manager’s comment: “No, because I know what I bring to the team every day.

“Sometimes I know I don’t play good enough and I can take responsibility for that but what he said is for him and that’s his words.

“I respect him and he helped me a lot during my career, so he’s still a very important man in our club and in my world.

“He [Conte] was very disappointed as was us players. We have to accept that. We lost all the cups and went out in the Champions League also.

“I know sometimes we have to be sad and angry and that’s how he took it. Somebody else would take it another way. We have to respect his words.”

Kulusevki is hoping to help his country bag all points against Belgium and Azerbaijan before returning to north London for the final showdown in the race for a top four finish.