Antonio Conte has stated that the Tottenham players he has selected to face NS Mura all “deserve to play”.
So far keeping his starting XI pretty much the same in his first three games in charge, the Italian has made a total of nine alterations for this evening’s Europa Conference League clash.
Harry Kane and Japhet Tanganga are the only players to remain in the side from Sunday’s win over Leeds, with players such as Joe Rodon, Tanguy Ndombele, Dele Alli and Bryan Gil all given a chance.
Admitting ahead of the match that he was going to rotate his team for the game in Slovenia, Conte has stressed the importance of the fixture as he looks to take a good look at all of his Tottenham players.
“I think this is the best selection,” he told BT Sport. “We need to win and today we have a good opportunity and also a good opportunity for me to see players that have never played with me. This is very important.
“This group work very well and deserve to play. For sure, the game is not easy but we are taking seriously this game and for this reason the concentration will be at the top.”
Ndombele has yet to start for Spurs since Conte’s arrival at the start of the month but he gets his chance this evening in Maribor.
The head coach has claimed it is a “good opportunity” for the Frenchman to show him that he deserves to play.
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“I have just arrived. As I said in the last press conference, I need to make my evaluations of every single player,” he added.
“For this reason, tonight is also a good opportunity for me to see players who have never played.
“Tanguy has a good opportunity to show me that he deserves to play.
“For him, but for all the players, we have a squad and for me it is very important to make evaluations because I just arrived at Tottenham.
“I need a bit of time to understand very well this situation.”