Kulusevski Unfettered By Conte's Criticism

Tottenham Hotspur forward Dejan Kulusevski believes the players must respect manager Antonio Conte's words and that he had not felt slighted by the Italian's stinging criticism of the club.

Conte blasted his players as selfish, lacking team spirit and unable to play under pressure in an extraordinary media conference following Spurs' 3-3 draw at Southampton.

Kulusevski told the media: "No, because I know what I bring to the team everyday. I know that I prepare myself to do as good as I can and that's why I can always look at myself in the mirror. Sometimes I know I don't play well enough and I can take responsibility for that. But what (Conte) said is for him (to say), that's his word. But I respect him, he helped me a lot during my career so he's still a very important man in the club and in my work."

Spurs have been eliminated from the domestic cup competitions this season, as well as the Champions League, and Kulusevski said Conte was disappointed, just as the players are.