ANTONIO CONTE says Tottenham can’t live up to “crazy” expectations if they don’t spend like their Premier League rivals.
Spurs were booed off in Sunday’s 2-0 home defeat by Aston Villa that leaves them fifth – a position that Conte now fears may be their limit this season.
The Italian, who dragged Spurs into the Champions League last season, claimed the club must sign two players worth up to £70million every season if they want to become title contenders.
Conte said: “I continue to repeat that last season we made a miracle.
“It happened, why? Because we played only one competition and we played with 12 or 13 players that didn’t have injuries in the last 15 games.
“We did a miracle, but I knew what the situation was and then I was very clear with the club (over what was needed) to become title contenders.
“I remember very well in the summer people talked about Tottenham as title contenders but it was a bit crazy to see this.
“To become title contenders, to become a team ready to fight to win something, you need to have a solid foundation, which means to have 14 or 15 strong players, with quality, and the other young players to develop.
“Every season, you can add two players – but two players priced £50m, £60m, £70m.
“In this way, it means you are signing important players who can improve the quality and the level of your team. But this is a process, guys.”
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Some Spurs fans called for chairman Daniel Levy to “get out of our club” after Emi Buendia and Douglas Luiz struck to hand Villa the win.
Conte has told his Tottenham players to buck up their ideas to save their top-four mission but admits that is slipping out of their grasp.
He added: “I want to be honest, I want to be very clear. I have said this to the club, I have said my opinions. The fans deserve the best.
“Maybe to stay in fifth is the best. Maybe sixth, seventh, fifth or fourth is the best.
“Now we have to start to fight strong, because the situation in this league you can slip quickly. I spoke also with my players.
“You have to pay attention to fight because from start to the end the road is not long. You can slip quickly if you are not prepared and not humble to understand the situation very well.
“If you ask me if I’m scared, I’m not scared. I believe in my work, I believe in these players, but don’t ask me for things I cannot promise you.
“This is only to create an illusion and create dreams in a moment that you have to be realistic. If you are realistic, you know the situation and you face the moment in the right way.
“People think you arrive and you win. This can happen for a team that are used to winning in the past.
“But if you are not used to it it means you have to create this situation and for this reason you need time and patience.
“I understand that the fans are disappointed because they can say ‘but we’ve been patient for a long time’, I understand it but the situation is this. If you want the truth I can tell you the truth.”
