Tottenham boss Antonio Conte believes Ryan Sessegnon, Djed Spence and Oliver Skipp could all become senior England internationals if they continue their current rate of improvement.
Antonio Conte said: “We signed [Ivan] Perisic but before he played a lot of games because I considered him a reliable player. Ryan for sure has had a big, big improvement in one year. Also, if you remember in the past he had many injuries. He has found a good stability and has improved a lot and in the future for sure he can become one of the players for the future England squad. Then it is up to him – to continue to work and continue to improve, to have this desire because now he is playing with the U21s with Spence and Skipp. For sure there is a possibility for them in the future if they continue to improve to make another step with the national team.”
One Tottenham player who is already a big England name is Harry Kane, with the striker set to lead his country as its captain at the World Cup in Qatar. The 29-year-old has played every match for Spurs this season and has been feeling the fatigue in the past week, but Conte believes that the England captain is going to star at the tournament.
Antonio Conte said: “I think Harry is going to play a fantastic World Cup because in this season he was never injured, he has been able to train well, he is good physically and for sure to play many games in such a short period is difficult – but not only for Harry. Eric Dier is another player going with the national team. To play 13 games in 43 days mentally you could be a bit tired, but top players have to be good to manage these situations. You make the difference by managing these situations in the right way. When you are a top player it is very difficult for the manager to put them on the bench. You need your top players to play. There is a big risk for all the national teams. All the players have played a lot. Then the games with the clubs finish and the World Cup starts. The coach of the national teams have to be very good to manage the situation. Until now, we have managed the situation, and believe me, it was really, really difficult.”
Conte was asked whether he will be nervously watching the World Cup and Kane through his fingers, fearing the striker could pick up an injury that could derail Tottenham’s hopes in the Premier League and Champions League then club football returns next month.
Antonio Conte said: “When I watch Harry Kane, I see a player that wants to play every game! Every game! This is good. This is important for me because it means he feels well. He feels a lot of energy in his body. For sure, in this moment he wants to finish well with us, with Tottenham. Tottenham is now at the top of his thoughts. Until Saturday. Then for sure, for sure, he is the captain of England, the most representative player. We are talking about a really top striker in the world. This is a big competition, the biggest competition in the world, and for sure, he has great desire to do something special for his national team, but they have to do this after the game tomorrow. Before he has to give us everything. I am sure this will happen, but when you are a player like Harry that gives you everything in every game, it’s very difficult to make decision, to put on the bench, to give him rest. The desire and his eyes are full of energy.”
Conte believes that England fans should not worry about Kane’s fitness despite him having to play in the Carabao Cup defeat on Wednesday night and coming off after 58 minutes.
Antonio Conte said: “I decided to make a substitution, because on the morning of the game, when I spoke with him, he wanted to take the best decision, you understand. I debated a lot his availability. I also thought during the game it was honest and fair to give him a bit of rest, don’t take a risk. Also in three days we had to play another game. Also because you know there is the World Cup. The fans must not be worried for him. After this game there is one week, eight days to prepare for the World Cup. It is very difficult. He is working very well and we are talking about a player with great experience to manage his body.”
