Back in December, Antonio Conte insisted that Steven Bergwijn was “totally involved” in his plans at Tottenham. The Netherlands international, who has been strongly linked with a move away from Spurs this month, has struggled this season, with injuries taking its toll on the winger. There have been numerous questions over Bergwijn and his future at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, but Conte was quick to play down speculation last month – talking about the winger’s importance, something that became evident against Leicester.
Antonio Conte said: “I think these two weeks that we had many players with Covid helped me and helped Steven Bergwijn to understand very well what I want from him and what I want from the other 11 players we had in training. Don’t forget, for many days we trained with only 11 or 12 players. On one hand, it was very difficult. On the other hand, we exploited this situation to improve the players. We prepared to play the games with these players. For sure, Steven should have played against Leicester, against Brighton, the games that were postponed. With him and also other players, we tried to exploit the period when we were only 11 or 12 players, to improve these players. Now Steven is a player totally involved into what I want, into what I ask from my players. Don’t forget that I like to have a plan and I like to give options to my players. Every single player has to know what I want during the game offensively and defensively.”
Speaking after the win at the King Power, Conte doubled down on those Bergwijn comments and reiterated his importance.
Antonio Conte said: “I think I spoke about Steven in the past and I said he was an important player and he has specific characteristics for this team. Nobody has these types of characteristics,” the Tottenham boss told BT Sport. He’s very good one versus one, he’s good technically, he can beat a man, he’s a striker. If he is in good physical condition and he is fit, then for me, he’s an important choice I can make in the starting 11 or in the game.”
