Antonio Conte understands Harry Kane’s frustration at Tottenham’s lack of trophies but says the striker is central to the club’s future.
Kane indicated his desire to leave Tottenham for Manchester City in the summer before opting to stay, and Conte said he has been “totally satisfied” with the 28-year-old’s commitment to the team, who face Chelsea in the Carabao Cup semi-final first leg on Wednesday, live on Sky Sports Football.
The Italian said it was a “great choice” by owner Daniel Levy to keep Kane at the club, who last won a trophy in 2008 when they lifted the League Cup.
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Tottenham head coach Antonio Conte says a return to his former club Chelsea, where he won the Premier League title, will be emotional.
“I knew the situation in the summer and, when Harry decided to stay in Tottenham, I found a player totally involved in this project … if we want to think to build something to win, Harry must be a starting point,” Conte said, ahead of his return to Stamford Bridge to face his former club Chelsea on Wednesday.
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“I understand Harry’s situation. When you finish your career, you can see your appearances and the teams you made them for but, at the same time, it’s right to see what you have won. This is important, especially for the top, top players.
“I think that when Tottenham brought me here they wanted to send a signal outside, and maybe also to our players … We have to try to build a situation where we are all involved and to try to create a situation that we can be competitive to try to win.”
After a slow start to the season, Kane has recovered some form and has scored three goals in Spurs’ last four Premier League games.
