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Antonio Conte

LONDON. – Chelsea manager Antonio Conte has questioned Tottenham Hotspur’s ambition, suggesting they have lower expectations than their English Premier League soccer title rivals.

Spurs chairman Daniel Levy this week defended a lack of signings and railed against “unsustainable” spending.

They were runners up to Chelsea in the English Premier League last term, faltered in the Champions League group stages, and again in the Europa League last 32. “If (Spurs) don’t win the title, it’s not a tragedy,” said Conte.

“If they don’t arrive in the Champions League, it’s not a tragedy. If they go out in the first round of the Champions League, it’s not a tragedy. If they go out after the first game that they play in the Europa League, it’s not a tragedy.

“Maybe for Chelsea, Arsenal, Manchester City, Manchester United and – I don’t know – Liverpool, it is a tragedy. You must understand the status of the team. “Every team has to understand what their ambitions are. If their ambitions are to fight for the title or win the Champions League, you must buy expensive players. Otherwise you continue to stay in your level. It’s simple.”

“My question is this: What are Tottenham’s expectations?”

After finishing second in the Premier League last season, Spurs have not added to their squad over the summer.

Their only transfer activity has been selling England right-back Kyle Walker to rivals Manchester City for £45m. “We have a duty to manage the club appropriately,” Levy said.

Recent history suggests it may be a while before Levy makes his move, with the majority of Spurs’ incoming deals finalised in August in the past few seasons. – BBC Sport.