Antonio Conte to decide Tottenham team selection against Man City
Conte is still in Italy after surgery but could be present for Tottenham’s match with Man City
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Antonio Conte will be involved in team selection for Tottenham’s fixture with Manchester City and has been watching training back despite recovering from surgery on Wednesday.
The Spurs boss is currently in Italy after he was forced to have his gallballder removed having been diagnosed with cholecystitis.
Conte was on the touchline during Saturday’s 3-0 win at Preston, but was not his usual animated self and severe abdominal pain forced him to have surgery in his home country this week.
Assistant Cristian Stellini admitted on Friday doctors will make the final decision on whether or not Conte can attend Sunday’s clash with Manchester City but regardless the Italian will still have an impact on the Premier League fixture.
“We will do selection together,” Stellini revealed.
“Yeah, because Antonio is not here to feel the training and everything so I will explain it to him and we will decide it together.
“We record the training so he can watch the training and analyse the training but only after.
“I have a special relationship with the players because I am an assistant, so I can use that special relationship with them to force them to give their best.
“This is the kind of coach I can be for the next week and the next game.
“I cannot change myself because I am in charge.”
If Conte is not present on the touchline, Stellini and the rest of the coaching staff will be confronted with a similar challenge to what they experienced away to Marseille in November.
It was Stellini and first-team coach Ryan Mason largely tasked with leading the team in the absence of the suspended Conte, who watched from the stand as Tottenham recovered from a half-time deficit to win 2-1 and progress into the Champions League knock-out stages.
Stellini again expects to lean heavily on former Spurs player Mason, a veteran of seven matches in charge of his boyhood club during the 2020-21 campaign.
“It was a great experience and we want to live the same experience,” Stellini said of the Marseille win.
“But I was not alone in that moment. I had Ryan Mason next to me and I have Ryan also with me now.
“He’s very important for the team, very important for me and he’s very important for the club so I’m not alone. I have all the staff with me.”
Despite Spurs’ impressive record against champions City, Stellini warned Pep Guardiola’s side could be a wounded animal given they have lost three of their last five matches in all competitions.
I have a special relationship with the players because I am an assistant, so I can use that special relationship with them to force them to give their best.
“You have to be perfect if you want the possibility to win this type of game against this type of team. You have to be perfect in their box and in our box,” he admitted.
“They are Manchester City and no different from the past. When a big beast has a problem, you have to be more worried because they react so we know it will be difficult but we feel we can do it.”
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments