‘He always tells me’: £25m Tottenham player says Conte is trying to get him to stop passing so often

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Dejan Kulusevski has given an insight into the mindset of Tottenham manager Antonio Conte.

Speaking to Sky Sports, the Swedish international says that he has never met anyone as obsessed with winning as Conte is.

He also says Conte is not concerned with enjoying the game – and doesn’t care if his players enjoy it either – he just wants victory.

Kulusevski was brought to Spurs in January by Conte, on an initial loan, with a reported option to buy him for £25 million.

Tottenham boss Conte tells Kulusevski to pass less often

He said of Conte: “He always tells me, don’t enjoy it, don’t have fun. You are not here to have fun, you are here to win games and to score, to attack the goal.

“Don’t pass too much, don’t be in your zone. He just wants one thing, winning. He doesn’t want joy, or any of that. He wants to win because he’s a winner.

“I’m so grateful to have him because I have never seen something like it. I’ve never seen anyone so in love with winning. I think that’s going to take me and the team to the next level.”

Kulusevski has made a fast start to the season, which is his first full campaign in English football, as Spurs remain unbeaten in the Premier League.

The reintroduction of the Champions League to north London will provide a different challenge, and the arrival of Richarlison may mean the Swede is rotated.

But that is all done with winning as many games in as many competitions as possible in mind and Kulusevski is clearly relishing working under Conte.