Cristian Stellini hints at Tottenham plan for Everton clash as boss rejects 'crisis' talk

Posted Monday, April 03, 2023 by Express.co.uk

Tottenham take on Everton in Cristian Stellini's first match as interim Spurs manager at Goodison Park.

Cristian Stellini has promised Tottenham will come out punching from a fortnight of chaos. Antonio Conte has departed, the managing director of football Fabio Paratici is banned and all the while Tottenham star player Harry Kane's contract continues to tick down.

But once the first whistle goes at Everton and Tottenham make their belated return from the international break, the talking must stop or else the fists will fly. "Around us, there is and there is a lot of speculation," the interim head coach said.

"But the club is still here, the fans are with us, the stadium is there. And football... we will play football again! So all the speculation is only speculation. We have to be worried only about the game we have to play and the way we want to play the game.

"The more you try to punch us, the more we are tight, we stick together and the more we react. This has to be clear for you guys and for all the people who try to punch us. Because with the speculation, you create only energy for us. This has to be clear for everyone."

The change of manager; the ban; Kane's contract situation. All facts, rather than speculation, it was gently suggested. But according to Stellini, it is all in the interpretation - and to say otherwise is pure fighting talk.

Cristian Stellini hints at Tottenham plan for Everton clash as boss rejects 'crisis' talk

"This is why I said you try to punch us and we react together and to be strong," Stellini said. "This is what we do if you continue to speak about this. I said that Harry Kane is our top scorer and he wants to play the best matches in his life, because this is what I feel.

"You try to speculate on this other stuff and we want to play the next match at the best. This is my job. It's not my job to speak about other things." Although fans hoping for a new manager uplift were promised just more of the same in terms of playing style from Conte's loyal deputy.

"Nothing changes, in my opinion. Nothing has to change," Stellini said. "We prepare the next game following what we did in the past. We are following what we did."

Cristian Stellini hints at Tottenham plan for Everton clash as boss rejects 'crisis' talk

"No, it's not a club in crisis, absolutely not because when you take decisions and you follow the process, you are not in crisis," he said. "We are not confused, we are focused on our job. It's been a bit chaotic, absolutely a bit chaotic but we have big shoulders to consider this type of situation.

"We had an international break and that helped because we have time to think about everything. We met this morning with all the team. We spoke all together. The players are in the dressing room altogether they can speak but it was important to speak together because everyone needed clarification and I needed to clarify all the situation that happened in the last week.

"Now we have met, we spoke and we clarified everything. I felt the players are ready to be together and to fight together like a proper team."