Squad more complete with new signings, says Spurs boss Conte

Tottenham Hotspur manager Antonio Conte said the club tried to do their best in the January transfer window, adding that the squad wore a more complete look following the arrival of Dejan Kulusevski and Rodrigo Bentancur from Juventus.

Conte, who had demanded that Spurs sign new players since taking over in November, had his wish granted on deadline day, with winger Kulusevski joining on loan and midfielder Bentancur sealing a 19-million euro ($21.77 million) switch from Turin.

"I think the club tried to do the best and you know very well that January is not simple," Conte told reporters ahead of Saturday's fourth-round FA Cup clash at home to Brighton & Hove Albion.

"I think it is (the squad) more complete. Now it's more complete and we tried to fill the right roles with a central midfielder, and Kulusevski. He can play as a number 10 or as a wing back... he likes to attack, he is good on a one v one, a good signing for us."

The Italian confirmed that both players are fit and available for the game against Brighton.

In a frantic end to the window for Spurs, Bryan Gil, Tanguy Ndombele, Giovani Lo Celso left the London side on loan, while Dele Alli secured a permanent transfer to Everton.

Conte said that it was "strange" to see so many players go out on loan but the departures were a reflection of Spurs' poor recruitment policy in the past.

"The players that went on loan needed to play more games. I think it was right for both sides, the club and the players," he said.

"Maybe there were some mistakes in the past. You have to buy players to reinforce your team but if you send away players that you bought in the last two or three years it means you did something wrong in the past."

($1 = 0.8726 euros)

(Reporting by Dhruv Munjal