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Football London
Football London
Sport
Emma de Duve

Dejan Kulusevski and Rodrigo Bentancur told what they must do inside Tottenham Hotspur Stadium

Dejan Kulusevski and Rodrigo Bentancur have been told how to succeed at Tottenham, from a former player who was once in their position.

The Juventus duo signed for Spurs on deadline day and have already had their first taste of English football, with them both getting game time against Brighton on Saturday.

Both showed glimpses of potential in their short time on the pitch at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and they both received a warm welcome from the home fans.

Kulusevski made two key passes and had a shot at goal, whilst Bentancur had 90.9% passing accuracy as well as showing composure and skill.

After the game, Conte was asked what he made of the first performance from the new arrivals.

"It was important to come in and to understand the intensity of this league," the Spurs boss explained.

"Rodrigo, despite his age, only 24-years-old, has a lot of experience because he played 120 games for Juventus. Kulusevski, the same. I think they can help us.

"When you come here from another league you need a bit of time to understand the intensity and understand that here the difficulty is very high," he added.

"Two good signings for us and they can help us for the rest of the season, Now start the second part of the season and I think with these two new signings we are more complete as a squad."

Both players are likely to get more game time in the coming weeks, as Conte will have to continue to deal with injury issues throughout a busy fixture schedule, in the last few months of the season.

They will now put pressure on the current Tottenham squad, as they will have to work harder to keep their place in the Italian's regular line-up

This means that Bentancur and Kulusevski will need to settle in to their new life in England and playing in the Premier League, as soon as they can.

Former Spurs midfielder Micky Hazard has been in their shoes before, starting his senior career playing for Tottenham and ahead of the FA Cup tie, the 62-year-old was full of praise for Conte.

"I've loved watching Antonio, I think he's been amazing," Hazard admitted on N17 Live. "I think his passion is something that, maybe in the recent past we've been lacking and that's rubbed off on the team.

"He's inspirational and a joy to watch. He's a winner, he wins things and that's what we need to get back to doing."

Hazard then went on to give the new arrivals some advice, as they start their journeys in north London.

"Play with the freedom that got you here. Don't come here and freeze," he explained. "Too many players come here and freeze.

"They're playing in front of a very demanding crowd who want success and some players, they can tie you up in knots and other players will rise to the challenge.

"I say to these young boys, come in, enjoy every second because when you're playing well on this pitch, in front of these fans, they absolutely worship you."

Conte is a manager known for his tough training but Kulusevski has already suggested that he is ready for his new challenge.

"I love being here and love work because I know my body can get so much better," he explained after his debut.

Both players will need to show the Italian that they deserve a spot in his strongest side, but if they can build on the glimpse of potential they showed on Saturday, they can hopefully become successful at Spurs.

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