Tottenham Hotspur manager Antonio Conte has claimed that talk of his side potentially challenging for the Premier League title was "a bit crazy" and believes it was a "miracle" that the Lilywhites finished fourth last season.
The Italian witnessed his side produce a lacklustre display in a 2-0 defeat to Aston Villa on New Year's Day, where Emiliano Buendia and Douglas Luiz struck in the second half for Unai Emery's men.
Buendia capitalised after Hugo Lloris spilled Luiz's long-range effort in the 50th minute, and the latter finished calmly after being played through by John McGinn 23 minutes later.
Spurs missed the chance to leapfrog Manchester United back into the Champions League places and remain two points adrift of the fourth-placed Red Devils, who have a game in hand.
Conte had already claimed that Tottenham's fifth-placed standing may be the highest that his side can wish for before addressing the media in Sunday's post-game press conference.
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The 53-year-old's side pipped Arsenal to fourth place on the final day of the 2021-22 season, but Conte has stated that his side only achieved the feat due to their lack of non-Premier League commitments.
"I continue to repeat that last season we made a miracle, I continue to repeat. It happened why? Because we played only one competition and we play with 12 to 13 players and they didn't have injuries in the last 15 games and we played with the best players every game because, I repeat, we played only the league," football.london quotes Conte as saying.
"Don't forget three games to go Arsenal were four points [better off] than us and that we finished 20 points less from Manchester City and we did a miracle, but I knew which was the situation.
"Then I was very clear with the club because in this moment and before to become a title contender, because I remember very well in the summer, at the start, people talked about Tottenham as title contenders but in my experience it was a bit crazy to read this.
"To become a title contender, to become a team ready to fight to win something you need to have a solid foundation. That means to have 14 or 15 strong players, quality and the other young players to develop."
Conte, who is thought to be in talks with Tottenham over a contract extension beyond the end of the season, is expected to be backed by the club in the January transfer market after a significant summer of spending.
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Richarlison, Djed Spence, Ivan Perisic, Fraser Forster, Yves Bissouma and Clement Lenglet all arrived in North London ahead of the 2022-23 season, but Conte has admitted that further investment is needed for Tottenham to challenge for silverware.
"Every season you can add two players but two players to invest £50m, £60m, £70m and in this way it means you are signing important players that improve quality and the level of your team but this is a process guys. It's a process," Conte added.
"People think you arrive and you win. This can happen for a team that are used to winning in the past. But if you are not used to it it means you have to create this situation and for this reason you need time and patience.
"I understand that the fans are disappointed because they can say 'but we've been patient for a long time', I understand it but the situation is this. If you want the truth I can tell you the truth.
"I knew very well. I was expecting this moment. Now we have to start to fight strong, because the situation in this league you can slip quickly."
Tottenham - who have now conceded two goals in seven successive Premier League games - are next in top-flight action away to London rivals Crystal Palace on Wednesday night before Saturday's FA Cup third-round tie with Portsmouth.
Ben Knapton
