Antonio Conte transformed Romelu Lukaku during his time at Inter Milan and is now using the same tricks on Dejan Kulusevski since his January arrival at Tottenham.
Antonio Conte has decided to give the same treatment to Dejan Kulusevski as he did with Romelu Lukaku at Inter Milan. (Image: Getty Images)
Lukaku upped his game to another level following his transfer to Inter after completely overhauling his diet, going on to score 64 goals in 95 appearances for the club over two seasons under Conte.
And Kulusevski himself has even looked like a different player to the one he was at Juventus, in which he scored just once in 20 Serie A appearances this season as the Swedish international has scored three goals and six assists to his name in 11 Premier League appearances.
And, as reported by the Daily Mail, Conte has altered Kulusevski’s diet in order to improve his performance levels at the club by banning him from certain treats.
Conte personally altered Kulusevski’s diet, banning sweets and fizzy drinks to try and get Kulusevski fitter (Getty Images)
Conte loves to customise the diets of his players, most famously with Romelu Lukaku at Inter Milan Milan with Lukaku. He has recommended the best food choices for Spurs’ players, including Kulusevski.
Kulusevski allegedly liked chewing gum in Italy but Conte has stamped that out too. Conte wants Kulusevski to only drink water or protein drinks and is making various recommendations to help the winger.
“Everyday in training sessions he is a type of player who has it in his mind the target to become a top player in his career and as his manager I try to help him to improve and believe.
“For sure he is an important prospect for the present and for the future. He has to continue to work in this way because he has in one month and a half improved a lot physically, tactically and also in his mentality.” Conte on Kulusevski.
The winger has effortlessly slotted into the right side of Tottenham’s front three alongside Harry Kane and Son Heung-min and the trio have been an integral part to their side’s revival over the past two months, in which they have catapulted themselves into the top four.
In just 11 Premier League appearances for Tottenham, Kulusevski has already racked up a ridiculous three goals and six assists.