Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg asks Tottenham boss Antonio Conte to ‘elaborate’ after accusing players of being ‘selfish’

Tottenham midfielder Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg has asked manager Antonio Conte to “elaborate” on explosive comments he made after the 3-3 draw at Southampton.

Denmark’s Hojbjerg was questioned about Conte during the international break and while he accepted Tottenham’s season hadn’t gone to plan – having been knocked out of the Champions League and FA Cup in the space of a week – he asked his manager to elaborate on his comments.

“I think we’ve all seen it [Conte’s comments],” said Hojbjerg.

“He gave a very honest and very open press conference. It is because he is not satisfied. You don’t do that if you’ve reached the quarter-final of the Champions League and if you’re in the semi-final of the FA Cup.

“It comes from the fact that, unfortunately, we did not get the results we as a team and club wanted. We are still where we want and need to be in the Premier League. But yes, it’s hard.

“I understand that if you want to be successful as a team, you need 11 men who are committed to a project and a culture.

“But I think he has to elaborate on how he feels before you as a player can start measuring and weighing.

“The coach has not been satisfied, and that is what I will take with me. You do what you can to please him. What I do know about myself is that I am an honest player. I am a player who always gives 100% of myself for the team.”

Asked if Conte was right to publicly air his grievances in such a furious manner, Hojbjerg replied: “Fortunately, I am not the one to judge it.”

He added: “If that’s how he sees it, then you have to be a little more precise in order for you as a player to take it to heart.

“He didn’t tell us what he wanted to say at the press conference. But it is clear that you work with each other every day, you want the best for each other and you want to be successful together. And sometimes the waves go high in football.”

Tottenham are in fourth place in the Premier League but have a task in keeping a hold of their Champions League spot with Newcastle and Liverpool breathing down their neck.