Conte worried when the Premier League returns this week

"I'm really not happy," Conte said at a press conference ahead of Brentford's away game. "In some ways, you can be happy when the club has 12 players in the World Cup. It's the right way to stay competitive and try to fight for something. But when there are many players involved. In such a tournament, especially in the middle of the season, the team will have a hard time because their physical condition is not at a good level. For sure, these players will not have enough time to rest."

Tottenham have to play in round 17 tonight, December 26, just eight days after the 2022 World Cup final, where they have two pillars of participation: French goalkeeper Hugo Lloris and Argentina midfielder Cristian Romero. Lloris will be a substitute for this match, and Romero will not be available in time.

Conte also has to deal with the absence of striker Richarlison, who suffered a hamstring injury while playing for Brazil in Qatar. Son Heung-min reached the round of 16 with South Korea, Eric Dier and Harry Kane reached the quarter-finals with England and Ivan Perisic played seven games as Croatia reached the semi-finals.

"Those who did not attend the World Cup have been training regularly for the past four weeks and are in good shape. We work a lot on tactics and fitness. Now, these players are in higher form than those who attended the World Cup. Cup. So I have to decide on the best squad for the Brentford match," Conte revealed.

Tottenham are fourth in the Premier League with 29 points after 15 matches, eight points behind Arsenal and one more game. Conte wants the home side to win all nine points when facing the underdogs of Brentford, Aston Villa and Crystal Palace in the next three rounds before entering the North London derby against Arsenal themselves on January 15.