Brazilian Richarlison will be ready for the World Cup

Antonio Conte has confirmed that Richarlison will be fit for the World Cup despite the club still awaiting the full extent of a calf injury suffered in Saturday’s 2-0 win over Everton.

The Brazilian striker was on crutches and in tears after the match, telling ESPN Brazil he feared « the fulfillment of my dream » of playing at a World Cup was in jeopardy.

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However, initial tests have been more positive and although the 25-year-old will have an MRI on Monday to determine more details, Conte was conclusive about Richarlison’s chances of making the final in Qatar, which begins on November 20. .

Speaking about Wednesday’s Premier League trip to Manchester United, Conte said when asked if Richarlison could miss the tournament: “No, absolutely not. I can confirm that the player is in no danger of not playing the World Cup, absolutely.

“His injury is an injury, but it’s not that serious. He has a calf problem. But I think he needs some time to recover and then be fit. I hope to play other matches with us before the World Cup. Cup but for sure the injury is not that serious.

« I’m happy for the player because playing the World Cup is every player’s dream and for that reason I’m happy for him. Also, because we are talking about a player who, when he goes to play, he gives you everything. .”

Meanwhile, Conte says Spurs tried to re-sign former midfielder Christian Eriksen in the summer ahead of his move to United.

Eriksen worked under Conte at Inter Milan before suffering cardiac arrest during a Euro 2020 game between Denmark and Finland in June last year.

Serie A rules stated that Eriksen could not play in Italy with the automatic defibrillator he installed after the incident and his contract was canceled before Brentford signed him the 30-year-old on a contract of six months.

That short-term deal expired in the summer and a host of clubs expressed interest in Eriksen before deciding on United, with Conte confirming on Monday that Spurs were in contention.

« Yeah, but you know I don’t want to talk about players from other teams, » he added. “Of course, Christian is a player with whom I like to work.

“He is a player I would like to coach again, to have in my team. But you know very well that the transfer market is very difficult. I think he made a great choice to go to United to sign a three-year contract. I wish him the best, for his family, apart from the match against us, then for the rest of the season, I wish him to be the best on the pitch.

“Was it close? Now it’s not important to say yes or no, but Christian is a player that every club has tried to bring into the team.

United beat Tottenham 3-2 in the corresponding game last season thanks to a hat-trick from Cristiano Ronaldo, and Conte said he hoped for a different result on Wednesday.

“We are talking about an incredible player, a top player. A player who has continued to make a difference for the team he plays,” he said.

“Cristiano, with [Lionel] Messi, they have made footballing history for the past 10, 15 years. I have a lot of admiration for Cristiano, for his professionalism, but I hope [Wednesday] is not like last season he scored three goals. We lost 3-2, but we lost to him, not to United last season. I remember very well. We played a good game and he solved the situation on his own.