Tottenham's approach to the summer transfer market is going to be rather interesting ahead of the 2022/23 season as Fabio Paratici looks to take them to the next level. Incredibly busy last summer with a number of long-serving, experienced players moving on, the managing director of football brought in five new additions before adding a further two in January.
Pierluigi Gollini was the oldest of the seven new arrivals at 26 when he signed on the dotted line, with Pape Matar Sarr the youngest as he joined not long before his 19th birthday. Rather than opting to go for experienced players who can immediately come in and help the team go up a level or two, Tottenham have tended to buy younger players and develop them into future stars when they have made their move in the transfer market.
Their approach hasn't always paid off, however, with a number of transfers not working out. Antonio Conte delivered his thoughts on the club's vision back in February following their transfer dealings, making it clear that experienced players are key if you want to grow quicker.
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“What happened in January was not easy. We lost four players in January. Four important players for Tottenham, and we brought in only two," explained the Italian. “So even just in terms of numbers, rather than reinforce the squad, we on paper weakened it.
"Bentancur and Kulusevski are ideal prospects for Tottenham, because Tottenham are seeking young players they can develop and grow, not players who are ready. That is the issue. This is the vision and the philosophy of the club.
"It is inevitable that if you want to grow quicker and if you want to be competitive more rapidly, you need players with a lot of experience, because they also raise the experience level of the overall team. But I repeat, I have realised now that this is the vision of the club.”
Conte's words will have been taken on by Paratici ahead of this summer and the boss, providing he is still in charge come August, will want a more experienced Tottenham squad by the time the new campaign kicks off. Tottenham's current squad isn't the most experienced in the world with Hugo Lloris and Matt Doherty the only players over the age of 30, although Lucas Moura, Son Heung-min, Ben Davies, Harry Kane and Eric Dier are in their late 20s.
A lack of experience has been evident numerous times over the course of the current campaign and addressing that problem in the transfer market will only benefit the team in the long run. What Spurs also lack in the team are leaders to help them get over the line and win games when the going gets tough.
With captain Lloris in goal, the Lilywhites have Dier at the heart of defence who is a natural leader, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg in midfield who is also very vocal and Kane up front. Tottenham's leaders are right down the spine of the team but other than the quartet there are not many more to choose from.
Conte even pointed this out ahead of their shock European defeat against NS Mura in November, saying: "It is important to have many leaders. Harry [Kane] for sure is one. Then we have our captain [Hugo Lloris]. This team is very young. I know we have to build many leaders and to work in this aspect.
"The players are young but at the same time it is important to take responsibility, but I am also here to teach this aspect to my players and as more time passes we will improve in many aspects."
Making his views clear on the Tottenham squad numerous times, it is now down to Daniel Levy and Paratici to deliver what Conte wants. A huge summer for the club as they look to kick on and hit the next level, the addition of leaders and experienced players is going to be key to their hopes in 2022/23.
