Antonio Conte is going to have quite the selection headache on his hands next season if Tottenham's summer transfer business goes according to plan. Making a swift move in the transfer market to sign Ivan Perisic on a free transfer from Inter Milan, Spurs then also brought Fraser Forster in on a free from Southampton.
Last week the club confirmed the addition of Yves Bissouma from Brighton & Hove Albion after a standout couple of seasons for the midfielder at the Amex. Tottenham aren't finished quite there in the transfer market, with Fabio Paratici still needing to bring in a new right wing-back, left-sided centre-back and striker before the summer deadline.
Seeing a huge improvement in the team at the turn of the year following the arrivals of Rodrigo Bentancur and Dejan Kulusevski from Juventus, Spurs could hit the next level under Conte with the calibre of players they are looking to bring in. So which players are guaranteed a starting spot and which places are up for grabs ahead of the opening day game vs Southampton? football.london takes a look.
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Goalkeeper
Forster may have arrived at the club ahead of the new season but Hugo Lloris will continue in goal as ever. Game time could be handed to the new arrival in the FA Cup and Carabao Cup.
First choice: Lloris
Centre-backs
Cristian Romero and Eric Dier are certain starters in Conte's backline having performed so well for him during his Tottenham tenure. Ben Davies also excelled for the Italian but his place is at risk with the club looking to sign a new left-sided centre-back.
Davies certainly won't give his position up without a fight and the new arrival will have a huge challenge on his hands as he competes with the Welshman for a starting spot.
First choice: Romero, Dier, available position
Right wing-back
Djed Spence could be the player to come in and help Tottenham strengthen at right wing-back after a stunning season on loan at Nottingham Forest. His lack of Premier League experience may count against him for a regular starting spot to begin with, however, as he will more than likely be eased in rather than thrown in at the deep end.
Matt Doherty started to recapture his best form under Conte and could quite easily go straight back into the XI once fit, while Emerson Royal will also be in contention if he remains at Spurs this summer.
First choice: Available position
Left wing-back
The final few months of the Premier League campaign saw Conte alternate between Ryan Sessegnon and Sergio Reguilon, with the ex-Fulham man appearing to have nudged ahead of his competitor in the pecking order. The arrival of Perisic, however, has changed things and the Croat, who played in the position for Conte at Inter Milan, looks set to make the spot his own.
First choice: Perisic
Central midfield
Conte is going to have a real dilemma on his hands when it comes to his midfield two as he has four quality options to choose from in Bissouma, Bentancur, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and Oliver Skipp. Bentancur will likely command one of the two spots in the head coach's best XI after making a real impression following his move from Juventus, thus leaving the other three to battle it out for the final position.
First choice: Bentancur, available position
Attack
Much has been said about Harry Kane and Son Heung-min's incredible partnership in the past but Spurs now have a fearsome front three following Kulusevski's move from Juventus in January. The Swede hit the ground running and contributed with five goals and eight assists in his 20 appearances for the Lilywhites as he helped them seal a place in the top four.
Spurs need to add to their frontline this summer but it's incredibly hard to see the front three changing due to the devastating partnership they have already formed.
First choice: Kulusevski, Kane, Son
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