Antonio Conte's first full season with Tottenham couldn't have got off to a much better start. Spurs won their first game of the campaign 4-1 against Southampton after going 1-0 down.
This secured the Lilywhites all three points and sees them currently sitting top of the Premier League table on goal difference. It was an overall solid performance in N17 and involved some very well taken goals by a number of the squad - even if Harry Kane and Son Heung-min were absent from the scoresheet.
After the game Conte, as always, gave his very honest verdict of the display. "It was a really good start for us," he admitted.
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"It was really important to have this reaction after 15-20 minutes we were 1-0 down, despite starting well, with great personality and good possession to create many situations to score. But then to stay 1-0 down was really important to see the reaction of my team.
"The reaction was really good because we kept calm, we continued to play in the way that we know. To believe in what we tried before in this week before playing Southampton," Conte added. "We won three important points but the most important thing was the way we got three points, with really good football, with the ball, without the ball, with important pressure, also the way we decided to win the ball after we lost it was another important aspect."
Ahead of the Saints match, the Italian spoke about the need for a solid squad, especially with the break of the World Cup, potentially hinting at more transfers. "It'll be very important to have a strong squad, the number of the players I think every club has to give the coach the opportunity to have an important number of players in the squad. For injuries, for fatigue," he said. "For a lot of situations, it will be very difficult for every team and club this season."
football.london understands that the Lilywhites are confident in getting a deal over the line for Destiny Udogie, who has been linked with a move to the capital this summer. It is a deal thought to cost Spurs around £22million including add-ons, with the youngster being loaned back to his current side Udinese for the rest of the season.
So there could be more players making their moves to N17, but also more who will depart this summer. Harry Winks, Sergio Reguilon, Tanguy Ndombele and Giovani Lo Celso have all not been part of pre-season and were absent from the squad for the game against Southampton.
This indicates they are not in Conte's plans and will be likely looking for other clubs to move to in the final few weeks of the transfer window. As always, on Saturday the 53-year-old named nine Tottenham players on the bench.
This also did not include Pape Matar Sarr or Japhet Tanganga. With the growing number of players in the squad, not everyone can be involved in every matchday.
However, who he picks to exclude could hint at some summer exits to come. Sarr signed for Spurs last summer, but was loaned back to his former club Metz for another season. The Senegalese international featured in three out of Tottenham's four pre-season friendlies. He showed glimpses of his talent but at just 19, it could be beneficial for him to go out on loan again.
Despite continued injury problems, when they are all fit, Conte has a strong central midfield quartet to choose from. With his lack of Premier League experience, Sarr may struggle to break his way in currently, but developing as a player elsewhere can only boost his chances.
Tanganga struggled for regular game time last season and despite his versatility, the new additions to the Spurs squad won't make his chances any easier. When he was given opportunities last season, he produced a mixture of performances.
Oliver Skipp went on loan to Norwich and had a successful season there, before his return to north London. The defender has quality and given his young age, could also benefit from a season away to continue developing, before his return.
Both players have been linked with moves across the world, with interest coming from the likes of Roma, AC Milan and Paris Saint-Germain. There is just a few weeks left of the summer window, so still some time for Tottenham to get some more deals over the line. Only time will tell if the duo do exit N17, but if the matchday squad is anything to go by, it seems likely they will.
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