Tottenham may have signed six players already this summer, but there could be more to come, with players being linked from across the world. Antonio Conte has got to see all of his new arrivals in action, as well as continuing to assess his Spurs squad, ahead of the 2022/23 season.
So far, the Lilywhites have seen Cameron Carter-Vickers, Steven Bergwijn and Jack Clarke make a permanent move away from N17 and Troy Parrott became the first loanee of the summer. With many players wanting regular game time and some not being in Conte's plans for the upcoming campaign, there is likely to be a number of other outgoings in the next month or so.
The Italian has increased the size of his squad, adding a goalkeeper, two defenders, a midfielder and an attacker. Further incomings may depend on those who leave, but that hasn't stopped many being linked.
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One of these players in Leicester's James Maddison. The 25-year-old made 35 Premier League appearances last season, starting in 28 of them and made 20 goal contributions.
This highlights the impact he can have in a team that finished in eighth, in the last campaign. Maddison is a very versatile player, featuring in six different positions last season, with most of them being as an attacking midfielder.
That is just one boost that Conte would have, if he did make the move to the capital and it would also give the England international more chance of regular game time. Maddison has also previously spoken about the want to play in the Champions League, which his current side can't offer next season.
Playing in the top European competition, with a world-class manager and top facilities available to him, would surely attract the 25-year-old to N17. A move to a top-four club would also be a step-up for Maddison and with Brendan Rodgers recently describing his form as the "best he's seen him", it could be the perfect time for a move.
However, former Tottenham goalkeeper Paul Robinson, doesn't believe that the Englishman is the right transfer for Spurs to make. "I really like him. I think he is a top attacking midfielder," he told Football Insider.
"He gets goals, is creative, has an eye for a pass and would improve with better players around him. No disrespect to Leicester but in a top-four team I think he would offer more.
"I just don’t see where he fits in at Spurs though. When you look at the system Conte plays and the signings they have made. There is not really a slot for him," Robinson added.
The 42-year-old holds praise for Maddison but goes on to explain why he doesn't believe he wouldn't fit into the Italian's set-up. "Conte plays a rigid system – a back three, wing-backs, two midfielders and a front three. For me, Maddison doesn’t fit into that system.
"He is a midfielder who likes to sit in behind the forwards. I cannot see him coming off the wide. That is not where he’s at his best," the ex-professional continued. "I like him, he’s a top, top player. But I cannot see how he fits into the starting XI at Spurs. He would not want to be a bit-part player either."
Although Conte needs to build his squad, to allow for rotation and to cope with the five substitution rule next season, there will be a struggle to get some players to make the move, without the promise of regular game time. For Maddison to move from a club where he is a regular starter, to one where he may not know when he will next play, is difficult, especially with the approaching World Cup.
Not only that, but as Robinson alludes to, where does the midfielder fit? Maddison would slot in almost perfectly in a 3-5-2/3-4-1-2 formation, being able to sit behind the forwards and the former was a set-up the Tottenham boss used a couple of times last season.
However, everyone knows the usual system is 3-4-3 and that is where the Leicester man could struggle. Spurs have also been linked with Nicolo Zaniolo, who would also offer an attacking presence to Conte's side, with the 23-year-old being another versatile player.
Zaniolo and Maddison seem to be the players most heavily linked currently and both offer slightly different quality to Conte. With just over a month of the transfer window left and only a week and a half until the 2022/23 season begins, the Italian still has some assessments to make over whether he wants to bring more players into his squad and if he does, who would fit in best.
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