It remains to be seen whether Antonio Conte will welcome anymore new players to his Tottenham squad this summer. The Italian has already welcomed six new arrivals to N17 in the summer transfer window, all of whom have already made their debuts in a Spurs shirt.
Earlier this month and before the Lilywhites' latest signing, Djed Spence, Conte didn't rule out more incomings. "We’re always looking to strengthen the squad if there is the opportunity. We want to improve numerically the squad because to play four competitions is difficult and you need a really good squad," he explained.
That's exactly what the 52-year-old has been doing and a number of outgoings are still expected to be completed. There are likely to be a lot of factors which impact whether anyone else makes the move to the capital.
READ MORE: Antonio Conte told to make key James Maddison transfer decision at Tottenham
James Maddison and Nicolo Zaniolo are arguably the two most heavily linked players with Spurs at the moment. Both would add an attacking presence to Conte's side and they are both versatile players, but they would also offer different attributes, by making the move to Spurs.
Last season, Zaniolo missed 11 games for Roma through injury and he has previously had two cruciate ligament rupture injuries. However, he still made 42 appearances in all competitions and scored eight goals last season.
Maddison on the other hand had a superb campaign, during the 2021/22 season. The 25-year-old made 35 Premier League appearances, scoring 12 goals and registering eight assists.
Based on their goal contribution statistics, the Leicester man seems to make more of an impact, despite usually playing in a role slightly further back. Maddison's favoured position is just behind the strikers, whereas Zaniolo features most on the right-wing, or as a second striker.
Looking at their statistics on Fbref from last season, it is clear to see the impact they can both have. Maddison's pass completion sits at 72.3%, whilst the Roma man's is just below on 71.4%.
In front of goal, the England international made 19 more (100) shot-creating actions than Zaniolo did. Maddison also outdid the 23-year-old with his shots on target sitting at 45.2%, whilst Zaniolo's was just 28.6%.
However statistics aren't everything when looking at a player's quality and the praise that both have received indicates they would both be strong players in Conte's squad. However the potential concern for both players is where they would fit into the Italian's current set-up.
Most of Maddison's features come as an attacking midfielder, sitting behind the strikers, which doesn't feature in Conte's 3-4-3 system. The Tottenham boss did opt for a 3-5-2 formation on a couple of occasions last season, which would be more suited to the 25-year-old, but it isn't his usual system.
Although the midfielder is versatile, there are questions over whether he would make the required impact, with how Conte likes to set-up, which former Spurs keeper Paul Robinson has already highlighted.
"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," the ex-shot stopper said. "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."
A deal would also likely be difficult for Spurs to secure as The Foxes aren't thought to want to get rid of such a key player. Tottenham would need to put in a big offer and try and persuade Maddison to want to make the move, if they did decide they wanted him in N17.
Zaniolo most often played as a right-winger last season. Again, the 23-year-old can play in a number of positions, which would boost his chance of getting game time at Spurs.
Currently Spurs have both Dejan Kulusevski and Lucas Moura as options on the right-wing, as well as Richarlison also being able to play there. If Bryan Gil leaves this summer, a left winger is where Conte would need a back-up, one of the only attacking positions Zaniolo didn't feature in last year. However he can also play in a central role, which could allow the Italian to make necessary rotations.
Another factor of a transfer of either player is money. The Roma man has a current market value of up to £33.6million, whilst Maddison's is up to £42.1million, according to CIES.
That is an £8.5million difference and Spurs would need to be certain before making offers for either player, if it is going to cost them that sort of sum.
Based on the statistics, Maddison does seem the better option and would add to Tottenham's homegrown numbers, although his role in the squad is a concern and he is more expensive. Zaniolo's numbers aren't as impressive and he has had injury problems in the past, but he is also versatile and is a player both Conte and Fabio Paratici know, from their time in Italy.
Big decisions to be made and only time will tell if Spurs try and bring either player to N17 this summer.
Tottenham fans: Would you prefer to see James Maddison or Nicolo Zaniolo move to Spurs? Let us know in the comments below.
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