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Football London
Football London
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Rob Guest

How Tottenham could line up on Premier League return with Rodrigo Bentancur and Dejan Kulusevski

Antonio Conte's Tottenham side should look slightly different once the Premier League returns following the club's January transfer business.

Having three priority positions to solve this month with Conte looking to improve the team's chances of finishing in the top four, Fabio Paratici has raided former club Juventus for Dejan Kulusevski and Rodrigo Bentancur.

Kulusevski arrived in the capital on Sunday evening and has since completed his medical, with Bentancur's medical taking place in South America as he is currently away on international duty.

While the plan was to strengthen at right wing-back, central midfield and up front, football.london understands that Spurs will continue to monitor for any late opportunities that will arise in the market up until the deadline, but the expectation is the Juventus duo will be the only two arrivals on deadline day.

With Saturday's FA Cup game against Brighton & Hove Albion perhaps coming too soon for Bentancur to start given he is currently in World Cup qualifying action across the globe, it may be next Wednesday's Premier League game against Southampton when both could feature in the XI for the first time.

So how exactly could Spurs line up when the Saints visit N17? football.london takes a look.

Well, it's a simple choice between the sticks as Hugo Lloris, as ever, starts in goal for the Lilywhites.

Cristian Romero returned to training prior to the international break following his hamstring injury and that means Conte will be able to name his first-choice backline for the first time since the 0-0 draw against Everton at the start of November.

Davinson Sanchez has given Conte something to think about in Romero's absence but the Argentine is likely to play alongside Eric Dier and Ben Davies.

Sergio Reguilon will be an automatic pick at left wing-back, with the head coach then having to decide between Emerson Royal and Matt Doherty at right wing-back unless there is any late movement in the transfer window.

Bentancur's place in the midfield two leaves Conte with a tough choice whether his general Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg or Oliver Skipp drops down to the bench.

Kulusevski will then come into the frontline containing Son Heung-min and Harry Kane, starting on his favoured right flank which allows him to cut inside onto his left foot.

Potential Tottenham XI vs Southampton: Lloris; Romero, Dier, Davies; Emerson, Bentancur, Skipp, Reguilon; Kulusevski, Kane, Son.

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