Antonio Conte and Tottenham have nine games remaining in the 2021/22 Premier League season to try and clinch a place in the Champions League. Currently three points off north London rivals Arsenal in the fight for fourth, Spurs have played one game more than the Gunners at present as we enter the run-in.
However, the sides are set to meet at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in May in a game which is likely to have a major say in who seals a place in Europe's premier competition next term. Currently without Oliver Skipp and Ryan Sessegnon through injury, the return of the duo once fit and firing again could well see Conte change his thinking in regards to his Spurs plans.
So what exactly will Tottenham's starting XI look like for the remainder of the season once everyone is back to full fitness? football.london takes a look.
READ MORE: What Tottenham's non-homegrown numbers mean for Conte and Paratici's summer transfer business
Goalkeeper: Hugo Lloris
This position just isn't up for debate as the World Cup winner is the club's undoubted No.1.
Right centre-back: Cristian Romero
Romero has made a huge impression since his switch from Atalanta and has made the right centre-back position his own. It really is the perfect role for him as it allows him to push forward and help out in attack.
Centre-back: Eric Dier
Dier has demonstrated just how vital he is to the Tottenham XI since his return from injury last month. Maybe a player who has come in for criticism in the past and is undervalued by many, he is one of the first names on the team sheet for Conte.
Left centre-back: Ben Davies
The left centre-back position is very much Davies' after impressing there since Conte switched to a back three. Quite how long he stays in the position remains to be seen, though, as a new left-sided centre-back is believed to be a position Tottenham want to strengthen in this summer.
Right wing-back: Matt Doherty
Spurs fans are finally starting to see Doherty find his form after such an incredibly frustrating start to life in N17. Certainly not helped by Jose Mourinho and Nuno Espirito Santo operating with a back four, the Republic of Ireland international has seized his chance in the team due to Emerson Royal's poor form and now looks set to stay there.
Central midfield: Oliver Skipp
Conte has made his feelings crystal clear plenty of times on Skipp's ongoing absence through injury. Not featuring for Spurs since towards the end of January, the England Under-21 international wasn't expected to be on the sidelines too long and the head coach will be hoping he is back sooner rather than later.
As much as Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg has impressed next to Rodrigo Bentancur in recent weeks, Conte is a huge admirer of Skipp and he will more than likely want to restore him to his starting XI as soon as possible.
Central midfield: Rodrigo Bentancur
Bentancur has been a huge success since his move from Juventus on transfer deadline day. A calming influence in midfield and a classy operator, the Uruguayan is simply an undroppable for Conte on current form.
Left wing-back: Ryan Sessegnon
The only other position which is up for debate is the left wing-back spot, although this will all depend on when exactly Sessegnon returns from injury. The ex-Fulham man was in top form before he sustained his current issue against Everton at the start of the month and the head coach's previous comments do seem to indicate that Sergio Reguilon has some task on his hands trying to make the position his own again.
Reguilon has the qualities to be a big success at left wing-back but his play in the final third has let him down recently and will more than likely see Sessegnon return to the XI once fit.
Right-wing: Dejan Kulusevski
Kulusevski has wowed Tottenham fans since his January transfer from Juventus and has chipped in with some important goals and assists. The position is very much his at present with the likes of Lucas Moura and Steven Bergwijn subsequently dropping down the pecking order.
Left-wing: Son Heung-min
Spurs may not have seen Son at his very best in recent weeks but he has still managed to contribute with some important goals and assists. There's simply no way he misses out on the XI.
Striker: Harry Kane
Another undroppable from the Tottenham XI. Kane has wowed recently, notably against Man City, Leeds United and Everton, and he will have a big say on where exactly Spurs finish in the table.
Strongest Tottenham XI: Lloris; Romero, Dier, Davies; Doherty, Skipp, Bentancur, Sessegnon; Kulusevski, Kane, Son.
