Antonio Conte finds himself in a similar position this month as he was left in over the summer. Having completed a host of key first team signings early in the window - Richarlison, Yves Bissouma, Clement Lenglet and Ivan Perisic - there was room for some different targets for the rest of the summer.
Spurs turned to another attacking midfielder to bolster the support from deep but couldn't secure Nicolo Zaniolo or James Maddison, their primary options. It left Conte slightly short-changed in areas of the field, especially after a host of late loan deals away saw Tanguy Ndombele, Giovani Lo Celso, Harry Winks and Joe Rodon all leave.
Although these players hadn't made much impact under the Italian they are nevertheless useful squad players and Conte explained towards deadline day in August that incomings would be needed if players went the other way. He said, "We're okay. But if someone goes away, for sure another player has to come. Especially if some players want to go to play regularly."
