Fabio Paratici has plenty more work to do at Tottenham this summer after making a start on the club's much-needed rebuild. Bringing seven new players to north London in total in the past two transfer windows, supporters will once again be hoping for a number of additions to help Antonio Conte's squad hit the next level.
Outgoings will also be on the agenda this summer as the head coach looks to shape his Tottenham squad in their quest to win major honours. So what exactly does the future hold for the current defenders at Tottenham? football.london takes a look and delivers a verdict on the 11 players.
Matt Doherty
Doherty's season-ending knee injury really has come at the worst possible time for him after finally finding his stride for Tottenham. A regular at right wing-back since February after replacing Emerson Royal in the team, the Republic of Ireland international has chipped in with goals and assists.
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Amid previous talk of him exiting in either January or the summer going on his previous struggles, he has done more than enough recently to show that he should be part of the Tottenham squad going forward. It remains to be seen if he will be first choice next campaign, though.
Verdict: Keep
Emerson Royal
Emerson may have only joined from Barcelona last summer but he has been linked with a move away come the end of the season. Atletico Madrid have been mentioned, with the right-back revealing in an interview with Cadena SER that he is aware of their interest.
Right wing-back was a priority position for Spurs in January and Conte and Paratici could look to strengthen there before the summer deadline. If indeed the Lilywhites do manage to bring in a new right wing-back, it could result in Emerson moving on.
Verdict: Sell
Cristian Romero
Joining from Atlanta on a season-long loan deal at the start of August, Romero has made an instant impression during his first campaign in north London. Spurs have really kicked on since his return to the team from his three-month injury layoff and the good thing is that he's only going to get even better.
As the loan agreement came with an option - not obligation - to buy for £42.5million, it really is a no-brainer for the club after a tremendous first season.
Verdict: Sign permanently
Eric Dier
Dier may have his doubters but he has proved a lot of people wrong over the course of the season. He has been excellent at the heart of defence and Conte has waxed lyrical about him.
His importance to the backline can be seen by the upturn in form since his return from injury in February.
Verdict: Keep
Ben Davies
Davies is another who has had his critics in the past but you cannot question how well he's done since taking on the role of left-sided centre-back in Conte's back three. He has thrived there and demonstrated to everyone that he is such a good defender.
A new left-sided centre-back is a summer transfer priority for Tottenham and it will be interesting to see if Davies keeps his position in the three-man defence in 2022/23.
Verdict: Keep
Davinson Sanchez
Sanchez has found opportunities in the Spurs first team extremely hard to come by of late given the form of Conte's first-choice backline. The Colombian has had a steady season when he has played and performed well a number of times.
However, he's just going to be a back-up option for the head coach now unless he gets his chance in the team and performs so well that he cannot be dropped.
Verdict: Keep
Joe Rodon
Game time has been few and far between for Rodon in 2021/22 with the Welshman only appearing in eight games for the Lilywhites. As a move away didn't come to fruition in January, the 24-year-old needs to depart Spurs in the summer in order to play week in, week out.
Tottenham then need to decide if they part with the player either on loan or on a permanent deal. The former may be the better option as Rodon has proved when playing for Wales that he is a very good defender and that Spurs have an excellent player on their hands.
Verdict: Loan
Japhet Tanganga
Injury has once again impacted Tanganga's season and left him on the sidelines for an extended period of time. Impressing at the start of the campaign when playing as a right-back under Nuno Espirito Santo, the England U21 international has also had plenty of opportunities with Conte at the helm.
As he is likely to once again play a bit-part role next season, a loan move may be best for both parties to help him play regularly and develop as was the case with Oliver Skipp when he spent a season with Norwich City. However, that may all come down to Spurs' summer transfer plans and how much cover they have in the position.
Verdict: Loan if enough cover
Cameron Carter-Vickers
Carter-Vickers departed Tottenham for the seventh time on loan last summer when he linked up with Celtic on a season-long loan deal. The 24-year-old has been a major hit at Celtic Park and they will be doing all they can to sign him permanently.
The Scottish giants do in fact have a clause in their deal to make his move permanent and football.london understands the clause is believed to be £6million, with the fee possibly rising as high as £10m with future add-ons. Carter-Vickers needs to move on permanently for the sake of his career and this could be the summer he departs for good.
Verdict: Sell
Ryan Sessegnon
Missing a decent amount of games in the opening few months of the season through injury, Sessegnon has taken his chance when it has come his way so far in 2022. The ex-Fulham man started in six successive games for the Lilywhites and Conte's comments did seem to indicate that Sergio Reguilon had a lot to do in order to win back his place.
Dealt another injury blow at the start of March after picking up a hamstring problem against Everton, Sessegnon, who returned to the squad last weekend, will now be intent on keeping Reguilon out of the team again. He's certainly done enough to ensure he remains at Tottenham next season.
Verdict: Keep
Sergio Reguilon
A left-back by trade, Reguilon is now trying to adapt to his new wing-back role under Conte. Sessegnon may be the player out of the two more suited to the position but the head coach has two good options to choose from.
Having joined from Real Madrid in 2020, the La Liga giants do have a clause in their contract to buy Reguilon back and that would in turn see Spurs make a healthy profit of around £15million. The clause is only active for this summer after they failed to take up the option in 2021, thus meaning Reguilon's Spurs future may depend on Real's transfer plans.
Verdict: Keep
