Fabio Paratici and Antonio Conte have work to do in the Tottenham camp as they enter the final week of the transfer window and have to cope with another international break.
Spurs lost their first Premier League match under Conte when they took a trip to Stamford Bridge on Sunday, losing to Chelsea for the third time this calendar year.
The Lilywhites now sit seventh in the table, but are just two points behind fourth-placed Manchester United with two games in hand.
The January transfer window will close in a week and football.london takes a look at Tottenham's to-do list in the run-up to deadline day and ahead of their return to fixtures.
Get incomings through the door
Spurs have been linked with a number of players throughout the window, with Conte wanting a new right wing-back, central midfielder and striker as priority incomings.
Adama Traore, Franck Kessie and Weston McKennie are just a few of the players that have been linked with a move to N17, with football.london understanding that the latter has an admirer in Paratici and talks have been continuing with Spurs and Wolves over a Traore deal.
However, the Tottenham boss did give a very honest verdict about the transfer window for his new side.
"I am only focused to work until the end, we have four months to try and give everything, but if we think we solve the situation with the transfer market, it is not the reality," he admitted after the Chelsea defeat on Sunday. "You need many years, but for sure we have to start."
This honesty puts into perspective this 'rebuild' that has been spoken about so much for the Lilywhites and that a few fresh faces won't solve all their problems.
However, with up and down performances producing various results in recent games, it has become clear that Tottenham are lacking creativity with their strongest XI and massively lacking quality in the depth of their squad, meaning a couple of fresh faces should be a priority.
Move players on
With potential rumoured incomings also comes talks of outgoings and after Conte made his evaluations of his current players just a few weeks ago, some of his thoughts may already be clear.
Tanguy Ndombele, Giovani Lo Celso and Dele Alli were all left out of the matchday squad against Thomas Tuchel's side and have all been linked with moves away from N17.
Ndombele hasn't featured in the squad since he walked off in a stadium full of boos when Spurs beat Morecambe in the FA Cup.
Lo Celso and Dele have both struggled to find their strongest position in Conte's setup and when given the chance, just haven't found consistent good form.
There has been interest from Paris Saint-Germain for the Frenchman, which would mean a reunion with former Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino.
football.london understands that Sevilla could be interested in the Argentine international, with Dele being linked with a move to Newcastle.
The trio are not the only players who have been rumoured as potential outgoing, as Japhet Tanganga, Matt Doherty and Joe Rodon have all also been linked to other clubs, which could be dependent on which of their teammates leave and who, if anyone, joins.
Get injured players fit
As with every club, Tottenham have had to deal with numerous injuries over the last few weeks and it was clear that some were missing in the game against Chelsea as Conte had to effectively start with six defensive players.
Eric Dier returned to the starting line-up against the Blues and he had been a big miss in the games he had missed, through injury, although he seemed to have heavy strapping on throughout the match.
Cristian Romero has had little game time under his new boss due to injury, but the Italian delivered some good news before the London derby.
"For sure, after the international break, he [Romero] can play, and that’s good news for us."
Son Heung-min has been another blow for the Lilywhites, although there is no concrete time frame for the South Korean's return.
"Sonny is not available, not yet. We have to wait," Conte admitted. "He’s recovering very well. I’m sure we will have to wait until after the international break."
The Italian will want to ensure he has as many players available to him as possible, after the break, to give Spurs every possible chance of having a successful final months of the season.
Work with players who are still in the capital
Not only is transfer window deadline day approaching but Tottenham also have a break in games, with their next fixture not being until February 5 when they play Brighton in the FA Cup.
With only a few of their players jetting off for international duty, it gives Conte some much needed time to work with most of his squad.
football.london understands that the 52-year-old promised his players some time off if they beat Leicester on Wednesday, which they did with their stoppage time comeback at the King Power Stadium.
They didn't get to add any extra days to this time off, after the defeat at Stamford Bridge but the players are likely to appreciate a bit of a break, after a busy schedule in recent weeks.
However once the Lilywhites return to the capital, Conte is likely to get them straight back to the hard work, ready for yet more busy times ahead.
There are some big decisions to be made by the likes of Daniel Levy and Fabio Paratici in the next week, as the transfer window comes to a close.
It will then be up to the Italian to work with the squad he will have and lead his side to as much success as possible, in the run-up to the end of the season.
