The 2021/22 season didn't finish long ago and talk has already turned to the next campaign. The Premier League fixtures for the 2022/23 season came out on Thursday, and Tottenham will have to deal with a busy schedule next season.
Before the first day of the season comes around, Spurs will want to continue the business they have already started in the summer transfer window. Antonio Conte has already been boosted with the signing of two players, before the window even opened.
Fraser Forster made the move to N17 as Hugo Lloris' backup. Ivan Perisic also made the move to the capital on a free deal, with both signing two-year contracts.
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With the busy fixture schedule, Conte will need to rotate his squad, to avoid injury. This may mainly come in the cup competitions but it is a key reason why the Italian needs improvements in the depth of his squad.
Just a few weeks before what is set to be a tough pre-season and only a couple of months before the opening day of the season, football.london takes a look at how Conte could line-up his Spurs side, against Southampton.
Forster's arrival doesn't really change anything in goal, as Lloris will still be the No.1 shot stopper next season. However, the former Saints keeper will be on hand to step in when required.
The back line saw great improvement under Conte, especially in the final stretch of the season. The trio of Cristian Romero, Eric Dier and Ben Davies did face their fair share of injuries, which meant the likes of Davinson Sanchez had to step-in, but when they were all fit they showed how solid they could be.
It was Romero's first season in the Premier League but he clearly showed why he had been the Serie A defender of the year. His aggression in challenges and calmness on the ball made him a key part of Conte's back three.
Dier and Davies also showed massive improvement after the Italian's arrival, with the former making a real case to be included in Gareth Southgate's England squad ahead of the World Cup. However, the Welsh international will have to work hard to keep his spot Spurs' regular XI.
Davies will have competition if Fabio Paratici secures a deal for a new left-sided centre-back this summer, which Spurs are on the hunt for. Josko Gvardiol is one player that is on Tottenham's radar, with the defender making 28 Bundesliga appearances last season, scoring two goals and registering as many assists.
If the 20-year-old did make the move to N17, there would likely be rotation between the Croatian and his competitor, but Conte may look to give his new arrival minutes in the first game.
The middle four could also see major changes this summer. The Italian heavily relies on wing-backs in his 3-4-3/3-5-2 system and although there were improvements, not all of his options in this role were meeting the expectations. Both Emerson Royal and Sergio Reguilon's futures in the capital seem uncertain - the latter's in particular with the arrival of Perisic.
The former Inter Milan man has bags of experience in various leagues and brings a winning mentality, both of which will be key qualities in the Tottenham dressing room. There is also hope that the Croat can act as a mentor for Ryan Sessegnon. But, again, on the opening day Conte may give the nod to the newbie.
The central midfield duo will become a real battle, with Oliver Skipp's return from injury, as well as at least one expected arrival. Yves Bissouma is set to seal a transfer to Tottenham in the coming days, and will become the Lilywhites' fourth signing of the summer.
Pierre Emile Hojbjerg had built up a good relationship with January arrival Rodrigo Bentancur after the Uruguayan's arrival, so it will be interesting to see which midfield partnership Conte goes for on the opening day. However, with the Dane's experience in the Spurs squad and need to help new arrivals settle in, the Italian may opt for half new and half old.
Djed Spence had a solid season on loan from Middlesbrough at Nottingham Forest last season, and helped them secure promotion to the Premier League. football.london understand that the wing-back favours a move to Spurs and it is just about the two clubs agreeing on a price.
Matt Doherty spent the last stretch of the season out with injury. However, there would be hope he could return for the tough pre-season.
If Royal makes a move away from N17, there will be another battle on the right-hand side and more rotation expected. It will all depend how ready Conte feels the 21-year-old is when the opening day of the season comes around, but he could get his debut.
As for the front three, it's unlikely there will be any changes on the opening day of the season barring injury. The likes of Gabriel Jesus, Richarlison and Allan Saint-Maximin have all been linked with moves to Tottenham.
However, with the threat that the attacking trio of Harry Kane, Son Heung-min and Dejan Kulusevski were creating - especially in the final couple of months of the season - it would take a lot for someone to come in and push one of the three out of the starting XI. Conte still needs forwards to allow him to make rotations when necessary, but it's not likely those changes will be made for the opening day of the season.
Tottenham's potential line up vs Southampton on August 6th: Lloris; Gvardiol, Dier, Romero; Perisic, Hojbjerg, Bissouma, Spence; Kulusevski, Kane, Son.
