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Emma de Duve

Antonio Conte has problems to solve at Tottenham before new arrivals can make an impact

Antonio Conte will need to solve some problems with his current squad before looking to the future with potential new arrivals.

Tottenham made two signings on deadline day of the January transfer window, welcoming Dejan Kulusevski and Rodrigo Bentancur from Juventus.

Spurs also saw some outgoings, with Tanguy Ndombele, Giovani Lo Celso and Bryan Gil all going out on loan, while Dele Alli made a permanent move to Everton.

The Lilywhites will now have their sights set on their next fixture - an FA Cup tie against Brighton - and will then look forward to finishing the season strongly.

The Tottenham players have returned to Hotspur Way, aside from Bentancur who is still on international duty with Uruguay and will be preparing for the week ahead.

football.london takes a look at what Conte needs to focus on in the final months of this campaign.

Help new arrivals make immediate impact

The Italian wanted a right wing-back, striker and central midfielder during the January transfer window but the only position secured was the latter.

Kulusevski can play in a number of attacking roles but isn't the out and out striker that Harry Kane is, whilst Bentancur does fulfil that central midfield role.

Now that the former Juventus duo have signed for the north London club, Conte will hope they can have an immediate impact on his current squad.

Tottenham have been lacking creativity in the middle of the field and suffered with injuries, so if the new arrivals can take to the Italian's managerial methods and slot into the starting XI quickly, they could indicate why the winter window was a success.

Strengthen fringe players

On a number of occasions so far this season it has been clear that there is a big gap between Spurs' strongest line-up and the second XI.

The likes of Harry Winks, Eric Dier and Ben Davies are just a few of the players that have already seen improvements under Conte.

However, Joe Rodon, Japhet Tanganga and Matt Doherty have struggled to get into the regular starting side and when they have, haven't taken their opportunity to consistently impress.

The Lilywhites still have games against Burnley, Arsenal and Brighton to be rescheduled, amongst an already busy fixture schedule.

Tottenham have already had to deal with a number of injury issues and although when these absentees return the starting XI will be given a boost, these fringe players need to step-up so that they are ready to make an impact when called upon.

Juventus duo Rodrigo Bentancur and Dejan Kulusevski were Tottenham's only signings of the January transfer window (Photo by Daniele Badolato - Juventus FC/Juventus FC via Getty Images)

Top four battle and even some silverware?

The Lilywhites are currently seventh in the Premier League, two points off fourth place Man United and with two games in hand.

Aside from Manchester City, their four league fixtures in February are against teams below them in the table.

That isn't to say the 52-year-old will expect easy wins from the matches, but it is a good chance to try and get some more points on the table in the battle for a top four spot.

Spurs haven't won a trophy in almost 14 years and there is hope that Conte can be the man to end the silverware drought.

Tottenham have now confirmed that they are not appealing their exit out of the Europa Conference League, which will give them one less competition to think about in the final few months of the season.

However, they do still have some chance of trophy success this season, in the form of the FA Cup, with their next fixture in the competition on Saturday.

Finishing in the top four will not only take Spurs back to a place they haven't been for the last two seasons but will also secure them European football next season, while winning a trophy alongside that would top it all off.

Prepare for the summer

Tottenham have been known for doing transfers at the end of the window and the January one was no different, with all of their business being done on deadline day (apart from some departures of academy players).

However, Conte had already been in charge for two months ahead of the transfer window and you would expect that after he had made his evaluations, potential targets for incomings would be set.

That isn't to say that every player a club targets will make the move, but the final months of the season could allow some more advanced planning from Fabio Paratici.

If Spurs have a clear idea of what positions they need an upgrade and who they want to fill those positions, they can try and have a busier window by securing deals earlier.

For now, Conte will hope his two new arrivals can settle in whilst he strengthens his squad with the current players he has, in order to finish in a strong position in May.

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