Tottenham boss Antonio Conte has outlined the importance of signing players early in the summer to ensure they have a good pre-season with the team. Finishing fourth on the final day of last campaign to secure Champions League football after such an inconsistent start to the year, it was always going to be vital for Spurs to bring in some fresh faces to help them kick on.
Five players have signed on the dotted line so far, with Fraser Forster, Clement Lenglet, Ivan Perisic, Yves Bissouma and Richarlison all joining the Tottenham revolution. However, the Lilywhites aren't done in the transfer market just yet as they still require a new right wing-back and there could possibly be an area or two that the boss still believes needs addressing.
The Tottenham squad are now in South Korea for the club's first pre-season summer tour since 2019, with their first friendly coming against Team K League on Wednesday. Having four weeks until the Premier League opener against Southampton, time is one thing Conte and his coaching staff have with their new players.
READ MORE: Tottenham's first Korea training session: Who trained, who didn't, Perisic injury and Lenglet
"We lost two players, [Pierluigi] Gollini and [Steven] Bergwijn. For sure when a player goes away after last season, it's good always to tell them thanks for the commitment and attitude that they showed last season," the Italian said in an interview with SpursTV.
"For sure, now we are preparing for another season. I think it was important to sign new players early. In this way you can prepare, you can work at the start with these players, bring these players into our idea of football.
"Compared to the past, now for me, it's a bit easier because the team knows very well what I want. After seven months of work, we have a base and it will be very important to bring these new players into our idea of football and improve."
He added: "We are not starting from zero. We have a good base now. It will be important to accelerate the process for the new players and then to come into our idea. For sure in our week, we work."
Tottenham have made a real statement in the transfer market so far this summer, notably signing Richarlison in a £60million deal from Everton despite already boasting a fearsome front three. A deal that may have raised eyebrows due to the club's attacking options, Conte has explained why Spurs "need" a player like the Brazilian.
"We know very well his talent. We're talking about a striker that can play in every three positions in front. I like him," he admitted.
"He's strong mentally. It's not easy to play against him because in every...during the game he's always very strong. We need this type of player with great character. Strong physically but at the same time with good quality."
Perisic was the club's first summer signing as he joined on a free transfer from Inter Milan after his contract expired. He is a player the head coach knows very well from their time together at the San Siro.
"I know him very well," said the 52-year-old. "For sure, we're talking about a player who won a lot in the past. He played in important leagues, in Germany, in Italy, and also played a final of a World Cup.
"We're talking about a really good player, strong physically, good quality with both feet. He can give us a lot. I think he's a good signing for us."
Conte also knows Forster from having seen his sides come up against the experienced goalkeeper in the past. Forster will have a "particular role" as he will provide cover for No.1 Hugo Lloris, with the boss claiming the club made the "best choice" in signing the ex-Southampton man.
"Fraser, I knew him. I played in Champions League [against] Celtic with Juventus and I was impressed. We're talking about a really good 'keeper. He's a really good guy," said Conte.
"I've seen this week he came in really well into the dressing room. Because, for the second goalkeeper it's a particular role and you need to have a very positive second keeper all the season. We made the best choice for us."
Another player joining from a club on the south coast is Bissouma after a standout few years with Brighton & Hove Albion.
"He impressed us in these two [league] games, he played very well. But the whole season he played really well," explained the boss. "He's another important player we're adding to midfield."
Tottenham's fifth signing of the summer was confirmed on Friday with Lenglet leaving Barcelona and penning a season-long loan deal in N17. The French international may have endured a tough season at the Camp Nou but he is going to add to the Spurs squad with his experience at the top level.
"Another player that in the last two years, he played, he didn't play with Barcelona. He didn't play with the right continuity but for sure he can give us a lot of experience and personality," said Conte.
"He's good quality and then also I think with the three defenders he can give us more than to play with four at the back."
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