As the summer transfer window looms, Tottenham are hoping to be given an added boost before the market opens. With Arsenal's defeat in the North London Derby followed by a loss to Newcastle at St James' Park, it means Antonio Conte's side effectively need just one point against an already-relegated Norwich on Sunday to secure Champions League football for next season.
Spurs got a vital point at Anfield, before their 3-0 victory against the Gunners and then went on to win in their final home game of the season at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium as a Harry Kane penalty proved enough to see of Burnley. The trip to Carrow Road may not be as easy as expected, with it being Norwich's final game in the Premier League and so one they will be hoping to win.
After the final day of the 2021/22 campaign, it will then be time for Conte to discuss with Fabio Paratici and Daniel Levy the business that needs to be done, to help continue improving the current Tottenham squad. The Italian has already had an influence on individuals and the team as a whole, but needs further upgrades to take his side to the next level.
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Reports have suggested that Conte may want as many as six new signings in the summer window. Levy has managed to get a world class manager in N17, but now needs to back the 52-year-old to help create the most successful squad possible.
Three former Tottenham players have all agreed that midfield is a key area that needs upgrading this summer. With the club confirming Oliver Skipp's injury would rule him out for the rest of the season in April, it left Conte with even fewer options in the middle of the pitch.
Harry Winks hasn't impressed enough to get regular game time and with Dele Alli's permanent move and Giovani Lo Celso and Tanguy Ndombele's loans in January, the Italian hasn't been left with many choices. Saying that, Pierre Emile Hojbjerg and Rodrigo Bentancur have been making an impact, playing week in and week out.
The latter has settled in well to his new side since his arrival from Juventus in January. Both players have had some mixed performances, but are making the required impact for Tottenham.
However, Ledley King believes the Spurs side could still do with another offensive midfielder, especially after losing a few in January. "I think the wing-back is something we'll be looking at and maybe an offensive midfield player," the Spurs legend said in an exclusive interview with football.london, on behalf of Bookmakers.com.
"We have Hojbjerg and Bentancur in there, two holding players, very good players at protecting the defence and keeping the ball. Maybe another offensive midfield option, it'll be interesting to see how it all plays out."
The likes of Paulo Dybala and Christian Eriksen have been amongst the names of potential targets for Tottenham. Eriksen's contract at Brentford ends in the summer so wouldn't cost the north London club a penny, for a player they know from previous experience can be so dangerous.
"I think that the way they play at the moment, the midfield that they have, [Pierre-Emile] Hojberg, [Rodrigo] Bentancur, or if it’s [Harry] Winks or whoever is kept, whoever is in there, they miss that creativity. The likes of Dybala or somebody who can come in and really change the dynamic of a football team," Alan Hutton told bettingexpert.
"So if they had that number 10 in the likes of Eriksen or Dybala, one of these types of players, they can change the way that they play. I think it would be a better team."
Former Tottenham man Eriksen has recently come out and said he, "would love to play Champions League football again," so if the Lilywhites can secure a spot inside the top four, that could give them an added boost if they decide to target Eriksen. Dybala is also out of contract in the summer, although he would be a difficult player for Paratici to secure, with competition from a number of other clubs.
There have been some controversial opinions on the leaders Spurs have in their squad. The likes of Harry Kane, Hugo Lloris, Eric Dier and even Ben Davies, who have all been at the club for a number of years, are seen as leaders both on and off the pitch.
Yet many still feel like they need more of those and that is something Teddy Sheringham has agreed with, especially in the middle of the pitch. "I think they need more leaders, without a doubt," Sheringham told football.london.
"Central midfield is definitely an area where you need to find that kingpin that's going to take you to another level." The 56-year-old went on to make a suggestion of the type of player Tottenham could do with.
"I know West Ham fans would probably go crazy but if you could get into the market for Declan Rice, that's the type of player you would be wanting to sign now because you're in fourth/fifth place and you want to go to the next level. To go to the next level you've got to pay big money and get the top players," the former striker added.
There are a number of areas that need improving in the Spurs side, to give Conte that extra quality in his regular line-up. However who the club look to bring in and how much Levy is willing to spend remains to be seen, although their options are likely to expand if they can secure that top-four spot.
