It won't be long at all until the January transfer window opens for business once again. Now at the start of November, in less than two months clubs will be able to strengthen their squads for the second part of the campaign.
Usually a difficult window for teams to deal in with limited players available and clubs wanting big money, January 2023 is going to be rather interesting as the World Cup could have a big impact on transfers. football.london understands that after improving the quantity of the Tottenham squad in the summer, they will focus purely on improving the quality of it at the turn of the year.
So what exactly do Tottenham need to do in January for Conte? football.london takes a look.
READ MORE: Every word Antonio Conte said on Son surgery, Kulusevski return and one problem with Bentancur
Incomings
Kulusevski alternative
Dejan Kulusevski's recent injury has highlighted the need for Fabio Paratici and Tottenham to try and find an alternative to the Swede. His absence has been felt since September's international break as Spurs really do lack the creativity he brings to the side when he is missing.
Not having someone to come in and directly replace Kulusevski on the wing has proved rather costly with Tottenham missing out on some crucial points in the process. As Bryan Gil could leave on loan in January to get regular minutes elsewhere, Spurs need to find a creative player who can operate out wide to give Conte more choice and adequate cover in case injury strikes again.
Attack-minded midfielder
The lack of options up front in recent weeks has seen Conte switch to a 3-5-2 formation at times rather than persisting with his usual 3-4-3 setup. While the likes of Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and Rodrigo Bentancur have chipped in with a number of important goals and assists, Spurs lack a creative midfielder in the mould of a Christian Eriksen to get on the ball and make things happen in the final third.
Conte has gone with three players who all possess similar attributes when he has opted for a midfield three as he is missing an attack-minded one to help out Harry Kane and co. Although a 3-5-2 isn't his formation of choice at Tottenham, having an attacking midfielder capable of operating in a three certainly wouldn't hurt for when he does decide to mix things up.
Centre-back
Tottenham may want to look at bringing in another centre-back in January to bolster their options across the backline. Despite having plenty of cover in defence as things stand despite Joe Rodon's loan exit, Conte maybe doesn't have an alternative to Eric Dier, thus explaining why the England international has only dropped to the bench once this season.
Clement Lenglet has shown he is more than capable of playing in the middle in the past two games, with Cristian Romero and Davinson Sanchez also able to cover there if needed. However, a new signing brought in to play the central role in the back three and compete with Dier would see Conte have Romero and Sanchez doing likewise on the right and Lenglet and Ben Davies the same on the left.
React to World Cup injuries
A number of Tottenham players in World Cup contention have suffered injuries ahead of the tournament that have raised questions about their participation in Qatar. Injuries will also occur during the tournament, which in turn could potentially give a number of clubs some real issues once league action resumes.
If injuries do hit those Spurs players playing at the World Cup then Tottenham will need to react in the transfer market if there are any lengthy absences. It's not an ideal situation for clubs to be in this January but there's a good chance some are unfortunately going to have to look at bringing in cover once the window reopens.
Outgoings
Fringe players go
A handful of Tottenham players have had to make do with limited minutes so far this season, including Japhet Tanganga. Looking likely to head off at the end of the summer window for regular football elsewhere, the academy graduate instead remained in N17 with a move not coming his way.
Playing a grand total of 17 minutes in his one Tottenham appearance this campaign, the 23-year-old needs to depart for the sake of his career after limited playing time in previous seasons. Bryan is another one who would also benefit from a switch elsewhere as minutes have been extremely rare for him this season.
Although his pitch time has increased of late, the Spaniard just isn't going to get the minutes he wants at Tottenham and a loan move could do wonders for his game, as was the case when he linked up with Valencia last January.
Spence decision
Signed from Middlesbrough in July, Djed Spence has only made three Premier League appearances for Tottenham since his switch. The 22-year-old hasn't had long on the pitch either as he has been brought on in the dying minutes of all three games.
A player who Conte clearly sees as someone for the future, a January loan to a fellow Premier League club would do wonders for him and put him in an excellent position to kick on under the Spurs boss in 2023/24. Just not getting a look in at present with Emerson Royal and Matt Doherty ahead of him in the pecking order, a loan deal may be best for all parties come the turn of the year.
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