Much was made of Tottenham's fearsome front three last season but Antonio Conte had also worked his magic across the backline. Looking rather shaky and conceding some sloppy goals prior to his arrival at the start of November, the Spurs head coach knew things had to change if they were to contest for a Champions League place.
Robbed of Cristian Romero for three months due to a hamstring injury sustained on international duty in November, the player's return to the pitch at the start of February resulted in an upturn in form and the team just kicked on from there to finish fourth. Romero excelled in his first campaign at the club and demonstrated why Fabio Paratici was so intent on luring him to N17 from Atalanta by delivering some huge performances at the back.
Eric Dier received plenty of plaudits after a terrific season at the centre of the back three, with Ben Davies also playing an integral part after moving from his left-back role to the left of the three-man defence. Given how the backline finished the 2021/22 campaign, it may seem like a pretty straightforward decision when it comes to who starts in defence on the opening weekend against Southampton.
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However, that may not be the case now with Tottenham closing in on a season-long loan deal for Barcelona's Clement Lenglet. Spurs hope the defender will complete his medical in the next 24 hours and sign prior to the squad leaving on Saturday for their pre-season tour of South Korea.
Now set to have a good month with Conte, the coaching staff and his new teammates ahead of the Southampton fixture, the France international will be looking to change the Italian's thinking and make the position on the left of the back three his own. The 27-year-old, who has 15 international caps for France, also gives Tottenham further options as he can play in the middle of defence.
Even if he isn't a certain starter in defence, opportunities will be there for Lenglet, and Davinson Sanchez for that matter, due to their versatility and the amount of games coming up across four competitions next season. It's not exactly clear what will happen with both Joe Rodon and Japhet Tanganga ahead of the summer transfer deadline, though.
The former looks a certainty to depart due to a lack of game time at Spurs, something he desperately needs on a weekly basis ahead of the 2022 World Cup that commences in November. Paratici and Tottenham just need to determine whether the Wales international leaves on loan or permanently.
In terms of Tanganga, the player, as is the case most summers, has been linked with a switch to Italy. The dilemma facing both Paratici and Conte is what is best for the club and what is best for the player.
A season away on loan could be exactly what he needs to hit the next level, as was the case with Oliver Skipp's transformative loan spell at Norwich City. Spurs cannot leave themselves too short, however, and the 23-year-old is a very handy player for Conte to have in his squad due to his ability to play across the backline and also at right wing-back.
If one of the duo or potentially both go then it could lead to Paratici looking to bring in an additional centre-back as Conte has made it clear previously that he would like two players for each position. One player Spurs will be hopeful of completing a deal for is Middlesbrough's Djed Spence.
Outstanding on loan at Nottingham Forest last campaign as he helped them win promotion to the top flight, the England U21 international will give Tottenham another quality option at right wing-back if they can strike a deal with Boro for his services. Chris Wilder's team have a price in mind for the player but one club is going to have to make a compromise at some point as agreeing on a deal has proved to be extremely tricky so far.
The addition of Spence could push Emerson Royal towards the exit door one year after his move from Barcelona. Emerson has struggled in Conte's system as he is not a wing-back by trade and the boss really does need a natural for the position to compete with Matt Doherty for a starting spot.
On the opposite flank, Tottenham have made a shrewd acquisition in Ivan Perisic after his Inter Milan contract expired this summer. A player Conte knows extremely well following their time together at the San Siro, the Croat will hand Spurs an upgrade at left wing-back due to his experience in the game and also the excellent numbers he chipped in with for the Nerazzurri.
Ryan Sessegnon did appear to nudge ahead of Sergio Reguilon in the final few months of last season, thus raising question marks over the Spaniard before the transfer deadline. The wing-backs in Conte's XI are so important to his system working and it could potentially flourish with Perisic already in through the door and Spence potentially set to follow.
Tottenham are making big moves in the transfer market this summer and Conte could have his dream backline to work with come the close of the summer window. Extremely impressive at the back in the final few months of last campaign, they could hit another level in 2022/23 thanks to their business in the market.
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