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Emma de Duve

Sanchez stays, Ndombele exit - Who Tottenham should keep and sell during the transfer window

It has been a busy start to the summer transfer window for Tottenham and one that has pleasantly surprised many. Spurs announced their fourth signing on Friday morning, as Richarlison has made the move to N17, on a five-year deal.

The Brazilian making the move to north London followed the signings of Ivan Perisic, Fraser Forster and Yves Bissouma. Antonio Conte led his side to a fourth place finish last season which not only will be a boost to the current squad, it is also likely to encourage players to make the move to the capital.

There is plenty more business that could be done at Spurs, with the likes of Djed Spence and Clement Lenglet being heavily linked. However there is also a need for outgoings.

READ MORE: Antonio Conte must answer three questions to find ultimate transfer window success at Tottenham

Conte needs to go into next season with the strongest squad possible and if some of his current players aren't in his plans for next season, an exit is likely to be what is best. Many players will be hoping for regular game time in the next campaign, in the run-up to the World Cup and if the Italian can't offer them that, they may also want a move away.

As pre-season approaches, football.london takes a look at the players Tottenham should keep and sell this summer.

Keep

With Spurs' solid end to the season, Conte is likely to want to keep the large majority of his squad, so he can continue building and improving on the successes of last season. This will be helped by the tough pre-season that is expected, in preparation for a big 2022/23 campaign.

Although the 52-year-old wants to change the mentality of there being a set XI at Tottenham, the regular starters from last season are likely to be some of those who remain in N17. Hugo Lloris and the back line of Ben Davies, Eric Dier and Cristian Romero won't be going anywhere.

There may be new arrivals to compete for their spots, but they were key parts of the squad last season and that isn't likely to change. There has been much talk over defensive moves but I think Conte should keep Davinson Sanchez and Japhet Tanganga, despite both being linked with exits.

The latter's injury kept him out for a big chunk of the season but before that, he showed he can be a reliable and versatile player. Sanchez stepped in when needed last season and finished off the 2021/22 campaign well, so I think it would be most beneficial for him to continue working with the Italian, in N17.

Wing-backs are crucial in Conte's system, which was highlighted last season. Perisic has joined as a someone who can play on the left flank and Spence looks as though he could make the move to north London and play as a right wing-back.

If this is the case, it is likely that one player from each role will be moved on. Matt Doherty and Ryan Sessegnon both produced some solid performances last season and were just let down by their injuries.

Sessegnon will learn a lot from the Croatian and if Spence does make the move, Doherty will be able to help in his development and therefore both should remain at Tottenham.

The midfield and attack speaks for itself, in terms of who should and will stick around.

Pierre Emile Hojbjerg's future was questioned, with some rumours of an exit but football.london understands the club has no intention of selling the Dane. Rodrigo Bentancur made an instant impact, after his move in January and Conte will hope that can continue next season.

Another who had bad luck with injury was Oliver Skipp. football.london understands the academy graduate has now fully recovered from his pelvic injury and has already begun his pre-season training, so he will be another the Italian is expecting big things from.

Tottenham's front three of Harry Kane, Son Heung-min and Dejan Kulusevski were a dangerous attacking trio, especially in the latter stages of the 2021/22 campaign. Producing goals and assists for the Spurs side, none of them will be going anywhere.

Sell

Now onto the selling side of things. Spurs' £150million investment from ENIC, of which they have withdrawn £100million, will massively help in the buying of players.

This budget can be added to by selling some of the current players and this is also needed for Conte to start the season with a strong, cohesive squad. Some players will find themselves going out on loan but for others, their time at Tottenham is likely to come to an end.

Harry Winks and Steven Bergwijn have probably been the two who have been most heavily linked with exits so far. The latter expressed his want to leave this summer and it was only last October that Winks said he wants to be playing regular football.

The England international was heavily linked with a move to Everton, with a potential swap deal for Richarlison being on the cards, but those rumours have died down. Bergwijn looks as if he could be leaving London for Amsterdam, with a move to Ajax seemingly most likely.

Both struggled with regular game time at Tottenham last season and it would seem a move away is what is best for both of their careers. As mentioned above, it is likely that a wing-back on either side will be sold, if Spurs secure a deal for a new right wing-back.

Emerson Royal and Sergio Reguilon struggled to adapt from their full-back role, under Nuno Espirito Santo, to the crucial wing-back position under Conte. The duo did improve as the season went on, stepping in for their injured teammates, however they struggled to consistently make the required impact.

Therefore both could see an end to their Tottenham chapters this summer. football.london has reported that the club are likely to listen to offers for both players, although it is believed that neither are keen on leaving.

Two players who may make a move away just as they return, are Tanguy Ndombele and Giovani Lo Celso. Both were struggling to get regular game time and fit into Conte's system, so went out on loan in January.

The Argentine found some success with Villarreal but Ndombele's return to Lyon didn't go as well as he would've hoped. The duo will return to Hotspur Way to link-up with the Spurs players, but only time will tell how long for.

Neither player was making the required impact when Conte first came in. The Italian has now had time to work with his Tottenham squad, having a big influence on the team and helping them improve.

Spurs have already signed four players who the 52-year-old will believe can help develop his squad further. Therefore, will there be any room for Lo Celso or Ndombele to find their way back into the team, if they struggled to when Conte first came in?

This could depend on a number of factors and if the Tottenham boss doesn't see either player in his plans for next season, the club will have to see what offers they can get for the duo. I think it could be best for the sake of their own careers, to move on permanently.

Let us know the Tottenham players you would like to keep or sell below:

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