Your morning Tottenham digest on Saturday, December 31.
Conte on his best defence
Antonio Conte is still looking for extra defenders as Tottenham head into the January transfer window. They have struggled with consistency and injuries across the backline so far this season.
Japhet Tanganga found himself back in the line-up against Brentford alongside Eric Dier and Clement Lenglet but Conte explained his options, saying: "You know very well last season we played with Dier, Cuti and Ben Davies. On the bench was usually Japhet Tanganga and Davinson Sanchez and Joe Rodon. You know we sent Rodon to play and have more time this season and we made a substitution with Clement Lenglet.
"I think all these players have to be able to play and we work every day with all of these players. For sure there are moments when one player can be in good form and another maybe he needed a bit of rest to recover well, because maybe mentally he is a bit tired or physically.
READ MORE: Franck Kessie, Tete and Antonio Conte's two Tottenham January transfer window priorities
"But I trust in my players, you know very well that I trust in my players. We work with them every day to improve the situation."
Read the full story, here.
Updates on key duo
Conte revealed that new Argentine World Cup winner Cristian Romero is available for selection once more after missing the draw against Brentford earlier this week.
Romero played a key role in Lionel Scaloni's victorious run in Qatar after struggling with injury for his club before the tournament but there was good news on his front.
For Rodrigo Bentancur Conte said: "Rodrigo, I think we have to wait, maybe today he is going to have an MRI to try to have an evaluation about his injury," he said. "For sure tomorrow against Villa, he's not available. He had an injury in the World Cup and also the timing is more long than my expectation. This question is more for the medical department than me."
Read the full story, here.
Kessie bid
Tottenham have made an offer for Barcelona midfielder Franck Kessie as they look to bolster the squad in January. The Ivorian is ‘one of the players with the potential to leave the club’ according to Sport but will 'depend directly on a good offer’.
It is said that a €15million (£13million) offer has been made already but it is unknown as to how that bid has been received in Spain. Kessie was signed as a free agent from AC Milan before moving to Camp Nou.
Conte's summer window hasn't quite turned out as planned with a group of signings not yet hitting top form as the season approaches as key stage.
Read the full story, here.
READ NEXT:
Every word Antonio Conte said on Bentancur scan, Pape Sarr, his best back three and Lenglet loan
Antonio Conte gives Rodrigo Bentancur and Cristian Romero update ahead of Spurs vs Aston Villa
Tottenham's big Antonio Conte problem, Franck Kessie and the January transfer window
Franck Kessie, Tete and Antonio Conte's two Tottenham January transfer window priorities
Tottenham news: Sofyan Amrabat transfer latest as Alexis Mac Allister decision made
