There has been an awful lot of talk surrounding Tottenham Hotspur since the end of the 2021-22 season, with many believing that their qualification for the Champions League could be decisive in building a squad to compete for the Premier League title in 2022-23.
Spurs aren’t likely to be prominent in the betting, much like the Philadelphia Eagles regarding the NFL expert picks. However, we could see them impressing throughout the upcoming season, but could they close the gap on Liverpool and Manchester City enough to force a title run?
Conte A Natural Winner
Coaching is such a massive part of professional sport, and the Antonio Conte effect at Spurs could be as much a deciding factor as it is when making NFL predictions this season. Spurs easily have one of the best managers in the league with the Italian in the dugout, and it could be argued that without Conte last season, Spurs wouldn’t have been playing Champions League football in 2022-23.
The Italian has won trophies wherever he has been throughout his career, including top-flight domestic titles with Chelsea, Juventus, and Inter Milan. Therefore, the fact that he is the manager at Spurs will immediately see the club have leading chances for silverware this term.
He wasted little time in building the squad in his image with the signings of Dejan Julusevski and Rodrigo Bentancur in January. That work has continued over the summer months already.
Important Summer Business Already Conducted
It’s fair to say that Spurs are still in the market for more players this summer, but their business has already put a marker down for the season ahead. Ivan Perisic arrived at Spurs from Inter Milan, and his qualities will be no surprise to Conte, as the two previously worked together at the Italian club. However, the signing of Yves Bissouma from Brighton could turn out to be one of their most significant moves this summer.
The Seagulls midfielder had been linked with a host of Premier League clubs, but Spurs were able to wrap up the deal for £25 million, which was significantly less than Brighton was asking for in January.
Bissouma will likely play a huge role in the middle of the park for Spurs throughout the 2022-23 season, and he will offer Conte something slightly different from the midfielders that the club already has in that area.
What Else Do Spurs Need To Mount A Challenge?
Just like when making NFL picks, no team is ever perfect. There will be moving with the Spurs before the end of the transfer market, with players coming in and stars departing.
Harry Winks and Steven Bergwijn are two players that look set to depart Conte’s side this summer, and the North London giants remain in the market for more stars to enhance their chances of mounting a title challenge in the upcoming season.
Given how productive the front line of Harry Kane, Heung Min Son, and Kulusevski was last season, it would appear that this will be the front three to lead the Spurs into action next season.
However, defensively, there is certainly room for improvement. Perisic looks like a solid signing to play at left wing-back for Conte, but Spurs have been heavily linked with a number of other defensive options.
Djed Spence from Middlesbrough is one player that looks set to join Spurs before the deadline after the 21-year-old impressed on loan at Nottingham Forest last season. Spence played 39 times for the Premier League newcomers, and scored twice, and would certainly fit the bill for what Conte will be looking for when it comes to a right wing-back.
A central defender will also rank high on the targets that Conte will be looking to bring in, and Spurs have been muted with a move for Ajax’s Lisandro Martinez. However, Conte could face competition to get that deal over the line with both Manchester United and Arsenal also interested.