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Get Kane scoring, transfer decisions, and Ndombele work - Conte's to-do list

talksport.com, 9 November 2021, 09:34
A tepid 0-0 draw with Everton kicked off Antonio Conte's Premier League career with Tottenham and he'll now know just how much hard work is on his plate.

Spurs didn't manage a shot on target in the whole match, despite some promising possession and positions.

What will please him is that his defence looks a lot sturdier than it did against Europa League opponents Vitesse Arnhem, which shows his effort is getting rewards already.

Now, though, the Italian has two weeks to get those members of his squad who are not on international duty up to speed.

He's got to whip the current team into shape and also make decisions, alongside managing director of football Fabio Paratici and chairman Daniel Levy.

But what are the most pressing issues he needs to deal with in N17? talkSPORT.com takes a look.

Figure out how to get Harry Kane scoring again

Just one goal in 10 Premier League games is, quite frankly, a terrible return for the England captain.

He's been poor, but not all the blame can be put at his door.

The service he's had has also been of an inadequate standard and Conte must work on getting the centre-forward into goalscoring locations where the ball will get to him.

This will most likely revolve around wheter Spurs play a three-man frontline, or two men up top with a creative central midfielder.

If that doesn't work, it's time to think about a radical change…

Work out where to create from

Spurs just aren't carving clear-cut chances at the moment and in the coming weeks, Conte needs to decide where the focus of their attacks will be.

With the move to a back-three, there was more focus on wing-play against Everton and just 28 per cent of attacks went throught the middle of the pitch, while the majority, 44 per cent, were down the left.

Under Nuno this season there was wild oscilation game-to-game, suggest no true attacking identity.

Emerson Royal and Sergio Reguilon look like being vital for Conte at wing-back but Spurs also need central thrust, which is hard to come by with a two-man midfield of Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and Oliver Skipp.

Get Tanguy Ndombele and Giovani Lo Celso up to speed

Neither have started Conte's first two games, which might say a lot about where their future currently lies.

Spurs look better with Ndombele but fitting him into a midfield two isn't realistic right now.

However, with some work on the training pitch, both could yet force their way into the team.

Skipp is banned for their clash with Leeds on November 21 and with the only other option Harry Winks, Conte could opt to start both in a vibrant central midfield trio with Hojbjerg holding.

Get it right in the next two weeks and it could be and exciting season ahead.

Figure out which left-footed centre-back to sign

Thanks to Conte's arrival, Ben Davies is now likely to be a key figure for Spurs in the next few months.

Unfortunately, as he showed by failing to track Cristiano Ronaldo against Manchester United, he's no longer able to compete at a high level.

In fact, signing a left-fooded centre-back is likely to be the biggest signing the Italian boss makes.

Sven Botman could be one of those targeted but perhaps concerningly, Stefan de Vrij, a right-footer seems the most wanted.

Improve the fitness of the squad

Spurs are already running more than before with five players clocking up more than 10km in the Everton game.

Against West Ham last month none did, but that now means their fitness will need to improves.

Conte would often substitute both his wing-backs at Inter Milan such was the intensity they played at.

These two weeks are the perfect time to get his whole squad fitter than ever before as they prepare for a gruelling 27-game Premier League run.

Decide who to sell

If Spurs are going to bring in the superstars that Conte wants, there will have to be outgoings.

With the Italian likely already favouring certain players, the likes of Steven Bergwijn look on thin ice, as well as Dele Alli, who failed to make the pitch against Everton.

There is the potential for one centre-back to leave as a left-sided star comes in and Joe Rodon could at least leave on loan.

Meanwhile, if Conte wants a central midfielder more suited to his style, one of Lo Celso, Ndombele, or Harry Winks could also be off.

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