In this series, we will analyse teams,  identify problem areas, and suggest solutions  
In this series, we will analyse teams,  identify problem areas, and suggest solutions  

in the form of incoming players. We won’t follow  gossip, rumours or conjecture. We’re concerned  
in the form of incoming players. We won’t follow  gossip, rumours or conjecture. We’re concerned  

only with a player’s on-field performance and  their suitability for the role in question.
only with a player’s on-field performance and  their suitability for the role in question.

Today’s team is Tottenham Hotspur,  welcome to Sensible Transfers.
Today’s team is Tottenham Hotspur,  welcome to Sensible Transfers.

2021-22 was a success for Tottenham. Despite  arriving after the season began, Antonio Conte  
2021-22 was a success for Tottenham. Despite  arriving after the season began, Antonio Conte  

was able to guide the club back to the Champions  League and the reward for that will be a stronger  
was able to guide the club back to the Champions  League and the reward for that will be a stronger  

platform from which to recruit. And they’ll  have greater funds with which to do it, too:  
platform from which to recruit. And they’ll  have greater funds with which to do it, too:  

in a break with club policy, Spurs owners  ENIC announced a £150m capital increase  
in a break with club policy, Spurs owners  ENIC announced a £150m capital increase  

in late May, meaning that their transfer  budget is bigger than in many recent years.
in late May, meaning that their transfer  budget is bigger than in many recent years.

And that’s good, because there’s plenty to do.
And that’s good, because there’s plenty to do.

Some of their needs have already been fulfilled.  Conte’s football leans heavily on the influence  
Some of their needs have already been fulfilled.  Conte’s football leans heavily on the influence  

of wing-backs and he inherited a Tottenham squad  underpowered in that area. Matt Doherty found form  
of wing-backs and he inherited a Tottenham squad  underpowered in that area. Matt Doherty found form  

before getting injured, and Ryan Sessegnon and  Emerson Royal each finished the season well, but  
before getting injured, and Ryan Sessegnon and  Emerson Royal each finished the season well, but  

the department was still short on dynamism, speed  and tangible production. Between the four of them,  
the department was still short on dynamism, speed  and tangible production. Between the four of them,  

Conte’s wing-backs contributed just five goals  and ten assists last season and aesthetically,  
Conte’s wing-backs contributed just five goals  and ten assists last season and aesthetically,  

both flanks lacked the kind of influence and  ability that he’s profited from in the past.
both flanks lacked the kind of influence and  ability that he’s profited from in the past.

This has been addressed. Croatian veteran  Ivan Perisic has joined on a free-transfer  
This has been addressed. Croatian veteran  Ivan Perisic has joined on a free-transfer  

and Djed Spence, who won promotion from the  Championship while on-loan at Nottingham Forest,  
and Djed Spence, who won promotion from the  Championship while on-loan at Nottingham Forest,  

will be moving from Middlesbrough.
will be moving from Middlesbrough.

Spence is skilful, quick and likes to carry the  ball forward, either on the touchline or infield.  
Spence is skilful, quick and likes to carry the  ball forward, either on the touchline or infield.  

He’s also 6ft tall and while some questions  remain around his defensive positioning,  
He’s also 6ft tall and while some questions  remain around his defensive positioning,  

working under such a precise coach as  Antonio Conte will surely improve his game.  
working under such a precise coach as  Antonio Conte will surely improve his game.  

On the other side, despite being  33, Perisic remains an outstanding  
On the other side, despite being  33, Perisic remains an outstanding  

player whose attacking contribution will  greatly enhance Conte’s wing-back options,  
player whose attacking contribution will  greatly enhance Conte’s wing-back options,  

and who will bring a wealth of silverware  and experience with him to North London.
and who will bring a wealth of silverware  and experience with him to North London.

Conte has forged a capable three-man  defence from a trio of players he inherited:  
Conte has forged a capable three-man  defence from a trio of players he inherited:  

Cristian Romero on the right, Eric Dier  in the middle and Ben Davies on the left.
Cristian Romero on the right, Eric Dier  in the middle and Ben Davies on the left.

Davies performed well in his adapted position  in the second half of the season. The external  
Davies performed well in his adapted position  in the second half of the season. The external  

centre-backs in a three have a more dynamic role,  and are expected to contribute well ahead of the  
centre-backs in a three have a more dynamic role,  and are expected to contribute well ahead of the  

defensive line. Davies did this, carrying the  ball forward in an effective way, distributing  
defensive line. Davies did this, carrying the  ball forward in an effective way, distributing  

to a decent standard and – arguably – producing  some of the best form of his Tottenham career.
to a decent standard and – arguably – producing  some of the best form of his Tottenham career.

So, he’s definitely not a problem, but still  someone who can be upgraded. There are players  
So, he’s definitely not a problem, but still  someone who can be upgraded. There are players  

who could be more effective in advanced  areas. There are also better defenders, too.
who could be more effective in advanced  areas. There are also better defenders, too.

Josko Gvardiol has played on the left  of RB Leipzig’s back-three this season  
Josko Gvardiol has played on the left  of RB Leipzig’s back-three this season  

and, at 20, and over 6ft, he’s an  alluring option. He’s a more skilful  
and, at 20, and over 6ft, he’s an  alluring option. He’s a more skilful  

and adventurous player than Davies, but has the  distribution to accompany his ball-carrying.
and adventurous player than Davies, but has the  distribution to accompany his ball-carrying.

Defensively, he’s more physically imposing  too, and would add more height and aggression  
Defensively, he’s more physically imposing  too, and would add more height and aggression  

to that outside position. And, while he would  doubtless command a large fee and has a contract  
to that outside position. And, while he would  doubtless command a large fee and has a contract  

that runs until 2026, Tottenham have indicated  a willingness to spend heavily in this position.
that runs until 2026, Tottenham have indicated  a willingness to spend heavily in this position.

Gvardiol would be a sensible option. Another  regularly mentioned alternatives – for  
Gvardiol would be a sensible option. Another  regularly mentioned alternatives – for  

multiple Premier League clubs – is  Lille’s Sven Botman. He’s left-footed,  
multiple Premier League clubs – is  Lille’s Sven Botman. He’s left-footed,  

skilful and good on the ball, and he would be an  excellent alternative to Dier in the central role.
skilful and good on the ball, and he would be an  excellent alternative to Dier in the central role.

However, he lacks the speed to play on the left of  a back-three and so, for the sake of efficiency,  
However, he lacks the speed to play on the left of  a back-three and so, for the sake of efficiency,  

perhaps the better option is to find  someone who can play both positions.  
perhaps the better option is to find  someone who can play both positions.  

That’s a rare skillset, because defenders  tend either to be static or progressive  
That’s a rare skillset, because defenders  tend either to be static or progressive  

and possess attributes suited  to those contrasting roles.  
and possess attributes suited  to those contrasting roles.  

Essentially, we’re looking for someone who has  traditional defensive abilities like tackling,  
Essentially, we’re looking for someone who has  traditional defensive abilities like tackling,  

heading, physicality and discipline, but  blended with progressive qualities, too.
heading, physicality and discipline, but  blended with progressive qualities, too.

Known Tottenham target Alessandro Bastoni is  one of those players, but he seems unlikely  
Known Tottenham target Alessandro Bastoni is  one of those players, but he seems unlikely  

to leave Inter Milan. Instead, we’re  opting for Monaco’s Benoit Badiashile.
to leave Inter Milan. Instead, we’re  opting for Monaco’s Benoit Badiashile.

Having already sold Aurelien Tchouameni  this summer for £100m, the French club  
Having already sold Aurelien Tchouameni  this summer for £100m, the French club  

won’t be the easiest to negotiate with, but  we’re undeterred. Badiashile is enormous.  
won’t be the easiest to negotiate with, but  we’re undeterred. Badiashile is enormous.  

He’s a towering centre-back. He’s 6ft4  and is as secure in the air as he sounds,  
He’s a towering centre-back. He’s 6ft4  and is as secure in the air as he sounds,  

while also being a proactive defender who’s  unafraid of defending higher up the pitch.  
while also being a proactive defender who’s  unafraid of defending higher up the pitch.  

He spent last season as the  left centre-half in a back-four,  
He spent last season as the  left centre-half in a back-four,  

but with his passing abilities, skill and speed,  he would have little difficulty moving further  
but with his passing abilities, skill and speed,  he would have little difficulty moving further  

outside, even if his current role hasn’t  produced the data to prove it conclusively.
outside, even if his current role hasn’t  produced the data to prove it conclusively.

The January arrival of Rodrigo Bentancur was  a big factor in Spurs’ qualification for the  
The January arrival of Rodrigo Bentancur was  a big factor in Spurs’ qualification for the  

Champions League, with his partnership with  Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg providing a stable base.  
Champions League, with his partnership with  Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg providing a stable base.  

However, that midfield two remains a  source of precious little creativity,  
However, that midfield two remains a  source of precious little creativity,  

with both players better described as  volume passers rather than progressive ones.
with both players better described as  volume passers rather than progressive ones.

Conte has Oliver Skipp to return from injury  and Yves Bissouma has been signed and added  
Conte has Oliver Skipp to return from injury  and Yves Bissouma has been signed and added  

to his squad. Bissouma is by no means a  playmaker though and so there remains a  
to his squad. Bissouma is by no means a  playmaker though and so there remains a  

need for someone who can operate within the  framework of Conte’s structure football,  
need for someone who can operate within the  framework of Conte’s structure football,  

with its automatisms and set patterns,  but with imagination and creativity.
with its automatisms and set patterns,  but with imagination and creativity.

Christian Eriksen is a very obvious  solution. His recovery saw him perform  
Christian Eriksen is a very obvious  solution. His recovery saw him perform  

miraculously well at Brentford and  produce the kind of contribution  
miraculously well at Brentford and  produce the kind of contribution  

that was often typical of his time at  Tottenham under Mauricio Pochettino.
that was often typical of his time at  Tottenham under Mauricio Pochettino.

Eriksen has a prior relationship with  many existing members of Spurs’ squad  
Eriksen has a prior relationship with  many existing members of Spurs’ squad  

and, despite a difficult start, became an  important player for Antonio Conte during his  
and, despite a difficult start, became an  important player for Antonio Conte during his  

title-winning year at Inter Milan. Eriksen  understands what it is to play for Conte,  
title-winning year at Inter Milan. Eriksen  understands what it is to play for Conte,  

his adjustment into this playing group would  likely be seamless and he’s available on a free.
his adjustment into this playing group would  likely be seamless and he’s available on a free.

He seems likely to move elsewhere, though, so  another option would be Napoli’s Fabian Ruiz.  
He seems likely to move elsewhere, though, so  another option would be Napoli’s Fabian Ruiz.  

He spent 2021-22 in a double-pivot alongside  Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa – a more defensively  
He spent 2021-22 in a double-pivot alongside  Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa – a more defensively  

orientated central midfielder – but acted  as a deep-lying playmaker. Ruiz is a good  
orientated central midfielder – but acted  as a deep-lying playmaker. Ruiz is a good  

long and medium range shooter, something which  Conte doesn’t currently have in his midfield,  
long and medium range shooter, something which  Conte doesn’t currently have in his midfield,  

but – more importantly – would provide  a combination of creative passing,  
but – more importantly – would provide  a combination of creative passing,  

skilful ball carrying and  ambition that Tottenham lack.
skilful ball carrying and  ambition that Tottenham lack.

He's at peak age and won’t turn 27 until 2023, and  has recently refused to sign a contract extension  
He's at peak age and won’t turn 27 until 2023, and  has recently refused to sign a contract extension  

at Napoli, meaning that – with just 12 months  remaining – he’s almost certainly leaving the  
at Napoli, meaning that – with just 12 months  remaining – he’s almost certainly leaving the  

club this summer and likely for a reasonable fee.  Tottenham managing director Fabio Paratici has  
club this summer and likely for a reasonable fee.  Tottenham managing director Fabio Paratici has  

shown a continued preference for recruiting from  Serie A and so this would be a Sensible Transfer  
shown a continued preference for recruiting from  Serie A and so this would be a Sensible Transfer  

to align nicely with what the club  and add to what they’ve already done  
to align nicely with what the club  and add to what they’ve already done