“Now we need”- Conte addresses possibilities of Tottenham dipping into the January transfer market
Antonio Conte provided an unwelcome update on Tottenham Hotspur winger Dejan Kulusevski, stating that the Sweden international experienced a setback during his recovery from his most recent fitness issue.
Speaking at his pre-match press conference ahead of Saturday’s Tottenham game against Newcastle United (h/t Football.London). Conte claimed that Kulusevski could be out until the start of the FIFA World Cup on November 20.
During the questioning, the Italian manager was asked if Spurs could make a January transfer window signing to replace the former Juventus winger. Conte responded:
“Now we need to finish this period. You have important injuries and you need to face the situation in the best possible way then we’ll see until the last game in November and then we’ll see the situation and if we need to do something or continue in the same way.”
“Now we need to be focused and it’s not easy this period and I ask our fans to be close to us.”
A rather inconclusive response, but it does raise the prospect of Spurs making a winter move if the injury situation in attack worsens or remains the same.
The lack of a strong bench against Manchester United arguably cost them dearly, while a lack of fit first-team attackers forced him to switch to a 3-5-2 formation, which isn’t Conte’s preferred formation.
Kulusevski x Bentancur pic.twitter.com/Bi2XteN3v4
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) February 4, 2022
Keeping Steven Bergwijn would not have been a bad decision, but it would have been difficult to ensure him playing time. Spurs also signed Richarlison this summer.
When it comes to adding depth to a team with quality players, one big question always arises: what happens when the team cannot guarantee first-team minutes to the potential new arrival? What will happen to him once the first-team players return?
A loan transfer wouldn’t hurt. The arrival of Rodrigo Bentancur and Kulusevski in this year’s January window demonstrates that the former Inter Milan manager isn’t opposed to mid-season additions.
“Now we need”- Conte addresses possibilities of Tottenham dipping into the January transfer market
