His conundrum in midfield, a plan for January and is captain Hugo Lloris his long-term No 1? Five problems Antonio Conte HAS to solve after taking over as Tottenham's new manager
- Antonio Conte was appointed as Tottenham's new manager on an 18 month deal
- The Italian needs to hit the ground running with the morale poor around the club
- Harry Kane needs to revived - and Conte must get a plan sorted for January
- Spirits need to be lifted and should a new deal be given to captain Hugo Lloris?
There will be no Spurs honeymoon period for Antonio Conte.
He must hit the ground running with Champions League football at stake for Tottenham Hotspur.
Sportsmail looks at the issues he must address in his opening weeks.
Antonio Conte has been confirmed as Tottenham's new manager on a deal until 2023
He said he was excited to return to the Premier League and help Spurs become 'protagonists'
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REVIVING HARRY KANE
Kane’s barren spell was a significant factor in Nuno Espirito Santo’s dismissal and Conte must re-engage the striker.
‘Many praise Harry for his ability to go and get the ball,’ Conte said during Euro 2020.
‘But it’s in the box where he’s clinical and I would always keep him in there.’
If anyone can get Kane firing again, it’s Conte. The England captain is said to be encouraged by the Italian's arrival.
Talisman Harry Kane’s barren spell was a significant factor in Nuno Espirito Santo’s dismissal
JANUARY PLAN
There won’t be loads of money available in January — but enough to improve the squad. Conte will first need to sell and assess who is expendable.
Fiorentina forward Dusan Vlahovic, 21, and Inter Milan’s Nicolo Barella, 24, are both of interest.
MIDFIELD CONUNDRUM
Attacking football is high on the Tottenham wishlist and Conte will embrace that.
Could he revitalise Harry Winks in the way Mauricio Pochettino did?
He is the type of player Conte likes; he can handle the ball in tight areas as Marcelo Brozovic did for him at Inter.
Likewise, can Conte get a tune out of Tanguy Ndombele? His talent is undoubted but he lacks consistency.
Could Conte revitalise central midfielder Harry Winks in the way Mauricio Pochettino did?
LIGHTEN THE MOOD
Life at Spurs’ Enfield HQ has been miserable. Poor form has been a factor, so too Nuno’s morose manner. Conte must get his new charges smiling again.
As serious as he can be, he’s known to have a sense of humour, too. The Spurs players could do with a laugh.
LONG-TERM LLORIS?
The contract of skipper Hugo Lloris expires at the end of the season so he can sign a pre-contract with a foreign club from January.
Conte needs to decide if Lloris, 34, is his long-term No 1.
The contract of skipper Hugo Lloris expires at the end of the season - should he stay or go?
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