It has already been a hectic summer at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and the club has hardly even looked at the transfer market as much.
Daniel Levy finally secured the permanent successor to Jose Mourinho recently when it was announced that former Wolves boss Nuno Espirito Santo had taken the reins in north London, a move that will of course have consequences for many of the club’s current playing staff.
With many arrivals and departures expected in the coming weeks, 90min has looked at how we think Spurs start XI can look like for the 2021/22 season …
Hugo Lloris likely to stay at Spurs after this summer / James Williamson – AMA / Getty Images
There have been lots of rumors about Hugo Llori’s future recently and it’s hard to argue that he’s not losing the odd roar, but Spurs have much more pressing problems than their number one spot right now.
If a young, high-quality goalkeeper becomes available at the right price, you can expect Spurs to be at the forefront of the queue, but at the moment we expect Lloris to lead the team next season.
Joe Rodon’s decent performance at Euro 2020 could see him hand over a regular place in start XI / Visionhaus / Getty Images
Joe Rodon’s time at Tottenham has not exactly been brilliant so far, but it’s easy to forget that he’s still only 23 years old and has plenty of time to develop.
The kid has the physical attributes needed to cut it to the top level and his time in Swansea’s first team showed that he can be a very solid defender.
One of the crucial features of Nuno’s wolf season was his ability to bring out the best in players whose careers seemed to go somewhere fast, and with the experience of a European Championship under his belt, Rodon was able to thrive under the Portuguese tactician.
Rumor has it that Jannik Vestergaard is on Spurs’ summer wish list / Robin Jones / Getty Images
If there is one area on the pitch that needs to be drastically addressed for Spurs this summer, it is the center-back.
With Toby Alderweireld seemingly on his way out of the club and Eric Dier and Davinson Sanchez, sleeves … the less said about them the better, Nuno needs to bring in some central defenders.
Tottenham have been linked with a move for Southampton’s Jannik Vestergaard, and after a rocky start to life in the Premier League, Denmark’s international looks like a top talent.
Joachim Andersen has already expressed his desire to return to the Premier League / Visionhaus / Getty Images
Lyon center-back Joachim Andersen proved more than capable of playing in the Premier League during his loan spell with Fulham last season, and after revealing his desire to move back to England, a move to Spurs sees a real possibility.
The North Londoners have already been accused of starting talks about a deal and he would be a good buy for a club that desperately needs defensive reinforcements.
Matt Doherty can benefit from Nuno’s appointment at Tottenham / Marc Atkins / Getty Images
If there is one man whose eyes will light up on the news that Nuno had been appointed Spurs boss, it is Matt Doherty.
The Republic of Ireland’s international saw little more than a competent second-class right-back for most of his time with Wolves, yet Nuno’s arrival made him a Premier League regular.
Nuno’s preferred wing-back system is perfect for Doherty and if he adopts the same attitude at Spurs, it is expected that the Irishman will get his chance in the first team.
Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg will be central to Spurs’ plans / Visionhaus / Getty Images
Last season was a bit of a no-brainer for Spurs, but one man who came out of it with a little credit was Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg.
When the Danish midfielder is used in the right setting, he can be a brilliant player in the heart of the team and he will probably keep his place in start XI.
Ndombele is Spurs record signing / Pool / Getty Images
In his day, Tanguy Ndombele can see an absolute world hit – the only problem is that “his day” has not come so often since he moved to north London.
Nuno knows well if he can be the man who unleashes his undoubted potential then he will have a great player on his hands, so expect Ndombele to get his chance in the first team.
Tottenham are hoping for much more from Sergio Reguilon / Visionhaus / Getty Images
When Spurs secured the signing of Sergio Reguilon from Real Madrid in a deal that was reported to be worth less than 30 million pounds, they looked like they had gotten a real deal – then he was just silent rubbish in the second half of last season.
Well, rubbish can be a stretch, but he disappeared a lot and was not consistent at the level that Spurs had hoped he would be.
With a year of Premier League football under his belt and a manager whose style of play revolves around attacking backs, he would look much better next season.
Son Heung-min will be key to Spurs’ front line if Harry Kane leaves / Visionhaus / Getty Images
Most of the transfer talks around Spurs right now revolve around their front line, but a man who is still expected to be at the club next season is Son Heung-min.
South Korea’s international has been brilliant since moving to north London in 2015, but he may be asked to move from left to right next season if Tottenham’s reported transfer strategies prove successful (more on that soon).
Can Danny Ings replace Harry Kanes? / Sebastian Frej / MB Media / Getty Images
Now the big question on every Spurs fan’s lips is: will Harry Kane be on Spurs next season? Not for us he does not come.
If Manchester City are really serious about their quest for the England man, it’s hard to imagine Daniel Levy rejecting the huge sums of money that will no doubt be involved in any deal, especially given the other areas of their team as desperate needs to be strengthened.
Replacing a striker like Kane is almost impossible, but Danny Ings has recorded some quality numbers in Southampton over the past two seasons and has had the chance to show that he knows where the goal is.
Marcus Thuram may be part of Spurs’ new front line / Joosep Martinson / Getty Images
The reason why Son could be asked to change flank is that Spurs are reportedly keen to move for Marcus Thuram.
The 23-year-old looks like a real top talent and if Levy can secure a deal for him, the goals he can mitigate the blow from the loss of a productive hitman like Kane if he moves to City.
