As domestic football leagues around Europe begin to restart following the World Cup, it’s going to be a crucial period for many teams. Those players not involved in the tournament will be nicely rested, while those returning will be checked for injury and fatigue.
Another important factor lies in the opening of the transfer window at the beginning of January. Over in the Premier League, Tottenham Hotspur are among a number of clubs looking at potential deals, while they are also aiming to resolve their manager’s contract situation.
Will Conte Stay or will he go?
When Antonio Conte replaced Nuno Espirito Santo in the Spurs hotseat in November 2021, he signed an 18 month contract with the North London club. That deal came with an option for another year and Tottenham are looking for their manager to commit to that additional 12 months.
New contract talks are ongoing but some fans are concerned that a decision has yet to be made. Conte is a winner and he will want the club’s owners to back him in the upcoming transfer window.
If there is no commitment from Spurs, there will be no shortage of European clubs willing to take Conte on. It’s an uneasy situation and one that supporters will hope is resolved very shortly.
Spurs’ Aims for 2023
Spurs are through to the knockout stage of the Champions League while they will begin their FA Cup campaign on January 7th, with a third round tie against Portsmouth. In the league, there have been disappointing results after a positive start, but the club are still targeting a top four finish.
Finishing inside that top four will guarantee Champions League football for next season and that will be the minimum target for the manager and his squad. The neutral verdict is that the club will have a battle on their hands. While Manchester City, Liverpool and Arsenal are odds on in the top four betting markets, Spurs are joint fourth favourites along with Manchester United and Newcastle United.
The odds in question are supplied by sources attached to sbo.net. Their outlets include betting sites UK and overseas, and the markets will adjust as the season continues. Any updates will be reflected on the SBO website and readers can take their time to decide.
Anyone wishing to make a move can also get directly involved in the markets. There are extensive sportsbook reviews to help with making a choice and players can sign up via the links.
The majority of those bookmakers publish a generous welcome promotion, while a selection of deposit providers help with initial funds. Those who stake beyond that opening promo may find ongoing offers, while additional benefits should also include in-play betting, mobile apps and a choice of other sports.
It’s the site from which to follow Tottenham’s fortunes from a betting point of view, but what can the club do to boost their chances of that crucial top four finish?
Transfer Targets
Tottenham spent heavily in the summer window as six new players arrived at the club. The purchase of Richarlison broke Spurs’ transfer record while additional deals saw Djed Spence, Yves Bissouma, Ivan Perisic, Clement Lenglet and Fraser Forster sign up with the white half of North London.
Despite that considerable outlay, there is no shortage of rumours linking Tottenham with further signings in the January window. With Richarlison facing a spell on the sidelines due to a hamstring injury, there are suggestions of a move for the Barcelona centre forward Ferran Torres.
Amidst some concerns in defence, other stories link the club with a bid for AS Roma centre half Chris Smalling. The former Manchester United defender has excelled in Italy after a difficult time in the Premier League, and he may welcome the chance to prove himself back in England.
The January transfer window is traditionally a quieter time for clubs, but that may not be the case at Spurs as they look to cling on to that top four place.
Spurs have ambition and this could still be a successful season for the club. That potential success will, however, depend on whether or not they can agree new contract terms for Antonio Conte, before the manager dips into the transfer market once again.
