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How Tottenham Hotspur could line up with Dejan Kulusevski, Rodrigo Bentancur

Sports Mole takes a look at how Tottenham Hotspur could line up with Dejan Kulusevski and Rodrigo Bentancur following their deadline day arrivals from Juventus.

After missing out on some of their other big-name targets, Tottenham Hotspur pulled off an eye-catching double swoop for Juventus duo Dejan Kulusevski and Rodrigo Bentancur on transfer deadline day.

Swedish attacker Kulusevski joins the North London side on an initial 18-month loan deal, which is expected to become permanent for a fee of €35m (£29.2m) if certain conditions are met.

Meanwhile, Bentancur has signed a four-and-a-half year deal at Tottenham in a move which could see Juve pocket as much as €25m (£20.8m), with Spurs forking out an initial €19m (£15.9m) to land the Uruguayan midfielder.

Ahead of the duo's Spurs debuts, Sports Mole takes a look at how Antonio Conte's side could line up with both men in the first XI.


TOT XI w/KUL, BEN

With Emerson Royal so far flattering to deceive in the right-wing back role for Tottenham, Conte may very well look to adapt Kulusevski into that position, especially with Lucas Moura seeking to make a name for himself under the Italian.

However, a spot in the final third alongside Harry Kane and Son Heung-min is much more realistic for Kulusevski, with Lucas and Steven Bergwijn therefore forced to battle for their opportunities to start.

Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg is a staple of this Tottenham midfield and will not cede his place to Bentancur, but will most likely partner the 24-year-old, as Oliver Skipp takes a bench role despite his emergence under Conte.

Skipp will still be expected to fight for his spot in the engine room despite Bentancur's arrival, but what his signing means for Harry Winks - frequently linked with an exit in recent times - remains to be seen.

Emerson and Sergio Reguilon's spots in the full-back areas should remain unaffected, and Cristian Romero's imminent return from injury will leave Conte with a key decision to make at the back.

Romero will expect to slot straight back into the defence, and Ben Davies may therefore be the unfortunate one to lose his place as Davinson Sanchez and Eric Dier continue in front of Hugo Lloris - who is now tied down to the club until 2024 - in this refreshed Tottenham side.


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Ben Knapton
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Harry Kane in action for Tottenham Hotspur in January 2022
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