Antonio Conte believes Tottenham Hotspur "will explain the transfer window" once the market shuts in February. Spurs are yet to make a signing, despite desperate needs for upgrades in defence.

The Lilywhites have conceded 21 goals in their last ten matches. However, the only substantial rumour of an incoming has been Pedro Porro, which looks to be petering out. 

Conte added that he hopes Richarlison can become an important player once he is fully fit and that he trusts all his players, despite recent individual errors in defence. 

  • Richarlison's plans

After signing in the summer, the Brazilian has struggled for consistency in North London. A calf injury in October halted his progress before the break, whilst a hamstring injury in the World Cup prevented the Brazilian from returning strongly in January.

The forward has featured in the last two matches off the bench, but is struggling with fatigue according to his manager.

Conte believes the former Everton striker can play an important part for the club, but must regain fitness first.

He said: “About Richarlison, he has to recover to his best physical condition. Because after a series of injuries, the first thought of the medical department was to start recovery. But at this moment, he is behind the rest of the squad, and he is not 100%. I think we have to bring him to the level of the other players."

"Then, for sure, Richarlison is one of those players that can give us a nasty presence. But I repeat, Richarlison is a player that needs to work, because the injury was serious. The medical department paid a lot of attention to give him the possibility to be used.

"For sure, he is an important player. We are overcoming a difficult situation. To have injuries to players like Rodrigo Bentancur, Dejan Kulusevski and Cristian Romero before the World cup is not easy for us.

"We are talking about players that are important, and it’s important to have all players available. We are going step by step towards becoming a strong squad. We need time to add players, a transfer market and we also need money."

  • Adding a fighter's edge 

A consistent issue within the N17 camp this season has been the lack of desire and fight from the squad. Regularly, Spurs have crumbled under pressure. Against Manchester City, they conceded three goals in thirteen minutes which highlighted this issue.

Their fighter's attitude last season helped propel Spurs towards Champions League qualification, and Conte believes they need to find that characteristic again if they want to be successful.

The manager said: "Last season, we implemented football knowledge and a tactical aspect. But we have to be patient to improve the side. We must pay attention and make sure we don’t lose what we created last season. The solidity, the desire to defend the result and the desire to win duels.

"We must not lose the nastiness. In football, you can be good, but if you are not strong in the pitch at every moment, then you risk losing. I have a group of players that are intelligent and know the situation better than me.

"They know we are conceding too many goals for a team like Spurs, and they know we have to try to improve. But there is only one way; to work, to stay together and to be strong. A team that wants to be stable has to be resilient. This is not simple, but I think it is the key."

"Every player has their own characteristics. I think in this situation it is my task to try and improve this aspect. The most important thing is trying to put all these characteristics in one box, and then to create the right mix to have everything.

"This is not a topic for one player, this is all about the team. We attack as a team and defend as a team. For this reason, we have to improve this aspect together. We must fight to find the nastiness from last season. Maybe sometimes we didn’t deserve it, but we won, and we finished fourth."

  • The pain of individual errors 

In recent weeks, Spurs have seen their defensive shape collapse in matches. Individual errors from some of Conte's most experienced men have cost the Lilywhites points repeatedly. 

Against Manchester City, Hugo Lloris let a powerful shot in at his near post, whilst Ivan Perisic's defensive awareness left a lot to be desired. 

It was a similar story against Arsenal. Once again, the club captain made a mistake when he pushed  Bukayo Saka's strike into his own net. For a team with ambitions of major trophies, these mistakes are too common.

However, Conte still trusts his players and wants them to take responsibility in possession.

He stated: "Confidence is important in football. There are periods where individual mistakes happen. It is normal to affect the mood of the team, and it can cost goals. But this is part of football. For sure, we have to be strong but also to not lose confidence.

"I trust all my players, and they have confidence in themselves. Mistakes are part of football which I have to accept. I don’t like it when a player doesn’t take a risk and protects themselves. I say to my players that you have to take responsibility; you must have personality to play the ball."

"You have to try. This is the only way to progress and to improve. I don’t like to sit here and cry. We will not complain. We must try to do better, and we are not doing good in this area. To be stronger defensively like last season is a challenge for all the team. We must improve with the centre-backs, wing-backs, midfielders and the strikers.

"Only this way can we continue to improve. At this moment, we are not so stable. I’m the first person to improve the team, and I know we must improve. The players are smart and have a great desire to work, but sometimes this is not enough. If we go into situations with our head and heart, then we will do much better."

  • The club's future

The January transfer window closes next week, and Spurs are the only 'big six' side yet to make a signing. Despite defensive insecurities and a lack of creativity, the Lilywhites are keeping their cards close to their chest.

Porro and Nicolo Zaniolo have been heavily linked during the transfer window, but Spurs are yet to make an appealing offer to Sporting Lisbon or Roma respectfully. 

When asked about any transfer window plans, the Italian was reluctant to answer, but believes the club will explain their thought-process in February.

Conte said: "I don’t want to go into this question. I think at the end of the market, the club will explain the transfer window like last time. It will be good to explain the vision and the way we are. With these questions, the risk to go over the line is easy.

"I say my thoughts a lot of the time, but we have to be focused to continue to improve and work. On Monday, we have another important game, and we must try to be ready and to fight."

The Italian added that he feels his position is not under threat at the moment, despite a recent slump in form.

He stated: "I’m here, the club see my work every day and what I do with my staff. I have zero problem with this aspect, and I am really relaxed. On the pitch you can see my work every day.

"This is my last problem, and I have zero problem if the club is unhappy. If the club is unhappy, then maybe I’m not so good for them."