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Tottenham is the ‘most difficult’ challenge of Antonio Conte’s career to date because of the competition in the Premier League.

That’s according to former Italy forward Emanuele Giaccherini, who says Tottenham must have promised the Italian money in the transfer market to lure him to the club.

Conte was hired as Nuno Espirito Santo’s replacement last week after the Portuguese boss was sacked just ten games into the season.

His arrival has been seen as a major coup for Spurs, who tried to hire him in the summer but couldn’t come to an agreement at the time.

Conte has now taken up the challenge, with many believing he will transform the club into challengers once again, as he has done with football clubs throughout his career.

Giaccherini, who made 44 appearances under Conte during his playing days, thinks this challenge is his greatest yet.

“He doesn’t leave anything to chance, I’m happy for him because Tottenham is a great club, but it’s a challenge because there are three or four superior teams,” he told Calciomercato.

“It’s a very exciting challenge, he does it for his own growth, but surely Spurs have promised him something regarding the January market.

“He’s got Europe; he’ll do everything to go as far as possible. Then next year, starting from scratch, he will be able to narrow the gap with the first ones.

“Also, with a new market to be set up from the beginning, but at the moment, I see it as a very difficult challenge, maybe the most difficult of his career.”

All eyes are now on the January transfer window when it is expected that Tottenham will move to add the players Conte wants to improve things.

A striker to challenge, or indeed replace Harry Kane, is likely to be at the top of his list given Kane’s start to this season and his efforts to leave in the summer.

Several have already been named as potential targets, including highly-rated Fiorentina youngster Dusan Vlahovic.

Giaccherini definitely sees him as an option but has also floated another possible option, Andrea Belotti.

“He knows many players in Italy that he values,” he added.

“Some from Inter, who he played for last year, but also Vlahovic and Belotti. They could be targets to focus on.”