How Tottenham should line up for the 2023-24 season: Richarlison has what it takes to replace Harry Kane - but star man's exit means the Champions League is out of reach

Hugo Lloris has been Tottenham's No.1 for the best part of the last decade, but he was one of the worst goalkeepers in the Premier League last term. The Frenchman, who is still officially the club captain, has been given permission to push through a transfer, and Spurs have already signed his replacement.

Vicario joined from Empoli in a £17 million ($22m) deal at the end of June, and has been a regular between the sticks for Postecoglou's side in pre-season. The Italy international is an excellent shot-stopper who kicks off attacks with his progressive passing - and at just 26 he still has plenty of room for improvement.

Lloris is already a relic of the past in the eyes of Spurs supporters, but Vicario is very much the future.

Its no secret that Emerson has struggled to live up to expectations since his £26m ($33m) move to Spurs from Barcelona in September 2021. However, the Brazilian has been given a clean slate after Postecoglou's appointment, and has impressed throughout pre-season as an inverted full-back.

January signing Pedro Porro is also vying for the right-back spot in the team, and offers more of an attacking threat than Emerson. But the former Barca man is far stronger defensively, which is why he should get the nod at the start of the season.

Spurs will need a solid foundation at the back in order for their more adventurous attacking set-up to work, and Emerson has proven that he deserves a second chance.

Spurs players have often been accused of lacking fight and passion over the years, but no one could aim that criticism at Romero, who has added much-needed grit to the squad since his move from Atalanta two years ago.

The Argentine World Cup winner is a proactive, front-footed defender with a ferocious competitive streak that makes him a constant nuisance for opposition attackers. He's also one of the few natural leaders in the Tottenham dressing room and his continued presence will be vital to their chances of enjoying a strong campaign.

Tottenham signed Wolfsburg centre-back Mickey van de Ven in a £43m ($55m) deal, having reportedly seen off competition from Liverpool - and the Netherlands U21 international could prove to be one of the signings of the summer.

The 22-year-old is surprisingly nimble and quick with the ball at his feet for a big man, and excels when driving out of defence, which has seen him compared to fellow Dutchman Virgil van Dijk.

Van de Ven looks ideally suited to the Premier League and will compliment Romero perfectly in the heart of the Spurs defence if he can replicate the form he showed on a consistent basis in Germany.

Odogie finally joined up with his new team-mates at Spurs this summer after being loaned back to Udinese for the 2022-23 season, and has wasted no time in making his mark.

The 20-year-old has made the transition into Postecoglou's side seamlessly and looks like a big upgrade on Ivan Perisic, who, at 34, is clearly no longer the world-class player he once was.

Odogie boasts incredible upper body strength for his age and can add a new dimension to Spurs' defence and attack. The Italian will chip in with his fair share of goals and assists as he loves to push forward and make overlapping or inward runs, which is sure to make him an instant fan favourite.

Bissouma established himself as one of the best defensive midfielders in the Premier League at Brighton, but his first season at Spurs was a huge disappointment.

Injuries certainly payed their part, but the Ivory Coast international will have no excuse not to hit the ground running under Postecoglou. Oliver Skipp and Pape Matar Sarr are both waiting in the wings to take Bissouma's spot if he doesn't, having made a big impact in pre-season.

However, Bissouma is a powerful runner through midfield when he is fit and firing, with excellent ball carrying skills, and would be an asset to any team in the world. Postecoglou's system should suit the 26-year-old far better than Conte's did, and he has all the attributes to be the driving force behind Spurs' push for a return to the top-four.

Most top teams have an unsung hero who does the dirty work which allows the more creative, eye-catching players to cause maximum damage, and Hojbjerg was signed from Southampton to do exactly that in August 2020.

Spurs haven't fallen into the category of a top team since then, but the Danish midfielder has given everything to try and get them there. Hojbjerg has a reputation as a tough tackling enforcer, but he's also technically proficient in tight spaces and keeps Tottenham ticking with his superb passing range.

The 28-year-old carries a genuine goal threat too, but has been strongly linked with a summer move to Atletico Madrid. Spurs must do everything within their power to keep hold of Hojbjerg, especially with Rodrigo Bentancur still at least a couple more months away from returning to fitness after an ACL injury.

Kulusevski endeared himself to the Tottenham faithful very quickly after his loan move from Juventus in January 2021, recording 13 goal contributions in his first 18 Premier League outings.

Unfortunately, he was unable to sustain that form amid Spurs' struggles under Conte last term, but that did not deter the club from making his move permanent for £26m ($33m) in June. And the Swede will surely enjoy a new lease of life in Postecoglou's system.

Kulusevski is blessed with an explosive turn of pace and superb dribbling skills, but his main asset is his vision. The 23-year-old has a knack for executing defence-splitting passes from any angle, making him one of the most dangerous wingers in English football when firing on all cylinders.

Spurs moved quickly to wrap up the signing of Maddison following Leicester City's relegation to the Championship, and at just £40m ($51m), he may well be the best value buy of the summer window.

The 26-year-old scored 10 goals and set up another nine for the Foxes in the Premier League last term - maintaining his own high standards while the rest of his team-mates allowed theirs to dip - earning a spot in Gareth Southgate's England squad in the process.

Maddison is an assist machine, in no small part because of his masterful delivery from set-pieces, and he will expect to add more to his tally this season, even without international team-mate Kane to aim for.

Son's status as a Premier League legend is very much secure. You don't score 103 goals in 268 appearances without being a special player, and there are few more thrilling to watch in full flow than the South Korean.

A painful hernia problem prevented Son from reaching his usual heights in 2022-23, but he showed his loyalty to Tottenham by turning down a lucrative offer from Saudi Arabia, and looks ready to shine once again.

Son formed one half of the most effective strike partnerships in modern Premier League history alongside Kane since signing for Spurs from Bayer Leverkusen in 2015, but he's also just a wonderful all-round footballer in his own right.

Even when not at his best last season, Son was still capable of a wondergoal out of nothing, and will be one of the first names on the teamsheet for Postecoglou after getting back into top physical condition following surgery.

After a nightmare first season in north London, Richarlison finally appears set to get a proper chance to prove himself as a worthy replacement for Kane. Well, at least until Daniel Levy decides to reinvest some of the mammoth transfer fee received from Bayern.

The Brazilian struggled for form, fitness and opportunities after his move from Everton last summer, and found himself in Conte's bad books on more than one occasion before the manager's departure.

He is, however, his country's starting No.9 and showed that he is more than capable of scoring goals in the Premier League while at Goodison Park, with less talented and creative players around him.

Richarlison will never be able to fully fill Kane's boots or his place in the hearts of Spurs supporters, but now is the time for him to step up and nail down his position. He'll never get a better moment.