Tottenham Hotspur Season Preview: Ange is the Man

Following a relatively successful first season for the highly likeable Australian Ange Postecoglou, we take a look at Spurs' prospects for the upcoming season, the second under Big Ange. Die hard Spurs fan (wipes tears of 16 years of hurt since the 2008 League Cup) Jack H previews Spurs' season ahead.

Disaster Since the Fall of Pochettino

When Ange took over in the summer of 2023, it was safe to say Tottenham Hotspur FC were in an absolute state. Several years of temporary fixes since the high point of a Champions League Final with Mauricio Pochettino via pragmatic, CV-stacked managers had not worked. The likes of José Mourinho, Antonio Conte, Nuno Espirito Santo did not fit the "To Dare is to Do" motto of Spurs.

Fans became tired of backwards football which could be forgiven for lack of appeal on the eye if trophies were one, and were desperate to return the club back to the free-flowing football that we've seen in recent years under Pochettino and Harry Redknapp.

In addition, Daniel Levy, long-term chairman of the club, had dominated the recruitment policy, failing to bring in players suitable for the managers' style of play and approach. Notable failures include Tanguy Ndombélé who was signed in 19/20 for €62m who did not meet the hype, discarded under various managers.

Similarly, big money moves for Davinson Sanchez, Giovani Lo Celso, Ryan Sessegnon and Sergio Reguilon could not deliver on their potential or were hampered by injury.

It was quite evident that Levy's transfer policy was not working, often bringing in unproven Premier League talent that rarely came to fruition. The former Director of Football, Fabio Paratici, began a new era of recruitment which brought in better quality players with a long-term vision with the likes of Rodrigo Bentancur, Dejan Kulusevski, Pape Matar Sarr and Djed Spence with mixed responses. The transfer policy never aligned with the manager's play style, an issue which desperately needed fixing. Furthermore, Paratici's conviction for Capital Gains sent Spurs into yet another mini-crisis.

We needed a manager who would be given the time to implement his vision and recruit the players he needs rather than superiors thinking they know best. A manager who would bring back attractive football to White Hart Lane. We needed a no nonsense Ange Postecoglou.

How did Spurs do Last Season?

Coming into the 23/24 season, my expectactions were on the floor. The club was in disarray and a long-term project was being implemented, thus I didn't see us returning to European football quite so quickly.

Comparing the turbulent 22/23 season to the much improved 23/24 season, we can see how much progress Ange has made in a short amount of time with a squad largely not of his own preference:

Although the traditional numbers to assess performance are minor on paper, Conte/Stiellini's Spurs massively overperformed in the 22/23 season. Relying on individual brilliance from Harry Kane to salvage them. The disparity in xG is huge but, under Postecoglou, the focus on attacking football is evident. The numbers across the board show Ange had got Spurs ticking again.

At the start of the season, The Lilywhites even sat top of the table. I knew we weren't going to win the league but our performances were far more encouraging. Ange had returned Spurs to what the club was known for: fast, free-flowing football that appealed to even neutral fans. Spurs, a regularly mutually hated club, saw a wide variety of fans actually confessing to liking Ange and what he stands for!

The start of the season began to tail off as key injuries to the likes of Micky van de Ven and James Maddison halted our process. It showed to Daniel Levy what the Australian could do with a squad lacking in depth, he would need investment to ensure further progress.

Radu Drăgușin and Timo Werner joined Spurs' ranks in the January transfer window, a typically quiet window for Tottenham. A further sign of Ange's presence and backing from Levy.

Spurs ended the second half of the season in an inconsistent manner, trundling over the line to claim 5th. The run-in saw us play some of the heavy hitters of the Premier League, including the controversial loss to Manchester City. Many fans focus on this segment of the season with some even calling for Ange to be fired due to the coach's sometimes impractical way of playing (9-men against Chelsea cough cough).

Yet, football fans are so fickle and short-termist nowadays. Looking back on the season, I was extremely impressed with what Ange had done with a total wreck of a football club. He had turned them from the laughing stock of the Premier League to a side that could play serious football. Going from 8th to 5th and back in European football in his first season was a remarkable feat.

Pre-season Prowess

Spurs have looked sensational in pre-season. Playing 5 games (as of 07/08/24), they've won 4, scored 15 times and have maintained their attacking brand of football.

In addition, Spurs haven't lost too many players to international football. The only noticeable players who got extended minutes this summer were Radu Drăgușin for Romania who went out in the Last 16, Cuti Romero who won the Copa América with Argentina and Rodrigo Bentancur who came 3rd in the same competition. Van de Ven was a part player for The Netherlands as well as Giovani Lo Celso coming on as a regular sub for Argentina. This ensures The Lilywhites will come into the season in a strong bill of health.

Ange Active in the Transfer Market

As previously mentioned, Ange took over a club with lots of players that did not fit his usual profiles for his attacking brand of football. This summer, the club has been extremely efficient, offloading players who do not fit the philosophy and bringing in talent that will play at Spurs for years to come.

In terms of the players we've managed to finally get rid of, Perisic, Dier, Ndombélé, Tanganga and Sessegnon have all left on free transfers. Højbjerg and Gil have been sent out on loans, with the former a loan to buy option. Joe Rodon, following his positive season with Leeds has been sold for €11.80m. Frustrating full-back Emerson Royal is also rumoured to be packing his bags for AC Milan

There have been less incomings than outgoings this summer but we've managed to snap up two outstanding talents who I think will become regulars in the squad this season:

Archie Gray

The 18-year-old was quickly snapped up by Spurs in the early stages of the transfer window for €41.25m. He had a sensational season for Leeds last year, marginally missing out on promotion to the Premier League.

Gray is a very versatile player, predominantly playing as a right-back for Leeds last year, he can also play as a centre-back and a central-midfielder, although we'll be expecting to see him in centre-defensive midfield for Spurs. His versatility will be very useful, especially if Spurs pick up injuries again.

He epitomises the way Postecoglou wants his midfielders to play, breaking up play and quickly transitioning into attack. His 97 tackles in the Championship last season was the most by a teenager since Jayden Bogle in 18/19 with 110. Additionally, he was second for Leeds in the number of times he won possession back (205) and third for successful dribbles (45) FROM RIGHT-BACK. He's a player who reads the ball really well and suits Ange's style to a tee. With European football to add to the fixture list, expect Gray to get minutes this season and potentially break into the starting XI.

Lucas Bergvall

Paying €10m for an 18-year-old is quite a statement, but when you are fighting off Barcelona for his signature I think you can see why Lucas Bergvall is held in such high regard.

The young Swede has been putting in excellent performances in pre-season, demonstrating his ability to carry the ball, a vital component for Postecoglou's transitional football. Bergvall even registered an assist on his debut for Spurs in a 5-1 win against Hearts, delivering precise passes and creating big chances for fun.

Towards the back end of last season, Spurs were struggling in the number 8 role. Injuries to Maddison and Bentancur saw the likes of Sarr and Højbjerg playing unfamiliar roles who weren't as comfortable on the ball as the aforementioned. There is nothing to stop Bergvall claiming a starting spot this season. Pressure will be on James Maddison to turn around his end of season abysmal form, otherwise Bergvall could push his way into the starting XI.

Similar to Gray, whilst Premier League minutes may not be guaranteed, expect to see the two youngsters starting in the Europa League group stage and early cup rounds.

The Striker Conundrum

Following the exit of club legend Harry Kane, Spurs have been struggling to fill the gaping hole up front. Richarlison picked up form last season following bouts of mental health and injuries yet, has become injured again, facing a tight schedule to be fit for the start of the season. Son found himself doing a decent job as striker last season, but, as he begins to decline we desperately need to find a potent goalscorer who will thrive in Postecoglou's system. Two names have emerged as prime targets: Dominic Solanke and Ivan Toney.

Comparing their strikers profiles, both strikers are quite different in their styles of play (Toney left, Solanke right, courtesy of FBRef):

The first key difference is how Toney is a more creative striker, integral to build-up play as shown by his superior defensive stats that allow Brentford to turn the ball over and then break away on the counter-attack. Additionally, Toney is more involved in progressive passes, thus often arriving later in the box to finish chances.

However, it is alarming just how much Toney relies on penalties. In the 22/23 season, 6 of Toney's 20 goals were penalties, linking with his low percentile for non-penalty goals. Postecoglou's brand of football requires the striker to be prowling in the box rather than being involved in the build-up play as much. Richarlison saw much success when he was fit last season, receiving a hatful of chances in the penalty area that saw him end the season with 11 goals despite only starting 18 games.

This component is where Solanke much better suits Spurs' play style. He's far more active in the penalty area and is not as reliant on penalties to post good goalscoring numbers, converting twice from the spot for 19 of his 23/24 goals. He is in a much higher percentile than Toney for his non-penalty involvement.

Moreover, Solanke has the ability to drive at opponents which is what Ange will want. In the system, there is no need for the Spurs striker to hold up the ball as he will always have willing runners who can support him. Solanke also averages 5.85 touches in the penalty area, ideal for Ange's tactic of cutting the ball back on the byline.

For me, Solanke is by far better suited to Spurs and if he was to sign, would flourish under Ange's guidance. If Richarlison gets snapped up by Saudi Arabia for a hefty fee then expect Spurs to get their man. I'm not sure about Toney and I think he will stay at Brentford for the first part of the season. But with his contract set to expire next summer, Brentford will most certainly cash in by January at the latest.

Another Season, Another Step in the Right Direction?

Ange has been slowly implementing his vision into Tottenham, gradually building a squad with profiles that better resemble his play style. This project is ahead of schedule but still has a couple of years before we can become strong contenders for top 4 or even consider the league.

This season, I'm predicting Spurs to finish 5th. Manchester City, Arsenal, Newcastle and Aston Villa are further ahead in terms of their projects and will do well. Liverpool are under new management but the groundwork has already been laid by Klopp for Slot. We won't have enough to sneak into the Top 4, but I feel we will replicate last year's positive finish, likely securing more points.

I'd like to see Spurs take the cup tournaments more seriously as we always seem to head out extremely early. It would be amazing to finally win another trophy so I hope Ange considers fielding stronger XIs this season in the tournaments to give us the best chance of grabbing a trophy.

The atmosphere is a positive one in North London, expect highs and lows this year for Spurs. If ever in doubt, trust in the process and the long-term project, we still have a long way to go but have started it off well.