Tottenham's Rollercoaster Season Under Postecoglou: Promises and Pitfalls
Ange Postecoglou's inaugural season at the helm of Tottenham Hotspur was a tale of highs and lows. Ending the season at fifth place with a commanding 3-0 victory over Sheffield United, Spurs exhibited flashes of brilliance but struggled with the inconsistency that kept them just outside the coveted Champions League spots.
The early signs of the 2024-25 campaign have been equally perplexing. With only one win from the opening matches, Postecoglou has retained a largely unchanged squad from the previous season. The summer transfer strategy focused on infusing the side with young, promising talent, securing teenagers such as Wilson Odobert, Lucas Bergvall, and Archie Gray. This youthful injection, however, is yet to translate into consistent performances on the pitch.
One significant signing was Dominic Solanke, though his immediate impact has been hindered by a short-term injury. Despite these challenges, Tottenham continues to flex its muscle in key metrics within the Premier League. The team remains in the top four for possession, passing, and attacking statistics, hinting at the underlying potential of Postecoglou’s philosophy.
Tottenham's possession game has been particularly noteworthy, boasting nearly 70% control against Leicester City and maintaining 65% against Newcastle United. In terms of expected goals, Spurs generated 1.18 against Leicester City and 1.26 against Newcastle United, indicating that the opportunities are being created even if the final product is still a work in progress.
However, Tottenham’s midfield trio of Rodrigo Bentancur, Yves Bissouma, and Pape Matar Sarr has yet to inspire confidence. This lack of midfield dynamism has been a significant impediment, with the team often failing to convert possession into decisive attacking moves.
International duties over the summer saw key players such as Cristian Romero, Micky van de Ven, Radu Dragusin, and Rodrigo Bentancur representing their countries. This added workload has perhaps impacted their readiness and cohesion at the start of the new season.
In a last-minute attempt to bolster the squad, Tottenham added Johnny Cardoso from Real Betis on transfer deadline day. Whether this late addition will make a significant impact remains to be seen, but it is clear that Postecoglou is still in the process of shaping his ideal squad.
Last season's encounters with arch-rivals Arsenal were thrilling yet frustrating for Spurs fans. A 2-2 draw at the Emirates and a narrow 3-2 loss at home underscored the fine margins in this fierce rivalry. As Tottenham prepares for their next clash with Arsenal, the absence of key figures like Declan Rice and potentially Martin Odegaard from the opposition side could provide a timely boost.
Postecoglou's balancing act between an attacking philosophy and defensive robustness is a work in progress. The upcoming fixture against Arsenal will be a significant test of this balance and a potential turning point in Tottenham's quest to break into the top four.
As the season unfolds, Postecoglou and his squad will need to address the inconsistencies that have plagued them and turn possession dominance into tangible results. Only then can Tottenham hope to fulfill their aspirations of rejoining Europe's elite in the Champions League.