Tottenham Hotspur closed out Ange Postecoglou's first season at the helm with optimism, finishing in the fifth spot in the Premier League. The campaign wrapped up with a commanding 3-0 victory at Sheffield United, but the journey to that point was marked by inconsistency. This saw Spurs narrowly miss out on a coveted Champions League position.
Despite the uneven form, there were bright spots and strategic moves in the offseason. Postecoglou retained most of the squad from the previous year, and the club's summer transfer policy emphasized bringing in young, promising talents. This strategy saw Tottenham invest in teenagers Wilson Odobert, Lucas Bergvall, and Archie Gray, signaling a commitment to building for the future.
The club also secured the services of Dominic Solanke, though he is currently sidelined with a short-term injury. This blend of experience and youthful promise will be crucial as Spurs aim to improve their standing in the 2024-25 campaign.
However, the new season has started on a shaky note, with only one win from their initial fixtures. Despite the underwhelming results, Tottenham's statistical metrics offer a more nuanced view of their performances. Spurs continue to rank within the top four in the Premier League for possession, passing, and attacking metrics. Their ball dominance was evident with nearly 70% possession against Leicester City and 65% against Newcastle United. Against Leicester, Tottenham generated an expected goals (xG) value of 1.18, and slightly higher at 1.26 against Newcastle.
One area that still requires attention is the midfield trio of Rodrigo Bentancur, Yves Bissouma, and Pape Matar Sarr, who have yet to find the rhythm needed to control games effectively. Additionally, key players like Cristian Romero, Micky van de Ven, Radu Dragusin, and Bentancur himself participated in international competitions over the summer, which might have contributed to the squad's initial struggles.
In a move that could pay dividends, Tottenham bolstered their midfield on transfer deadline day by adding Johnny Cardoso from Real Betis. This acquisition is seen as an effort to bring more stability and creativity to the center of the park.
Upcoming North London Derby
Looking ahead, Tottenham's next challenge is the highly anticipated North London derby against Arsenal. Last season's encounters were thrillers, ending in a 2-2 draw at the Emirates and a narrow 3-2 loss at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. This fixture promises to be equally intense, especially with key Arsenal figures Declan Rice and potentially Martin Odegaard set to miss the match.
Manager Ange Postecoglou faces the task of balancing his attacking philosophy with the need for defensive solidity. This balancing act will be crucial in securing a positive result against their fiercest rivals. The team's possession-based approach and attacking metrics suggest that Tottenham have the tools to challenge even the top sides, but translating that into consistent results remains the key challenge.
As Spurs navigate through the season, the focus will undoubtedly be on integrating the new signings and finding a cohesive unit that can deliver both at home and in Europe. The promise shown by the young talents, coupled with the experience of seasoned players, will be under the spotlight as Postecoglou strives to steer Tottenham back into the upper echelons of the Premier League.