Tottenham squad evaluation: the place to strengthen and who might depart? – Nature right this moment

After final week’s pleasant in Melbourne, Tottenham Hotspur’s season has come to an finish and the gamers at the moment are resting.

It will likely be a busy summer time even earlier than the Spurs start their preseason tour of Japan and South Korea on the finish of July. Ange Postecoglou has spoken overtly in regards to the want for adjustments in his second summer time window on the membership, which will definitely embody departures in addition to signings. Who can we count on to nonetheless be on board subsequent season? And who says goodbye?

Within the graph under, we have now included the kids who appeared within the first staff in 2023-24, however not one of the gamers who have been on mortgage in 2023-24 have been away from the Spurs and don’t appear to be within the staff. It’s promising.

Gate keepers

After 11 years as primary, Hugo Lloris is likely to be arduous to beat, however Guglielmo Vicario has been successful at Spurs since becoming a member of Empoli final summer time which means that the place needs to be sure for a time period. Vicario is not good (followers will count on him to be stronger in tight spots subsequent season), however he is a wonderful shooter and good on his toes.

A very powerful drawback is what they’ll do to repeat it. Fraser Forster solely began one sport final 12 months, the defeat to Fulham within the Carabao Cup, so there was no take a look at of how he would match into Postecoglou’s type. Forster’s attributes recommend he might not be a pure match, however with a 12 months remaining on his contract, Spurs don’t have any intention of re-signing him.

Forster is 36 years outdated, so it would not be stunning in the event that they have been on the lookout for a youthful participant quickly. Third keeper Brandon Austin has signed a brand new contract for subsequent season and is a neighborhood possibility alongside Alfie Wightman.

Gamers

Postecoglou asks a number of his defenders. They need to defend massive areas, given how aggressive the Spurs line of defense is, and on the identical time drop into the center of the sphere to assist the ball transfer ahead. The highly effective operating of striker Destiny Udogi and the motion of Pedro Porro have been essential to Spurs’ efficiency final season.

The keeper’s drawback is kind of the identical because the aim: the dearth of clear alternate options. Tottenham have been fortunate that Porro performed in addition to he did: he solely misplaced three league video games regardless of enjoying in such a tricky position. When Emerson Royal was known as up, he seemed like a robust defenseman who was pushed out of his consolation zone. Spurs want to supply higher cowl for Porro, which is why they’re thinking about a back-up defender this summer time, and why Royal’s departure is just not a shock (he has been linked with curiosity from Saudi Arabia for a time).

On the opposite facet of the defence, Tottenham’s Ben Davies covers Udogi. The Wales worldwide is Spurs’ longest-serving participant, having been on the membership for 10 years. Davies, 31, has 12 months left on his contract and given his potential to cowl in central defence, he may very well be a invaluable a part of the staff subsequent season. In any case, Spurs want a youthful different to Udogi.

Central defenders

Ask a Spurs fan who their greatest gamers have been final season and the identical two names will probably be repeated probably the most: Christian Romero and Mickey van de Ven. From the second Van de Ven arrived at Wolfsburg final summer time, they shaped a partnership that confirmed their potential to play the way in which Postecoglou needed: defending excessive up the pitch and shifting from the again. The nostril of the Spurs in November once they weren’t straightforward to catch confirms how necessary they have been. Spurs needs to be in good condition subsequent season if one thing occurs with Romero and Van de Ven.

That is why they purchased Radu Dragusin from Genoa in January and signed him to a contract till 2030. He solely began 4 video games final season, however has seemed higher within the final two video games and , after the preseason, he will probably be an necessary participant. a part of the staff subsequent season.

Shopping for a central defender is just not a precedence, however there’s a query as as to if Tottenham want one other backup in case of an emergency. After the departure of Davinson Sánchez and Eric Dier final season, they lack skilled choices. If Royal or Davis depart, it can hamper their lineup much more. The signings might rely on Alfie Dorrington or Ashley Phillips going out on mortgage or staying within the staff.

Midfield

Tottenham have loads of midfielders, however the extra final season went on, the extra it appeared Postecoglou did not know his greatest mixture. This can be an space that wants cleansing up.

Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg has served Spurs nicely over the previous 4 years, however was largely a powerful substitute final season and struggled in all eight video games within the Premier League. At 28 years outdated he needs to play and it will be a shock if he’s not offered this summer time. Oliver Skipp performed even much less (5 league video games) and, regardless of getting used at left-back in the direction of the tip of the season, may very well be on the lookout for extra soccer within the first staff. Giovani Lo Celso has provided some high quality moments, however with only a 12 months left on his contract, that is the final summer time Spurs can save for him.

Forward of them are the midfielders who’re more likely to keep subsequent season. James Maddison has made a very good begin since his arrival, struggling after an ankle damage however stays a artistic spark to the staff. Pape Matar Sarr has had an excellent season and was awarded a long-term contract in January. Each will probably be a part of the Spurs subsequent season and past.

That leaves two extra. Yves Bisuma began nicely however struggled to regain type and health within the second half of the season. Rodrigo Bentancourt missed an extended sequence of accidents and didn’t appear like himself when he was enjoying. Spurs won’t make a transfer for both one, however it’s clear the place they’d stand if there was cash on the desk, particularly for Bisuma. There’ll certainly be one other arrival within the midfield this summer time, maybe another centered than the one they have already got.

Bissuma has began the season nicely however has struggled to remain match and in form (Rob Newell/Getty Photographs)

Peshawar

Son Heung-min loved a return to type final season and stays indispensable as captain. Spurs additionally embody an possibility into his contract for an additional 12 months, conserving the 31-year-old on the membership till 2026. Brennan Johnson has proven loads of expertise in his first season on the membership and is an ideal match for what Postecoglou needs. large ahead. Dejan Kulusevski has been working arduous all season, filling in midfield and even up entrance, however his greatest position in Postecoglou’s system remains to be unclear. Along with his distinctive abilities and age (24), he will probably be an enormous a part of Spurs’ future.

The way forward for different promoters is much less clear. Richarlison improved so much final season, with 11 objectives within the league, however Postecoglou can take benefit and enhance. There’s sturdy curiosity from Saudi Arabian golf equipment, who’re providing Spurs the possibility to recoup the £50 million ($64 million) they paid for him in 2022.

If Tottenham can discover a extra skilled striker who can are available and rating objectives, Richarlison can be price promoting, and there aren’t many in the marketplace proper now. Spurs’ largest determination this summer time will probably be whether or not or to not maintain the 27-year-old.

Within the large areas, Manor Solomon has been affected by accidents so his departure isn’t a surprise, whereas Brian Gill has two years left and is unlikely to be offered. Each have apparently been delay by the information that Timo Werner’s mortgage from RB Leipzig has been prolonged for an additional 12 months. The German seemed like a pure on the left within the second half of final season.

(Extra reporting by Mark Carey)