The recent Premier League match against Manchester City showcased the remarkable depth of Ange Postecoglou’s bench, hinting at a significant regeneration within Tottenham Hotspur. This shift in fortune allowed the Spurs manager to call upon talents such as Son Heung-min, Dejan Kulusevski, Djed Spence, Pape Matar Sarr, and Timo Werner during the second half. Although the team suffered a narrow loss, the reinvigoration of a previously depleted squad offers a glimmer of hope for the Australian coach.
For much of the past four months, Postecoglou grappled with a daunting injury crisis that sidelined as many as 11 first-team players. This scarcity of options coincided with a frustrating drop in form that left Spurs languishing in the lower half of the Premier League table and eliminated from both domestic cup competitions.
However, not all is bleak, as Postecoglou and his squad remain optimistic about achieving something remarkable by the end of this challenging season. A victory in the Europa League could transform what has been a difficult campaign into one of the club’s most memorable. While a trophy may not resolve every issue, it undoubtedly would provide a significant boost.
Spurs’ journey in the knockout stages, which they aspire to culminate in Bilbao at the end of May, kicks off in Alkmaar this Thursday. Once again, Postecoglou faces selection dilemmas, but this time they are less severe, manageable with a bit of hydration and strategy rather than the overwhelming stress of past weeks.
Just a month ago, during a Premier League clash against Brentford, Postecoglou’s bench was filled with six academy graduates, with the outfield players averaging a mere 20 years of age. From a scarcity of available players, he now finds himself on the verge of having an abundance of options.
Postecoglou’s first-choice central defensive duo, Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven, are both expected to be available for Thursday’s first-leg encounter against AZ. Additionally, club-record signing Dominic Solanke will also be in contention, alongside Ben Davies and Richarlison, who are both anticipated to return this month. Nevertheless, in typical Spurs fashion, the previously invincible Kulusevski has recently picked up a foot injury and is expected to be sidelined for the next two matches. The only long-term absentee now is Radu Dragusin, who is recovering from an ACL rupture sustained in January.
Since the closure of the winter transfer window, Postecoglou has enjoyed a larger squad than he had following the summer deadline, thanks to the arrival of three new players without any departures. Goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky and center-back Kevin Danso joined permanently from Slavia Prague and RC Lens, respectively, while Mathys Tel was brought in on loan from Bayern Munich. Additionally, Dane Scarlett has been recalled from Oxford United and has seen action in recent matches.
While Kinsky has recently been supplanted by Guglielmo Vicario, Danso has consistently started for five consecutive games, ensuring competition remains fierce for when Romero and Van de Ven return. The Austrian defender has performed admirably in his role. Tel, who has also participated in Spurs’ last five matches, is yet to make a significant impact on the scoresheet but continues to challenge Solanke for his position, showcasing versatility by playing out wide as well.
The influx of new recruits has certainly fostered healthy competition for starting spots, but the squad has also benefitted from the development of its younger players. Archie Gray, 18, and Lucas Bergvall, 19, were primarily acquired with the future in mind but have already made substantial contributions in their debut campaigns, with 35 and 34 appearances across all competitions, respectively. Both have adapted impressively after transitioning from the Championship and the Swedish top-flight to the Premier League. Gray, in particular, has excelled while playing out of position at center-back and would be deserving of a continued spot in the lineup.
Djed Spence is another squad member whose stock has risen dramatically in recent weeks. After finally making his first start for Spurs in December—two and a half years after joining from Middlesbrough—he has impressed on both flanks and may have even put himself into consideration for a call-up by Thomas Tuchel for England’s upcoming matches.
Before Spurs were ravaged by injuries, Postecoglou’s preferred starting eleven was relatively predictable. The back five was nearly finalized, consisting of Vicario, Pedro Porro, Romero, Van de Ven, and Destiny Udogie. In the attacking positions, Kulusevski, Son, and Solanke were mainstays, supported by either James Maddison or Brennan Johnson. The midfield selections often included two from Rodrigo Bentancur, Yves Bissouma, and Sarr.
Now, however, the situation has become less straightforward. Spence has arguably transitioned from a backup option to a first-choice player on both sides of the pitch. Gray and Bergvall have demonstrated their capacity to make an impact in midfield—a position that has historically posed challenges for Postecoglou. Wilson Odobert and Tel provide viable alternatives to Son, who, despite being a club legend, may no longer be an automatic starter.
This development is encouraging for Postecoglou; any manager would prefer having a wealth of talent to draw from rather than a lack of options. The critical task ahead is to effectively identify the right combinations to rejuvenate Spurs’ form and overall season. There is no question that Spurs possess the individual talent necessary to ascend the Premier League standings and mount a serious challenge for a European trophy. Despite enduring 14 losses in 27 league matches, they stand as the bookmakers’ favorites to clinch the Europa League, a testament to the belief that they can be a formidable force with the right reinforcements.
Analyzing Spurs’ strengths and weaknesses has been a challenge in recent months due to the team’s ongoing fluctuations. However, as the situation stabilizes and a steady flow of international talent returns to training from the treatment room, it will become easier to gauge the potential of this team. If Postecoglou can harness their abilities effectively, he may not only salvage this campaign but also lay a solid foundation for the club’s future.