Ange Postecoglou has had a season to settle in English football and the Australian will want improvement from Spurs. After a near miss in their top-four pursuit last season, the North Londoners need to go to the well again.
Tottenham – Premier League Season Preview 2024/25
Last season: 5th
Title odds: 25/1
TFF prediction: 4th
Tottenham Transfers 2024/25
In: Archie Gray, Lucas Bergvall, Yang Min-hyuk, Dominic Solanke, Timo Werner (loan).
Out: Ryan Sessegnon, Eric Dier, Tanguy Ndombele, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, Alejo Veliz (loan), Bryan Gil (loan), Dane Scarlett (loan), Joe Rodon, Troy Parrott, Emerson Royal, Yago Santiago.
Ange Postecoglou begins his second season as Spurs manager after a largely positive debut campaign in North London. Spurs stumbled during the run-in to miss out on a top-four finish but the club’s bold approach won over supporters who had become disillusioned with the pragmatism of past regimes.
Naivety remains an issue, however, particularly when defending set-pieces. Just five teams conceded more set-piece goals than Spurs last season with four of those making up the bottom four in the Premier League table.
Postecoglou’s mantra will remain that fortune favours the brave and the Australian is prepared to back his side to play high-risk football. Spurs have broken their transfer record to sign Dominic Solanke from Bournemouth and the 26-year-old looks a suitable stylistic fit to lead Postecoglou’s intensity, having led all Premier League forwards for pressures in 2023/24.
First session at Hotspur Way ✅ pic.twitter.com/hHM0AGJ7yM
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) August 14, 2024
Spurs are quietly building a team of rich potential and in Archie Gray and Lucas Bergvall the North Londoners believe they have added two stars of the future. Each have caught the eye in pre-season, alongside several members of Spurs’ successful Premier League 2-winning side from last season, including Will Lankshear and Mikey Moore.
The top four will be the expectation for Spurs this season though the club’s fans will want more in other competitions. Early exits from both domestic cups did not aid their pursuit of Champions League football last season and should not be discarded given the lack of silverware that has arrived in North London this century. The Europa League offers a genuine route to both Champions League football and silverware in 2024/25.
Key man: Micky van de Ven
The Dutch defender was one of the signings of the season last term after his £34m arrival from Wolfsburg. A phenomenal physical presence, Van de Ven set a new record as the fastest footballer ever recorded in the Premier League. For a central defender, his electric pace is unusual and is key to Spurs’ implementation of a high defensive line.
In Van de Ven and Cristian Romero, Spurs have one of the best centre-back pairings in the Premier League. The task for Postecoglou is to find balance and provide the duo with adequate protection.
One to watch: Archie Gray
Named as the EFL Championship’s Young Player of the Season for 2023/24, Gray’s breakthrough campaign at Leeds United has led to a £40m move to the Premier League this summer.
Wholesome Sonny and Archie 🫂 pic.twitter.com/wJUUqe40mT
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) August 15, 2024
The 18-year-old offers an old head on young shoulders and has shown his versatility with composed performances in midfield and at right-back.
Though he lacks senior experience, his displays in pre-season have suggested that Gray is already capable of a regular role in Postecoglou’s side and an England call could beckon if he hits the ground running in the top-flight this season.
