Ange Postecoglou has some very big decisions to make over the coming days as he finalizes his plans for Tottenham Hotspur’s Premier League opener away at Leicester City.
After a challenging 2023/24 season marked by injuries and suspensions, Postecoglou now faces a welcome dilemma: choosing from a nearly full-strength squad as he embarks on a crucial new campaign.
The 2023/24 Premier League season could have been much different for Tottenham had it not been for the unfortunate timing of injuries and suspensions that hit the squad hard. Early in the season, Spurs lost key players like Ivan Perisic and Manor Solomon to long-term injuries, severely limiting the team’s options. However, the real blow came in November during the 4-1 defeat at home to Chelsea. This match not only ended Tottenham’s unbeaten run but also saw the loss of vital players such as James Maddison and Micky van de Ven to injuries that sidelined them until 2024. Adding to the woes, Cristian Romero and Destiny Udogie were both handed suspensions following red cards, further depleting the squad.
The aftermath of this injury and suspension crisis left Postecoglou with limited choices for his starting XI and the substitutes’ bench. The situation was epitomized during the 3-3 draw against Manchester City at the beginning of December when Tottenham had to field a defense comprising four full-backs and fill the bench with two goalkeepers and three academy players to meet the required nine substitutes.
Reflecting on the season’s challenges ahead of last Saturday’s pre-season friendly against Bayern Munich, Postecoglou acknowledged that the struggles of the previous season had significantly influenced the club’s transfer strategy this summer.
“Yes. That was pretty glaring last year when we had disruptions and bad injuries, self-inflicted with suspensions. We really struggled to maintain performance,” he said.
“We signed Radu [Dragusin] in January, which helped us enormously in terms of making sure we have really good center-back options irrespective of who starts. Some of our players, hopefully having been through a season with us, are going to be more robust this year. Hopefully, we can rotate a little bit more in terms of the starting line-up to protect them. What we’ve tried to do this year is make our squad more resilient and more able to tackle the challenges we’ll have.”
Tottenham’s summer transfer window has been shaped by these lessons. With the added demands of European football on the horizon, the club has made several key acquisitions to bolster both the quality and depth of the squad. New arrivals include promising talents like Archie Gray, Lucas Bergvall, and Dominic Solanke. Additionally, Timo Werner, who made a significant impact after joining on loan in January, has returned to the club for another season, while Djed Spence is back in Tottenham’s plans after an 18-month loan spell away.
As the team prepares for Monday’s Premier League opener against Leicester City, Postecoglou faces some difficult decisions regarding his 20-man squad for the trip to the King Power Stadium. Remarkably, nearly every player is available for selection, a stark contrast to the challenges of the previous season. While Richarlison and Fraser Forster have yet to make pre-season appearances, Postecoglou confirmed in a press conference that both players have resumed training and completed a “good block of training.”
In addition to the returning players, Postecoglou has a wealth of young talent to choose from, including Mikey Moore, Alfie Devine, Jamie Donley, and Will Lankshear, all of whom impressed during pre-season. However, this depth means that some experienced players, such as Oliver Skipp and Solomon, could miss out on the squad. Giovani Lo Celso is also unlikely to be involved, given his probable departure from the club and his absence from the Bayern match.
Even Djed Spence, who has enjoyed a strong summer, might find himself on the bench or left out entirely. With Gray capable of covering the right-back position, Postecoglou may opt for an additional attacking option in his squad.
These selection dilemmas are exactly what Postecoglou has been craving, as they signify the strength in depth that Tottenham has lacked in recent seasons. Having a large, competitive squad is essential for a team aiming to compete on multiple fronts, and Postecoglou knows that having options will be crucial as the season progresses. However, the reality of the Premier League is that injuries and suspensions are inevitable, and the current squad depth will be tested again.
For now, Postecoglou welcomes this rare luxury of selection headaches, hoping that the competition within the squad will drive performances and help Tottenham start the season on the front foot. How long this healthy situation lasts remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: the Spurs head coach is relishing the challenge of making these tough decisions as he prepares his team for the 2024/25 campaign.
