Tottenham Hotspur will have to wait a little longer than most other Premier League teams to kick off their 2024/25 campaign, with their first matchday of the season set for Monday night against newly-promoted Leicester City.
The anticipation is building as Spurs prepare to embark on a new adventure under the guidance of Ange Postecoglou, who has been diligently putting his players through their paces during pre-season.
Tottenham’s pre-season preparations have been largely positive, with wins in all but two of their matches. Postecoglou, who took over the reins last season, has implemented an exciting, attacking style of play that has reinvigorated the team and the fanbase. Despite a late downturn in form last season that saw Spurs narrowly miss out on a Champions League spot, the team did manage to secure a place in the Europa League, offering a chance to compete on the European stage once again.
As Spurs gear up for their season opener at Leicester City, they will be looking to hit the ground running and build momentum early on. Leicester, who have returned to the Premier League after a season in the Championship, will be eager to make a strong impression in front of their home fans. However, Tottenham’s quality and experience may prove too much for the Foxes to handle.
Chris Sutton, a former Chelsea player and now a well-known football pundit, has shared his thoughts on how he believes Spurs will fare against Leicester. Sutton has also voiced his surprise and frustration over some of the criticism that has been directed at Postecoglou in recent weeks.
Sutton, writing on BBC Sport, has been taken aback by the “nonsense” he has heard about Postecoglou supposedly being on thin ice and needing a strong start to the season. He finds it puzzling that some quarters are questioning the Tottenham manager’s position, given the clear progress the team has made over the past 12 months.
The criticism seems even more baffling when considering the style of football Postecoglou has brought to Spurs. Under his guidance, the team has moved away from the often cautious and defensive approaches seen under previous managers like Jose Mourinho and Antonio Conte. Instead, Tottenham have embraced a more attacking philosophy that has not only entertained fans but also delivered results. Last season, Spurs were in top-four contention for most of the campaign, and their late-season slump, while disappointing, should not overshadow the strides they have made.
Sutton is confident that Postecoglou will not be fazed by the criticism. The Australian manager has a wealth of experience and a track record of success in various leagues around the world, and Sutton believes he will “plough through” any negativity that comes his way. Sutton has backed Tottenham to start their season on a high note with a 3-1 victory over Leicester City, noting that the Foxes will likely be well-organized under their manager Steve Cooper but may struggle to contain a Spurs side full of attacking talent.
Sutton also praised Tottenham’s recent signing of Dominic Solanke, describing it as an “astute bit of business” that could further bolster the team’s offensive capabilities. With players like Solanke in the squad, Sutton expects Spurs to have another strong season and continue their upward trajectory under Postecoglou.
Regarding team news for the Leicester match, Tottenham appear to be in good shape. Richarlison, who had been gradually reintroduced to training, is available for selection, offering a significant boost to Spurs’ attacking options. Fraser Forster has also recovered from a foot injury and is back in training with the group. However, Tottenham will be without Yves Bissouma, who is suspended due to disciplinary reasons.
As the countdown to Monday night’s clash continues, all eyes will be on Tottenham to see if they can deliver on the promise of another exciting season. With Ange Postecoglou at the helm and a talented squad at his disposal, the Spurs faithful have every reason to be optimistic about what lies ahead.
