Signs of improvement under Postecoglou but Tottenham in a state of transition

After a disappointing 2022/23 campaign, Tottenham Hotspur once again are going through a phase of redevelopment.

Since Mauricio Pochettino left the club, Spurs had as many as six managers either on a permanent or interim basis. Last season, they finished eighth in the league table, and it is increasingly clear that the squad needs a massive change.

Serial title-winning manager from Celtic, Ange Postecoglou was brought in to steady the ship. He has done a remarkable job at Parkhead winning back to back league titles. In 2022-23, Celtic showed unbelievable form in the league, and the Australian has proved his quality as a top manager.

He is someone who loves to stay out of the limelight,a  character completeky opposite to Jose Mourinho. He doesn’t single out players in the press, believes in developing a core unit that can win matches week in and week out.

With due respect to Celtic, the Scottish league is nowhere near the competitiveness of the Premier League, and Postecoglou will be thoroughly challenged. If Daniel Levy gives him time, if Spurs fans give him time, then Postecoglou can do wonders at the North London club. The supporters are clearly feeling excited ahead of the new campaign as Spurs tickets are selling out fast for their opening few matches, so it looks like fans are optimistic Postecoglou is the man to lead them to greater heights this season.

Kane to leave?

The summer transfer window, as usual, is vital for the club. And once again the Harry Kane saga dominates headlines.

Kane, the club’s top scorer, was outstanding last season, scoring 32 goals and providing five assists in all competitions. However, it appears that his time at the club is coming to an end.

The 30-year-old has only a year left on his contract and has made it clear that he doesn’t want to stay. Daniel Levy is a shrewd businessman, and he is determined to not sell him to any rival Premier League club.

Moreover, Spurs have slapped a fee of around £100m for Kane and no Premier League club is willing to meet that price no matter how good a player he is. Bayern Munich have come forward to prise him away, and chances are high that he will be sold.

Although Bayern are offering a bit less than what Levy wants, this is his best chance to recoup a lot of money from this transfer. Moreover, Spurs are not selling him to any direct rival.

Kane will have an opportunity to play for an elite club and win some silverware in his career, including the Champions League. It comes with a heavy price. A move to Germany could mean Kane may not be able to break Alan Shearer’s record of scoring the most goals in the Premier League, but it seems he is determined to move away from Spurs at any cost.

Fabrizio Romano states that Bayern officials are prepared for a meeting in London with Levy as direct talks will take place with Tottenham. Bayern will offer more than last €80m package bid to sign the England skipper, and let’s see if a deal can be agreed.

Obviously, losing Kane will be a huge blow for the club, but Spurs should have been prepared by now. They must have seen this coming, and it’s upto Postecoglou now to use the money wisely and reinvest in the side to bring good players.

Incomings

In fact, Spurs have aleady made some quality additions. Spurs moved quickly to sign Dejan Kulusevski on a permanent deal. The 23-year-old right winger was signed from Juventus on a permanent deal after he impressed heavily last season.

James Maddison was signed from Leicester City. Following Leicester’s relegation to the Championship, it became increasingly clear that Maddison will be allowed to leave the club this summer. He has shown his class for the Foxes over the years, and Spurs have signed a player who is in the prime years of his career.

Spurs suprised everyone when they signed Pedro Porro from Sporting CP on a big-money deal. The 23-year-old is a highly-talented defender and he will be a terrific addition to the side.

Likewise, Guglielmo Vicario joined from Empoli in place of Hugo Lloris who is certain to leave the club this summer. Manor Soloman joined from Shakhtar on a free transfer, and it looks like a cracking piece of business already.

Deadwood

The squad needs to be trimmed though. The likes of Bryan Gill, Tanguy Ndombele, Giovani Lo Celso, Joe Rodon, Djed Spence and Sergio Reguilon should be offloaded to free up the space for new additions.

If Kane leaves, Spurs will need to sign one or two top strikers. They have been recently linked with a move Nottingham Forest forward Brennan Johnson who has been valued at around £50m. Forest have already turned down bids from other Premier League clubs, and it appears that it won’t be easy to lure him away.

Johnson is an integral part of Steve Cooper’s squad. He scored 10 goals in 44 appearances during the 2022/23 campaign but Forest could be tempted to sell the player if the price is right.

There are of course, other top strikers around like Randal Kolo Muani or Dusan  Vlahovic, but they won’t come cheap as well.

Simiarly, adding a new central defender is a priority for the north London club as well. Eric Dier is not a natural centre-back but he has performed the role admirably well all these years. Davinson Sanchez has been below par in the last few seasons, and it’s high time he should be sold.

According to journalist Paul Brown, Manchester United defender Harry Maguire could be tempted to join Spurs if they come up with an offer. Maguire has lost his captaincy at Old Trafford and Erik ten Hag wouldn’t mind selling him if there’s a right offer on the table.

Spurs really need to move quickly now to bring in either Micky van de Ven or Edmond Tapsoba from Wolfsburg of Bayer Leverkusen respectively. Both the defenders have been outstanding in the Bundesliga over the past couple of seasons and would be terrific addition to Postecoglou’s Spurs backline.

Fulham centre-back Tosin Adarabioyo is also being wanted by the north London club, but he would be a fantastic addition as well.

Finally, Postecoglou must look to bolster the midfield. Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg wants to leave the club and Atletico Madrid are heavily interested to bring him to Spain. If he departs, the club need experienced midfielders to fill his void.

Franck Kessie has been long linked with a move to the Premier League but it never happened. Juventus are also interested in signing Kessie, and it remains to be seen if Spurs can make an offer for the Ivory Coast international.

One player who could make a big impact if he makes the move is Conor Gallagher. Chelsea are looking to offload him this summer, as they have done with a host of midfielders, and he has been linked with a move to Spurs.

West Ham have already seen a £40m bid rejected for the England international by Chelsea, so Spurs need to come up with a mega bid for his signature. If Kane leaves, it will be open up a lot of possibilities for Spurs, and Postecoglou can be trusted to make the right signings.