Key Players Shaping Tottenham’s Performances in 2024

Tottenham have gone through a transformation under new boss Ange Postecoglou this season. After years of underperforming and unattractive football under the guidance of coaches like Jose Mourinho, Nuno Espirito Santo and Antonio Conte, Spurs took a chance to hire Postecoglou last summer. They knew they were getting a coach that plays attacking football and knows how to win following his huge success at Celtic. However, he was unproven in the Premier League and many thought it would take the Aussie some time to adapt to his new surroundings.

However, Postecaglou has turned things around in his first season and Tottenham look like they are primed to be challenging for major honours again under the 58-year-old. Postecaglou revamped his squad last summer and in January, and the team are playing some of the best football in England. Even in their new 60,000 seater stadium, it’s become increasingly difficult to get Tottenham tickets, such is the demand to watch them play. Understandably, they remain a work in progress and aren’t as consistent as they would like, but there is no doubt Spurs are heading in the right direction.

Let’s take a look at some of Tottenham’s key players behind their resurgence:

Hueng-min Son: The Heartbeat of Tottenham

Following Harry Kane’s move to Bayern Munich, Heung-Min Son has taken over the mantel as Tottenham’s main attacking threat.  The South Korean international is a vital player for Spurs and is now club captain nine years after joining from Bayer Leverkusen. Son played mainly from the left flank while Kane was at the club, but he’s now being played as the focal point in Tottenham’s attack with the likes of Timo Werner, Richarlison, Brenan Johnson and Dejan Kulusevski offering support.

Son has scored 14 goals in 25 Premier League games this season while he’s provided a further 8 assists for his team mates meaning he’s one of the most productive attackers in the division. At 31, he’s also one of the most experienced players in the squad and has become a leader in the dressing room.

James Maddison: The Dynamic Playmaker

Tottenham signed James Maddison from Leicester City for £40m last summer and it’s turned out to be one of the best deals of the season. Maddison settled immediately in North London and is already a key player for Postecoglou. The 27-year-old is Tottenham’s creative spark in the middle of the park and much of their good play goes through him.

Injuries disrupted his progress during the mid-point of the season but he’s now back to full fitness and has managed to provide 4 goals and 8 assists in 18 Premier League games. Maddison’s impressive form has seen him break into Gareth Southgate’s England squad and he is a strong shout to be involved at the European Championships this summer if he continues to play well during the final months of the season.

Rodrigo Bentancur: The Midfield General

Rodrigo Bentancur joined Tottenham from Juventus in January 2022 and has become an important first team player in North London. The Uruguayan international impressed with his superb control and passing ability, and is an excellent all-round midfielder. A serious cruciate ligament injury saw him miss the first half of this season and he’s been limited to making just 15 appearances across all competitions this season.

However, Bentancur is back to full fitness and keen to make up for lost time by helping Spurs push for a Champions League qualification place. The South American makes a huge difference to the Tottenham team when fit and on top form, so Postecoglou will be desperate to ensure Bentancur gets back to his best level to push Spurs to greater heighter over the coming years.

Dejan Kulusevski: The Emerging Star

Spurs initially signed Dejan Kulusevski on loan from Juventus in January 2022 and it was seen as a major coup. The Sweden international had earned a reputation as one of the most exciting young attackers in world football during his time in Italy so it was a huge deal that Tottenham had managed to lure him to North London.

After impressing during his 6-month loan, Spurs made the deal permanent for just £30m the following summer and it’s turned out to be an absolute bargain. Kulusevski is an amazing talent with a big future ahead of him and he’s already becoming a key player for Tottenham under Postecoglou. The 23-year-old showcases superb dribbling skills, pace and finishing so has all the tools to become a world class player over the coming years.

He’s mainly played on the right wing for Tottenham but has been deployed in a more central role in recent months by Postecoglou. It remains to be seen where his best position is over the next few seasons but his versatility will be a useful asset for the Spurs coach. Kulusevski has scored 6 goals and set-up another 3 for his team mates in 26 league games this season. Those numbers are expected to steadily increase as he improves and develops his game, but there is no doubt Kulusevski is a hugely exciting player for the future and Tottenham are lucky to have him.

Cristian Romero: The Defensive Rock

Tottenham pulled off another masterstroke by signing Cristian Romero from Atalanta. They initially signed him on loan in August 2021 with an option to make the deal permanent the following year. After an impressive debut campaign in England, Spurs activated the option to sign Romero for around £35m in 2022.

The Argentinean international has become a rock at the back for Tottenham and is now one of the first names on the team sheet. Postecoglou named him as vice captain, showing his growing importance to the team and his excellent leadership skills. Romero leads by example and is one of the most passionate players on the pitch. Perhaps he is a bit too passionate, as he picks up too many yellow and red cards, but there is no doubt Romero is a vital player for Spurs at the back.

He’s regarded as one of the best defenders in the Premier League and helped Argentina win the World Cup in 2022.

Pedro Porro: The Energetic Full-Back

Once again, Spurs completed an initial loan deal to sign Porro from Sporting Lisbon in January 2023. They activated the option to make the deal permanent in the summer for around £35m. Porro has forged a reputation as one of the most attacking full-backs in Europe and already got 8 assists to his name in 25 league games this season.

The Spanish international has become an important player for Tottenham in Postecoglou’s attacking style of play that encourages the full-backs to get forward and join in the attacks. Porro is known for his high work ethic and excellent passing ability, making him the perfect fit under Postecoglou at Tottenham.