Scott signs, Kyogo transfer, Ndombele sold….Ange Postecoglou’s dream 25-man Tottenham squad
Here, we take a look at how Ange Postecoglou’s ideal Tottenham team may look after the club completes its summer transfer business.
In the summer transfer market, Tottenham should be very busy because Daniel Levy has a lot of work to do to support the team’s push for the top once more. Spurs cannot afford to remain stagnant in the market as all of their competitors will strengthen if they fail to build on a Champions League finish in May 2022 and finish in a disappointing eighth place.
In an effort to make some significant changes as they usher in a new era, Tottenham must both bring in a huge number of new players and let a large portion of their present group go. Before the window closes on Friday, September 1 at 11 p.m., Ange Postecoglou, the club’s new managing director of football, and Levy have a lot to work out.
What might Postecoglou’s ideal 25-man Tottenham team actually look like at the beginning of September? Below, football.london looks.
Goalkeepers: Raya, Forster, Austin/Whiteman
Tottenham must strengthen between the sticks ahead of the new season with Hugo Lloris looking a certainty to move on for a fresh challenge elsewhere. David Raya has been heavily tipped to replace the Frenchman at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and he would prove to be a very good signing if Levy can drive Brentford’s reported £40million asking price right down.
A good shot-stopper and impressive with the ball at his feet, the Spaniard is also classed as homegrown after joining Blackburn Rovers as a youngster. Fraser Forster would provide cover for the new No.1, with one of Brandon Austin or Alfie Whiteman third choice as the other heads out on loan to play regularly.
Defenders: Emerson, Porro, Spence, Romero, Laporte, Guehi, Lenglet, Davies, Udogie
Centre-back is the priority position for Tottenham this summer as they look to bring in players on the same level as Cristian Romero. As a transfer away from Man City may come to fruition due to a lack of playing time, Aymeric Laporte would instantly upgrade Tottenham’s backline.
The Spain international may come at a price but he would be worth every penny. Marc Guehi would be another excellent addition after a great couple of seasons with Crystal Palace, with Clement Lenglet’s loan move turned permanent if he’s going to be available for as little as £5million, as reported by Spanish publication Sport.
Lenglet would provide cover for the other centre-backs at the club, thus opening the door for the likes of Eric Dier, Davinson Sanchez, Joe Rodon and Japhet Tanganga to depart permanently.
At right-back, Postecoglou and Tottenham will have to decide between Emerson Royal and Pedro Porro for a starting spot. As the January signing could potentially be used further upfield due to his attacking qualities, it may be wise to keep Djed Spence at the club rather than parting with him on loan once again.
On the opposite flank, Destiny Udogie and Ben Davies will compete for a place in the team. That would then allow Ryan Sessegnon, Sergio Reguilon and Ivan Perisic to head elsewhere.
Midfielders: Skipp, Hojbjerg, Sarr, Bentancur, Bissouma, Maddison, Scott
Tottenham are well stocked in the midfield department at present but they really could do with bringing in an attack-minded player due to the system that Postecoglou plays. James Maddison is the choice of many with a move away from Leicester City set to happen due to his contract status and the Foxes’ relegation to the Championship.
Bristol City’s Alex Scott has also been linked with a switch to his boyhood club after excelling in the Championship. Amid interest from a host of clubs, Spurs may want to make a quick move for the highly-rated ace as he could be a huge hit in Postecoglou’s system and he looks destined to be a star of the future.
That would then leave Oliver Skipp, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, Pape Matar Sarr, Rodrigo Bentancur and Yves Bissouma at the club, with Alfie Devine exiting on loan to gain some valuable first-team experience. Harry Winks, Giovani Lo Celso, Tanguy Ndombele and Harvey White will join the youngster in heading out of the door but they will instead go permanently.
Forwards: Son, Richarlison, Kulusevski, Gil, Kyogo, Kane
The main objective for Tottenham this campaign will be to keep Harry Kane in north London amid interest from both Real Madrid and Manchester United. If they can do that, the striker could potentially top his 30 league goals from last campaign with Spurs set to play a very attacking game under Postecoglou.
Dejan Kulusevski must be signed permanently despite his struggles last term, with Bryan Gil potentially coming into Postecoglou’s thinking, especially after the departures of Lucas Moura and Arnaut Danjuma, to compete with Son Heung-min and Richarlison. Celtic ace Kyogo Furuhashi has been linked with a move to Tottenham following his heroics under Postecoglou in Glasgow and he would brings goals to the team if he can replicate his outstanding form.
While starts would be hard to come by for the Japanese star with Kane ahead of him in the pecking order, he does have experience of playing on either flank in the past which would give Spurs further options when it comes to playing him.