Paul Robinson backs Ange Postecoglou to trim Tottenham squad down for 2023/24 Premier League season
We’re delighted to welcome former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson as our exclusive columnist as each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at The Tottenham Hotspur Stadium…
Paul Robinson has predicted a squad thinning at Tottenham as new manager Ange Postecoglou rebuilds the side with his new style of play in mind.
Postecoglou joins Spurs after seasons of underperformance in north London, and is set to make vast changes in the teams’ squad and culture after the rollercoaster Conte period.
Many decisions are set to be made about who remains in the squad and who leaves as the Austrailian build the team in his new vision amid links to Crystal Palace defender Joachim Andersen [The Sun].
Robinson claims that due to the speed needed and the size of the change in style, Spurs may operate with a smaller core of first-teamers who share the manager’s vision.
Speaking exclusively to Tottenham News, Robinson said: “They’re not going to be playing five at the back next season, they’re not going to be sitting deep and hitting players on the counterattack at home. He wants wide players with a forward-thinking pressing mindset, that’s the kind of player Postecoglou wants.
“The one thing I will say is I think the squad will be smaller next year. I think he will mould the squad that he wants to work with. We know there’s no European football next season, with just the domestic cups to challenge for, so the call for Spurs to have such a big squad of players next year isn’t there.
“I think we will see the manager work with a smaller concentration of players with the type of players that he wants.
“The manager has a lot of decisions to make. Bryan Gil is coming back into the equation. Ndombele we’ve seen come back training with the club. There are a lot of players that the manager has to make a decision on.
“There’s a reason why Spurs didn’t succeed last year and there’s a reason why they’ve got a new manager. Postecoglou even said in the press conference that this is a rebuild and a reshaping of the squad and team.
“Nobody is hiding anywhere, there will be players that leave that club depending on the style of play. Bentencor will be key to how they play in midfield, but I can’t see Hojberg being part of his plans.
“Maddison will come into the side, Kulusevski will play. There’s obviously the rumbling saga about Harry Kane. There’s going to be a different style of play and player, and the manager has a lot of big decisions to make. But with a smaller squad, he’s going to have players that he wants there and that he trusts to put on the pitch, not just utilising a big squad.”
In other Tottenham news, Harry Kane could be the answer to Thomas Tuchel’s prayers if his move to Bayern Munich goes ahead.