Tottenham ‘in the running’ for major success amid recent Premier League developments
Tottenham have big expectations for this season after their Europa League triumph last term.
Ange Postecoglou delivered the Lilywhites their first major trophy in 17 years when they defeated Manchester United in the showpiece final, and that is expected to be a springboard for them.
However, Postecoglou’s Tottenham side notably struggled in the Premier League, and he ultimately paid the price for that by losing his job.
New boss Thomas Frank has overseen a bright start to the new campaign, and there is now plenty of optimism surrounding the N17 outfit as we head into the bulk of the season.
This article includes the opinion of iconic football commentator Ian Darke.
Ian Darke thinks Tottenham are ‘in the running’ for the top four
Tottenham are back in the Champions League for the first time since the 2022/23 campaign, and they will have to balance that effectively with their domestic assignments moving forward.
The North Londoners have a strong desire to become a regular fixture in Europe’s premier club competition, and that means that there is little room for error in the league.
A top-four finish is becoming increasingly lucrative for Premier League clubs, and it also earns them the right to go and compete against Europe’s best in the following season.
- Tottenham are in the Champions League for the first time since 2022/23
- They were knocked out in the last 16 by AC Milan in that campaign
- They began this year’s edition with a 1-0 win over Villarreal on Tuesday night
Iconic football commentator Ian Darke – speaking exclusively to Tottenham News – believes that Frank’s men are well-placed to make a serious push to secure Champions League qualification for next term.
“The top four is going to be difficult this year because you’ve got Liverpool, Arsenal, Manchester City, and Chelsea,” Darke said.
“I think Spurs are in the running. If it’s top five again (that get a Champions League place), they’re in the running maybe for fifth place, along with a few others like Newcastle.
“So I think they can have a much, much better Premier League season than they had last year.
“That’s what the early signs are telling you, notwithstanding the fact that they were played off the park by Bournemouth.”
Spurs need to become Champions League regulars
Spurs’ return to the Champions League this year is certainly a welcome one, but it is easy to forget that their domestic campaign was miles below where they needed it to be last time out.
The Lilywhites need to become a staple in the Champions League if they are to heavily invest in their squad in the coming years, and that requires consistency week in, week out in league action.
Postecoglou’s side were chaotic, and while brilliant at their best, Frank’s more measured, considered approach could be invaluable this season.
Tottenham already look like a difficult team to beat, and if that continues until May, then they will surely find themselves in the mix at the top end of the table.
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