Gary Lineker moots Postecoglou dispute with Tottenham star after Bournemouth draw
Tottenham could only manage a 2-2 draw at home to the high-flying Bournemouth this weekend, with one player left clearly disappointed.
Following their 1-0 loss to AZ Alkmaar in the Europa League in the midweek, Tottenham took on the Cherries on Sunday with a hope to return to winning ways.
However, a poor start and underwhelming performances from the players saw the hosts trail 2-0 after 65 minutes. Spurs did manage to score twice and squeeze a point out of a game in which they had been disappointing throughout.
The draw leaves Tottenham 13th in the table with 34 points, level with Ruben Amorim’s Manchester United and just one point ahead of West Ham and Everton.
James Maddison dispute mooted at Tottenham
Ange Postecoglou has invited a lot of criticism for Spurs’ abysmal run of form this season. Postecoglou’s position as Spurs manager is in danger and there have been constant shouts for him being sacked at N17.
Players’ performances have dropped massively under the Australian this season. A lot of players who were touted to be match-winners have become inconsistent and unreliable.
Son Heung-min, who has been Spurs’ talisman since Harry Kane’s departure, has struggled to win games for Tottenham and has been a shadow of himself.
In the game against Bournemouth, Postecoglou did not start some of his usual starters, namely Son and James Maddison.
The former Leicester City man came off the bench, playing 29 minutes in the 2-2 draw. This was his sixth substitute appearance in 10 games.
| Postecoglou’s record this season | Number of matches |
| Matches | 44 |
| Wins | 20 |
| Draws | 6 |
| Losses | 18 |
Pundit Gary Lineker suggested on The Rest is Football podcast that there might be a dispute between Maddison and Postecoglou.
He said: “Maddison, coming off the bench again [against Bournemouth]. When he comes on, he always plays some good football, I am a at a bit of a loss at what’s happened.
“I wonder whether there’s been a bit of a fallout.
“Maybe he’s thinking of that [Tottenham’s Europa league clash midweek].”
Spurs planning wholesale summer changes?
The Lilywhites have had a season to forget. Their only chance of redemption is going deep in the Europa League, but as things stand they are heading for an exit if they fail to overturn a one goal deficit against AZ Alkmaar in the second leg of the round of 16 tie.
With the axe hanging over Postecoglou’s head, the upcoming summer could give Spurs a chance to make wholesale changes. Firstly, the Australian manager could be shown the exit door for the poor season he’s had at N17.
Secondly, a number of underperforming players could be offloaded to reduce the wage bill and accommodate new signings.
Richarlison, who has barely featured this season, could be offloaded. Reports have suggested that Tottenham are ready to cut their losses on Richarlison, who has failed to fire since his £60million move from Everton.
Yves Bissouma is another name that could leave the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. The Mali international has been inconsistent, posing questions over his reliability. Reports suggest that a £15m offer would be enough for Tottenham to consider sanctioning the transfer.