View: Three Tottenham players who could benefit from potential Ange Postecoglou appointment
Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou is currently a leading candidate to take over the vacant managerial post at Tottenham according to various reports.
As reported by Dan Kilpatrick of the Evening Standard (1 June), Tottenham will step up their approach for the Greek-Australian coach after his side’s Scottish Cup Final on Saturday.
Daniel Levy is said to have been impressed by the former Australia boss, and incoming Tottenham chief football officer Scott Munn knows the 57-year-old personally and is also a big admirer, which may increase the likelihood of Postecoglou’s appointment.
Ahead of his potential arrival, Tottenham News has been identifying three current Spurs players who could benefit from the appointment.
Pedro Porro
A key feature of Postecoglou’s teams is full-backs attacking spaces higher up the pitch. At Celtic, the manager has used a 4-3-3 formation with very wide wingers, which leaves space for full-backs to dribble into. This style would benefit the attack-minded Porro.
According to stats provided by FBREF, during his time in the Premier League, the Spanish right-back was in the upper two percentile for shots taken compared to other players in his position in the league, as he registered 2.07 shots per 90.
His attacking output was displayed in his statistics, as he scored three goals and provided three assists in just 1,131 minutes of Premier League football. An impressive return for a player adapting to the league after arriving in the middle of the season.
The former Sporting Lisbon player made 2.71 progressive carries per 90 which is perfect for a team where full-backs are encouraged to dribble into space higher up the field.
Dejan Kulusevski
The Swedish international did not enjoy his football during the 2022/23 campaign, however, the arrival of Postecoglou could help Kulusevski to find his best form again.
At times it often felt as though Kulusevski was struggling to flourish in the system played by Tottenham last season. Postecoglou’s style of wide wingers who threaten space in behind is one which the Swede would be more suited.
A key feature of Kulusevski’s game is taking his opponent on out wide, often beating his man and carrying the ball into the opposition penalty area to create a dangerous opportunity.
During the 2022/23 league season, the winger made 4.22 shots-creating actions per 90, 3.78 progressive carries per 90, and completed 2.18 successful take-ons per 90.
These numbers demonstrate Kulusevski’s threat and demonstrate the quality he could bring to Postecoglou, should Spurs trigger their permanent option.
Cristian Romero
Celtic under Postecoglou is a side that likes to defend on the front foot and press aggressively, quite the opposite of how Spurs would defend under Antonio Conte.
Romero is a player who would most certainly fit this defensive description. The Argentinian made 2.95 tackles per 90 during the 2022/23 Premier League season as he would often push up the pitch and engage opponents further infield.
This statistic put Romero in the upper five percentile for tackles compared to players in his position in the league.
The aggressive centre-half also made 0.85 progressive carries per 90 which demonstrates his willingness to get forward and push up high, and his 1.64 interceptions per 90 also show his front-foot style of defending.
Options for Postecoglou
The stats and figures show there are players in the current Tottenham squad who would suit Postecoglou’s style of play, however, the coach would need more.
Tottenham’s squad have been coached in a certain way for a few years now and this style would be a complete switch-up, one which some players may not be able to adapt to.
If Daniel Levy is to bring the Australian coach in, he would need to support him and bring in players that would give Postecoglou the best chance at succeeding and complement the current options in the squad.
In other Tottenham News, we have been having a look at a Spurs star who struggled this season.