‘Nildén must step up as Martin Ho watches on from Tottenham’
Martin Ho will be busily assessing his squad at Tottenham as he prepares for next season.
Ho was appointed as Tottenham Women Head Coach earlier this month and will be getting to grips with the new role at Hotspur Way.
The 35-year-old is expected to vastly improve the Lilywhites’ standing in the Barclays Women’s Super League after a dismal campaign saw them finish one spot above the relegation zone last season.
Ho will have a keen eye on proceedings in the UEFA European Women’s Championship, which has featured a handful of Tottenham players, including Amanda Nildén.
Nildén helped Sweden qualify for the Euros quarter-finals
Nildén became the last Spurs player still in the Euros after Eveliina Summanen’s Finland were eliminated.
Sweden had already qualified for the last eight following their second group game victory against Poland (8 July), in which Nildén started as her nation ran out 3-0 winners.
The 26-year-old was deployed at left-back and contributed to the clean sheet, but was nevertheless hooked at half-time.
The defender made two clearances and one tackle, but lost possession 11 times, while zero per cent of her crosses were accurate [Sofascore].
Nildén also failed to make a single block or interception in the game, and recorded only a 73 per cent passing accuracy, although she did win 100 per cent of her aerial duels.
She was not used in her team’s final group game against Germany, but will hope to contribute when Sweden face England for a spot in the semi-finals.
Nildén will be entirely focused on her national team, but will also be aware that she must step up, as Ho will no doubt be watching the versatile Swede’s performances from afar.
Ho’s primary focus will be in defence
The onus on Ho to improve Tottenham’s blunt front line is clear, but his first priority should be to strengthen the defensive foundation of the team.
Tottenham were guilty of leaking far too many goals last season, with their 3-2 victory against relegated side Crystal Palace in January the last time Spurs did not concede the opening goal.
Spurs have already strengthened in that department by signing Tōko Koga from Feyenoord, but will need a vast improvement from players like Nildén if they are to turn their fortunes around.
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