Giovani Lo Celso offers Tottenham sense of optimism with stunning display despite Aston Villa defeat
Tottenham might have lost 2-1 against Aston Villa on Sunday 26 November, but Giovani Lo Celso’s performance would have left Ange Postecoglou with something to be optimistic about.
It is hard for Spurs supporters to find many reasons to be optimistic at this moment in time.
Rodrigo Bentancur looks to be the latest addition to the club’s long list of absentees after he came off during the first half against Villa following a wreckless challenge from Matty Cash.
With Manchester City to come, before another six games in December, it looks like Ange Postecoglou is set for a very difficult spell in north London following his incredible start to the season.
That is how quickly football can change, and a big reason for that change has been the absence of James Maddison. The England international has been a standout player since his summer switch from Leicester City but is one of many players currently sidelined with injury, and was not available for the defeats against Wolves or Villa.
Nonetheless, Lo Celso proved in glimpses against his former manager Unai Emery’s side that he might be able to effectively replace Maddison over the festive period, and a consistent run in the side could help him toward doing that.
He set Spurs on their way with his first-half strike on Sunday afternoon, scoring for the first time in the Premier League since November 2020. Although this goal proved futile, his overall performance would have still left his manager delighted.
It was the Argentine’s passing which stood out above everything else. Not only did the 27-year-old complete 92 per cent of his passes, with 68 of the 74 he played finding a teammate, but three of those passes were key as he constantly looked to create chances for his forward players.
All three of Lo Celso’s long balls forward were successful, while he saw one shot blocked and completed one of the two dribbles he attempted.
His work off the ball was arguably even more impressive. Lo Celso won seven of the 13 ground duels he contested while he also made one interception in addition to four tackles (Sofascore).
Although it wasn’t a vintage Maddison performance, it was certainly a display which suggests that Lo Celso does have the potential to reach those levels, now he just has to show that.
It would take a lot for Lo Celso to replace Maddison in the team upon the 26-year-old’s return from injury, but he will certainly do everything within his power throughout December to make his case.
While the north London side does have some difficult games between now and the New Year, the visits of Everton and Bournemouth as well as a trip to Nottingham Forest will offer Lo Celso the perfect opportunity to flex his muscles.
Things might seem sour for Tottenham right now, but in that darkness, Lo Celso might finally be able to make a name for himself at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
In other Tottenham news, another rarely-seen Spurs star failed in his audition against Aston Villa.