Tottenham: Ange Postecoglou labels Pedro Porro ‘Outstanding’ after what happened on Friday
Tottenham right-back Pedro Porro has been recalled to the Spain national team after his incredible form in the Premier League this season.
Porro has been a standout performer under Ange Postecoglou throughout the 2023/24 campaign.
He has flourished in his role as an inverted right-back, although despite his strong form all season, Porro had been snubbed by the Spanish national team on multiple occasions.
However, it was confirmed on Friday (15 March, Tottenham Hotspur Official Website) that after 12 months Porro had finally been recalled to the Spain setup in what is his fourth senior international call-up.
Speaking after the news was announced, Postecoglou was full of praise for his right-back, telling SpursPLAY (via Tottenham Hotspur Official Website, 15 March), “It’s brilliant and well deserved – he’s been outstanding all year.
“He’s worked awfully hard on his game on both the offensive and defensive side. We’ve obviously put some different demands on that position, but he’s adapted so well and credit to him, he’s worked really hard.
“He never let it get him down at any stage, the fact that he wasn’t part of the national team, I think it’s well-deserved and hopefully he gets an opportunity to show what he can do.”
Pedro Porro has a strong case to be named Tottenham Player of the Season
Postecoglou believes Porro has adapted well to his demands, and it would be incredibly hard to deny that.
After missing games against Wolves and Crystal Palace due to injury, Porro returned to the fold for Spurs’ 4-0 win against Aston Villa at Villa Park (10 March), and straightaway demonstrated his importance as he helped his side to their first clean sheet in over two months.
He performed well in the West Midlands, making one clearance, blocking one shot and making three tackles while winning three of his five ground duels (Sofascore).
It didn’t take long for Porro to remind Spurs supporters of his attacking credentials as he completed 83 per cent of his passes, with two of those being key.
Porro’s attacking quality has always been evident since he arrived in North London, with his eight assists this season the joint-most of any player at the club.
However, it is the defensive side of his game which has developed immensely under Postecoglou.
As per fbref, Porro ranks in the top seven per cent of Premier League fullbacks this season for the number of tackles he has won (2.05 per 90) and the 98th percentile for the number of tackles he has won in the attacking third (0.54 per 90).
In addition, he once again ranks in the top seven per cent of his positional peers in England’s top flight this season for the number of dribblers he has tackled (1.92 per 90) and also sits in the 94th percentile for the number of blocks he has made (2.09 per 90) and the 95th percentile for the number of passes he has blocked (1.50 per 90).
His inclusion in the Spanish national team is therefore fully deserved, and Porro will be hoping for some minutes on the pitch as he looks to claim his third cap for his country over the next couple of weeks.
In other Tottenham news, a doctor has provided an update on one injured Spurs star amid a fresh setback.
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