Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou

Matthew Chadder

Fri 25 August 2023 15:00, UK

Tottenham are preparing to travel to the South Coast to take on Bournemouth in a lunchtime kick-off on Saturday 26 August.

For the first time during his short stay at Tottenham so far, Ange Postecoglou will take his players outside of the M25 for a competitive match. After an opening day draw at Brentford in West London, and a phenomenal home win over Manchester United, the Australian will now pay a first visit to the English seaside with his new team.

And while it might now be as bright as the coasts of his native Australia, he has a chance to brighten it up himself and continue his side’s fantastic start, with a real opportunity to get seven points on the board after just three games in charge.

Bournemouth are without a win in their opening two games this season, although they have had a tricky start to the campaign. West Ham were the visitors on matchday one, with the points being shared that afternoon before they made the trip up north to Anfield, where they were beaten convincingly by Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool, despite taking the lead.

Spurs have lost just one of their previous six trips to the Vitality Stadium, although this is a very different Tottenham team in a brand-new era, so it is hard to predict exactly what the outcome will be.

While the result can’t be called, here Tottenham News has attempted to guess the starting XI that Postecoglou will name in the Premier League clash.

Goalkeeper – Guglielmo Vicario

This is probably one of the most obvious inclusions and it could be argued the 26-year-old Italian shot-stopper will be the first name on the team sheet after his scintillating performance against Manchester United.

Against the Red Devils, his six stops prevented 1.46 expected goals and he completed 34 out of his 37 passes, a successful passing accuracy of 92 per cent. In addition to this, the one time he ran out he dealt with the danger and he made three accurate long passes from the six he attempted (Sofascore).

Of course, Tottenham so often follow up a big win with a sub-par performance, however, Vicario will be looking to help his new side change those old habits in what is set to be his third consecutive start for the club.

He is the undisputed number one and barring an injury, there is no reason he won’t line up between the sticks.

Right-back – Emerson Royal

The first change Tottenham News expects Postecoglou to make is Royal coming in to replace Pedro Porro. The Spaniard put in a solid performance against United and him being dropped isn’t a reflection of his display that day.

However, Royal was dropped after scoring against Brentford, proving Postecoglou isn’t afraid to make a change after a player plays well if he feels that change will better suit the opponent. United posed a bigger threat in transition, which explained why the pacier Porro came in for Royal.

Against the Cherries, Tottenham will be expected to have much more of the ball than they did when they hosted Erik ten Hag’s side, meaning the Brazillian might find his way back into the team, in order to play the inverted role that he performed so effectively against the Bees in the club’s opening match of the season.

Centre-back – Mick van de Ven

Once again, just like Vicario, there is no reason whatsoever to drop the Dutchman. He has made a brilliant start to life in England and is without a doubt now a first-choice centre-back, alongside Cristian Romero.

In his home debut for his new club, he made one clearance, one tackle and one interception while completing 56 of his 60 attempted passes, a successful accuracy of 93 per cent. It was a confident performance against tough opposition and demonstrated the potential he has.

Centre-back – Cristian Romero

Just like Van de Ven, there is no reason to drop the Argentina international and Postecoglou will be keen to continue building the relationship between his new defensive duo.

Romero made four clearances and blocked three shots while making one interception and one tackle in his previous outing. In addition to this, he completed 88 per cent of his passes and won his one-ground duel.

It seems the defensive partnership for the season is set, providing all goes to plan.

Left-back – Destiny Udogie

Another exciting fresh face in North London, and certainly the club’s new starting left-back despite only being 20 years of age. Udogie is an exciting talent who has so far showcased plenty of potential and Postecoglou will be eager to see what he can do when thrown into another tough test, having so far passed his previous two with flying colours.

Against United, he completed 21 of his 24 passes, an accuracy of 88 per cent, with one of those passes being key, and was successful with two of his five dribbles.

It wasn’t as good a performance compared to his exploits at Brentford, but it certainly wasn’t a showing that warrants him being dropped.

Midfield – Yves Bissouma

One of Spurs’ standout performers so far this season and someone who will no doubt be named on the teamsheet against Bournemouth. Bissouma will look to continue his revival under Postecoglou with another dominant display on Saturday, after two wonderful performances so far this season.

He is the exact type of midfielder required to play in Postecoglou’s system and demonstrated that fact with an elegant performance against United.

The Mali International made five tackles and three clearances while winning nine ground duels and his one aerial duel that he contested. He completed 45 of his 51 passes, an accuracy of 88 per cent, as he once again controlled the midfield.

Supporters will be buzzing to see him play once again against Bournemouth.

Midfield – Pape Matar Sarr

After scoring his first goal for the club against United, Sarr should certainly be given the nod ahead of Oliver Skipp in midfield, and look to build on his brilliant previous performance.

Sarr made two tackles and lost possession just five times while winning three of his four ground duels and the one aerial duel he attempted. Considering he was up against the likes of Bruno Fernandes and Casemiro, it was certainly a mature showing.

Hopefully, he can shine once again, this time on the road.

Midfield – Giovani Lo Celso

In usual circumstances, James Maddison would be the third midfielder, although with the Englishman carrying a knock, it might be best to rest him in order to avoid any further complications and give Lo Celso a chance to prove himself by showing what he can do under Postecoglou.

Spurs will need options as the season progresses, and the stats certainly suggest that the Argentine midfielder could be one of those options in his new manager’s attacking, possession-based style of football.

During last season’s La Liga campaign, Lo Celso was in the 94th percentile for the number of progressive passes he made (7.75 per 90), compared to his positional peers in the competition (fbref).

He was in the top one percentile for touches in the attacking third (31.01 per 90), which further proves his willingness to get forward from midfield, something Postecoglou would appreciate in his midfielder.

Left-winger – Son Heung-min

Just like last season, Son hasn’t made the brightest start to the current campaign and has shown some signs that he is struggling to adapt to the former Celtic boss’ system. However, he is one of the club’s most influential players and is unlikely to be dropped, especially given he is now captain.

Postecoglou is therefore likely to give his star winger a chance to play himself into form against Bournemouth.

Right-winger – Ivan Perisic

While he doesn’t usually operate on the right-hand side, with Son unlikely to be dropped, Perisic could come in for the underperforming Dejan Kulusevski.

The Croatian has played well during his two substitute appearances this season and was influential in the team’s second goal against United, which effectively put the game to bed.

He and Son could look to switch sides as the game goes on in order to make it work. Whatever way Postecoglou chooses to line up, Perisic deserves a start and the front three has been ineffective thus far, with a switch-up perhaps the answer.

Striker – Richarlison

After putting in a much better performance against United, Postecoglou will likely continue with Richarlison, as the Brazil number nine continues his hunt for a goal. He is the side’s only recognised senior striker at the moment and while Son could perhaps play through the middle, it is unlikely that Richarlison will be dropped just yet.

Although the 26-year-old managed just 28 touches and only completed nine of an attempted 14 passes in his previous match, just like Son, playing him into form is the best possible solution.

However, if he doesn’t show some signs of improvement on Saturday, his place in the team might become increasingly uncertain.

In other Tottenham news, Spurs Scout has had a look at a player linked with the club who could offer something fresh to the forward line.