Credit: Imago

Richie Mills

Tue 17 March 2026 7:55, UK

Tottenham Hotspur‘s January transfer gamble in signing Souza may be paying off after a slow start.

Souza swapped Santos for Tottenham in a £13million deal in January, but the 19-year-old had to be patient early on.

The left-back made a cameo off the bench in a 2-0 loss at Manchester United on 7 February, back when Thomas Frank was still in charge.

Following the Dane’s sacking, interim boss Igor Tudor has given the teenager more of a chance to shine, with two Premier League starts in his last three matches.

Archie Gray was signed for £40million by Tottenham in 2024, but he has predominantly played in defence so far, despite his strength being in midfield.

And to date, Souza’s versatility is also being tested since signing for Tottenham.

Igor Tudor not bothered about playing Souza out of position

Souza was signed by Spurs as a long-term prospect at left-back. Destiny Udogie isn’t much older at 23, but he has been linked with a return to Italy.

But with the Italy international consistently injured, although he is set to return for their crunch six-pointer with Nottingham Forest on Sunday, Souza has been given a chance to strut his stuff.

Indeed, the youngster has played at left-back and as a left midfielder for the north London team. He was even deployed as a right midfielder in the 1-1 draw at Liverpool on Sunday.

In that match, he played 56 minutes, had one shot on target, a 100 per cent passing accuracy, and had nine touches.

For Tottenham so far, he has made four clearances and two interceptions, but his duel rate is down at 16.7 per cent. Moreover, he has won two fouls and conceded three.

He didn’t look out of his depth, especially against Liverpool. But once again, Tottenham are putting a lot of faith in a young player, as they have done with 20-year-olds Gray and Lucas Bergvall.

Gray, in particular, has repeatedly been played out of position, with the former Leeds United man being used as a centre-back, a full-back, and occasionally in midfield. While playing in multiple positions can be good for your game, too much of it can blunt a player’s edge.

Tottenham needed to sign players who improved their starting XI in January for what has now become a relegation battle.

Now it seems Souza is getting the square peg in a round hole treatment.

Igor Tudor may be delaying the inevitable

Tudor was brought in as interim manager until the end of the season in mid-February, but so far, it has been a wretched start at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

The Croatian has endured heavy defeats to Arsenal, Crystal Palace, and Atletico Madrid, while seemingly angering players and fans with his approach.

After a 5-2 drubbing in the Champions League at Atletico, the pressure on Tudor reached fever point ahead of facing Liverpool, but a creditable 1-1 draw has sparked hope, in some quarters, of a revival.

As Jamie Carragher put it, Liverpool were sleepwalking in the second half against Spurs, who are one point above the relegation zone, as Richarlison’s late equaliser earned them an important point.

This was undoubtedly Tottenham’s best performance under Tudor, but that positivity could evaporate when they face Atletico in the second leg of their last-16 Champions League tie on Tuesday.

Moreover, they host Forest in a massive game in the Premier League on Sunday.

Tudor may yet turn things around, but for the time being, it still seems that this job may prove too much for the former Juventus manager.