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Tottenham legend Glenn Hoddle has explained why he's wanted a "real talent" at Spurs for years, and has tipped the player for a Euro 2024 trip.

Spurs chasing top-four Premier League finish

While manager Ange Postecoglou's hopes of winning Spurs their first piece of major silverware since 2008 ended with a 1-0 FA Cup defeat to Man City recently, there is still every chance the Lilywhites can seal a top-four finish and qualify for next season's Champions League.

Spurs may already have a bigger talent than Bergvall in Maddison regen

Ange Postecoglou is starting to build a team of real potential.

ByAngus Sinclair Feb 2, 2024

It's been quite a promising start to life for Postecoglou after his arrival from Celtic last summer, with the Australian's intense, high-pressing football quickly winning over many of Tottenham's loyal fan base.

Spurs also appear to be operating more efficiently off the field, as the appointments of technical director Johan Lange and Chief Football Officer Scott Munn continue to work wonders in regard to their transfer policy.

Timo Werner

Arrival (loan)

Lucas Bergvall

Arrival (buy-to-loan-back)

Radu Dragusin

Arrival (permanent)

Sergio Reguilon

Exit (loan)

Japhet Tanganga

Exit (loan)

Ivan Perisic

Exit (loan)

Eric Dier

Exit (loan)

Ashley Phillips

Exit (loan)

Djed Spence

Exit (loan)

Alejo Veliz

Exit (loan)

The north Londoners were widely rumoured to have beaten European heavyweights Bayern Munich and Barcelona in races for defender Radu Dragusin and Swedish sensation Lucas Bergvall respectively, which perhaps sums up their growing stature as a club in general.

Tottenham are on the up, and Postecoglou's feel-good factor has played a huge role.

Another key component of their success has been Spurs' data-driven recruitment model, with 2023 summer signing James Maddison coming in to become one of their star players.

The former Leicester City man has also returned from an injury lay-off and boosts Postecoglou's top-four charge, with Hoddle tipping him for a spot in Gareth Southgate's England squad at Euro 2024.

Hoddle reveals he's wanted Maddison at Spurs "for years"

Speaking to TNT Sports, Hoddle says he's wanted Maddison at Spurs "for years" and believes the "real talent" will have a big role to play at Tottenham.

“100% he’s good enough, yeah," said Hoddle on Maddison's England chances.

“I’ve said for years that he should have come to Tottenham, two or three seasons ago. If we could have got him with the players we had, with someone like Harry Kane, it would have been sensational.

“And I just think at the moment he’s one of the best No. 10 creative players around. Him and [Phil] Foden are outstanding.

“He’s such a talented lad. He doesn’t quite feel for me as comfortable in an England shirt yet. It doesn’t feel really as if the manager has put his arm around him, saying 'you’re my man'.

“He keeps having to prove himself, [and we] might not see the best of him in that case. But here at Tottenham, and what he did at Leicester, he’s a must, he’s a real talent.”

Tottenham Hotspur are enjoying success under Ange Postecoglou and there is every possibility that the club will return to the Champions League next season after failing to qualify for European football at all last year.

It's also quite clear that Postecoglou is building something set to last in north London, shrewdly signing talented players and encouraging the quality of the existing crop back into the limelight.

Tottenham were made mincemeat of on too many occasions last season and Postecoglou's appointment was crucial to prevent further woes, a plummet into the abyss of midtable.

Last weekend, victory over Brighton & Hove Albion pushed Spurs back into fourth place and Aston Villa's home defeat against Manchester United the next day confirmed the position – with just 14 matches left to play in the Premier League, there is hope indeed.

While this senior success is at the forefront of the club's current endeavours, the formative fold are actually surpassing Postecoglou's men and top the Premier League 2 table with a perfect record after 11 matches.

Much has been made of Spurs' lack of squad depth over the duration of the campaign and indeed the likes of Jamie Donley and Alfie Dorrington have found regular places in the matchday plans since November to combat these issues, now alleviated after chairman Daniel Levy welcomed Radu Dragusin and Timo Werner in the winter transfer market.

Spurs could have bigger talent than Bergvall in 18 y/o Romero clone

Ange Postecoglou has one of the Premier League’s most exciting youngsters at his disposal.

ByAngus Sinclair Feb 9, 2024

Donley and Dorrington are exciting prospects but they are not the only teenage talents capable of wedging their way into the first-team, with left-back Charlie Sayers pushing for more after some excellent displays this season.

Charlie Sayers' season in numbers

Sayers, aged 19, joined Tottenham from Southend United in December 2021 and has since gone from strength to strength within the youth fold, at present a standout member of England's finest-performing U21 squad.

Having amassed 38 appearances for Tottenham's respective development outfits, Sayers is indeed now knocking on Postecoglou's doorstep and will be among the most likely options to wedge their way into the senior set-up going forward.

Of course, the fact that Spurs have been knocked out of both domestic cups and failed to qualify for Europe last season means that if Sayers is to grace the pitch with the first team before the summer it will come in the Premier League, and with everything on the line the Australian manager will be more circumspect than he might like when handing out debuts to the formative players.

Regardless, Sayers is proving himself and will be sure to take the next step in his development sooner rather than later, having completed nine appearances in all competitions this term and started five times for his table-topping team in the Premier League 2.

In the EFL Trophy, as per Sofascore, he has exhibited his elite athleticism and energy down the left channel by averaging 1.3 key passes, two tackles and 7.3 ball recoveries per match across three fixtures, also completing 85% of his passes.

Charlie Sayers' style of play

Club insider Superhotspur has described Sayers as a tall defender capable of performing both centrally and out wide, boasting a wide range of passing and with good pace to keep things ticking down the flank.

The report goes on to denote a preference to play the ball out and maintain fluency in possession, two points that certainly work in his favour when considering the system that Postecoglou implements and the style that he expects his players to bring to the table.

Eric Dier, Spurs stalwart to a degree, was ostracised from the first-team action and sold to Bayern Munich last month after clearly not offering the skill set that Tottenham now require.

Radu Dragusn was brought in as a replacement but there is definitely room for a new left-sided defender to bolster the ranks – the likes of which Tottenham perhaps haven't seen since a certain former club captain, Jan Vertonghen, who was equally as supreme in possession in the two positions Sayers is capable of playing in. As a result, the teenager – who has been hailed for his "outstanding" qualities by former Southend manager Phil Brown in the past – seems to fit the Belgian's void perfectly.

There has been much talk about the likes of Donley as the Lilywhites' standout prospect and indeed the playmaker has been in scintillating form this season with six goals and 12 assists from 16 matches, but Sayers has demonstrated that he has the making of a star and could make the left-back role his own in the years to come.

After all, it's potentially easier to break in as a full-back than in the forward areas of the pitch; just ask Bukayo Saka at Arsenal who began his career as a left-sided defender.

Of course, Destiny Udogie is the first-choice left-back at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and that doesn't look like it will change any time soon, but Sayers could be an excellent understudy to add some depth and dynamism over the coming years.

How Charlie Sayers compares to Destiny Udogie

Udogie signed for Tottenham from Udinese in a £15m deal back in 2022 but spent the 2022/23 campaign back on loan with the Serie A side, honing his craft and doing so rather impressively, praised as an "incredible talent" by journalist Josh Bunting.

He's taken to life in English football, under Postecoglou's stewardship, seamlessly, the 21-year-old posting two goals and three assists across 21 league outings, with his efforts leading footballJOE's Hunter Godson to remark that he "gets into nearly every team in the world already."

As per FBref, he ranks among the top 20% of full-backs across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for goals scored, the top 15% for pass completion, the top 12% for tackles and interceptions and the top 11% for progressive carries and successful take-ons per 90.

On the note of ball-carrying, he also averages 6.1 ball recoveries per match in the Premier League this season so Sayers would be able to slot right into that role as the understudy. The Italian defender is also similarly crisp in his passing with an 86% success rate this term.

Sayers still has a bit of a way to go until he establishes himself as a senior at Spurs but he definitely has the tools to do so and might just find himself attracting attention in the years to come as he bids to emulate both Vertonghen and Udogie.

Last time out, Chelsea picked up an extremely impressive 3-1 victory at Villa Park.

Mauricio Pochettino will be delighted with the way his side bounced back from their 4-2 defeat to Wolverhampton Wanderers last weekend, and he will hope to build on that performance.

This time around, Chelsea travels to Selhurst Park on Monday, where they will face a struggling Crystal Palace.

The pressure to perform consistently is increasing on the Blues, and therefore, this is a must-win game.

Poch's next Dele Alli was as good as Palmer in Chelsea's win vs Villa

The 24-year-old has the ability to explode under Pochettino.

ByJack Salveson Holmes Feb 8, 2024

Minimal changes to the starting XI are expected to occur, but let's take a look at who the Argentine could put his trust in from the off.

1 GK – Dorde Petrovic

With Robert Sanchez still out injured, Dorde Petrovic will continue in between the sticks for the 14th consecutive game.

2 RB – Malo Gusto

Malo Gusto has been a liability at times in defence this season, as highlighted by the penalty he conceded versus Wolves.

However, he showed his quality going forward against Aston Villa as he picked up an assist.

3 CB – Axel Disasi

The French defender scored an own goal last weekend, but he will start once again.

Axel Disasi has been one of the most reliable defenders for Pochettino, starting 21 games in the league already.

4 CB – Thiago Silva

39-year-old Thiago Silva will return to the side on Monday.

The Brazilian is set to replace Benoit Badiashile in the starting lineup, who picked up a groin injury in the week.

5 LB – Ben Chilwell

Levi Colwill is in contention to return, but Ben Chilwell should continue to captain the side at left back.

6 DM – Moises Caicedo

Moses Caicedo has started 18 Premier League matches this season, and he will look to boss the midfield again.

In the week, the 22-year-old had an 95% pass accuracy, and his control will be needed against the Eagles.

7 DM – Enzo Fernandez

Enzo Fernandez will continue to partner the Ecuadorian in the middle of the park, and he will make his 19th start of the campaign.

The Argentine also scored an unstoppable free-kick against Villa in what was one of his best displays since signing for the club from Benfica.

8 RW – Cole Palmer

Cole Palmer has been Chelsea's best player this season by a mile, and Pochettino cannot afford to bench him.

In the league, the former Manchester City gem has netted ten goals and provided four assists in 15 starts.

9 AM – Conor Gallagher

The midfield three will remain unchanged from Wednesday, with Conor Gallagher completing the trio.

The former Eagle scored his first goal of the season against Villa, and he has played every game bar one this season due to suspension.

10 LW – Nicolas Jackson

Nicolas Jackson is a striker by trade, but he was impressive off the left against Villa, scoring and making four key passes.

The 22-year-old has also netted seven goals in 16 Premier League starts this campaign.

Arsenal have enjoyed a brilliant spell in recent weeks, which has seen the Gunners win six Premier League games in a row, scoring 25 goals in the process.

Mikel Arteta's side have been dominant, with players such as Bukayo Saka, Declan Rice and Gabriel all at the heart of the club's successful run that has seen them move to within two points of leaders Liverpool.

The run has seen Arteta's side score three or more times in five of the six games, with the only exception coming in the 2-1 win away at Nottingham Forest on January 30th.

Despite the form of players such as Rice and Saka, multiple Arsenal players have been victims of good performances from other Gunners teammates.

Why Gabriel Jesus will struggle to regain his place

Despite starting the first two games in the Gunners' brilliant Premier League run, the Brazilian has missed the last four victories through injury. However, he was an unused substitute in Saturday's convincing 4-1 victory over Newcastle United.

The former Manchester City striker scored the opener in the victory against Forest at the City Ground, with Jesus firing through the legs of one-time Arsenal 'keeper Matt Turner.

However, despite the striker's absence, Arteta's side haven't appeared to miss Jesus' presence, with the Gunners appearing to be free-scoring in front of goal in recent weeks.

Kai Havertz has often been deployed in the false nine role, with Leandro Trossard rotating with the German at the point of Arsenal's attack. The former Chelsea attacker has two goals and an assist in his last five matches, with Trossard bagging three goals in the same period.

Despite Jesus' absence, another Arsenal player has been unfortunate with injuries and the form of one of his teammates.

Arsenal's biggest loser from their run of form

Jakub Kiwior, who is primarily a centre-back, has played every minute for Arteta's side since coming on for Oleksandr Zinchenko at half-time in the 3-1 victory against Liverpool back on February 4th.

Since his inclusion at half-time against Jürgen Klopp's side, the Polish defender has been part of an Arsenal defence that has only conceded one goal in the Premier League – with Kiwior showing glimpses of why the club forked out £21m for his signature.

The defender scored his second goal for the club in Saturday's 4-1 win over Eddie Howe's Newcastle, with Kiwior's aerial presence adding to Arsenal's already impressive tally of 19 goals from set pieces this campaign.

Even though he's playing in a slightly unnatural position, the former Spezia defender has adapted well to Arteta's role of an inverted full-back after initially struggling with Kiwior's ability on the ball making him a great fit for Arsenal's impressive possession-based style.

The club may have splashed £30m to prise Zinchenko away from rivals Manchester City. However, with the form of Kiwior in Arsenal's starting XI, it looks like the Ukranian may face an uphill task to dislodge the defender from his current starting role.

At times this term he has been a liability of sorts, gifting possession away too easily, notably to concede a goal against Wolves earlier in the term. There have been no such moments of nervousness from Kiwior and he deserves to keep his place.

Arsenal are a club that have turned their fortunes around entirely in recent years.

Mikel Arteta has taken a side that finished eighth twice in a row and turned them into genuine title contenders.

Much of this success has been built off the back of intelligent signings such as Martin Odegaard, Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Magalhães.

It's a far cry from the Gunners' poor recruitment of the past, including one signing that earned significantly more than the Brazilian does now.

How much Gabriel earns at Arsenal

Arsenal signed Gabriel from French side LOSC Lille for just £27m in the summer of 2020, and while he wasn't necessarily a name well-known to English fans at the time, he certainly is now.

Despite just arriving at the club, the São Paulo-born titan made his debut in the first Premier League game of the season. He got off to a flyer and scored the club's second goal as they ran out 3-0 winners.

GK – Bernd Leno

CB – Kieran Tierney

CB – Gabriel Magalhães

CB – Rob Holding

RWB – Hector Bellerin

CM – Granit Xhaka

CM – Mohamed Elneny

LWB – Ainsley Maitland-Niles

LW – Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang

RW – Willian

ST – Alexandre Lacazette

It wasn't entirely smooth sailing in that first season, though, as he would make just 32 appearances across all competitions, missing six through injury and spending 21 either on the bench or out of the squad altogether.

However, in the seasons since, his importance has grown massively. He's made 154 appearances for the team, in which he has a remarkable return of 15 goals and one assist, making him the highest-scoring centre-back in the league since he joined.

These consistent performances from Arsenal's defensive "fighter," as he was dubbed by former Lille president Gerard Lopez, resulted in him signing a new contract in October 2022 that increased his £50k-per-week wages to £100k-per-week, and it's hard to say he's not worth it in today's market, especially as the Gunners used to pay someone a lot less effective a lot more money.

How much Danny Welbeck earned at Arsenal

In the dying embers of the 2014 summer transfer window, Arsenal made the shocking move to sign Danny Welbeck from traditional rivals Manchester United for around £16m.

It was a move that left fans and pundits scratching their heads, but with 26 England caps to his name at the time, there was some excitement at the Emirates that he could be the man to lead them back to the title.

His first season in north London was a mixed one, as his return of eight goals and six assists in 34 games was slightly underwhelming, but he scored the winner against United in an FA Cup Quarter Final, a moment fondly remembered by Arsenal fans everywhere.

However, while he was a well-liked player and one who clearly had talent, his final tally of 32 goals and 15 assists in 126 appearances across his five seasons at the club was disappointing, especially considering his wages.

Transfer Fee

£16m

Total Wages

£31m

Total Cost

£47m

Appearances

126

Goals

32

Cost per Goal

£1.5m

Assists

15

Cost per Assist

£3.1m

Goal Involvements

47

Cost per Goal Involvement

£1m

During the first three years of his deal, the Manchester-born forward earned £115k-per-week, which then increased to a whopping £125k-per-week for his final two years at the club, meaning he earned about £31m during his stint in N5.

Combine that with his £16m transfer fee and the former Red Devil cost Arsenal around £1.5m-per-goal, or £1m-per-goal involvement, making it hard to call his time at the club a success.

Arsenal paid £7.3m per goal for a flop who earned more than Trossard does

The tricky star couldn’t recreate his magic in red and white.

ByJack Salveson Holmes Mar 6, 2024

Ultimately, Welbeck was a victim of his injuries, missing 153 games in total during his time at the Emirates, and while he probably wishes it could've gone better, his recent resurgence at Brighton & Hove Albion has reminded the league just how good he can be.

Arsenal are absolutely flying at the moment.

Mikel Arteta's side are top of the Premier League thanks to an unbelievable run of victories, and after Tuesday's dramatic win over Porto, they're into the quarter-finals of the Champions League as well.

The north Londoners have been in such brilliant form of late that it's impossible to single one player out, making team selection pretty straightforward for Arteta.

Bar any injuries or players needing a rest, the Spaniard can pick the same XI in the knowledge that they'll perform, which is great for him and the fans, but not for a certain player on the bench who used to be a regular starter.

Why Zinchenko could lose his place in the team

Yes, the player in question is Ukrainian Oleksandr Zinchenko.

The skilful full-back joined the Gunners from Manchester City in July 2022 for just £30m and immediately became an integral part of the side that came agonisingly close to lifting the title last season, making 33 appearances across all competitions.

Appearances

56

Goals

2

Assists

4

Goal Involvements per Match

0.10

Average Points per Game

2.09

The 27-year-old's ability to seamlessly invert into the middle of the park and help the Gunners control possession was an essential aspect of how Arteta wanted his team to play, and at that, he is excellent. However, there's a drawback to the Radomyshl-born ace's game, which is his defensive fragilities.

It was a flaw on full display when the Gunners travelled to Anfield last season and this season, as the Reds' equaliser in both games came directly from his mistakes.

Even in his short cameo against Porto, the defensive "liability", as Gary Neville once dubbed him, made several errors that invited more pressure upon the hosts, which led to football.london's Kaya Kaynak awarding him a 5/10 on the night and writing that 'he gave Porto a bit of a chance.'

If this had been last season, a lack of genuine alternatives would have left Zinchenko relatively safe in his position regardless of his suspect defending, but the recent form of one of his teammates and the imminent return of two others have put his place in the XI in real jeopardy.

The players who could replace Zinchenko

So, the first player who looks ready to replace the Ukrainian in the XI is Polish international Jakub Kiwior.

The former Spezia man came into the team during half-time against Liverpool when Zinchenko came off injured and has looked at home ever since.

In the six games he has started since, the 24-year-old has helped keep three clean sheets, provided two assists and scored one goal while looking far more defensively astute than the man he replaced.

If he maintains his form, the Tychy-born star will likely keep his place in the team beyond the game at the Etihad, but Takehiro Tomiyasu and Jurrien Timber could also stake a claim for the position should he falter.

Appearances at Left-Back

27

19

10

Goals

2

0

0

Assists

5

0

1

Average Points per Game

1.81

2.16

2.40

The former has already played 17 games for the Gunners in that position and, like Kiwior, can bring some extra physicality to the role due to being 6 foot 2.

On the other hand, Timber has only played as a left-back ten times in his career. Still, two of those appearances came for Arsenal before he suffered his devastating ACL injury, suggesting that Arteta sees him in that position in the long term.

95-touch Arsenal star deserves as much praise as Raya after Porto heroics

Arsenal’s European dream lives on.

ByJack Salveson Holmes Mar 13, 2024

Ultimately, while Zinchenko does offer the Londoners an extra body in midfield, it would appear as if his defensive failings are becoming increasingly hard to ignore for the manager and as he is already struggling to win back his place from one of his teammates, it could be game over when the other two are back to full fitness.

Leeds United are currently competing to secure promotion to the Premier League at the first time of asking after their relegation last summer.

The Whites could need to splash the cash to bolster their squad if they do win promotion back to the big time, and they have already been linked with an interest in £25m-rated Celtic star Matt O'Riley.

When they were last in the Premier League, the club swooped to sign Georginio Rutter for a club-record £35.5m from German side Hoffenheim in January 2023, but he could not help the team avoid the drop.

The club once broke their transfer record in the top-flight to sign striker Brian Deane in the summer of 1993 and, if you adjust for the inflation of fees in football, that move was worth even more than the one to bring Rutter to Elland Road.

How much Leeds' deal to sign Brian Deane would be worth in 2024

Per Totally Money, Leeds paid a fee of £3.9m to sign the centre-forward from Sheffield United ahead of the 1993/94 Premier League campaign.

Adjusting for the aforementioned inflation of transfer fees in football over the subsequent years, that £3.9m would be worth a staggering £60.6m in 2024 money.

The Whites signed the number nine, who was born and raised in Leeds, from the Blades after the impressive marksman had plundered 12 or more goals in each of his last three top-flight seasons.

Deane fired in 12 and 13 First Division goals in the 1990/91 and 1991/92 campaigns, respectively, before a fantastic return of 15 goals and ten assists in 41 matches in the first-ever Premier League term.

His sublime goalscoring form for Sheffield United convinced Leeds to smash their transfer record, in a deal that would be worth over £60m today, and it turned out to be a howler by the club.

Brian Deane's Leeds career in numbers

The former England international, who was capped three times by his country, enjoyed a fantastic debut season with the Whites, as he scored 11 goals and provided 12 assists in 41 Premier League matches, carrying his form for the Blades over to Elland Road.

Unfortunately, that sublime first year with Leeds was the outlier in his four-year stay with the Yorkshire-based side, with the 6 foot 3 striker's form in front of goal declining after that.

1993/94

41

11

12

1994/95

35

9

2

1995/96

34

7

1

1996/97

28

5

1

As you can see in the table above, his appearances and goals in the Premier League slowly declined each year, with a distinct lack of creativity after his debut season as well.

Having hit double figures for goals in his last three years with the Blades, Deane only scored more than nine goals in one of his four campaigns with the Whites, and he did not win a single trophy during his time there.

They then sold him back to Sheffield United in the summer of 1997 for a fee of £1.5m, which shows that they made a significant loss on him to go along with his underwhelming performances on the pitch in three of his four years at Elland Road.

Therefore, Leeds had a howler with the signing of Deane from the fellow Yorkshire side back in 1993 as they spent a huge sum of money, relative to the time, to sign him and were not rewarded with much value on the pitch, or off it when they sold him four years later.

Tottenham Hotspur have enjoyed comparative success under Ange Postecoglou but will need to hit a rich vein of form heading into the business end of the Premier League campaign – Champions League qualification is on the line.

Last time out, before the international break, the Lilywhites were trounced 3-0 by Fulham at Craven Cottage but have the perfect opportunity to make amends on Saturday, welcoming relegation-threatened Luton Town to north London.

Still fifth-placed and just three points behind Aston Villa in the top four (and with a game in hand), Spurs simply have to secure victory against Rob Edwards' side and will be galvanised by the possible return of Micky van de Ven, who missed out against Fulham due to injury.

Moreover, Richarlison could be in line for his first start since picking up an ankle injury against Wolverhampton Wanderers in February.

Postecoglou has options to defeat a Hatters side that has not claimed a Premier League win in two months, and he might make three changes to set the tone for the final stretch of the campaign.

1 GK – Guglielmo Vicario

Guglielmo Vicario has started every Premier League fixture for Tottenham this season and has been rewarded for his fine efforts with an Italy debut last week.

Spurs' top defenders get much credit for the improvements in the defensive third this season but the shot-stopper has been immense.

2 RB – Pedro Porro

Pedro Porro was guilty of some poor performances last season after joining from Sporting Lisbon in January 2023, but he's now blossoming into a first-class player and has been incredible across a number of areas for Spurs.

Defensively solid, intelligently creative and seamless in his movements, the Spaniard is one of the most important members of the team.

3 CB – Cristian Romero

Perhaps a little overzealous at times, but hey, Cristian Romero is a singular centre-half and he's oh-so impressive in combining aggressiveness and technical quality.

Counterbalanced against the athleticism and speed of Van de Ven, the 2022 World Cup winner will be key is stifling any Luton attacks.

4 CB – Micky van de Ven

There are questions surrounding Van de Ven's return and whether Postecoglou will play the prudent game and keep him away from the starting XI ahead of Tuesday's clash against West Ham United, but he's been training and may well start.

Van de Ven bagged his only Tottenham goal against Luton and has been ridiculously important for the club – he's lost just two times across 18 Premier League appearances, with his teammates falling to defeat across half of the ten fixtures he has missed.

5 LB – Destiny Udogie

Who else? Ben Davies enjoyed a fine international break with Wales and picked up a 9/10 match rating during his nation's penalty defeat against Poland, but Destiny Udogie, aged 21, has been brilliant since arriving in England last summer.

As per FBref, the £75k-per-week speedster ranks among the top 10% of full-backs across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for pass completion, the top 14% for progressive passes, the top 8% for progressive carries, the top 11% for successful take-ons, the top 18% for tackles and the top 8% for interceptions. Quite the complete skill set.

6 CM – Yves Bissouma

After a terrible 2022/23 campaign, Yves Bissouma has been one of the Premier League's most fearsome defensive midfielders this season, with his ball-winning expertise and crisp distribution marrying into Postecoglou's robust style of play.

His season has been punctuated with suspensions and dips in form, but he will now need to pull it all together as the final few months arrive.

7 CM – Rodrigo Bentancur

Rodrigo Bentancur endured a torrid injury-blighted 2023 but he has been a regular part of the matchday squad since just before the New Year and will be hoping to be fielded from the outset after starting from the bench across Tottenham's past two games.

He's embracing a more expansive style of play this season after being largely used as a deep-lying playmaker under Antonio Conte and offers a nice balance alongside the tough-tackling Bissouma.

8 RW – Dejan Kulusevski

Dejan Kulusevski is not a 20-goal-a-season winger, nor is he a creative phenomenon on the level of, say, Kevin De Bruyne, but the Sweden international is a fantastic player and is one of the most important members of Postecoglou's team, energetic, enterprising and effective.

As per Sofascore, he has scored six goals and provided three assists across 26 Premier League fixtures this season, creating ten big chances, completing 82% of his passes and averaging 2.0 key passes, 1.8 tackles, 4.2 ball recoveries, 1.7 dribbles and 4.3 successful duels per game.

9 AM – James Maddison

Still not quite back to his stunning pre-injury levels, James Maddison remains one of the Premier League's elite playmakers and has been the conduit between midfield and attack, racking up seven assists and averaging 2.5 key passes per game.

It was he who claimed the match-winning assist as his side slenderly won the reverse fixture back in October, and you wouldn't bet against him popping up with another defining moment tomorrow.

10 LW – Heung-min Son

He might be nearing his 32nd birthday but Heung-min Son is very much still a "world-class player", according to Postecoglou.

1.

Mohamed Salah

Liverpool

19

2.

Heung-min Son

Tottenham Hotspur

17

3.

Trent Alexander-Arnold

Liverpool

13

4.

Bruno Fernandes

Manchester United

13

5.

Bukayo Saka

Arsenal

13

5.

Martin Odegaard

Arsenal

13

5.

Kieran Trippier

Newcastle United

13

5.

Dwight McNeil

Everton

13

A dynamic forward, Son is hailed for his scoring prowess but he's also one of the most creative and fluid forwards around, so effective as his side's multi-functioning talisman.

The skipper will take Brennan Johnson's place on the left wing, and while the Welshman has been noted for his "frightening pace and directness" by content creator HLTCO, Son offers so much more.

TalkSPORT pundit Gabriel Agbonlahor thinks a £75 million star might actually be joining Tottenham this summer.

Spurs eye up new forward for Postecoglou

Spurs were dealt a hammer blow in their race for Champions League qualification after a dismal defeat at Newcastle on Saturday, but manager Ange Postecoglou has repeatedly dismissed the importance of fourth place.

26 year-old open to summer move to Tottenham, Ange wants him as well

Postecoglou is very keen on strengthening one key area.

ByEmilio Galantini Apr 13, 2024

For him, the emphasis is instead on how his team are progressing in terms of playing style on the pitch, as he also prioritises the longer-term project.

A big part of this will be how they invest into their squad during the next transfer window, and some reports have claimed that Tottenham are keen to replace Harry Kane with a marquee striking option.

Overall, Postecoglou's side have coped extremely well in their first full season with Kane, who is currently lighting up the Bundesliga amid an exceptional debut campaign at Bayern Munich.

Son Heung-min

15

Richarlison

10

Dejan Kulusevski

6

Brennan Johnson

5

James Maddison

4

Nevertheless, it is believed that a new number nine could well arrive at Spurs in the summer. One very interesting name they've been linked with is Brentford star Ivan Toney, who Bees boss Thomas Frank admits will depart before his contract expires in 2025.

“It is relatively obvious that Ivan Toney will probably be sold this summer,” Frank said to Danish media, via Tipsbladet.

“We also know what he is worth. I don’t think there are many strikers in the world who are better than him right now. He is a really skilled striker who is in his prime football age. Personally, as a coach, I would prefer to keep Toney but one day it could be fun to see him on a top team.

“This winter we actually had no offers for him, but it will surprise me if there aren’t a lot of clubs that will be interested in him.”

Spurs are thought to be eyeing Toney alongside a host of other sides in the top flight, and Agbonlahor believes Tottenham are prime candidates to sign the £75 million striker.

Agbonlahor believes Toney might be joining Tottenham

Speaking to talkSPORT, he claims Toney might be joining Spurs or Chelsea if he is to leave Brentford.

“I’d want to move, because another year at a Brentford team where they're underperforming," said Agbonlahor.

"You can tell by watching him, and when he speaks in interviews, he wants out. And another year is a long time. He’ll think to himself, ‘I can go in the summer and still get really good money.

"He’ll go and get 150 to 200 grand a week, it might be Chelsea or Spurs. He's going to get the signing-on fees as well. Spurs should be going all out for him. Because they can't keep with Richarlison, who I don't think is good enough for them.

“Son on the left, you can have Toney down the middle, you’ve got [James] Maddison behind. On the right you’ve got options. They’ll have [Dejan] Kulusevski, [Brennan] Johnson, whoever else you want to maybe bring in there."

Leeds United are currently fighting to secure an instant return to the Premier League with automatic promotion out of the Championship.

The Whites are currently third in the table and only two points separate them, Leicester, and Ipswich across the top three, whilst Southampton are three points behind them in fourth.

Daniel Farke's side will be looking to get over the line in the final three games of the regular season, although they will need the two teams above them to slip up before the focus can turn to the upcoming summer transfer window.

Leeds have a host of senior players currently out on loan, having been shipped out after the club's relegation from the Premier League at the end of last term, and there is one player who reportedly has little chance of being a part of Farke's team moving forward.

Leeds want to move on from Brenden Aaronson

According to Football Insider, USA international Brenden Aaronson will not be part of the Leeds squad for the 2024/25 campaign, irrespective of the division the club are in.

The report claims that the former Norwich City and Borussia Monchengladbach tactician does not have any place in his side for the American attacker, whether that is in the Premier League or the Championship.

It states that the Yorkshire-based outfit will be 'desperate' to cash in on their current contingent of loanees, including Aaronson, if they fail to earn promotion, but could also loan them out again if needed.

The Whites swooped to sign the attacking midfielder from Austrian side RB Salzburg for a reported fee of £25m, and it remains to be seen how much of that they would be able to recoup.

He is currently on loan with Union Berlin in the Bundesliga in Germany, having joined them last summer, but Football Insider state that they are unlikely to sign him again next season.

Why Brenden Aaronson should not have a future at Leeds

The 23-year-old dud has not enjoyed a successful season on the pitch with Union, as the Leeds loanee has failed to nail down a regular place in the starting XI.

Aaronson, who was once hailed as a "weed" for his rapid growth by Jesse Marsch, has started 10 of his 25 Bundesliga appearances during the 2023/24 campaign, and has contributed with two goals and zero assists from an attacking midfield position.

This could be why the German side are unlikely to pursue another deal for the American midfielder, who has averaged 9.9 completed passes per game in the league, in the summer transfer window.

Appearances

36

Sofascore rating

6.51

Goals

1

Assists

3

Duel success rate

40%

As you can see in the table above, the £45k-per-week whiz endured a frustrating season in the Premier League after his £25m move from Salzburg. Over the last 365 days, for Union and Leeds, Aaronson ranks within the top 1% of attacking midfielders and wingers for blocks (2.16) per 90, and the top 3% for tackles (2.30) per 90 – showing that he does work hard for his team defensively.

However, he also ranks within the bottom 24% for non-penalty goals (0.14) per 90, and the bottom 2% for assists (0.00) per 90, which speaks to how little the midfielder offers from an attacking perspective.

Therefore, it is not surprising that Farke does not see a place for Aaronson in his side and is preparing to sell him as his statistics in the final third over the past two seasons are far from impressive, and the Whites should now do all they can to move him on permanently this summer.