Levy must regret selling Spurs star for just £12m

Tottenham Hotspur have been by way of it this season, however there’s nonetheless hope that Ange Postecoglou will style one thing fantastic out of this marketing campaign.

A mini-resurgence had seen Spurs win three on the trot within the Premier League earlier than Manchester Metropolis edged the north Londoners on their residence patch – thus, Aston Villa stay 9 factors forward in tenth.

Postecoglou will know that possibilities of success by way of the highest flight are negligible, however as AZ Alkmaar await within the final 16 of the Europa League, followers can but maintain onto hope that the supervisor’s daring trophy-winning claims might be realised.

And if such hopes do not come to fruition, there have nonetheless been some vibrant sparks who may play a giant half within the years forward.

Spurs’ vibrant sparks in 2024/25

This week, Archie Grey was named the Younger Participant of the 12 months on the London Soccer Awards. The 18-year-old has been a revelation this season, instrumental in combatting the damage disaster and enjoying in unnatural central and wide-defensive roles regardless of a touted profession in the midst of the park.

Having overwhelmed Brentford to snap him up from Leeds United final summer season in a deal value someplace between £30m and £40m, there’s little query Postecoglou has a possible celebrity on his arms.

By and enormous, final summer season’s switch exercise provides promise. Dominic Solanke brings physicality and a focus to the entrance of the ship, whereas we have talked about Grey and certainly Lucas Bergvall belying his youthful years to stake his declare as one in every of Europe’s foremost teenage skills.

Then, in fact, there’s Mikey Moore, who has already began to earn common alternatives within the senior Tottenham setup at 17. He is off the mark as effectively, scoring in opposition to Elfsborg within the Europa League, having additionally featured in seven Premier League video games, helping in opposition to Everton.

The decide of the bunch, although, is perhaps Djed Spence, who was written off as a flop final season as he accomplished loans with Leeds United after which Genoa in Italy, however he is wedged his means into Ange’s plans this 12 months, with reporter Rob Visitor remarking he “actually has excelled”.

With Pedro Porro struggling and Future Udogie’s health points inflicting issues, Spence’s rise has been uplifting, with Tottenham studying from their previous errors in letting the ‘unique’ Spence depart for a comparatively small price.

Spurs should remorse promoting the ‘unique’ Spence

Kyle Walker-Peters made a vibrant begin to life at Tottenham after rising from the youth setup, enjoying 24 occasions for the primary group, scoring one aim and including 5 extra assists.

Nevertheless, the 27-year-old’s alternatives have been restricted and he was offered to Southampton in a deal value simply £12m in 2020, with Jose Mourinho signing Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg in return.

In whole, the Tottenham academy product has performed 141 occasions within the Premier League, scoring twice and supplying 11 assists for his teammates.

He isn’t probably the most offensively scientific of broad defenders, however the £20k-per-week expertise has confirmed himself to have such qualities in his locker – see his “excellent” end in opposition to Manchester Metropolis beneath – and you are feeling that Postecoglou’s soccer could have coaxed such qualities to the fore had he nonetheless been working within the capital.

Although Southampton are all however condemned to relegation this season, Walker-Peters has nonetheless been an ready and keen member, bringing high quality and impetus to Ivan Juric’s flagging group.

As per Sofascore, the 5 foot 8 ace has received 50% of his floor duels – an honest return given the overload of defensive issues Southampton bear – and has no less than tried to make issues occur, averaging one dribble per sport whereas additionally finishing 91% of his passes.

With Porro seemingly enjoying on borrowed time, you may say injury-hit Spurs might need made good use of such an additional possibility at right-back. Certainly, Walker-Peters may have performed an vital and abiding position in Tottenham’s first group over time.

Southampton’s season has been a pitiful factor, however KWP has nonetheless managed to showcase his qualities. As per FBref, he ranks among the many prime 10% of Premier League full-backs this time period for cross completion, the highest 1% for progressive carries and the highest 12% for profitable take-ons per 90.

Not solely does this completely illustrate his technical and athletic talent, nevertheless it’s additionally a talent set bearing a tactical likeness to Spence, which solely provides to the argument that he can be match for function in Ange’s squad.

Furthermore, the Saints star, like Spence, is positionally dynamic.

He actually may have been the unique iteration of Spence, offering Tottenham with cowl over time and perhaps even discovering N17 to be the hothouse he wanted to grasp his potential.

As a substitute, he has ebbed and flowed in an unsteady Southampton system, although nonetheless managing to show his talent.

Final month, Soccer Insider revealed that Southampton have been bracing themselves for winter bids with Walker-Peters nearing the top of the highway on the St. Mary’s.

West Ham United and Leicester Metropolis have been among the many golf equipment intrigued, and so have been Tottenham.

Walker-Peters is out of contract on the finish of the season, and given Southampton’s imperilled place, is just not prone to entertain feeble notions of a renewal.

Certainly, he has sufficient high quality to play for a group like Tottenham (once more), and it is one thing Postecoglou and co should chew on over the approaching months.

With Porro underneath hearth for his performances of late, sapped and wearied from the seemingly countless points lashing at him and his group, it is perhaps that Spurs look to put money into a brand new full-back – in spite of everything, Spence is firing on all cylinders however seems so comfy on the left.

And in the event that they transfer to signal this expertise after so a few years away, you must ponder whether Daniel Levy may simply remorse the entire ordeal occurred within the first place, with Porro missing help.