It has been simply over a 12 months and a half since Ange Postecoglou took cost of Tottenham Hotspur, and to say rather a lot has occurred in that interval can be an enormous understatement.
The Australian began like a home on hearth and led the crew to the highest of the Premier League ten video games into his tenure, however since then, the North Londoners’ league kind has been abysmal, and, as issues stand, they discover themselves in twelfth place.
Nevertheless, there have been encouraging indicators, from the scintillating fashion of soccer to their brazen confidence towards the very best groups within the nation and, most significantly, that they presently lead Liverpool 1-0 heading into the second leg of their League Cup semi-final.
Spurs’ League Cup run | ||
---|---|---|
Spherical | Opponent | Outcome |
Third Spherical | Coventry Metropolis (A) | 2-1 (W) |
Spherical of 16 | Manchester Metropolis (H) | 2-1 (W) |
Quater-Remaining | Manchester United (H) | 4-3 (W) |
Semi-Remaining (1st Leg) | Liverpool (H) | 1-0 (W) |
So, whereas issues have not been excellent, there have been sufficient indicators to point that the Lilywhites are heading heading in the right direction, though to maintain that going into subsequent season and surpass the likes of Arsenal and Chelsea, Daniel Levy and Co might want to usher in the suitable gamers to assist the supervisor.
Happily, current stories have linked the membership to an England worldwide who may very well be accessible free of charge in the summertime and has received comparisons to the unbelievable Martin Odegaard.
Tottenham Hotspur chase England worldwide
In keeping with a current report from switch journalist Dean Jones on the Ranks FC podcast, Tottenham are concerned about LOSC Lille star Angel Gomes.
Talking on the podcast, Jones revealed that the North Londoners are “taking a look at” central and attacking midfielders this month and that the previous Manchester United prospect is likely one of the gamers they’re eager on.
The Englishman’s contract is ready to run out in the summertime and the transfers skilled has claimed the membership are attempting to persuade him to hitch free of charge.
Nevertheless, he additionally revealed that there’s a probability one thing may occur this month, as his contract state of affairs would seemingly stop the French outfit from demanding an excessive amount of.
In all, whereas signing Gomes this month may very well be an possibility, it appears way more seemingly that he’d make a transfer free of charge in the summertime, and given his unbelievable skill, that may be a sensational coup for Spurs, particularly as he is received comparisons to the equally sensational Odegaard.
How Gomes compares to Odegaard
Okay, earlier than we get into a few the opposite the reason why Tottenham ought to exit and signal Gomes this 12 months, let’s study this comparability to Odegaard and the place it has come from, as whereas the followers could dislike him, he is a superb midfielder.
Nicely, it primarily stems from FBref, which compares gamers in comparable positions in Europe’s high 5 leagues, the Champions League and Europa League then creates an inventory of the ten most comparable gamers for every one, and, on this occasion, has concluded that the Norwegian is the fifth most comparable midfielder to the Englishman over the past twelve months.
One of the best ways to see the place this comparability has come from is to have a look at the underlying metrics wherein the pair rank intently, together with, however not restricted to, anticipated non-penalty targets, assists, progressive passes obtained, crosses into the penalty space, tackles received and extra, all per 90.
Gomes & Odegaard | ||
---|---|---|
Statistics per 90 | Gomes | Odegaard |
Anticipated Non-Penalty Targets | 0.13 | 0.15 |
Progressive Passes Obtained | 5.88 | 5.93 |
Assists | 0.15 | 0.18 |
Crosses into the Penalty Space | 0.29 | 0.27 |
Tackles Gained | 0.59 | 0.53 |
Fouls Drawn | 1.18 | 1.15 |
All Stats through FBref for the 24/25 League Season |
On high of the statistical similarities between the pair, they each additionally occupy comparable roles in that they do contribute to their crew’s assault however should not out-and-out playmakers, as a substitute appearing as hybrid eights who’re concerned in virtually all phases of play.
With that stated, whereas comparisons to one of many Premier League’s main midfielders are definitely motive sufficient to signal somebody, the previous Manchester United ace may also deliver his expertise to the crew.
For instance, the “unbelievable” expertise, as described by Statman Dave, has now carried out brilliantly within the Portuguese and French top-flights and is now a daily within the England set-up, having received 4 senior caps since September, two of which got here from begins.
Finally, Spurs are going to want to usher in an increasing number of expertise over the approaching years to assist Postecoglou obtain his lofty targets and signing Gomes for a small charge this month or free of charge in the summertime looks like a complete no-brainer.
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The skilled midfielder can be a superb addition for Spurs.