It has been a great start to the Ange Postecoglou era at Tottenham Hotspur. The new Spurs boss has delivered his mantra of all-out attacking football with pressing and intent whilst getting positive results in the opening weeks of the new season.
Tottenham have won three and drawn once to sit second in the table, notably beating Manchester United 2-0 at home. They entered the international break with a fantastic 5-2 away win over newly-promoted Burnley, with Son Heung-min grabbing the headlines with his hat-trick.
Having seen a striking shift to exciting, entertaining football following the famine and stodge served up by predecessors Jose Mourinho and Antonio Conte, there are signs that Postecoglou is building something special at the club. With that being said, here are three things we have learned watching Tottenham across the opening four games of the 2023/24 season.
1. No Harry Kane, no problem for Tottenham
Harry Kane is England’s captain, record goalscorer and one of the finest players ever to pull on a Tottenham shirt—so it was apparent why the fans were gutted to see “One Of Their Own” leave the club and join Bayern Munich in the recently ended summer transfer window. His departure means everyone in Postecoglou’s must step up and put the miserable 2022/23 campaign behind them.
And the players have done that in the opening four matchweeks thus far, with new skipper Son Heung-min leading by an example. Of course, the absence of Kane will be felt. How can Tottenham not miss a world-class player, the club’s top scorer with 280 goals in 435 games? There will be times during Postecoglou’s rebuild when the English striker’s absence will hurt.
It would be premature to soften the effect of Kane’s sale will have in games to come, but here at least the new Spurs under Postecoglou have given their fans cause for optimism and belief.
2. James Maddison looks at home
There is excitement amongst the Spurs fans with what is about to follow in weeks and months ahead after the start the team has enjoyed under Postecoglou. New recruits Destiny Udogie and Vicario continue to impress alongside more seasoned campaigners such as Heung-Min Son, Yves Bissouma and Ben Davies. Of course, James Maddison looks at home.
Having signed from Leicester City for £40m, Maddison has enjoyed a dream start at Tottenham, scoring two goals and bagging two assists in four games. He has been the creator-in-chief for the North London club, funnelling most of their attacks with his incisive passes, vision and movement.
The way the England international has started life at Tottenham puts him in the conversation for the Premier League’s best signing of the summer transfer window.
3. Son Heung-min more effective centrally
Richarlison was left out of the Spurs’ starting XI against Burnley at Turf Moor after picking up a knock in midweek, forcing Postecoglou to ring changes in attack. He decided to go with Son Heung-min through the middle as a No.9, whilst handling summer signing Manor Solomon his first start of the season on the left with Dejan Kulusevski retaining his place on the right.
Son was excellent playing centrally against Burnley as he made a statement by scoring a hat-trick. He has bagged as many goals in 90 minutes than Richarlison managed in the whole of last season following his £60million move from Everton, thus, repaying Postecoglou’s faith.
The South Korean has lost some of his explosiveness and agility in the last 12-15 months with which he terrorised the full-backs. Perhaps, this contributed to a huge dip in form last season where he managed only 10 goals and six assists in 36 Premier League games. However, having netted a hat-trick against Burnley, the 31-year-old looks on course to better the tally he managed in the league last campaign.
Therefore, keeping Son up top after the international break is a no-brainer for Postecoglou.