Tottenham Hotspur fans might not have anticipated the Premier League season starting this way. Despite playing some attractive football under Ange Postecoglou, the team has struggled with finishing, resulting in a draw against Leicester City, a home win over Everton, and an away loss to Newcastle United.
As Spurs prepare for the North London Derby, Postecoglou will need his attackers to sharpen their finishing. While the team’s defense was leaky last season, it features high-quality players, including some whose market values have significantly increased recently.
Spurs’ defensive strengths
Though Tottenham conceded 61 goals last season, suggesting defensive weaknesses, this is largely attributed to Postecoglou’s aggressive, high-line approach and ultra-attacking style. This style, while creating defensive vulnerabilities, also makes Tottenham one of the most exciting teams to watch.
Among the key defenders is Pedro Porro, who joined for around £40m in January 2023. The attacking fullback has quickly become one of the best in his position, with 8 goals and 10 assists in 57 appearances, averaging a goal involvement every 3.16 games.
The starting center-back duo includes Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero. Van de Ven cost £43m last summer and, despite his injury issues, his pace is crucial for Postecoglou’s aggressive tactics. Romero, signed for £42m from Atalanta in August 2021, is the team’s leader in defense and co-vice captain alongside James Maddison. His reputation as one of the world’s top defenders, as noted by Lionel Messi, underscores his importance.
The standout among the defenders is Destiny Udogie, whose value has surged. Signed from Udinese for £15m plus add-ons in the summer of 2022, Udogie spent an additional season on loan in Italy before joining Tottenham. Postecoglou quickly made him the first-choice left-back. Udogie’s impact was evident with 2 goals and 3 assists in 30 appearances last season, and his nomination for the Premier League Young Player of the Season Award highlighted his rapid rise.
According to the CIES Football Observatory, Udogie’s value has skyrocketed to up to €83m (about £70m), a 366% increase from his original transfer fee. This significant rise reflects his critical role and the immense talent within Tottenham’s defense.
