Ahead of Tottenham Hotspur’s clash with Everton, manager Ange Postecoglou shared his thoughts on the team’s current status, recent transfer activities, and the club’s future direction in a detailed press conference.
Team News and Player Fitness: Postecoglou began by confirming that there were no new issues from the previous game, with all players getting through it okay. He mentioned the short turnaround and the return of Pape Sar, adding, “We’ll just assess him after training, but I’d say he’ll be involved.”
Reflections on the Transfer Window: The Spurs manager expressed overall satisfaction with the January transfer window, highlighting the early signings of Radu Dragusin and Timo Werner. “Getting them in early was great… they’ve both settled in really well,” he said. He also touched on the disappointment of missing out on a potential signing on the last day, emphasising the importance of adapting and moving forward.
Attracting Top Talent and Club Vision: When asked about attracting players from big clubs like Bayern Munich and Barcelona, Postecoglou emphasised the club’s visible progress and aspirations. “It’s more what people are seeing… we’re actually doing it,” he stated, underlining the importance of demonstrating the club’s vision and progress in action.
On Australia vs. South Korea and Son Heung-min: Addressing a question about the upcoming Australia vs. South Korea match, which involves Spurs’ Son Heung-min, Postecoglou expressed mixed feelings. “Part of me would love Sunny to win an Asian cup… I know what it would mean to him,” he said, showing support for his player’s national team ambitions.
Philosophy on Player Freedom and Structure: Discussing the balance between player freedom and structure, Postecoglou highlighted his goal of creating a fluid team with multiple avenues to success. “You do need structure… you can’t have just football; you need the other stuff as well,” he added, emphasising the importance of character and spirit in the team.
Facing Everton and Maintaining Momentum: Looking ahead to the Everton match, Postecoglou acknowledged the challenges of playing at Goodison Park. He praised the character and belief of his players in overcoming challenges and maintaining their football level despite injuries and changes.
Fostering a ‘Golden Generation’ and Academy Focus: On nurturing young talent, Postecoglou admitted there’s work to be done in the academy. “We’ve got a lot of work to do at Academy level… we’re still well behind other clubs,” he noted, stressing the importance of providing opportunities for young players.
On Player Development and Team Selection: Finally, Postecoglou spoke about player development, particularly praising Richarlison’s improvement. Regarding team selection, he stated, “The best team’s the one I put out there tomorrow,” highlighting his flexible approach to choosing the starting lineup based on current circumstances and player form.
As Tottenham Hotspur prepares to face Everton, Postecoglou’s insights reveal a team focused on continuous improvement, nurturing young talent, and adapting to challenges with a clear vision for the future.
