Ange Postecoglou – CaughtOffside

Ange Postecoglou makes worrying Tottenham admission after final friendly

CJ — Sun, 11 Aug 2024 18:24:44 +0000

Ange Postecoglou has admitted his Tottenham Hotspur side still has ‘work to do’ in order to ‘improve in all areas’ ahead of the new Premier League season.

The Australian guided the Lilywhites to fifth in the Premier League in his debut campaign in charge, qualifying them for the Europa League in what was a marked improvement from their eighth-place return in 2022/23.

Spurs have also enjoyed a productive summer, winning five straight friendlies before only losing by a single goal in back-to-back matches against Bayern Munich (2-1 and 3-2), while they also completed the signing of Dominic Solanke on Saturday, finally replacing Harry Kane.

READ: Harry Kane gives verdict on new Spurs signing Dominic Solanke

Nevertheless, Postecoglou believes there are still plenty of improvements needed from his squad if they’re to challenge the likes of Manchester City, Arsenal and Liverpool this season.

“Pre-season has been good in terms of the work we have done with the players,” Postecoglou told the Tottenham Hotspur official website following Saturday’s Visit Malta Cup loss to Bayern.

“It’s always a bit disjointed until you have everyone together and this is the first week we’ve had everyone in but, in general, they are all in good physical condition, which I think is the main thing and knock on wood, we don’t have any injuries. Hopefully, we got through today alright. Hopefully, we have a whole fit squad for that first game because once the games start, we’re going to need the full squad. So, from that point of view, it has been positive.

“We’ve still got 10 days of training. The games are part of that; they’re just part of pre-season. The idea is we use every game we have, whether it is a game or training, to be ready for the first game and that is the most important thing.

Action from our final pre-season friendly ?

Highlights: Spurs 2-3 FC Bayern ? pic.twitter.com/ATrfH4Cxa8

— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) August 10, 2024

“And there always need to be an evolution. We need to be better than we were last year because the competition certainly doesn’t stand still, it’s not like the other teams are going to be where they were last year. We’ve got to improve in all of our areas. We’ve still got some work to do.

“I think the foundations we put in place last year gives us the opportunity to kick on and now we’ve just got to push the players and they have to push themselves to the next level because we had an okay season last year but we know we want to go to another level and bring success to this football club and that’s going to require us being better than we were.”

Spurs will now prepare for their first fixture of the 2024/25 Premier League season away to Leicester City a week on Monday.

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£27m Tottenham player given green light to join Aston Villa

Magnus Eriksen — Sun, 11 Aug 2024 11:58:55 +0000

Tottenham attacking midfielder Giovani Lo Celso has reportedly been given the green light to complete a potential transfer to Aston Villa.

The Argentine was left out of the most recent Spurs squad, with Fabrizio Romano reporting that this is a clear signal that he’s set to leave the north London club.

Lo Celso is firmly on Villa’s radar this summer, though Real Betis are also keen, so it could be that we’re about to see an intriguing battle for his signature.

Lo Celso to Villa looks like one to watch as Unai Emery’s side continue their busy summer, though Joao Felix is another high-profile star they’re tracking at the moment.

Agent questions Tottenham move for star who could now join West Ham

Jason Pettigrove — Wed, 07 Aug 2024 11:29:52 +0000

Although Tottenham finished the 2023/24 season in a better position than London rivals, West Ham United, it’s the Hammers that have stolen a march on the Lilywhites in the transfer market.

If Ange Postecoglou was looking for serious investment from the club and for Daniel Levy to put his hand in club coffers, so far this summer he’s seemingly not had the answer required.

West Ham on the other hand, have been going to town bringing in some high quality exponents that will likely stand them in good stead for next season.

Tim Steidten must be given the credit for landing the likes of Crysencio Summerville, Niclas Fullkrug and Guido Rodriguez et al, with Julen Lopetegui now given a real opportunity to take the club forward.

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One player that Spurs were known to be interested in, Juventus’ brilliant Federico Chiesa, could find his way to the London Stadium instead.

“I haven’t heard anything about it (Chiesa joining Spurs), to be honest,” agent David Lavelle told Bianconera News.

“I haven’t heard anything (official) about that rumour. This is news to me. He is a very, very good player.

“There is definitely a chance (he will move to the Premier League). I spoke to Cristiano (Giuntoli) and I think he could find a chance at a couple of Premier League clubs and I can say that we have some requests for a left winger from Fulham, who would be willing to pay, and from West Ham.”

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Tottenham signing papers to allow striker to make important move this summer

Jason Pettigrove — Wed, 07 Aug 2024 09:32:17 +0000

Up front would seem to be an area in which Tottenham Hotspur are fairly light at present, and the Lilywhites will almost certainly need to make a purchase in that area to give themselves a better chance of at least making the top four this season.

Ange Postecoglou’s side were the lowest scorers in the Premier League’s top seven clubs in 2023/24, and that clearly needs to be addressed by the Australian.

Were it not for a disastrous last few games, then Spurs and not Aston Villa would’ve found themselves in the premier European tournament this season.

Tottenham’s striker domino could be about to start

Rather than dwelling on what might’ve been, it’s far better for the North Londoners to look forward, and in order to help achieve that, there needs to be transfer movement both incoming and outgoing, in order to give the squad some much needed impetus.

According to CaughtOffside columnist and transfer expert, Fabrizio Romano, Tottenham are putting pen to paper on Wednesday to ensure that one striker deal does happen.

??? Tottenham are signing all docs for Alejo Véliz to join Espanyol on loan, NO buy option clause included. Back at Spurs in June.

??? Next up: direct contact with AC Milan to seal Emerson Royal deal for €15m fee plus add-ons, almost there. pic.twitter.com/oPuQKVgDju

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 7, 2024

Writing on X (formerly Twitter), Romano has indicated that Alejo Veliz will be joining Espanyol on loan for the entirety of the 2024/25 campaign.

Veliz joined the North London outfit a year ago tomorrow, but was loan out to Spanish top-flight side, Sevilla, earlier this year.

This latest move would appear to suggest that there’s not much chance of a way back for the player at Tottenham, and it simply gives the Lilywhites room to add one more player to their attack in time for next season.

If the club want Dominic Solanke to join them – and the Bournemouth hit man has been linked by Give Me Sport amongst other outlets – then there may yet have to be another departure or two.

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Tottenham eye ace with 23 G/A contributions but move could hinge on one detail

Jason Pettigrove — Wed, 07 Aug 2024 05:05:21 +0000

It’s no real secret that Tottenham are looking to boost their firepower up front before the start of the 2024/25 campaign.

The Lilywhites’ 74 goals scored last season was the worst out of the Premier League’s top seven teams, and though they were often excellent going forward, Ange Postecoglou clearly feels the need to improve in that area.

He recently said as much in a quote picked up by The Standard.

Could Tottenham land brilliant striker before the deadline?

“It’s still the area of the park we’re really probably the thinnest when I talk about squad-wise at the moment, so obviously that’s a focus for us,” the Australian noted.

One of the names that’s consistently being mentioned in dispatches is Bournemouth’s Dominic Solanke.

The Cherries hit man certainly proved his worth to his current employers last season, with 20 goals scored and three assists provided, per WhoScored.

Tottenham are believed to be interested in Dominic Solanke

Compare and contrast that with Richarlison, who only managed 11 goals and four assists, the Brazilian’s well publicised mental health issues notwithstanding.

The Standard suggest that any move for Solanke could rest on Richarlison leaving, and that may be because the former would reportedly be a club record capture for the North Londoners.

With less that two weeks to go before the start of the new season, and just over three before the transfer window closes for business until January, clearly Spurs don’t have long to be able to seal any deal.

If Daniel Levy truly wants his club to be up their challenging for the Champions League spots and going deeper into domestic competition, then he needs to give his manager the tools to do the job.

He only need look across at West London neighbours, Arsenal, to see how well they’ve bought and sold over the past couple of seasons.

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Fabrizio Romano has pleasantly surprised Tottenham fans with transfer update

Ahad Shaukat — Mon, 05 Aug 2024 07:04:34 +0000

Tottenham finished fifth in the league last season and they missed out on a place in the Champions League in the final few weeks.

Their form dropped at the latter stage of last season and Aston Villa beat them to a fourth placed finish, costing Ange Postecoglou’s team a place in Europe’s elite competition.

After losing their star man Harry Kane to Bayern Munich last summer, Spurs were expected to struggle but under Postecoglou, they showed they can deal with the loss of Kane and still play attacking, attractive football.

Son Heung-min, supported by players like James Maddison and Richarlison, performed exceptionally well and took the leadership role at the club.

The arrival of manager Postecoglou elevated the level of some of the players and under his leadership, the North Londoners are heading in the right direction.

However, they need new signings to keep up with their Premier League rivals, who have all strengthen their squad this summer.

Spurs have managed to sign Archie Gray from Tottenham to bolster their midfielder while also extending Timo Werner’s loan deal.

Ivan Toney to Tottenham?

More signings are expected to arrive soon and Fabrizio Romano has confirmed it, saying that he expects the Premier League club to be busy.

The transfer specialist revealed on Playback:

“I expect Tottenham to be active and busy in the transfer market next week.”

It remains to be seen who they will sign in the coming week. It could well be a new striker as they are actively looking to make addition in the attacking position.

Tottenham are looking for a new striker this summer

Spurs have been linked with a move for Brentford striker Ivan Toney while Bournemouth attacker Dominic Solanke has also been mentioned.

Toney’s contract at Brentford expires next summer, which makes it easier for Spurs to sign him now as Brentford are willing to let him leave now instead of losing him for free next year.

Solanke made 41 appearances in all competitions last season, scoring 21 goals and he could be a worthy addition to the Spurs attack.

If Postecoglou can get his hands on one of the two strikers mentioned above, he would be happy with his business and that would make Spurs a force to be feared next season.

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Ange Postecoglou reveals Tottenham’s main transfer focus

Sean Walker — Sat, 03 Aug 2024 12:14:34 +0000

Ange Postecoglou has stated that his side are in need of a new number nine ahead of the upcoming Premier League season.

With just two weeks left until the new campaign kicks off, clubs are starting to move quicker in the transfer window in an attempt to improve the quality of their current starting eleven.

One of these sides is Tottenham Hotspur who had a disappointing end to their season last year after such a promising start, finishing just outside of the Champions League spots.

Regardless, the future looks bright under the Australian manager as his young squad becomes more cohesive with every passing month.

However, there is one position in the side which badly needs to be filled, the striker role which was vacated by Harry Kane after he left for Bayern Munich last summer.

Exclusive: Arsenal baulk at Gyokeres fee; brilliant new £65m-rated striker already identified

Jason Pettigrove — Sat, 03 Aug 2024 04:28:46 +0000

Arsenal have long been linked with Sporting’s Swedish striker, Viktor Gyokeres, and it was thought that the North Londoners might be getting closer to his signature.

However, well placed CaughtOffside sources understand that the Gunners have baulked at the figure that the Portuguese giants want for their player.

It isn’t just the size of the transfer fee that has appeared to scare Arsenal off, but the commission that his agents want, the player’s own demands etc.

Arsenal moving away from Gyokeres deal

Whilst a deal isn’t completely dead in the water, it does appear very unlikely to happen at this stage.

With that in mind, Arsenal have turned their attention to trying to sign Bournemouth’s brilliant front man, Dominic Solanke.

The centre-forward, who plundered 20 goals and provided three assists last season, per WhoScored, is also wanted by North London rivals, Tottenham Hotspur, and the player’s former club, Liverpool.

Dominic Solanke is a target for Arsenal, who have baulked at the fee for Viktor Gyokeres

At 26 years of age, Solanke is coming into what is generally felt to be a player’s prime years as a footballer, and with a reported fee of just £65m could represent a bargain to whichever team happens to land him.

Not that Andoni Iraola would make it easy for Solanke to leave the Cherries, particularly when you consider he’s been the fulcrum for them over the past couple of seasons.

Indeed, CaughtOffside sources understand that Bournemouth’s directors have said in a meeting with the player’s agents that they are not willing to sell him in the current transfer window.

However, they clearly haven’t factored in that Solanke’s latest deal, signed at the start of the 2023/24 season, contains a £65m release clause that can only be met by certain clubs – namely the Premier League’s ‘Big Six.’

Solanke himself is believed to be open to leaving the South Coast outfit if he receives a good contractual offer.

Ultimately, if any talks prove unsuccessful, both Tottenham and Arsenal could return to the race to sign Lille’s Canadian striker Jonathan David.

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Exclusive: North London giants in head-to-head battle for dynamic £60m-rated winger

Jason Pettigrove — Sat, 03 Aug 2024 03:59:10 +0000

A ball hasn’t yet been kicked in the 2024/25 Premier League season, but North London giants, Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur, are already in a head-to-head battle.

According to well placed CaughtOffside sources, the reason for the same is that both clubs are keen to persuade the same target to join them this summer.

Wolves winger, Pedro Neto, despite proclaiming that he’s happy at the club, would earn them a cool £60m if they were to realise a sale, and he remains on the transfer list of the English top-flight giants.

??? Pedro Neto on his future: "Staying at Wolves? I love this club, I’m really happy to be here".

"I'm happy to take this team to another level", says via @NathanJudah. pic.twitter.com/BVRuX6QQxj

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 2, 2024

Spurs coach, Ange Postecoglou, believes the Portuguese winger can be a very useful addition for Tottenham, and sources indicate that club representatives recently met with the player’s inner circle to receive information about his situation.

For his part, Mikel Arteta wants a winger to be signed who can provide back up to Bukayo Saka, and the Portuguese star fits that description.

Given that Neto appears ready to sign for a club where he can get guarantees of enough playing time, that would appear to rule out the Gunners if he’s only seen as a Saka substitute.

Both Spurs and Arsenal do have competition too. Newcastle United continue to be linked and the Magpies have already held talks with the player’s entourage.

Wolves are in no rush to sell, though an offer in the region of £55m-£60m will tempt them to think again.

Still time for North London giants to land Neto

If received early enough, it would also allow the Midlands-based outfit to strengthen in other areas of the squad.

Whilst that will appease the money men at the club, manager, Gary O’Neil, might not be as happy, given the amount of work Neto gets through in a game and the chances that he creates for himself and his team-mates.

With a few weeks left of the transfer window, there’s plenty of time to get a deal over the line.

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Ange Postecoglou gives promising update on three key Tottenham players

CJ — Thu, 01 Aug 2024 19:16:55 +0000

Ange Postecoglou has given a positive update on the fitness of Oliver Skipp, Destiny Udogie and Radu Dragusin.

Skipp suffered a knee injury in the closing minutes of Tottenham’s 4-3 friendly win over Team K League on Wednesday, playing on until the end of the match but looking in real discomfort.

Udogie, meanwhile, hasn’t played since April after undergoing surgery on his hamstring, ending what was an impressive first season in north London.

Spurs still have a busy schedule as they prepare for the 2024/25 Premier League season, with back-to-back friendlies against Bayern Munich to come on August 3rd and 10th before they open their campaign away at Leicester City on the 19th.

Thankfully, Postecoglou expects Skipp to be available to face the Bavarian giants, while he revealed that Udogie will be back in action soon — centre-back Dragusin also came through unscathed in his first Spurs appearance since returning from duty with Romania at Euro 2024.

“I think he will be fine. It was just a knock,” Ange said to SPURSPLAY. “I think the important thing is everyone should have got through the game okay so it’s more minutes for the lads. It was good to get Radu some minutes as well. Hopefully, Destiny comes back into it in the next few days.”

Spurs have enjoyed a 100% record in pre-season so far, beating Cambridge United, Hearts, QPR, Vissel Kobe and K League All Stars by 7-2, 5-1, 2-0, 3-2 and 4-3 scorelines, respectively.

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