The summer of 2023 marks the start of a brand new era for Tottenham Hotspur Football Club. An opportunity for the club to reset and put together a new plan to take them forward following Antonio Conte and Fabio Paratici's exits, Daniel Levy has found his replacement for the Italian head coach in Ange Postecoglou.
Now requiring a new managing director of football to take on Paratici's previous role, the Lilywhites also have plenty to do in the transfer market ahead of the new campaign. Tottenham's form last term highlighted that a number of incomings are required to help the club rise again, with a host of players also needing to be moved on as part of the reset.
Postecoglou may not have been the top pick for many fans but the Australian will ensure that Tottenham play the type of football the club are known for. Speaking for the first time as Spurs head coach on Friday, the 57-year-old stated the importance of building "a team you can all be proud of and, more importantly, get excited by".
"Hi everyone, it’s great to finally get started as the manager of this great football club," he said when speaking to SPURSPLAY. "I’m really looking forward to our task ahead. I think it’s an exciting opportunity for us to now set off in a new direction, play football and create an environment that embodies the values and traditions of this fantastic football club, hopefully
"I can assure you that, right through pre-season, we won’t leave any stone unturned – myself, the staff and the players – to make sure that, when the league comes around, you’ll all be as excited as I am about the season ahead.
"I really look forward to seeing everyone at the stadium, in particular at our first home game, and look forward to the journey ahead."
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Given the need to build a team that can excite the fans, what exactly could Postecoglou's dream Tottenham XI look like come the 2023/24 campaign? football.london takes a look below.
Goalkeeper
Tottenham are going to be on the lookout for a new goalkeeper this summer as they aim to find Hugo Lloris' long-term successor. An exit for the Frenchman looks very likely to happen as he has already made it clear that he has a desire for other things.
David Raya appears to be the standout option for Postecoglou and the club's new managing director of football this summer. Wowing for Brentford in their two seasons in the Premier League, the Spain international is on course to leave the Bees as he gets set to enter the final 12 months of his contract.
A very good shot-stopper and someone who is excellent with the ball at his feet, Raya ticks so many boxes for Tottenham. Levy and the club will have to try and drive Brentford's reported £40m asking price right down, though, as that is a hefty sum for a player who will be available on a free come next summer.
Defence
Having played with a back three and wing-backs over the past 18 months, Tottenham will revert to playing a four-man defence as Postecoglou's formation of choice is 4-3-3. Already boasting an excellent centre-back in Cristian Romero, Spurs now need to bring in someone on the same level as the World Cup winner.
Aymeric Laporte of Man City would help take Tottenham's backline to new heights if the club can strike a deal with the Champions League finalists. Playing a bit-part role this season and looking destined to move on in the coming weeks, Spurs needs to go all out for the Spain ace.
Postecoglou will have to make a big decision over his full-backs as the vast majority of Spurs' current options to play there are actually wing-backs. On the right, Emerson Royal may be in the driving seat at present as it is his strongest position after spending the vast majority of his career there.
If the new boss can work on the defensive side of Pedro Porro's game as the January signing really struggled at right-back in the humiliating defeat at Newcastle, he should be the Australian's first choice in the role as the Spain international also offers the team a big threat when moving forward. On the opposite flank, Destiny Udogie, following his loan return from Udinese, has experience of playing as a left-back and his attacking qualities could see him get the nod over Ben Davies.
If Porro's defensive struggles continue, Postecoglou may want to play Emerson at right-back when Udogie is starting to ensure they are still strong defensively. Alternatively, Davies could come into the team on the left when Porro is given the nod.
Midfield
Tottenham are certainly going to have an attack-minded midfield next season with two of the three midfielders in Postecoglou's system given the licence to push on and offer support in attack. Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, Yves Bissouma and Oliver Skipp will all be fighting it out to play as the holding midfielder, with the Mali international potentially the one coming out on top.
Looking restricted in Conte's midfield setup and also spending time on the sidelines through injury, Bissouma, who impressed in the final three games of the season following his return, will be like a new signing next term. Already having experience of playing in the position previously, the ex-Brighton man could very well flourish under Postecoglou.
Rodrigo Bentancur, once he's back to full fitness, will take on one of the advanced midfield roles and it may lead to him bettering the six goals and two assists he registered in 26 appearances last season. Tottenham are crying out for a creative midfielder as they have simply not replaced Christian Eriksen following his departure back in January 2020.
James Maddison is the player the vast majority of fans want to see come in after positing some excellent numbers during his time with Leicester City. An exit from the King Power Stadium looks a certainty following the Foxes' relegation and also due to the fact that he will soon be in the final year of his contract.
Attack
The main talking point surrounding Tottenham's attack this summer is the future of Harry Kane. Linked with Real Madrid and Manchester United, Spurs ideally need the England captain to commit to the club and pen a new contract to end all the speculation for good.
Providing Kane stays in north London, it's a rather simple decision when it comes to Spurs' front three as the 29-year-old will be joined in attack by Son Heung-min and Dejan Kulusevski. As the Swede's 18-month loan deal from Juventus expires at the end of the month, Tottenham now need to sign him permanently.
Amid recent talk in Italy of him heading back to parent club Juventus, football.london understands the club fully expects to take up the option to sign him. Kulusevski's deal would have automatically been made permanent for €35m (£30m) had they qualified for the Champions League once again, but Spurs, crucially, still retain an option to buy him for the same amount, which is payable over five years.
Postecoglou's dream Tottenham XI: Raya; Porro, Romero, Laporte, Udogie; Bissouma, Bentancur, Maddison; Kulusevski, Kane, Son
What do you think of the Postecoglou appointment? Have your say below!
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