According to one outspoken analyst, Ange Postecoglou may require a whole new defense in his first season as manager of Tottenham Hotspur.
Spurs allowed a record 63 goals in the Premier League last season, ending a terribly disappointing ninth and losing out on European competition entirely.
Postecoglou is expected to sign at least two new centre-backs to shore up his defense, with Wolfsburg star Micky van de Ven close to completing a £30 million move.
Edmond Tapsoba of Bayer Leverkusen is another goal for the Australian, however there is still work to be done on that potential deal.
Former Aston Villa striker Gabby Agbonhalor, on the other hand, is concerned about the full-back positions, particularly the right-back position.
Postecoglou prefers a 4-3-3 formation, but his predecessor Antonio Conte seldom strayed from his 3-4-3, preferring to play with wing-backs rather than traditional full-backs.
And this is where Agbonhalor sees a huge issue for Spurs as the new season approaches.
On the right side of Conte’s formation, Ivan Perisic and Pedro Porro were the main two players deployed, while Emerson Royal was a more defensive option.
Destiny Udogie also joins this summer after spending last season on loan at Udinese, but he is regarded as a left winger rather than a back four player.
“This is the problem with bringing in big players without first determining your manager’s future.”
“Who knows, Ange could come in now and decide Porro isn’t good enough as a right-back.”
“I’m sure Perisic is at an age where he’ll want to get rid of him.
“This is the risk that the Spurs have taken.” Postecoglou will bring his own ideas to the table.
“He might look at it and decide he needs a completely new defense.” I believe they require three or four signings in the back.”
Postecoglou does have options if he wants to play more traditional full-backs, with Royal and Djed Spence capable of doing so on the right, Ben Davies still available on the left, and Sergio Reguilon returning following a loan spell away last season.
It remains to be seen how proactive the Australian expects his wide defenders to be in the upcoming season.
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