'Becoming a hell of a footballer': Ange Postecoglou 'so excited' as £15m Tottenham ace gets better and better
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Portions of the Tottenham Hotspur fanbase may have given up on Ange Postecoglou, but Ange Postecoglou certainly hasn’t given up on Tottenham Hotspur.
While the results remain as topsy turvy as ever – only Spurs could hammer Manchester City 4-0 away from home and then fail to win any of the next five matches – a manager who’s presence on the touchline threatens to split the fanbase down the middle feels remains insistant signs of progress are clear for those with eyes to see.
Ange Postecoglou is delighted with Archie Gray’s adaptation to a left-sided centre-back role in the absence of Micky van de Ven and Ben Davies.
Postecoglou and Heung-Min Son both hailed Lucas Bergvall, too, after Gray’s fellow teen sensation dictated proceedings during Sunday’s 5-0 battering of Southampton.
Even in the midst of the most inconsistent of seasons, Dejan Kulusevski has blossomed into an elite playmaker, Brennan Johnson has become a regular goalscorer, and Pape Matar Sarr has picked up where he left off following an impressive breakout campaign.
Ange Postecoglou ‘so excited’ by Pape Sarr at Tottenham Hotspur
“That's kind of why I haven't lost any resolve or optimism about what we're building,” Postecoglou said ahead of Thursday’s EFL Cup quarter-final clash with Ruben Amorim’s ManchesterUnited at Old Trafford.
“Because I see plenty of growth in this group. I guess people will look at our league position and our league form and, within that context, are saying there isn't things developing here.
“But, if you strip it away and look at the challenges we've had this year with the injury situation, we're probably one result away from people saying we're going OK in the league as well.”
Gray and Bergvall both stood out as Southampton were ripped limb from limb, the 18-year-old duo both starting for a much-changed Spurs side on the Solent.
Sarr, meanwhile, arrived from Metz with a reputation for being a stable if unspectacular deep-lying midfielder. But, as the £15 million Senegal international danced through Southampton’s brittle backline before slotting home, he took his tally to a career-best four goals only halfway through the 2024/25 campaign.
More, by the way, than Sarr scored across any of his 49 Tottenham appearances before the current campaign began in August.
“I think, with all these things, my view is stay calm, stay focused and I see plenty of growth. Even Pape Sarr, mate. He is still a young man and is growing all the time and becoming a hell of a footballer,” Postecoglou adds.
“I just get so excited by all that.”
Postecoglou says better days to come for Spurs
The former Celtic boss is confident that happier times are just around the corner. Tottenham should have Van de Ven and Davies back soon, while Cristian Romero will return in the New year.
“We're going to hit some smoother waters at some point. I believe that, in terms of where the squad is at,” Postecoglou predicts.
“[There are a few] players who are carrying us through this tough period. You talk about mentality; they've got through that, not only got through it but helped the club through it.
“And, at such a young age, anything they face after that, they're going to crash through. For me, I certainly feel there is some real growth that has happened and is happening at the moment.”
Tottenham’s hopes of ending that 16-year trophy drought remain alive for the time being, meanwhile. Beating Man United and securing a player in that two-legged semi-final would represent a big step towards silverware.
