Every Spurs fan knew that unless Daniel Levy somehow managed to block the move, Harry Kane would leave in the summer of 2023.
What the fans didn’t know is how the club would cope with life after Kane.
Harry Kane to FC Bayern, here we go! Deal completed between all parties as Kane has given final green light 🚨🔴
Tottenham to receive €100m fixed fee plus add-ons up to €20m package.
Kane will sign a four year deal, he’ll fly to Germany today.
Medical booked. Done deal. pic.twitter.com/iervbXzkwt
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 11, 2023
The new manager, Ange Postecoglou, came in. The Aussie arrived with a good reputation but was otherwise untested in the Premier League. Postecoglou had the unenviable task of moving the club forward without the services of Kane, and it’s pretty clear that he’s handling this responsibility beautifully.
Spurs are one of five teams to have broken away from the rest in the Premier League. They’ve topped the table at various points this season, and they’ve done so by playing entertaining football.
Steady progression under Ange
So where does this fit in with the latest sports betting markets? Well, Spurs aren’t the favourites with a price of 33/1 but they’re fourth in the rankings, meaning the bookies see them qualifying for next season’s Champions League. Upon Kane’s departure, most sports tips at the start of the season wouldn’t have predicted that.
Naturally, held high in esteem, Manchester City are at odds of 4/6 and coasting for yet another win.
A good way to highlight how well Ange Postecoglou has done with Spurs this season is to compare the team’s record against that of 12 months ago. At the halfway point of the current 2023/24 season, Spurs had 36 points from 19 matches. In contrast, during the 2022/23 season, Spurs had 33 points from 19. It’s progress, albeit small progress. But after the departure of Kane, most Spurs fans would likely have taken it, if offered at the start of the season.
Can Spurs kick on?
The January transfer window was an interesting one for the club. The signing of Timo Werner on loan for the rest of the season originally raised a few eyebrows. And it was also treated with derision by some fans after his time at Chelsea.
Willkommen, Timo! 🤍
We’re delighted to announce the loan signing of Timo Werner, subject to international clearance ✍️
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) January 9, 2024
Werner looks an astute addition to the squad. He adds pace and goals to an already quick team. The German also has Premier League experience under his belt and is now far better prepared for life in the English top flight.
Also seemingly benefitting from the arrival of Timo Werner is Richarlison. The Brazilian has all of a sudden found some goalscoring form, and seems to be enjoying playing alongside the loan man. And along with the return of Son Heung-min, Spurs are only going to get stronger. If Postecoglou can get that trio to click, the immediate future looks bright for Tottenham.
Cracking the top four
Although Spurs are in the betting to finish in the top four, they’re not expected to challenge Manchester City, Liverpool or Arsenal for the Premier League title. The odds from the bookmakers are saying that it’s between Spurs and Aston Villa for fourth place, not a five-way title shoot-out. But should the club be happy with simply cracking the top four?
Champions League football may come if the team finishes fifth, but there’s little point relying on that when a top-four place seems there for the taking. Qualifying for Europe’s biggest club competition is also a great selling point when the club is trying to recruit players.
It’s a stepping stone to getting back amongst the Premier League elite. And after seeming to be against all odds at the beginning of the season, it’s now really starting to look like a serious possibility for Spurs and Postecoglou.
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