£201M quartet sign, Kulusevski axed: Ange’s dream Spurs XI after the transfer window

When Ange Postecoglou was announced as Tottenham Hotspur’s new manager last summer, and Harry Kane was sold at the conclusion of the transfer window, few experts or supporters predicted a successful season.

However, an outstanding ten-game undefeated run at the start of the Premier League season drew attention to the Australian coach’s all-action football style.

Unfortunately, injuries and tiredness took their toll on the Lilywhites over the year, and they fell from table-toppers to fifth, but given the expectations placed on them in August, qualifying for the Europa League must be seen as a triumph.

So, once the summer transfer market officially begins next Monday, Daniel Levy and his team must find the proper players to help Postecoglou enhance his squad and return to the top four.

With that stated, let’s take a look at how the Lilywhites may line up following a summer of trading.

1. GK: Guglielmo Vicario

Guglielmo Vicario, who continues to play between the sticks, is an obvious choice.

Vicario, who joined the Premier League from Serie A club Empoli in the summer, was a relative stranger to many fans. Nonetheless, his remarkable early performances helped him establish himself as one of the greatest shot-stoppers in the nation.

His impressive start to life in North London earned him the Keeper of the Year Award at the London Football Awards in February. While he has had some troubles with teammates pressuring him in corners since then, his position on the squad is largely solid.

2. RB: Pedro Porro

Pedro Porro, like the guy behind him, maintains his position in the lineup after a season of outstanding performances.

This season, the Spaniard started 92% of league games and played 90% of available minutes, scoring three goals and providing seven assists.

He also scored a screamer in one of his two FA Cup games.

3. CB: Cristian Romero

Cristian Romero, one of the club’s vice-captains, will undoubtedly remain at the heart of Tottenham’s defence next season unless he is transferred in a surprise deal this summer.

This season, the World Cup champion started 87% of league games, played 82% of minutes, scored five league goals, and was only red carded once.

While he has a reputation for being reckless, the Argentine is one of Postecoglou’s key players.

4. CB: Micky van de Ven

The centre-back who will play alongside the Argentine is likewise an obvious decision.

In only one season, Micky van de Ven has shown himself as one of the most dynamic defenders in the league.

One of the Dutchman’s greatest assets is his quickness, which enables the manager to play a very aggressive high line. Earlier this year, the former Wolfsburg star smashed the Premier League record for the quickest sprint, clocking 37.38km/h versus Brentford.

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5. LB: Destiny Udogie.

Destiny Udogie, another rising star from this year, completes the defensive lineup.

The Italian fullback, to steal a phrase, burst into the scene at the start of the season and made such an impact that he was nominated for Premier League Young Player of the Year last month.

The good news for Spurs supporters is that he signed to a new long-term contract in December, keeping him at N17 until 2030.

6. CM: Ederson

We’ve now reached the first of the two central midfielders, and the first change, as Yves Bissouma is replaced by Ederson from Atalanta.

The Brazilian midfielder was linked with the Lilywhites for £50 million last month after a monster performance in the Europa League final against Bayer Leverkusen.

The 24-year-old “machine,” as Italian writer Carlo Garganese termed him, might offer much-needed steel and quickness to the Lilywhites’ midfield. He can play as a central or defensive midfielder.

For example, the “energetic” dynamo, as characterised by writer Bence Bocsak, produced 1.1 interceptions, 2.3 tackles, and 5.2 ball recoveries per game in Serie A this season, according to SofaScore.

It would be a pricey signing, but well worth it.

7. CM. Conor Gallagher

Conor Gallagher, the second centre midfielder, is the team’s second new face.

Spurs have been connected with the Chelsea player for what seems like years, but a recent report stated that the club was in the midst of drafting a bid for him and was convinced that a £40 million sum would be sufficient to clinch his signing.

He may be a divisive player, but his relentless running and boundless energy would be great in a Postecoglou system, and The Athletic’s Spurs journalist Jack Pitt-Brooke even likened his ability to press and win back the ball to a “Poch-era Dele All.”

He isn’t simply a busy body, however. He has seven goals and nine assists in 50 games this year, and maybe most crucially, after the Spurs season, he has never missed a senior football game due to injury.

It may not be the most exciting signing, but bringing Gallagher to N17 would be a fantastic idea.

8. CAM: James Maddison

James Maddison, the star acquisition from last summer, will spearhead the midfield.

The former Leicester City star may have had a disappointing finish to the season, but he still managed to score four goals and nine assists in 30 games, for an average goal involvement of 2.3 games.

If the team can keep him healthy next season, he might be a major issue for the rest of the league.

9. RW: Viktor Tsyhankov

So, the first player in the front three is another newcomer, and this one might be contentious.

Ukrainian winger Viktor Tsyhankov replaces Swedish international Dejan Kulusevski on the right, having outperformed the former Juventus ace for the last two seasons in a row.

For example, the Girona ace scored 24 goals and assisted in 42 games last season and added 15 goals and assists in 34 games this year.

In comparison, the Spurs star scored ten goals and assisted in 37 games last season before improving marginally in 2023/24, scoring 11 goals and assisting in 39 games.

The 24-year-old Swede may be a more gifted player overall, but he has yet to demonstrate it with any real consistency, and the fact that Tsyhankov can be acquired for just £26 million makes signing him a very appealing prospect.

10. LW: Son Heung-min

The left winger is another obvious pick, since club captain Son Heung-min must start.

This season, the South Korean international made 36 appearances for the North Londoners, scoring 17 goals and assisting 10 times. This implies he had a goal participation every 1.3 games; he has to start somewhere.

11.ST, Santiago Gimenez

The last member of the squad is the striker, and although Richarlison’s performance of 12 goals and four assists in 31 games this year was good, Postecoglou needs an out-and-out nine he can rely on, which is where Santiago Gimenez comes in.

The Feyenoord star has been linked to Spurs multiple times this year, and he seems to be available for roughly €100 million, which is equivalent to £85 million.

It’s a lot to spend for one player, but the Mexican “machine,” as talent scout Jacek Kulig refers to him, has been in amazing goalscoring form the previous two seasons.

In only 86 games for the Dutch giants, he has scored 49 goals and provided 11 assists.

Dream Tottenham Hotspur XI: Guglielmo Vicario; Pedro Porro, Cristian Romero, Micky van de Ven, Destiny Udogie; Ederson, Conor Gallagher, James Maddison; Viktor Tsyhankov, Son Heung-min, Santiago Gimenez.