Postecoglou must stop rotating £100k/W Tottenham dud if he wants to save his job
Tottenham Hotspur suffered their second consecutive loss after a 2-1 defeat at home to Premier League newcomers Ipswich Town, giving the Tractor Boys their first win of the season.
Despite the result, one of the few bright spots for Spurs was midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur, who scored their only goal in what was another promising individual performance.
The Uruguayan international, often rotated in manager Ange Postecoglou’s lineup, has quietly become one of Spurs’ most reliable players this season, even as the team’s overall form remains inconsistent.
Bentancur has had a tumultuous journey since joining Tottenham, but his return to form this season has been crucial. After a difficult 18 months, including a serious ACL injury in January 2023, he has worked hard to regain his place in the squad.
The 27-year-old, who earns £100,000 a week, started the 2024/25 season under some scrutiny due to an off-pitch incident involving controversial comments about his teammate and captain, Son Heung-Min. Despite this, he has managed to silence critics with his on-pitch performances, showing maturity and skill in his midfield role.
One of the standout aspects of Bentancur’s season has been his ability to maintain a high level of performance despite the disruption of being in-and-out of the starting lineup.
He has started in just 10 of Tottenham’s 16 appearances across all competitions this season, but his impact when on the pitch has been undeniable. In Sunday’s loss to Ipswich Town, Bentancur scored his first goal of the season and was statistically the best player for Spurs, according to SofaScore.
He earned a solid rating of 7.9, which was indicative of his all-around contribution during the 84 minutes he played. His defensive stats were particularly impressive, winning nine of 13 ground duels and three of five aerial duels. He also registered an 84% pass completion rate, which further underscores his technical ability in the middle of the park.
Despite the positive individual performance, it wasn’t enough to secure a result for Spurs, highlighting the team’s ongoing struggles this season. Bentancur’s performance, however, is reflective of his steady improvement since recovering from injury.
Over the course of the 2024/25 Premier League campaign, Bentancur’s statistics reflect his growing importance to the team. His tactical awareness, passing range, and defensive attributes make him an essential part of Postecoglou’s midfield, despite the club’s inconsistency in results.
| Rodrigo Bentancur – 2024/25 Premier League Stats | Value |
|---|---|
| Appearances | 10 |
| Starts | 7 |
| Goals | 1 |
| Pass Completion (%) | 92.0% |
| Tackles Per 90 | 2.40 |
| Tackles Won Per 90 | 1.20 |
| Interceptions Per 90 | 2.60 |
Bentancur’s ability to break up play with his tackling and interceptions has been another key asset for Tottenham. With 12 tackles recorded and a career-high 69.2% tackle success rate so far this season, his defensive presence offers stability to a Tottenham midfield that has often looked vulnerable.
His solid defensive displays have been a welcome contribution in a season where Spurs’ backline has faced challenges, and Bentancur’s defensive qualities could be crucial for Postecoglou as he works to fix his team’s frailties.
Notably, Bentancur’s performance in the Europa League against Galatasaray further highlighted his value to the squad. Although Spurs ultimately lost the match 3-2, Bentancur’s introduction in the second half provided the team with some much-needed control in midfield and helped them get back into the game.
His ability to dictate play and make vital interceptions was a key reason Spurs looked more competitive after his introduction. It’s performances like these that emphasize Bentancur’s ability to turn games in Spurs’ favor, even when the team is struggling.
However, despite his individual performances, manager Postecoglou has been cautious with Bentancur’s minutes this season, frequently rotating him with Yves Bissouma and Pape Matar Sarr.
While Postecoglou’s rotation policy has kept the squad fresh, it has led to some inconsistencies in midfield, with Bentancur’s presence often making the team look more balanced when he plays. Given the ongoing defensive issues Tottenham has faced this season, Postecoglou may need to reconsider his approach and give Bentancur more regular starts to ensure the team can maintain a solid and consistent midfield presence.
As Spurs continue to face challenges in the league, especially with their upcoming fixtures, the need for Bentancur’s influence in midfield becomes even more crucial.
His passing, tackling, and defensive awareness offer a stabilizing force that Tottenham has lacked in recent seasons. Postecoglou will need to find a way to integrate Bentancur more consistently into his lineup, as the 27-year-old’s contributions could make the difference between securing a top-four finish and falling short.
Ultimately, while Spurs’ loss to Ipswich was a setback, Rodrigo Bentancur’s continued rise to form provides hope for both the player and the team. As he grows into one of the most underrated midfielders in the league, his performances will be key to Tottenham’s ability to overcome their defensive struggles and return to winning ways in the Premier League.