Sold by Conte: Spurs flop who left in 2022 has seen his valuation skyrocket 2300% since

Since taking over at Tottenham Hotspur in 2023, Ange Postecoglou has experienced both highs and lows. One of his most significant challenges has been navigating an almost unprecedented number of injuries that disrupted what had been an outstanding start to his tenure.

These setbacks have left Spurs languishing in 12th place in the Premier League this season. However, there have been undeniable successes during his time in North London, particularly in transforming the team’s style of play.

Under Antonio Conte, Tottenham were criticized for being dull and uninspiring, but Postecoglou has turned them into one of the most entertaining teams in the league.

Postecoglou has also shifted the club’s focus toward long-term success, integrating younger, less experienced players with higher potential. This approach marks a departure from Conte’s strategy, which often lacked emphasis on building for the future.

A prime example of this is a player sold during Conte’s tenure in 2022, who has since returned to the Premier League and seen his market value soar by an astonishing 2300%.

In reviewing Spurs’ 2022 sales, several notable exits stand out. Steven Bergwijn, the Dutch winger, was one of them.

While undeniably talented and capable of producing memorable moments—such as his dramatic late goals against Leicester City—he failed to cement his place in the first team.

Tottenham sold him to Ajax in July 2022 for approximately £26 million. Bergwijn went on to score 29 goals and provide 12 assists in 83 appearances for Ajax before moving to Saudi Pro League side Al-Ittihad for around £17.7 million in September.

Another departure that summer was Cameron Carter-Vickers. The American center-back, a product of Tottenham’s academy, made just five first-team appearances before joining Celtic permanently for £6 million after a successful loan spell.

Since then, he has become a pivotal player for the Scottish giants, making 146 appearances and contributing seven goals and two assists. His impressive performances have helped Celtic secure three league titles, three League Cups, and two Scottish Cups, solidifying his reputation as a key figure in their success.

However, the most striking story from Tottenham’s 2022 sales involves Jack Clarke. The English winger joined Spurs from Leeds United in 2019 for £8.5 million but struggled to make an impact during his time in North London.

After a series of underwhelming loan spells, the club sold him to Sunderland in July 2022 for just £750,000, albeit with a 25% sell-on clause. Clarke flourished at Sunderland, delivering 26 goals and 18 assists in 92 appearances—an average of a goal involvement every 2.09 games. His outstanding performances earned him a move to Ipswich Town in the summer of 2024 for £15 million.

While Clarke’s transition to the Premier League with Ipswich has been challenging, his talent remains evident.

This season, he has scored three goals and provided four assists in 23 appearances, totaling just 883 minutes of play. Despite a dip in output, his ability to contribute a goal involvement every 126.14 minutes demonstrates his quality.

At just 24 years old, Clarke’s potential remains high. Football Transfers currently values him at €21.7 million (approximately £18 million), representing a staggering 2300% increase on the fee Spurs received for him under Conte.

While Tottenham’s decision to sell Clarke may have been the right move for his career development, they might regret letting him go for such a low price, especially given his current market value.

Ultimately, Postecoglou’s emphasis on building a younger, more dynamic squad reflects a broader strategy to secure Tottenham’s future. However, as illustrated by Clarke’s trajectory, balancing immediate needs with long-term potential is a delicate task.

Looking ahead, Spurs will need to carefully manage their squad to avoid losing valuable assets for a fraction of their worth, ensuring they remain competitive in both domestic and European competitions.