He’s playing like Spence: Levy must rue selling “outstanding” Spurs star for just £12m

Tottenham Hotspur’s season has been filled with challenges, yet there remains hope that Ange Postecoglou can salvage something meaningful from the campaign.

A brief resurgence saw Spurs secure three consecutive wins in the Premier League before Manchester City edged them out, leaving Aston Villa nine points ahead in 10th place.

With their chances of success in the league dwindling, attention now shifts to the Europa League, where AZ Alkmaar awaits in the last 16. Fans continue to hold onto the belief that Postecoglou’s ambitious trophy-winning claims may still come to fruition.

Even if silverware remains elusive, several bright sparks have emerged, offering optimism for the club’s future.

Archie Gray recently received the Young Player of the Year award at the London Football Awards, further solidifying his status as one of Tottenham’s most promising talents.

The 18-year-old has stepped up admirably amid an injury crisis, adapting to central and wide defensive roles despite being a natural midfielder. Having joined Spurs from Leeds United for a fee between £30m and £40m, Gray looks set to become a key figure in Postecoglou’s squad.

Last summer’s transfer activity has shown promise, with Dominic Solanke adding physicality to the attack and Lucas Bergvall showcasing his immense potential. Meanwhile, Mikey Moore has started making his mark in the senior team at just 17, scoring against Elfsborg in the Europa League and registering an assist in the Premier League.

Djed Spence has arguably been the biggest revelation, overcoming a difficult previous season to force his way into Postecoglou’s plans. Initially written off after loan spells at Leeds United and Genoa, Spence has impressed, with journalist Rob Guest noting his remarkable progress.

His rise has come at a crucial time, with Pedro Porro struggling and Destiny Udogie’s fitness issues causing concern. Tottenham appears to have learned from past mistakes, particularly in allowing the “original” Spence—Kyle Walker-Peters—to leave the club for a modest fee.

Walker-Peters, a product of Tottenham’s academy, showed early promise, making 24 first-team appearances and contributing six goal involvements before being sold to Southampton for £12m in 2020.

The 27-year-old has since amassed 141 Premier League appearances, scoring twice and providing 11 assists. While not the most prolific attacking full-back, he possesses technical quality, as evidenced by his “outstanding” finish against Manchester City.

Despite Southampton’s struggles, Walker-Peters has remained a consistent performer, winning 50% of his ground duels and maintaining a 91% pass accuracy this season. His ability to carry the ball forward is reflected in his top-tier rankings among Premier League full-backs for progressive carries and successful take-ons.

Walker-Peters’ versatility adds to his value, as he has been deployed across multiple defensive positions. His adaptability mirrors Spence’s skill set, raising questions about whether Tottenham made a mistake in letting him go.

With Porro’s recent struggles, Spurs might have benefitted from an additional option at right-back. Given his impending contract expiry and Southampton’s likely relegation, Walker-Peters could be available on a free transfer.

Clubs such as West Ham United and Leicester City have already shown interest, and Tottenham may find themselves reconsidering a reunion.

With Tottenham’s defensive frailties exposed, Postecoglou may push for reinforcements in the full-back department. Spence has excelled, but his best performances have come on the left side, leaving a gap for additional depth on the right.

If Spurs move to re-sign Walker-Peters, Daniel Levy may ultimately regret the initial decision to part ways with him, especially with Porro’s inconsistent displays leaving Tottenham vulnerable. The club’s summer transfer strategy will be crucial in addressing these issues and ensuring that they remain competitive on multiple fronts.