‘Fantastic’: Pep Guardiola hails one part of Tottenham’s squad which is among the best he has ever seen
Manchester City encountered little resistance in the first half of their clash against Tottenham Hotspur, despite the North London side’s reputation as a difficult opponent for Pep Guardiola’s team in recent seasons.
City dictated play from the outset, with Jeremy Doku causing havoc down the left flank, exposing Tottenham’s defensive frailties. By halftime, City should have been out of sight, but wastefulness in front of goal kept the scoreline tight.
Erling Haaland had an excellent opportunity to extend City’s advantage, forcing a fine save from Guglielmo Vicario after previously finding the back of the net. Spurs, however, responded in the second half, showing signs of improvement.
Ange Postecoglou made significant changes to his starting lineup, opting to rest key players such as Son Heung-min, Dejan Kulusevski, and Djed Spence. While Son and Kulusevski’s absence impacted the attacking threat, it was Spence’s exclusion that proved most costly.
Doku tormented Pedro Porro throughout the game, consistently getting the better of him in one-on-one situations. The decision to leave Spence on the bench ultimately allowed City to exploit Tottenham’s right side, putting the defense under sustained pressure.
Following the match, Guardiola made notable comments regarding Tottenham’s squad depth, a statement that raised eyebrows given the struggles Spurs have faced this season due to injuries.
While Postecoglou has been forced to work with a depleted squad for much of the campaign, Guardiola claimed that Tottenham possess one of the deepest squads he has ever encountered.
Speaking to TNT Sports after City’s narrow 1-0 victory, the Spanish manager emphasized the quality available to Postecoglou despite the ongoing fitness issues.
Guardiola acknowledged Tottenham’s historical ability to make life difficult for City, referencing their record at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. He praised Spurs’ quality and resilience, highlighting their depth despite key absences.
He specifically mentioned the presence of Son, Kulusevski, and Spence on the bench, underlining the strength in depth that Tottenham possess. His comments seemed to contradict the prevailing narrative among Spurs fans, who have often pointed to a lack of top-tier reinforcements as a major concern.
Postecoglou, however, may not share Guardiola’s assessment. While Tottenham’s best eleven is undeniably strong, depth in certain areas remains questionable.
The club’s January signings, particularly Kevin Danso, have bolstered the squad by providing much-needed defensive cover for Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven. However, compared to the elite squads in the Premier League, Spurs still lack the depth required to compete consistently at the highest level.
Despite the defeat, one Tottenham player managed to leave a lasting impression on supporters. His performance stood out in a match where City largely controlled proceedings, offering Spurs fans a glimpse of the potential within the squad.
While Guardiola’s comments about depth may have sparked debate, the game itself highlighted areas that still need reinforcement if Tottenham are to compete with the very best in the league.