Only 2 passes made: Levy must now ensure Spurs’ 4/10 flop never wears the shirt again

The final whistle at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium told two very different stories about Ange Postecoglou’s second season in charge. While Wednesday’s Europa League triumph over Manchester United will rightly dominate the headlines, Sunday’s 4-1 capitulation against Brighton laid bare the systemic issues that left Spurs languishing in 17th place – their worst Premier League finish in over a decade.

This Jekyll-and-Hyde campaign has left the North London club at a crossroads, with significant squad surgery required this summer.

Postecoglou’s men looked every bit a team still celebrating their Bilbao heroics as Brighton ruthlessly exposed their defensive frailties. The comprehensive defeat marked Tottenham’s 22nd league loss of a turbulent campaign, raising serious questions about whether the Australian remains the right man to lead this squad forward despite his European success.

While ending the club’s 17-year trophy drought represents undeniable progress, the Premier League table doesn’t lie – this has been a season of underachievement domestically.

Attack Reinforcements Needed

Dominic Solanke’s penalty – his 16th goal of the season – provided brief respite, but the £55 million signing from Bournemouth has struggled with injuries and inconsistency since his arrival.

The striker’s decent return (16G/8A) masks Tottenham’s broader attacking deficiencies, with Heung-min Son’s advancing age (32) necessitating fresh blood in the final third.

This explains Spurs’ growing interest in Ipswich Town’s Liam Delap, who impressed despite the Tractor Boys’ relegation with 12 goals in 37 appearances. The 21-year-old represents the profile of dynamic, young attacker that could rejuvenate Tottenham’s frontline.

Richarlison’s Time Up?

The Brazilian’s Tottenham career has been a rollercoaster since his £60 million move from Everton. While improved from his disastrous debut season (3 goals), his 24 appearances this term yielded just 5 goals and 2 assists.

His anonymous cameo against Brighton – completing just two passes and losing 83% of duels – symbolized his fading influence.

With Everton and Flamengo circling, the 28-year-old appears destined for the exit as Spurs look to recoup part of their investment. His £90k-per-week wages could be better allocated towards new signings who fit Postecoglou’s system more effectively.

Defensive Overhaul Required

Tottenham’s 68 goals conceded – the third-worst in the league – tells its own story. The once-reliable defensive unit has completely unraveled, with individual errors becoming endemic. Brighton’s four-goal haul simply continued a trend that saw Spurs ship:

• 3+ goals in 12 different league matches
• 4+ goals on 6 occasions
• A league-high 22 errors leading to shots

Summer Priorities

1. Center Forward – Delap or similar young striker to compete with Solanke
2. Creative Midfielder – Maddison’s backup/competition remains unresolved
3. Defensive Reinforcements – At least two new center-backs required
4. Clear Out Deadwood – Richarlison, Hojbjerg, and others should be moved on

While the Europa League trophy provides tangible evidence of progress, Postecoglou knows better than anyone that Tottenham cannot afford another league campaign like this.

The Australian must use the summer to address systemic issues while maintaining the European momentum. With shrewd recruitment and improved defensive organization, Spurs have the foundation to turn this season of contrasts into consistent success.

For now, the supporters can bask in their long-awaited trophy, but the hard work starts now to ensure this represents a beginning rather than a one-off achievement.

The Brighton defeat served as a timely reminder that for all their European glory, Tottenham’s Premier League form must improve dramatically next season.