Spurs wanted to sign £60M phenomenon, now he’s become as good as Van Dijk & Saliba
Tottenham Hotspur has made significant strides under Ange Postecoglou, adopting a brand of football that is expansive, intense, and highly entertaining.
However, this exciting style of play comes with its challenges, particularly in the defensive department. While Tottenham’s ability to overwhelm opponents with slick passing and high pressing has resulted in impressive victories, their defensive frailties remain a concern.
This high-risk, high-reward approach has paid off at times, as seen in dominant wins over Manchester United and West Ham United. However, the team’s tendency to leave gaps at the back raises questions about its consistency, especially in challenging fixtures.
Despite their defensive shortcomings, Tottenham’s ability to win big matches suggests that with the right adjustments, they could compete for major titles under Postecoglou’s leadership.
Tottenham boasts two of the Premier League’s top defenders in Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven. Despite some defensive lapses, the duo has shown great potential this season.
In their eight Premier League matches so far, Tottenham has conceded only nine goals, ranking them joint-fifth in the league in terms of goals conceded. However, the team has managed to keep just two clean sheets, highlighting the need for further defensive fine-tuning.
Below is a comparison of Van de Ven and Romero’s key statistics in the 2024/25 Premier League season:
| Match Stats (24/25) | Van de Ven | Romero |
|---|---|---|
| Matches (starts) | 7 (7) | 8 (8) |
| Goals | 0 | 1 |
| Assists | 2 | 0 |
| Touches (per game) | 85.3 | 95.6 |
| Pass completion rate | 93% | 91% |
| Dribbles completed (per game) | 0.4 | 0.0 |
| Ball recoveries (per game) | 5.9 | 5.9 |
| Tackles + interceptions (per game) | 1.9 | 3.2 |
| Clearances (per game) | 2.9 | 2.8 |
| Total duels won (percentage) | 46% | 62% |
Both defenders have been solid, but Tottenham’s backline still lacks the consistency needed to contend with the best teams in the league. Van de Ven and Romero are approaching top-tier status, yet the team’s defensive record indicates there is room for improvement.
When comparing Tottenham’s defenders to Premier League stalwarts such as Virgil van Dijk and William Saliba, the gap becomes clear. Van Dijk, a veteran known for his dominance, and Saliba, a rising star at Arsenal, have been crucial to their teams’ successes.
Saliba, in particular, has won an impressive 70% of his ground duels this season, showcasing his defensive prowess. These are the kinds of performances Tottenham hopes to see more consistently from their own defensive lineup.
Tottenham had an opportunity to bolster their defense further when they pursued Alessandro Bastoni in 2022. The Italian center-back, who now plays for Inter Milan, was heavily linked with a move to North London.
However, Inter managed to secure Bastoni’s future with a contract extension until 2028, making him one of the club’s highest earners. Valued at €70 million (£60 million), Bastoni represents a missed opportunity for Tottenham.
Bastoni’s impressive stats from last season underscore his ability to perform at the highest level. He won 59% of his duels, completed 90% of his passes, and created ten big chances for his team.
These numbers are exceptional for a defender, and his unique blend of defensive strength and playmaking ability has set him apart from many of his European counterparts.
Bastoni ranks in the top 1% of center-backs across Europe’s top five leagues for shot-creating actions and progressive carries, as well as in the top 2% for assists and progressive passes per 90 minutes. These are qualities Tottenham could have benefitted from had they secured his signature.
Experts in Italian football, such as Conor Clancy, have lauded Bastoni as the best Italian center-back of his generation. His creative play and defensive acumen have made him a standout performer in Serie A, and he was named the league’s Defender of the Season for 2023/24.
It’s easy to imagine Postecoglou and Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy regretting the missed chance to bring him to North London, as his addition could have transformed Tottenham’s defense.
While Tottenham’s defensive partnership of Romero and Van de Ven is strong, the pursuit of a player like Bastoni shows the club’s ambition to rise to the top tier of English football.
With further fine-tuning and potential reinforcements, Tottenham’s defense could soon become as formidable as their exciting attack, pushing them closer to trophy-winning success.
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