If you cast your mind back to August, Tottenham were tipped to contend at the very top of the table following Champions League qualification the season prior. Of course, what transpired was a disaster. Three managers, heavy defeats, and improper management from top to bottom. An autopsy of this season is desperately needed.
In hindsight, the signings brought in last summer were overestimated. Expecting 34-year-old wing-back Ivan Perisic to flourish under a demanding schedule was optimistic. Additionally, the consisting injuries to Yves Bissouma and Richarlison did not help. The club will absolutely trust the signings achieved last summer heading into next season, but in the case of many Spurs have been fairly unlucky.
The early signs in the season were relatively positive. Tottenham crushed Southampton 4-1 on opening day and secured a dramatic draw at Stamford Bridge the following week. Their return to the Champions League was also impressive, with that memorable Richarlison brace. All in the background though were Arsenal, their rivals performing excellently. Despite Arsenal’s overachievement, the feeling around Spurs was that they had not made the appropriate step forward.
The signs of a potential downfall had not really made themselves clear until after the World Cup though. The mentality of the squad was at a strong point before the break, including two late comebacks against Bournemouth and Leeds and an advancement to the knockout stages (albeit dramatic) of the Champions League, with only a few worrying results to think of.
Pointing the finger at what exactly failed at Tottenham this season is difficult to pinpoint. The form of the players really dropped off following the return after Christmas. Heung-Min Son had a poor season by his standards, and Dejan Kulusevski appeared sluggish on the return, which had a wholly impact on the form of the team, with production for goals at a premium.
The genuine turning point must be that embarrassing 4-1 defeat at the King Power for Spurs. For context, Leicester only won four of the last nineteen games before their relegation was confirmed. The defending in that game was nothing short of disgraceful, but the nail in the coffin was the ACL tear for Rodrigo Bentancur. The Uruguayan had one thing most Spurs players lack at the minute – desire and consistency. His loss was evidently felt on the side, who slumped following his injury.
This included losing in the FA Cup to Sheffield Utd, where it was felt Spurs had a great chance of reaching at least the semi-final stage. The way the club were knocked out in the Champions League is worth too much discussion either – zero goals in both legs and no effort to advance.
The car-crash moment was the Southampton game at St. Mary’s, where the post-match press conference delivered by Antonio Conte was relatively more remembered than the game itself. The final 15 minutes of that game give context to the explosive press conference, however. Spurs were 3-1 up with quarter of an hour remaining against bottom of the league before conceding two sloppy goals late on to lose two points.
Antonio Conte was seething as he spoke to the press. It felt as if every contained emotion from the Italian spilled out into that room. “They don’t want to play under stress” was the most damning of quotes used. In the international break that followed, Conte was fired by Daniel Levy and Fabio Paratici was banned worldwide by FIFA following illegal activity with ex-club Juventus. Suddenly, the entire structure that had been constructed in the last 18 months collapsed in on itself.
And the decisions that followed represented a disjointed organisation. Hiring Conte’s assistant, Cristian Stellini was a nightmare of a decision. The ship was never stabled despite a few victories, but the 6-1 defeat at St. James’ Park caused the club to descend into disappointment. Stellini was also let go, with Ryan Mason taking Spurs through to the end of the season, similarly to 2021.
Tottenham failed to secure any sort of European qualification and finished 8th, the worst finish in 14 years. The club needs an utter rebuild on the sporting side to change perception of the fans, who were losing trust. Though Spurs were unlucky at times as well as woeful, the repair job is likely not as big as it was in 2021. It is crucial that a successful sporting director and manager are hired to get the team back on track.
The one positive light of the season has to be Harry Kane. Thirty Premier League goals in this side is ludicrous, and the season included breaking Tottenham and England’s goalscoring record and take second in the all-time top scorer list in the Premier League. Losing Kane might just damage Spurs, but if they hold on, success can appear possible.
The summer is important for Spurs. Their must be a clear vision for future success. Spurs fans know that success is not guaranteed overnight more than any other, so laser-focusing on the positions that need addressing in the transfer window and signing promise and talent is what the club needs.
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