Adam Wharton should be on the plane to the Euros, it’s simple as.
England lacks and needs a profile like him. You don’t need to see him in another 50 premier league games, or ‘have a look in a meaningless international friendly’.
He’s top draw, it’s clear.
I can not begin to describe how difficult it is to bring a ball down like this, when there’s so much height on the pass, it’s in the air for so long and he has someone locked onto him looking to drag him away, and he’s managed to not only kill the ball dead, but also keep it
Bale has so much bollocks it’s incredible. He’s been taking on the biggest club in the world for a couple of years now and never backed down, scoring champions league winning goals at the sane time. Incredible player and mindset
🚨🟣🔵 The agreement between Aston Villa and Chelsea for Ian Maatsen is for £37.5m total fee.
One player to be included in discussions to join Chelsea from Villa will be formally in separated deal.
Final round of talks soon for personal terms details, then… here we go. 🇳🇱
Honestly, might be an unpopular opinion, but I do think the foundations Ange is laying are outstanding. Disagree if you want, no problem.
I truly believe the foundations are brilliant, and a good summer window of recruitment will see Spurs become a top side.
Let’s see.
Winners don’t like being surrounded by people who accept not winning.
He probably is calling out the Spurs fans here.
So what?
If you don’t want to win a game of football due to outside circumstances, no matter how strange, you’re not his kind of person.
Deal with it 😂
Ange Postecoglou when asked about what he’s building at Tottenham:
“The last 48 hours to me have revealed the foundations are pretty fragile” 😳
He is absolutely furious 😡
🔗
I talk about what I call the ‘one-step finish’ all the time and how its the most important finish to perfect. I find it scary how you never see this being talked about or worked on.
First pro Ive seen discuss it here. No surprise it’s Harry Kane
(Vid credit -
@Billywingrove
)
Professional sports people are cold blooded winners. If you ever want to lose a game, it shows you’ll give an inch to others. Those people don’t win. That is what Ange is talking about. He wants to build a foundation where “we want to lose” can never enter the psyche.
Today is another example of why it’s a fair argument that so many people think Romero is the best CB in the world.
His entire influence is immense. I think he had 4 shots, he charged to press in attack at least 3 times, got in the way of everything, outstanding on the ball
Olise, Wharton, Eze, Rogers
4 players top of my head bought from the championship in recent seasons.
Yet egotistical clubs think they’re above the champ and would rather spend £50m+ on players who can’t lace the boots of Olise etc.
And there are ones in the champ currently
Grealish, Maddison, Sterling, Rashford, Sancho.
All 5 of those are sat at home…not even one was chosen for the squad…not one.
Lack of creativity, personality and willingness to live on the edge will always be Englands biggest downfall.
Change this, you may have a reasonable
Creativity for me is not creating chances. Creativity is the ingenuity, instinct to do something different no one expects.
This is creativity and there needs to be more acceptance of it in football because modern day coaching has killed so much of this for the last 15 years.
There is a very valid argument to say Son is a top 5 finisher of all time. In terms of quality, variety, consistency.
He is a complete cheat code, Spurs need to do everything they can to make sure he’s having 5+ shots a game.
Look at Klopp, Pep, Arteta etc start in England.
It was far from plain sailing at the start.
Things take time.
Again, genuinely asking. What were you expecting so far?
Sanchos decision to leave England is a damming indictment for England player development. Sancho has had plenty under par performances for Dortmund but you wouldn’t know. If he was in England, they’d kill him before he started. Any form of drop off in form over here, chastised
Chelsea are not that far away from being a team that can really challenge.
People are far too reactionary. There’s so much to the makeup of the squad to really like.
They probably just lack a couple of ‘cheat codes’ that can secure the results in both boxes.
Michael Olise is the best footballer in the prem outside of the traditional top 6.
The level of composure, technique, decision making, awareness, rhythm he possesses in the final 3rd is up there with the very best.
He would be my number 1 choice for Spurs if it’s doable
To quote the great man… “mate, come on”.
He won Australia their first ever Asian cup.
Yokohama the title a year after nearly being relegated.
And no, not anyone can win a treble for Celtic.
You’re hating on him for having a winners mindset.
Which is his point entirely
Spurs leave their defenders isolated. It’s the risk they take, and by and large they can cope with it.
They would find it easier if the ball was able to remain in the final 3rd.
But Werner, Son, Richy etc can’t play pass and move football.
So in turn, what happens 1/
🚨⚪️ Tottenham have made contact with Leeds United for Archie Gray with verbal proposal already sent!
Spurs already got green light from Gray, keen on the move after Brentford move off despite medical.
Tottenham are confident, as
@David_Ornstein
reported.
Negotiations ongoing.
People want to know why im so positive with what Ange is building? Even looking at that half, the fluid interplay and foundations from Spurs were excellent. But the difference between the two teams is when Spurs are in the final 3rd, they don’t have the players to make sure of 1/
I don’t think I’ve ever seen a manager as clear in his views as Ange be so misquoted and misrepresented at the same time.
He is the best thing to happen to Tottenham Hotspur football club in my lifetime, and if everyone at the club backs him, he will bring success
New Ange Postecoglou quotes for you as he explains when his toughest moment at Spurs will come, he was asked whether he is actually happy at the club right now and he wants to repeat something he did at Celtic.
Excellent box defending from Tah. Antonio does everything he can to get the physical advantage, but Tah completely stands his ground and dominates the situation without overstepping the limit.
45million is a lot of money.
But Duran is a cheat code. He lacks so much. But the couple of 9/10 attributes he does have, are cheat code attributes.
You don’t have to work that hard to be a major threat with him. Just get the ball to him in and around the box, at any angle, and
Want to know why I keep praising Hojbjerg even if it isnt fashionable? He has standards and will demand the best of himself and others, even if there are errors, it won’t be through poor attitude.
People want to know why games are going flat, not enough players with that mindset
A few have sent me this.
Ive made my thoughts clear many times.
Much of modern day coaching has resulted in players not being able/allowed to make their own decisions, play their game, develop their own personality etc
And I hate it.
I love Carlo. Give the game to the players
Ancelotti: "I am very clear that there are two types of coaches: those who do nothing and those who do a lot of damage. I try to be in the first. The game is for the players and you can tell them a certain strategy, convince them, but then the decisive thing is their quality and
Archie Gray is going to play a lot more minutes than people may originally think next season.
This isn’t a signing for the future. It’s a signing for the now and future.
Like when Dortmund signed Bellingham (not saying he’s that level) but in terms of approach.
It’s one of
There’s no such thing as a one man team, but my word, the amount of responsibility Lo Celso is taking on, in his first year in the league in an absolutely broken, physically, mentally fatigued side is incredible
People who think Gallagher lacks technical quality.
Gallagher is a very good technical player. His receives are good, he can disguise, he can brush passes and strike through the ball.
But he loses it a lot largely due to team mates putting him in so much trouble, so often
Antonio Nusa is the player I’ve been pitching Spurs to sign for a short while. He’s got all the makings to be the ‘aura forward’ Spurs need. His ability to carry the ball at any speed, with complete comfort and control, change lines, superb balance, shift of weight. A star.
Desire Doue is another player I’ve been championing for Spurs to sign for months.
His rhythm is exceptional. Floats across the ground but punches like a heavyweight. So difficult to knock off the ball.
Knows when to slow down, speed up, go 1 v 1, link play in tight areas.
He
There’s not a single angle or position that Gusto can’t move into or from when he receives wide on both sides. He can twist and turn with a full radius, off both feet. So important as it makes it very difficult to lock him into an area to press. Brilliant ball mastery.
Look how many efforts are outside the box.
It’s so tough to find gaps against organised blocks with so many behind the ball. And this is City struggling…
So why do people think Ange Spurs wont struggle when they dont have all the profiles of players and it’s his 1st season?
Spurs will get there under Ange im convinced, but it shows why the attack needs so much work. It just can’t sustain attacks or periods of possession in the final 3rd for any prolonged periods of time whilst still being a threat.
It’s why Nusa AND an Olise profile have to come in
Probably the first time in his life he’s ever had a home support cheering for the opposition.
Why can’t people see this is what he’s reacting to?
If you cheered for City, that’s your prerogative.
But don’t cry about it if Ange isn’t on board with it 😂
If both these teams play to how they want, it’s a riskless low scoring affair.
It’s two managers who want complete control of affairs and reduce as many things leading to chance as possible.
Just because they’re two excellent teams, doesn’t mean it’ll be an excellent spectacle
Romero has never been a rash player. Ever. In fact, he’s in complete control of his actions. Always has been since he’s been at Spurs.
In fact, I’d be surprised if there’s any CB in world football that has a better success rate at coming away with the ball when he decides to
Romero is absolutely top drawer. The moments of aggression are much more controlled since the red at Chelsea. He is thriving under ange and one of the very best. If we don’t compete at the top he will rightfully be gone soon, got to get this summer right
If you’re someone who genuinely doesn’t rate Gallagher, no problem.
But. How many players can run 13km+ in a game, to then have the quality to arrive in the box and finish like that in 90+ mins?
That, on top of the superb finish he already scored, and everything else he does…
Case number 100283 as to why xG without context is as useful as a chocolate teapot.
Spurs had numerous opportunities edge of the box where there was actually uncharacteristically poor final pass/decision that prevented a great opening.
What does xG say about that? 🤦🏻♂️
A Palmeiras coach I know says he’s the best talent he has ever worked with…
I believe clubs should back their ability to develop their own.
But if there’s a generational, once every 20 years talent that becomes possible, you do it.
Chelsea have done something huge here
"Chelsea's plan is very clear to bring in Estêvão in 2025. He's not going on loan to any club or with the Youth team. Estêvão will be considered immediately for the first team. They believe he's super special."
~
@FabrizioRomano
on YouTube
Graphs tell you Kane doesn’t get into the box to finish chances for Spurs. Eyes tell you he does for England. Brain should tell you the national team has wide players and playmakers who will deliver him the ball and Spurs don’t 👍
Spurs 3 main issues
- final 3rd ball retention
- defending transitions
- defensive set pieces
🧵 on how to fix it (good news is it won’t be that difficult as long as they’re smart)
Spurs are very good at lots of things. Need to fix these three
It’s pretty much what I’ve been saying all season isn’t it.
The ideas are there.
You can see the vision.
The players aren’t there…yet…
That’s why this stuff takes time. It’s a process.
Spurs are in year one of that process.
They have the right man in Ange. I’m convinced.
Ange on whether the substitutes made the difference:
"I thought before that, we played some really good stuff under pressure to get out of the front third, but just whenever we got to the front third, just nothing came of it and when that happens, the opposition get comfortable
A final point to tonight.
I do believe Spurs will become a very good team under Ange.
But it will take time. He demands such a positive, expansive, brave brand of football, that if players aren’t on it mentally and technically, they don’t have anything to fall back on.
Start of the season, Spurs were using Bissouma so much in first phase of build up. Even if he had one or two players hounding down on him, Spurs trusted him, and vitally, he trusted himself to receive it, turn, and get forward. That isn’t there anymore and it needs to be
Look at what even just one player, in Richarlison, coming on, as someone who can make it stick in the final 3rd has done to Spurs. How the attacks are now ending in chances and how difficult it is to stop.
THATS why I’m so confident in Ange once he has the pieces
What on earth is this obsession that every decision has to be accurate to the millimetre? We’re really changing the game THIS MUCH, dampening so much emotion, because we have to decipher if a shaving of a players football boot is offside…that’s what it’s come down to?
If that
Since his operation, Richarlison overall game has gotten so much better.
He’s more mobile now, his touch is better, even his ball striking is better.
He still lacks elite level composure, but he’s been superb since his operation and deserves tonnes of credit
Most goals scored by Brazilians in Europe’s top five leagues this season:
◉ 8 - Richarlison
◎ 7 - Rodrygo
◎ 7 - João Pedro
◎ 6 - Vinícius Júnior
◎ 6 - Willian José
◎ 6 - Matheus Cunha
◎ 6 - Douglas Luiz
Brazil’s number 9 for a reason. 🇧🇷
Spurs have been interested in him for a while.
As have most top tier clubs in Europe.
You don’t have this level of talent go unnoticed.
Olise is the player spurs need.
Where spurs are at, you’re unlikely to sign him or a Grealish.
So you need to find a player you think will
Spurs can win the Premier League next season. They are short in a couple of areas, but it’s horribly short which makes it look worse. 80% of the squad is phenomenal and a world class manager. RB, DM, FWD, Spurs can win the league
No point talking about VAR anymore.
I hate what it’s doing to the game. I hate that the purest emotion you can feel in football with a goal being scored is now so often poisoned because some fucking camera is trying to find a shoelace in an offside position.
I can accept
Brennan Johnson has completely changed this game. Why? His 1st thought the entire time has been - “what’s the most I can make from this situation?”. First instinct, positive. On and off the ball.
Surprise surprise, 3-1 Spurs. Maddison does it all the time, but it cant just be him
No. There is not a single way of playing that is impenetrable.
It’s literally year one and he doesn’t have the profiles of players yet.
What are people realistically wanting?
This could just be for fun, so context needed, but 99% of finishing practices I see are borderline pointless.
He’s received it central, just outside the box, taken a touch, then a backwards step before finishing.
When is that goal happening in a real game?
The biggest reason why England won’t win the euros in my opinion isn’t Southgate or the tactics or players. It’s the English mindset of wanting everything to be safe, not wanting to live on the edge and to win the biggest tournaments, you have to be willing to live on the edge.
The culture is what stops England from winning the major trophies. When it comes to the crunch. The best teams in the big games, Englands nature is to hold back. Be reserved. When actually, in those moments, you need to let the talent grab the game. They won’t allow that
Nice cameo from Skipp as well.
He’s a far more natural footballer than Royal, so I’d back him to perform out of position compared to Royal.
Whether that means he starts next game, I’m not sure, but I do know I don’t like Emerson Royal in this set up.
Football is a simple game, complicated by those who don’t know better.
Olise and Eze are your best players who do final 3rd damage in and around the box. They’re masters at manipulating the opposition to open gaps. Which they then have the quality to exploit.
Put the
Are people bored of me talking about how good this man is yet?
You think it’s a coincidence that for the first time in his career, he’s being properly utilised consistently, and this is what he’s producing on a consistent basis now?
Course it’s not.
Amazing player
Yep. I still maintain he’s the best academy player I’ve ever seen. And he can still get to the very top.
Hes exactly what they need.
You can see exactly what he is and can be now he’s finally being given the run of games.
If you don’t sign him now, he will be worth 70m+ soon
This Maddison never went away. He just hasn’t had players that can combine with him in the final 3rd consistently. He still doesn’t, but he’s that good, he can still make it work.
Him and Romero are the best footballers at the club.
The coaching from Ange and his staff is exceptional.
They miss key profiles of players. Eg, the quick combination play on the edge of the box, Spurs probably don’t have a single forward out of Son, Kulu, Johnson (he’s the best), Werner, Richy who excel at that.
Don’t want to keep saying about Brighton’s issues because I’m repeating myself, but the risk vs reward of what they do is as uneven as it gets. They commit so many men to build out in the first phase, that even if they do get out, they don’t have enough bodies further ahead 1/
Looks like work on pressing triggers from the front? Kane flanked by two wide forwards. Kane forces the play to a side, where a wide forward can press, Kane drops to fill in
Troy Parrott is an all rounder. He has more attributes to his game than 99% of forwards.
His issue before was perhaps he may be 7/10 at many things, whereas other forwards aren’t as well rounded but have a couple super strengths that are 9/10
This has been a great loan. I’d get
So they’ve got rid of one of the best managers around at piecing a squad together and building foundations to build on and move forward from, which is what Chelsea desperately needed.
And they decided to do that when there’s still lots of that work left to do and you started to
Kellerher, Bradley, Quansah, Gomez, Endo, Elliott
All top players but all players but lots managers wouldnt trust to be anything more than squad players.
Klopp starting all of them and is still brave to go toe to toe with City.
The environment Klopp has created is magical
Honestly, other than Abramovich era Chelsea managers, where it wasn’t built on manager/squad sustainability, I’d love someone to pick out one manager that’s joined one of the major Prem sides, and had instant success with no roadblocks in the first season?
I’m not sure you can.
People ask me every day what my ideal squad would look like for Spurs next season.
Here it is.
I’d stick with Richarlison if I believed his injury issues weren’t going to be an ongoing problem. If not, Toney (ahead of Zirkzee due to Spurs needing more aerial presence)
Olise
One of the most influential players around.
To be able to influence the team, as much as he does, in all aspects of the game, from CB. Amazing.
Relentless positivity.
It’s an English mindset. As long as you run, tackle, ‘show heart’ (whatever that means), then you’re excused of all ill’s. But if you make mistakes from showing creativity, risk, personality, the English mindset will rip you to shreds. I hate it.
Why does Ancleotti stand the test of time?
He knows footballers as people and players better than anyone and doesn’t over complicate the game for elite level players, which is exactly what 99% of these guys want.
⚪️ Ancelotti: "I asked Carvajal if he'd like to be a right or left centerback. He said he doesn't care".
"Tchouameni felt more comfortable on the right, that's why I put him on the left".
"He looked like he played 400 matches there!".
Are people still saying Ange doesn’t have a plan B? He, like every manager, adapts accordingly and will vary ideas within an overall framework. And that overall framework are his principles which won’t change. Like most managers.
Joe Rodon is a Premier League level defender.
Leeds will be gutted to seemingly be losing their crown jewell in Archie Gray, but if you’re going to lose him to a major club, and get a defender the level of Rodon in for that price, it could’ve been a lot worse for them
Damn fucking right.
The application has been appalling (you could use a lot stronger words…)
It’s not the mistakes.
It’s the lack of personality to look to affect the game on and off the ball.
Players waiting for someone else to do it.
It’s pathetic.
I don’t want to say I was right.
Because it’s been obvious all along.
ANGE ADAPTS! Always has, always will do.
Just like every top level manager.
You literally just have to use your eyes to see it.
There are constant tweaks according to player availability, opposition etc
Postecoglou on his tactical set-up with a false nine which worked against City for long periods: "There's a misconception about me that I've got one plan. I've probably used every formation and system going over the years, usually many in a game."
Such a brilliantly well rounded footballer.
99.99% of managers in world football at the highest levels would make Gallagher a vital part of their squad at the bare minimum.
Someone who has the energy, quality and discipline to carry out instructions and do multiple jobs.
Ange has tweaked what Spurs do each game. Man City away, I believe he used Kulu more as a sitter on Rodri. Man Utd he adapted IN GAME and pushed Udogie wider second half. Vs arsenal at home, Hojbjerg dropped more to build in a back 3 more often.
He’s always adapted
People also need to give footballers way more credit.
“No we can’t sign Eze because he likes to cut inside, and that’s where Udogie will be” etc.
They’re top players. They can figure it out.
“Oh, you’re there now, I’ll adapt and go here”.
It’s not rocket science, it’s
45 passes completed in the opposition half...21 into the final third...whilst also putting up wonderful dribbling numbers and ball recoveries....he’s the best signing since Modric
Football clubs need to get way better at recruitment. Especially the top ones.
Rogers, Philogene, Clarke, Alex Scott, Rowe, Archie Gray and many more, were all/are in the champ.
And all are comfortably better than many 40m+ players you see Prem clubs sign
Pay attention to Michael Olise when he’s on the ball and how often his head is up. His awareness is world class. He doesn’t need to play head down, he knows the ball is doing what he wants it to. This allows his rhythm and timing of things to be so good.
Billy Gilmour best player on the pitch.
He is completely killing any form of Spurs pressure with his amazing first time passes, first touch to move the ball, disguise etc.
Amazing footballer.
When people say “Ange has to adapt or else he will fail”, what do they mean by adapting? Because all the top teams look to play on the front foot and not change for the oppo. Everyone adapts, just like Ange does, but what are people wanting to see? Genuinely asking
Chelsea have the foundations of putting together an amazing squad. It’s still very mismatched, but there’s not many better at piecing a squad together than Pochettino
Hudson-Odoi, Gibbs-White, Elanga, Awoniyi
I’m not saying it is, but for me, there’s a strong argument to say that’s a top 6 level front four.
Imagine defending that…
People need to stop misrepresenting Ange quotes. 4th isn’t success for him. 1st is. It’s that simple. Getting 4th doesn’t automatically equate to you being in a better position to challenge. It can help, but it’s not automatic. That is literally all he’s saying.
Him saying he doesn’t care about 4th is further proof he is all about winning 😂
Why is he going for 4th? If you aim for 4th, you’re aiming to be worse than 3 teams. Why are you aiming for that?
Just be the best you can be, and let the rest take care of itself
@hbrooks_coach
He's been banging on about 4th not mattering, persisted with Royal as a LB & Son as a 9 and his team's have played poorly for months. He's smart enough to be able to see this from fans' perspective, so thia is a weird hill to die on
The most encouraging 10 mins of Johnson’s career at spurs so far. He’s got amazing attributes. Very smooth and clean technically, very quick sprinter. But he so often plays within himself, afraid to lose it or take risks. Not so far. Needs to keep it up
Chilwell is a disruptor. Playing against teams that are difficult to pull apart, you need players like Chilwell who sense when to make off the ball runs, what type of off the ball runs, and keep on doing it. Look at where that goal came from and where Chilwell passed it from