Dream Team 2023/24: Tottenham’s best players, bargain options and potential flops
DREAM TEAM managers are counting down the days until the new campaign gets underway.
And to provide a helping hand, The Sun have taken a closer look at each of last season’s top teams in detail.
Today we’re checking in on Tottenham’s crop of talent, hoping to find which players will thrive under attack-minded Ange Postecoglou – as well as who might struggle.
BEST PLAYERS
You certainly don’t need us to explain the benefits of drafting Harry Kane (£7m) into your squad.
The England captain has been one of the most consistent players of the Premier League era, scoring 213 goals and providing 50 assists in 320 appearances.
He bagged a colossal 30 goals in 38 league fixtures last season, which amounted to just over 40% of his sides total.
The 29-year-old is gearing up for his first campaign under Postecoglou, who wants Spurs to return to attacking, attractive football, and has the creativity of James Maddison (£4m) behind him – reducing his need to drop deep.
To recap: He’s rotation proof, consistent as gravity and takes penalties.
Unfortunately, there’s an elephant in the room and it’s wearing a Bayern Munich shirt – but for now Kane is a great pick.
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Regardless of who plays ahead of him, the aforementioned Maddison looks primed for a big season after completing his £40million move from Leicester.
The Foxes suffered a shock relegation from the top flight but their No10 would have produced over 234 points in the new scoring system last season — that’s only a few short of Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka (£6m)!
Maddison’s play style is perfectly suited to Dream Team – he’s constantly seeking goals and assists.
Son Heung-min (£5m) could be back with a bang in 2023/24.
And his potential could be even higher if Kane departs and he’s tasked with being the team’s primary goal threat.
Despite what many would call an underwhelming campaign for the South Korean, Son would have returned 291 points last term had teh new scoring system been applied.
A fresh start and a full pre-season should make for the perfect remedy for Son, who shared the Golden Boot with Mohamed Salah (£7m) in the 2021/22 season having netted 23 league goals.
POTENTIAL BARGAINS
A breakthrough season for Pedro Porro (£2.5m)?
It’s certainly not beyond the realms of possibility; the 23-year-old managed three goals and three assists in 17 appearances for Spurs despite following his January arrival.
The attacking Spain international is available at a rock-bottom £2.5m – £3.5m cheaper than Trent Alexander-Arnold (£6m).
However, there are risks attached.
14 of his career goals and 23 assists were when playing right midfield, and it looks more than likely that he’ll be deployed at right-back in a flat back four under Ange Postecoglou.
Dejan Kulusevski (£3m) could potentially be one of the biggest winners from Postecoglou’s arrival.
A return to form could be on the cards with many believing that the Swedish winger be nailed-on in the new regime, something that could revive his 2021/22 form.
POTENTIAL FLOPS
Attacking talents, plenty. Defensive reliability, not so much.
Many are expecting Spurs to fight fire with fire this season, and that could mean their defensive assets suffer.
They conceded 63 Premier League goals last season and are yet to add to their centre-back options.
That could be bad news for new goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario (£3m).
The Italian goalkeeper joined from Empoli and recently broke into the Italy senior squad, but adapting to a new league with a fragile defence could prove tricky – he’s hardly an oasis of composure.