Premier League team guide: Tottenham in the spotlight

Tottenham are preparing to enter a new era under Ange Postecoglou as they shift away from the defensive nature implemented by Antonio Conte over the last two seasons.

Their new head coach is looking to bring back the feel-good factor in North London and will be hoping talisman Harry Kane remains to help transform the club's fortunes — although that is looking increasingly unlikely. 

Postecoglou, 57, has made a number of quality additions in an effort to fire Spurs back into Champions League contention. 

Last season: Eighth

Spurs endured a miserable Premier League campaign, despite having a fast start and winning five of their opening seven matches.

Conte's side sat fourth in the table at Christmas — three points clear of Manchester United and seven ahead of Liverpool.

But a 4-1 defeat at Leicester in February marked the start of a poor run and they went on to drop points against Wolves, Southampton, Everton and Bournemouth.

Conte departed in March but the club's fortunes did not improve. 

A 6-1 thrashing at Newcastle in April was followed by defeat to Aston Villa the following month as Tottenham missed out on European football for the first time since 2008-09.

Fresh faces

Chairman Daniel Levy has been busy in the transfer window and has so far recruited six new faces.

Spurs forked out £40million on Leicester star James Maddison and also added some much-needed defensive steel in Micky van de Ven from Wolfsburg.

Levy was also on the hunt for bargain buys and managed to pick up former Fulham loanee Manor Solomon for free alongside new goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario for just over £17m.

Spurs have been looking to the future, as highlighted by the arrival of defender Ashley Phillips from Blackburn and highly-rated Argentina striker Alejo Vicario from Rosario Central.

One to watch: Yves Bissouma

Last season was one to forget for Yves Bissouma, who spent the best part of three months on the sidelines with an ankle fracture.

But the Mali midfielder has emerged as a huge personality in the dressing room during pre-season and has impressed Postecoglou on the pitch.

Since he made his £25m move to the capital in 2022, Bissouma has not had the chance to showcase the ability that made him so popular at Brighton.

Yet in Postecoglou's new attacking system, the 26-year-old is set to have a major role and will be given more freedom in the middle of the pitch.

Under Conte, Bissouma had to remain disciplined in his play but the former Celtic boss has opened the door on a new beginning for Tottenham's No8.

The boss: Ange Postecoglou

Postecoglou is set to face his biggest challenge yet at Tottenham but he has already left a positive impression on fans and players alike.

The 57-year-old has been tasked with transforming his squad and implementing an aggressive, attacking brand of football that brought him success elsewhere. 

Australia's former national coach has won silverware in almost all of his previous roles — most notably cruising to the Scottish treble with Celtic in his second season at the club.

His favoured 4-3-3 formation has been in effect during pre-season and has seen Spurs record 115 shots across four matches.

All information correct as of August 10, 2023