Had Tottenham Hotspur not won the Europa League final against Manchester United last week, this campaign would’ve been a real failure for the club, falling way below the levels they’ve set for themselves.
Ange Postecoglou has been a man under pressure throughout 2024/25, with their European success handing the Aussie a lifeline to resurrect his time in North London.
The 17th-place finish in the Premier League this campaign highlights the need for improvement next season, with Ange running the risk of losing his job should he fail to do so.
However, the summer presents another opportunity to invest and improve the first team squad, possibly able to attract some top-level talent given their Champions League qualification.
Even though the window has yet to open, numerous names have been touted with a switch to North London in an attempt to bolster the options at the manager’s disposal.
The latest on Spurs’ move to land a new striker
Liam Delap is a name that has been on Spurs’ shortlist over the last couple of weeks, monitoring his situation and preparing a move after his £30m relegation release clause became active.
However, it appears as though the Lilywhites are set to miss out on the 22-year-old this window, after it was confirmed he has agreed a move to join London rivals Chelsea.
Such a move could prove to benefit Ange’s side over the coming months, potentially allowing Christopher Nkunku to depart Stamford Bridge after falling down the pecking order under Enzo Maresca.
The Frenchman has been the subject of an enquiry from Daniel Levy, opening the door to a potential £50m switch across the capital to link up with the Lilywhites in North London.
It’s evident that a new forward is on the agenda this summer, but one player who previously plied his trade at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium has thrived since his departure over the past few seasons.
The former Spurs player who’s outscored Delap & Nkunku in 2024/25
Over the last 12 months, Spurs have had numerous attackers who have contributed to their various levels of success, helping them in their quest for European glory.
Brennan Johnson has proved the doubters wrong in recent times, scoring 18 goals across all competitions - including the all-important strike against United that secured the club’s first trophy in 17 years.
The Welsh international has thrived under Postecoglou, now being a key player and registering over three times more goals than he did during his first year in North London.
However, the side could’ve benefited further had they kept hold of Ivan Perišić, with the Croatian winger thriving for PSV Eindhoven in the Netherlands despite being 36.
He joined the club in the summer of 2022, arriving on a free transfer under Antonio Conte after his release from Inter Milan at the end of the 2021/22 campaign.
The Croatian made 44 appearances during his first season at the club, notching one goal and 12 assists, but he would be unable to make such an impact during his second season in North London.
He would tear his ACL in the early stages of 2023/24, featuring in just six matches, before moving to Hajduk Split on a free transfer at the end of his contract in the summer of 2024.
However, Perisic, who was labelled a “massive waste of money” by The Athletic’s James Maw, has thrived at PSV this campaign, registering 16 goals in all competitions - tallies higher than Delap and Nkunku, who’ve scored 12 and 14 respectively.
Given his age and the long-term injury he sustained at the club, it’s understandable that the club would allow him to leave - especially considering he was on £180k-per-week, as per Capology.
His return to form, even scoring in the Champions League, is a credit to Perisic, making Spurs rue their mistake in allowing him to depart and showcasing his elite-level talents despite his entering the back end of his career.