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Ange Postecoglou must decide whether to protect his best Tottenham players or give them valuable minutes against Aston Villa, with the Europa League final just days away. Here’s our thought on how the Spurs manager is expected to handle his selection dilemmas.

There is one thing on the minds of every Tottenham Hotspur fan right now, and that is the Europa League final. It is a rare chance at silverware and a route into the Champions League – something that could redeem an otherwise forgettable domestic campaign.

Tottenham have been poor in the Premier League, and just on Sunday, they suffered their 20th defeat of the league season, the most in the club’s Premier League history.

While it undoubtedly hurts to be sitting so low in 17th, everything could change in the space of a week should Tottenham go on to lift the Europa League in Bilbao.

However, with just one match left before the final, Postecoglou has a big call to make at Villa Park. Does he keep his top stars fresh or hand them game time to ensure they are match sharp?

Ange Postecoglou faces a rotation dilemma ahead of Aston Villa vs Tottenham

At the time of writing, the Europa League final is in nine days, while the trip to face Aston Villa is just four days away. In Tottenham’s most recent Premier League outing, we saw the Australian boss rotate heavily, with eight changes made to his starting eleven.

Of those who featured from the off against Crystal Palace, only three would be seen as first-team regulars. Rodrigo Bentancur, Pedro Porro and Dejan Kulusevski were the more familiar names, though none completed the full 90 minutes.

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Kulusevski picked up a knock early on and had to be withdrawn before the 20-minute mark – a tough blow for a player short on form and confidence. Bentancur managed the first half before Yves Bissouma replaced him, while Porro came off for Heung-min Son in the final half hour.

The pattern suggests deliberate game management from Postecoglou, aimed at keeping key players active while easing others in. From Sunday’s clash alone, five of Tottenham’s regular starters clocked up at least 20 minutes, enough to keep their rhythm without overextending.

Spurs could start key players, but plan early changes

But what about Friday? What can we expect? Would Postecoglou start his strongest eleven or keep them protected on the bench?

It is a delicate balance for the manager, who will want to avoid any needless injuries, yet also cannot afford to let his key men go stale.

For most of the first team, it has been a long stretch since the semi-final win in Norway, and if they do not feature on Friday, it would mark 13 days without competitive football when they next kick a ball on May 21.

That is a major risk – let us not forget that earlier this season, when Tottenham went seven days without a match before facing AZ Alkmaar, they looked rusty and ended up losing the game.

We expect Postecoglou to adopt a similar strategy to what he used against Palace. The first-team regulars could well start, but with clear plans in place to take them off early.

Two defenders are now being tipped to leave Tottenham Hotspur this summer, with their contracts set to expire once the season draws to a close.

While Tottenham Hotspur are expected to bring in a couple of new signings this summer, there is a strong possibility that several players could be heading out of the club as well.

Sergio Reguilon, who has been at Hotspur Way for five years now, appears to be one of those on the verge of departure.

Meanwhile, long-serving defender Ben Davies is also now looking likely to leave Tottenham, as the club undergoes a defensive reshuffle this summer.

Ben Davies and Sergio Reguilon could leave Tottenham this summer

This latest update comes from Football Insider, who have reported on the contract situation of both players, with current deals for the pair set to expire at the end of the season.

According to the publication, Sergio Reguilon and Ben Davies are both expected to depart Tottenham, as there have been no discussions over new contracts for either defender.

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Reguilon, who has managed just 242 minutes across all competitions this campaign, is now tipped to leave on a free transfer after making only five appearances.

Davies, who has been linked with a move to Leeds United, has featured 25 times this season, yet Spurs are reportedly planning to allow the full-back’s contract to run down as part of their defensive overhaul.

Spurs set for big summer with more exits on the cards

The same publication has suggested that Tottenham are preparing for a mass exodus, with several fringe and senior players alike expected to leave the club during the upcoming transfer window.

Cristian Romero is said to be in talks with Atletico Madrid regarding a potential move to Spain. Elsewhere, Mathys Tel’s future also remains unclear, with speculation that he could head back to Bayern Munich.

Richarlison’s position is another that remains in flux, with reports indicating that his former club Everton may consider a move to re-sign the Brazilian forward.

Paul Scholes has backed Manchester United to beat Tottenham Hotspur in the Europa League final, but even he admits Ange Postecoglou’s side are favourites going into the clash in Bilbao.

Tottenham Hotspur will fancy their chances in the Europa League final when they take on Manchester United at San Mames in Spain.

The Lilywhites have already beaten the Red Devils three times this season, and although Glenn Hoddle has warned that beating a Premier League side four times in one campaign is no easy feat, that is exactly what Postecoglou’s team must do to lift the trophy.

Now, Manchester United legend Paul Scholes has weighed in with his take on how he sees the contest playing out between his old club and Postecoglou’s side.

Paul Scholes backs Manchester United but admits Tottenham are Europa League favourites

Writing for TNT Sports, Scholes acknowledged that Spurs are the in-form team heading into the final, but he still tipped Manchester United to emerge victorious because of their historic success in Europe.

“When you look at the recent matches between the two teams, then you will probably have to make Tottenham the slight favourites,” he wrote.

“But Manchester United are used to being in finals. Even in recent bad periods, they are still reaching finals and winning trophies and I think that experience is big. Tottenham will probably be the best team on the night, but I just think United will have enough to win.”

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Spurs face questions over pedigree but history is not on United’s side

Indeed, a lot has been made of Tottenham’s lack of European pedigree, with pundits like Jamie Carragher also tipping Manchester United to beat Spurs purely on the strength of their European experience.

However, it is worth noting that Tottenham Hotspur have not lost any of their last six matches against Manchester United in all competitions.

While they have not lifted a European trophy in recent years, the club have previously won this title in 1971/72 and 1983/84.

Postecoglou and his players will undoubtedly have to produce a near-perfect display to get the better of Manchester United, but based on recent meetings and their overall form this season, Tottenham can go into the final on Wednesday 21 May with quiet confidence.

Heung-min Son is determined not to have any regrets after the night of May 21 as he prepares for what is arguably the second biggest game of his Tottenham career: The Europa League final against Manchester United.

Son has been through a lot of highs and lows throughout his 10-year spell at Tottenham Hotspur, having come close to winning the biggest trophies in the game.

This season has undoubtedly been the hardest one he has experienced in the Premier League, with Spurs having suffered more defeats than they ever have in a single campaign.

However, paradoxically, he now has a huge opportunity to end the season with a trophy for the first time since he arrived at the club in 2015, with the Lilywhites hoping to create history in Bilbao next week.

Heung-min Son wants to leave everything on the pitch for Tottenham

The Tottenham captain has now spoken about how much the upcoming final means to him and everyone associated with the club.

Son made it clear that he sees it as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and thus does not want to leave the field at San Mames with any regrets as he looks to write his name into the history books.

When asked how he is approaching what will be his third final at Tottenham, the South Korean told Sports Naver: “Every match is special to me and holds the same value. But this one feels like a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I want to give it my full focus and prepare both mentally and physically for it. This time, I don’t want to have any regrets.

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“Especially for the fans who want this more than I do—I want to bring them joy. When I return to Korea after the season, I want to give both Korean fans and Spurs fans the best gift possible: a big smile.”

Son is not worried about Man United

Son was asked if the final would be extra special for him since he used to watch Man United as a boy, given that his hero, Ji-Sung Park, played for the Red Devils.

However, the Tottenham man insisted that his entire focus is only on ensuring he does all he can to help his side get over the line.

When asked about going up against Man Utd, he said: “Regardless of who we play, what matters most is the team I play for now. So I don’t have any emotional feelings about that. My first thought is always: how can I bring joy and happiness to the people who’ve sacrificed so much for me? That includes my family, the fans, my teammates, and staff—we all owe it to them to give everything.

“I know that, thanks to (Park) Ji-sung, there are many Man Utd fans in Korea, but I believe many will be supporting us, too. I hope we can all smile together. I want to give back as much as I’ve received—and I truly mean that. I hope we can all share in that joy together.”

Pedro Porro has shed light on the feeling among the Tottenham Hotspur squad ahead of the Europa League final and has revealed what particularly motivates him and his teammates to get the job done and hoist the trophy in Bilbao.

The relationship between the Tottenham players and the fan base has been fractured at times this season, with some Spurs players even getting into altercations with supporters.

However, all that has been forgotten now, owing to the heroic effort that Ange Postecoglou’s men have put in to secure passage to the club’s first European final in six years.

There were wild celebrations in front of the travelling Spurs contingent in Norway on Thursday, which was a scene of togetherness which has not been seen at North London since the start of Postecoglou’s reign.

Pedro Porro wants to win the Europa League for Tottenham fans

Porro, who has come up with important goals for the Lilywhites in the quarterfinal and the semifinals, was one of the players leading the celebrations at Bodo/Glimt.

The Spaniard admitted that he and his teammates are keen to give the long-suffering Tottenham fans a trophy to celebrate after a 17-year drought.

Speaking ahead of the Europa League final against Manchester United, Porro told DAZN (as relayed by Marca): “We’re a normal, humble team that knows what the objectives are, and we have to go after them. They haven’t enjoyed winning titles for a long time, and that’s what we’re trying to achieve.”

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When asked about his own individual form, Porro responded: “Individually, I feel good. I’ve played quite a few games this season, which is a good sign because I haven’t had any injuries. I feel focused, which is also very good in bad moments, and the most important thing is to be 200% focused.”

Ange Postecoglou is confident Tottenham can deliver a big performance in the final

Soon after the end of the semifinals, some pundits immediately installed Man United are clear favourites in the final, writing Tottenham off because of their recent history of falling at the final hurdle.

However, Ange Postecoglou certainly believes his players can deliver a big performance in the final, given the character, fight and resilience they have shown to overcome adversity this season.

With both clubs desperate to get their hands on the trophy, it promises to be a cracking final at San Mames.

Micky van de Ven has revealed what he admires most about Cristian Romero and explains why the pair love playing alongside one another.

Perhaps the main reason for Tottenham’s defensive woes this season is due to the fact that they have not been able to keep both Romero and Van de Ven fit for much of the game.

Thankfully for Spurs, the pair look sharp in the business end of the season, helping the Lilywhites keep clean sheets away from home in the Europa League quarterfinal and semifinals.

The pair will know that Tottenham have a great chance of lifting the trophy in Bilbao if they can have another shutout against Man United in the final.

Micky van de Ven admits he loves playing with Cristian Romero

Van de Ven has now showered praise on his Tottenham teammate, insisting that Romero’s mentality and experience make him a huge asset to the side.

The Dutchman confessed that he and the Argentine enjoy playing together as they understand each other’s game inside out.

Van de Ven said (via Football.London): “Cuti’s an unbelievable player. You can see that mentality-wise. With the ball, without the ball. He knows how it is to play these types of games.

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“You can see it in how he is, he shows so much to the rest, he helps the whole team. In my partnership with Cuti, we feel each other. He knows what to do, I know what to do. We back each other.”

Van de Ven is proud of Tottenham’s discipline and mentality

The 24-year-old feels that he and his teammates deserve a lot of credit for the discipline and organisation they showed in Norway against Bodo/Glimt.

Van de Ven admits that the Tottenham Hotspur players are now looking to take that confidence into the final, with their eyes firmly set on ending the club’s 17-year trophy drought.

He added: “The atmosphere in the dressing room is unbelievable. We’re in a European final, one game away from a trophy, and I think the mentality we showed was unbelievable.

“We showed a lot of discipline. Also the Frankfurt away game, we kept a clean sheet and won over there. Everybody had doubts when we came over here because Bodo/Glimt were doing unbelievably in their home games in Europe.

“So we knew from the beginning it was going to be a really tough game, but we showed discipline, mentality. We did what we needed to do, we got a clean sheet, and now we go to Bilbao.”

As rumours linking Richarlison with a return to Everton intensify, David Moyes has now given a clear response on whether the Toffees could go after the Tottenham forward this summer.

Richarlison has endured another injury-hit campaign and has struggled to get a run in the side, with an exit from Hotspur Way looking inevitable for the Brazilian

Rumours first emerged in March that Richarlison is on Everton’s summer wishlist, with the club said to be prioritising re-signing the striker ahead of their move to the new stadium in Bramley-Moore Dock next season.

Since then, the speculation linking the forward with a return to Merseyside has intensified, with some sources claiming that Everton are looking to sign Richarlison on loan with an option to buy.

David Moyes shuts down Richarlison transfer talk

However, Moyes has now completely rubbished all the speculation linking the Toffees with a move for the Tottenham Hotspur man.

The Everton boss made it clear that there is ‘zero truth’ to reports of his side prioritising a move for the player they sold to Spurs back in 2022.

When asked about the rumours regarding a move for Richarlison, Moyes said (via AOL): “Richarlison is a really good player and someone I’ve liked. But I can only tell you there is zero truth in that from my side.”

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Is a Saudi move on the cards for Richarlison?

From Moyes’ comments, it would appear that the 27-year-old is not going to get the opportunity to head back to Everton.

It was reported last month that Richarlison is now considering making a switch from Tottenham to Saudi Arabia in a bid to secure a hefty financial package.

The report claimed that two unnamed Saudi clubs are plotting offers to sign the Tottenham man when the transfer window reopens in June.

Johan Lange has a clear preference for who he would like to replace Ange Postecoglou at the helm at Tottenham this summer if the club decides to part ways with the Australian.

Those who have been following Spurs Web’s coverage will be aware that Andoni Iraola, Marco Silva, and Thomas Frank are among the names on Tottenham’s wishlist to replace Ange Postecoglou.

However, the list does not end there, with several high-profile names as well as young, up-and-coming managers also being linked with the Tottenham Hotspur hot seat.

According to reports, Spurs want to appoint a new manager early in the summer and do not want the saga to drag on like it did in 2021 and 2023.

Tottenham’s Johan Lange is a big admirer of Thomas Frank

Over recent days, it has been claimed that Fabio Paratici will have a big say on who the next Tottenham manager is, with the Italian thought to have agreed to return to Spurs in a formal role.

According to a new report in BBC Sport, Johan Lange already has a clear candidate in mind for the role.

The report says that if the Tottenham technical director is involved in the appointment of Postecoglou’s replacement, the chances of Thomas Frank being appointed by Spurs would increase.

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Lange is a big admirer of his compatriot since the Danish coach has vast experience working within the sort of data-driven recruitment ethos the Tottenham executive is implementing.

Is Thomas Frank becoming the favourite for the Tottenham job?

Some sources have suggested over recent weeks that, with Iraola reluctant to leave Bournemouth, Tottenham may push ahead with a move for Frank.

In fact, it has even been alleged that Spurs are ready to meet the £9m release clause in Frank’s contract at Brentford.

It thus appears as if the 51-year-old coach is front and centre of Tottenham’s thinking as they scour the market for a potential replacement for Postecoglou.

Heung-min Son is over the moon for his friend and former teammate, Harry Kane, after he secured the first trophy of his career, and the South Korean reveals that the England captain is now desperate for him to do the same as Spurs prepare for the Europa League final.

Spurs fans for delighted for Kane when Bayern Munich secured the Bundesliga title, with many feeling that it was richly deserved for the striker, who has been one of the best players in the world for the best part of a decade.

The 31-year-old will be relieved to get the monkey off his back, and he will hope that this is the first of many trophies at Bayern as he looks to make up for lost time.

The striker is also excited about the possibility of his former club breaking their trophy drought, with Kane admitting he will be cheering Tottenham on during the Europa League final.

Heung-min Son reveals he has spoken to Harry Kane

Son admitted that he was quick to congratulate the striker for getting his hands on a league winners’ medal, admitting that it felt like the success of a family member.

The Tottenham captain believes that Spurs’ record goalscorer will be sending positive energy to his side from Bavaria when they take the field against Man United for the final next week.

When asked if he had spoken to Kane after his title win, Son told Sports Naver: “I sent him a message, and he replied with a video call. He looked so happy, and I was genuinely thrilled for him. He’s a really close friend and someone I achieved a lot with—so it felt like a family member winning. If Kane’s sending us good energy, maybe we can produce something special too.”

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Son is not worried about his recent Tottenham injury

Son missed six games with a foot injury and only returned to action in Tottenham’s 2-0 loss to Crystal Palace on Sunday, coming on as a late substitute.

With just one more game to go before the final, the forward might not be as sharp as he wants for the big game, but he insists that he will not allow the injury to play on his mind when he steps out onto the pitch at Bilbo.

When told that fans are worried about his fitness, Son responded: “As a footballer, it’s rare to play a match when your body feels 100%. Rather than focusing on that, I think what matters more is returning to play well and being ready. Instead of rehashing what went wrong, it’s better to think positively and focus on what’s ahead.”

Heung-min Son has revealed the biggest factor that has motivated him to remain at Tottenham for such a long time, and the forward believes that his decision might soon be vindicated.

Son has seen several big names come and go at Tottenham Hotspur over the past 10 years, but he has remained loyal to the Lilywhites.

The South Korean has been one of the most consistent players across the Premier League during his time at the club and could have thus joined almost any club he wanted to.

Yet, he showed the kind of dedication and commitment to the North Londoners that one rarely sees from players who have not come through the system, and Spurs fans will love hearing their captain explain why he did that.

Heung-min Son wants to achieve something special at Tottenham

The 32-year-old is certainly closer to the end of his Spurs career than its beginning, being down to just one year left on his contract.

However, he now has a chance to guarantee his place in Tottenham folklore by beating Manchester United at the Europa League final and holding aloft the trophy in Bilbao, which would break a 17-year silverware drought for the club.

Son confessed that his biggest reason for remaining at the club is his belief that he can achieve what others failed to do and secure a trophy for the club.

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The Korean told Sports Naver: “I said I wanted to make this season special—and now we’re down to the final piece of the puzzle. I’ve been saying it for years, but the biggest reason I’ve stayed at Tottenham is because I wanted to do something others couldn’t. That’s why I believe I’m still here.

“You can’t complete a puzzle without all the pieces. I think we’ve put together every piece—except the most important final one. I feel like I’ve been wandering for ten years trying to find that last piece. I hope this time, I can finally complete it.”

Son insists Spurs will learn from their past failures

Son has been part of Spurs sides that have ended up on the losing side in two finals: The 2019 Champions League final and the 2021 League Cup final.

The Lilywhites have also fallen at the semifinal stage on numerous occasions, but their captain insists things feel different this time, claiming that he is leaning on his experience of playing in those big games.

When asked about the two disappointing finals he has had at Spurs, Son responded: “I believe we’ve learned something from those past failures. The team has changed a lot since those finals, but for me and the experienced players, it’s important that we pass on what we’ve learned to the others.

“This time, it feels different. I really want to win. I’m desperate for it, and I know so many people are just as passionate about supporting us. If we prepare well, I believe something good can happen.”