Mile Jedinak was the winner. The new-look Tottenham Hostpur backroom workers had questioned which query to Ange Postecoglou at his unveiling would first elevate the difficulty of Harry Kane’s future. The reply was the third one: before Postecoglou had anticipated, however precisely what former Crystal Palace captain Jedinak had predicted.
Because Kane’s future dominates not simply the controversy, however the context of Postecoglou’s first summer time and debut season in N17. “What’s important in the long term goes beyond individuals,” the Australian tried to argue. “It’s more about the overriding philosophy.”
In the broader image, he’s proper: Tottenham require a reboot in addition to a rebuild. After the ill-fated dalliances with Jose Mourinho and Antonio Conte, the flawed considering that managers who had been a byword for fulfillment elsewhere would carry silverware to Spurs, Tottenham require an finish to the vacancy and unhappiness. “The reason I am here is the club is seeking change, in direction and the way we do things, and that usually involves personnel,” Postecoglou mirrored. “There will be some players who won’t be here and others who will come in.”
But gazes can be directed on the exit to see if one specific footballer goes. “I don’t think it is my role to sit there and treat people in a manner because of their circumstances,” Postecoglou stated. “I’m really big on treating everyone the same.” Which is admirable in precept however tougher to take care of in observe: not right here and now, anyway.
The ethos issues however Kane’s standing is such that one particular person assumes a disproportionate significance. He feels larger than Spurs now. Kane is but to show 30 and has 280 objectives for Tottenham; that the earlier membership file belonged to Jimmy Greaves reveals how prestigious it’s. That Bayern Munich are bidding for him is certainly one of many indicators of the stature of England’s file scorer and the 2018 World Cup Golden Boot winner. And he’s at a membership whose final trophy got here in 2008 and who, regardless of his 30 objectives, solely completed eighth final season. The juxtaposition of Kane and Spurs has by no means been larger.
“He has already entrenched himself in the history of the football club,” Postecoglou stated. “He is one of the premier strikers in the world and I want him involved here. My conversation with him will be about how we make this club successful and I have no doubt that’s what he wants as well.”
Whether Kane desires that sufficient to remain is a distinct matter; if Postecoglou might persuade a participant who might have a profitable free switch and his alternative of golf equipment subsequent summer time to signal a brand new contract it might be a significant triumph of his persuasive powers. For Kane, the equation may very well be completely different in 2024 and it’s no secret his high-profile admirers embrace Carlo Ancelotti, Pep Guardiola, Erik ten Hag and Mauricio Pochettino.
“What I want is to introduce myself to Harry and give him my vision of the football club,” the previous Celtic supervisor stated. And if that doesn’t work, Daniel Levy’s obduracy could guarantee Kane spends one other 12 months in north London however might price Tottenham a fortune in the event that they spurn Bayern’s affords now and get nothing in 2024.
Whether Kane stays for this season will assist outline Postecoglou’s rapid activity however the 57-year-old doesn’t know what’s going to occur. “I haven’t had any assurances and I wouldn’t expect any assurances,” Postecoglou stated. It is a practical place but additionally an illustration that every part is up within the air.
“What our squad is going to look like may take a little while until we have clarity,” stated Levy’s fourth supervisor since March, caretakers included. That lack of readability poses issues. Any real looking alternative for Kane can be a sizeable downgrade. As it’s, an overhaul is already underway, with James Maddison an auspicious signing, Dejan Kulusevski’s mortgage changed into a everlasting deal, goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario arriving and a transfer for winger Manor Soloman shut, with a doable defensive addition, whether or not Micky van de Ven, Edmond Tapsoba, Clement Lenglet or another person.
“Every position I have had has needed a certain amount of rebuild,” Postecoglou mirrored; Tottenham greater than most, after arguably their worst season since 2004-05. And that was with Kane in beautiful kind. He scored in 26 league video games final season; these objectives had been price 24 factors. Take Kane out and there can be the sense of ranging from scratch, needing to recalibrate the assault, midfield and defence, in addition to probably having a brand new goalkeeper. There will in all probability be a brand new formation, after Conte’s 3-4-3 straitjacket, and doubtless a distinct model of soccer. “I want my teams to play a certain way,” Postecoglou stated.
He has a bloated squad and, in some circumstances, it appears like a case of amount, not high quality. He inherits a lot of his predecessors’ failed signings, with the battalion of loanees all again.
The issues of Tottenham’s previous have compounded the significance of Kane. They are a workforce who solely obtained yet another level than Brentford final season, regardless of the efficiency of one of many world’s greatest strikers. And for now, Ange Postecoglou is ready to find if he’ll preserve him.
Source: www.impartial.co.uk