£70m star signs & no Son

There is no escaping from it: this season has been a complete disaster for Tottenham Hotspur.

Ange Postecoglou’s side are 14th in the Premier League, out of the FA Cup, and while they have a chance of winning the Europa League, it feels incredibly slim.

Moreover, while the Australian has had to deal with a mountain of injuries this year, he had what was almost a full-strength team on Sunday and still lost away to Fulham.

So, following their 19th loss in all competitions over the weekend, it wasn’t a massive surprise to see a whole host of managers linked with the Lilywhites’ job, including Bournemouth’s Andoni Iraola.

The Spaniard has done a marvellous job on the south coast, but what would his dream Spurs lineup look like if he was appointed in the summer and allowed to bring in some new signings?

1

GK – Guglielmo Vicario

Perhaps a couple of months ago, just after Antonín Kinský’s impressive debut against Liverpool, this spot would have at least been up for debate.

However, as time went on, the young Czech shot-stopper made the sort of mistakes you’d expect a young goalkeeper to make, and since he returned from injury, Guglielmo Vicario has reminded everyone just how good he can be.

The Italian is a brilliant shot-stopper, and while he can sometimes make the odd mistake, he’s undoubtedly going to remain Spurs’ number one next season, regardless of who is in the dugout.

2

RB – Djed Spence

The first outfield player in the lineup is one of the few who can come out of this season with his head held high: Djed Spence.

Since he was given a proper chance to prove his worth in December, the “swashbuckling” right-back, as dubbed by Ian Wright, has been one of the Lilywhites’ best players.

Like Pedro Porro, the Englishman can be lethal in attack, but unlike the Spaniard, he can also be trusted to do the defensive side of the role and do it to a high standard as well.

3

CB – Marc Guéhi

Fans might not want to hear this, but based on recent reports, it looks like there is a real chance that Cristian Romero could be on his way to Real Madrid in the summer.

However, while the Argentine would certainly be a loss, Iraola could potentially replace him with the incredible Marc Guéhi, who was the subject of a £70m bid from Spurs in the winter window.

The Englishman might not quite have the pedigree of the World Cup winner, but despite being just 24 years old, the 6 foot titan has already amassed 206 first-team appearances across his career, with 145 of those coming for Palace, 59 with Swansea City and two with Chelsea.

Moreover, he was an integral part of the England side that reached the final of the European Championships in the summer, so he is clearly someone who thrives in high-pressure situations, which could be just what the Lilywhites need.

4

CB – Micky van de Ven

Alongside Guéhi will be the sensational Micky van de Ven, who, when fit, is undoubtedly one of Tottenham’s most important players.

The Dutch international, who respected talent scout Jacek Kulig described as “complete & dominant”, is the perfect defender for a team that want to play aggressive and expressive football, as his record-setting speed means he can get back to stop counter-attacks when other centre-backs simply can’t.

Now, there are still serious question marks over his ability to remain fit, but you’ve got to live in hope, right?

5

LB – Destiny Udogie

Rounding out the defence is another player who has battled with injuries, Destiny Udogie.

It would be fair to say that the Italian international has not had the best of campaigns this season, but it should not be forgotten just how good he was in his first year at the club.

In 23/24, the Verona-born “monster,” as dubbed by journalist Travis Levison, made 30 appearances, in which he scored two goals, provided three assists and became the first Tottenham player ever to be nominated for the Premier League’s Young Player of the Season award.

Therefore, it would make sense for Iraola to give him another season to see how he fares in a new system, as the talent there is undeniable.

6

DM – Angel Gomes

Moving into the midfield, the second new face in the lineup is that of LOSC Lille star Angel Gomes.

The Englishman’s contract with the French side expires this summer, meaning he’ll be available for free, and Spurs have made no secret of their admiration for him.

It’s easy to understand why the North Londoners would want to sign the “special” 24-year-old, as dubbed by former manager Jocelyn Gourvennec, as not only can he help mop up opposition attacks at the base of midfield, but he can start his own thanks to his brilliant passing range and impressive ball control.

For example, FBref has placed him in the top 1% of midfielders in Europe’s top five leagues for expected assisted goals and penalty kicks won, the top 3% for goal-creating actions from take-ons, the top 5% for passes into the penalty area and the top 8% for key passes, all per 90.

7

CM – James Maddison

Slotting in just ahead of Gomes will be fellow Englishman James Maddison.

The former Leicester City star can be an incredibly frustrating player at times, someone who can fade out of games, but when he’s on song, the midfielder is undoubtedly one of the most creative and dangerous in the Premier League.

For example, in just 38 appearances this season, the Coventry-born star has scored 11 goals and provided seven assists, which comes out to an average of a goal involvement every 2.11 games.

8

CM – Dejan Kulusevski

Rounding out the midfield will be arguably Tottenham’s best player, Dejan Kulusevski.

Initially signed as a winger, the “world-class” Swede, as dubbed by Kulig, has been in scintillating form this season, much of which he has spent in the middle of the park.

In all, the former Juventus star has scored ten goals and provided ten assists in 42 appearances for the Lilywhites this year, which comes out to a brilliant average of a goal involvement every 2.1 games.

9

RW – Antoine Semenyo

Starting at right-wing, it could be one of Iraola’s star men this season: Antoine Semenyo.

The “unplayable” Bournemouth winger, as dubbed by journalist Ed Aarons, has been in incredible form this season, racking up a tally of nine goals and five assists in just 32 appearances for the Cherries.

That means the 25-year-old, whom analyst Ben Mattinson described as possessing “powerful ambipedal ball striking,” is averaging a goal involvement every 2.28 games for a team outside the traditional ‘big six.’

10

ST – Dominic Solanke

Starting up top will be the club’s current record signing: Dominic Solanke.

While the former Bournemouth man has had to endure some time out due to injury this season, he’s looked great when he’s been on the pitch.

For example, in 33 appearances, the Basingstoke-born monster has scored 11 goals and provided eight assists, which comes out to an average of a goal involvement every 1.73 games and demonstrates that he’s more than just a goal threat.

11

LW – Mathys Tel

Last but not least, it’ll be the promising Mathys Tel who starts out on the left next season, in place of club captain Son Heung-min.

Now, this will require the activation of the £45m option in the Frenchman’s loan deal, and truthfully, he hasn’t exactly blown people away so far.

However, that option was placed in the initial deal because the club see him as a long-term option and someone with bags and bags of potential, which based on his form last season, certainly seems to be the case.

For example, in 41 first-team appearances, totalling just 1406 minutes, the “mind-blowing” forward, as dubbed by Kulig, scored ten goals and provided six assists, which comes out to an average of a goal involvement every 2.56 games, or more impressively, every 87.87 minutes.

Moreover, unlike Son, Tel is a player that Iraola could continue to build a team around for years to come.

Iraola’s dream Spurs XI for 2025/26 in full: Guglielmo Vicario; Djed Spence, Marc Guehi, Micky Van de Ven, Destiny Udogie; Angel Gomes, James Maddison, Dejan Kulusevski; Antoine Semenyo, Dominic Solanke, Mathys Tel