There’s been plenty of debate around who’s to blame for Spurs’ recent struggles — the owners, the manager, the players. The truth probably lies somewhere in between. But one factor that deserves more attention is how Ange Postecoglou is using his squad.
Football is a game of balance. A successful team functions like a well-built puzzle, with each piece fitting perfectly to highlight individual strengths and cover up weaknesses. Right now, Tottenham’s puzzle feels mismatched — and several players are suffering as a result.
Mathys Tel: Wasted Potential on the Flank
Mathys Tel is a player with real talent in and around the box. His ability to create separation, strike the ball with variety, and find space for shots is exceptional. He’s not just a finisher either — he combines well with those around him.
Despite this, Tel has mostly been used either as a touchline-hugging left winger or a central striker with his back to goal — neither of which suits his skill set.
Out wide, he’s expected to isolate and beat full-backs one-on-one, but that’s not his game. And centrally, he’s asked to drop deep, hold up the ball, and link play — a role that demands physicality he doesn’t quite possess.
To get the best out of Tel, he should play on the left with the freedom to drift inside. That would allow him to operate closer to goal, link up in tight areas, and unleash shots. But that also means pairing him with an overlapping full-back who can maintain width and give him space to cut in.
Heung-Min Son: Closer to Goal, Please
Son remains one of the Premier League’s deadliest finishers. His two-footed shooting and knack for hitting the target with minimal space are elite.
But as he’s aged, Son has lost some of the explosiveness that once made him dangerous in one-on-ones. His dribbling is no longer the threat it used to be.
So why ask him to do so much work along the flanks and in build-up play? Spurs should preserve Son’s energy for what he still does brilliantly — turning up in the final third and delivering moments of magic. Keep him high and central, not chasing full-backs or running the channels for 90 minutes.
Midfield Misfires: A Risky Single Pivot
Ange Postecoglou continues to rely heavily on a single-pivot midfield, but this setup has exposed several issues.
Players like Pape Matar Sarr are often seen dropping into awkward build-up roles where they’re uncomfortable. Meanwhile, Bissouma and Bentancur, who take turns operating as the holding midfielder, often leave massive gaps due to poor positional discipline.
Neither is particularly strong at defensive decision-making, and both struggle with progressive passing. As a result, Maddison frequently drops deeper to compensate, pulling Spurs’ primary creative outlet away from where he’s most effective — the final third.
A double pivot could solve a lot of these problems. It would provide more defensive cover, reduce the burden on individual midfielders, and allow Maddison to stay higher up the pitch, where he can do the most damage.
Full-Back Roles: Misused or Misunderstood?
There’s a misconception that Spurs’ full-backs — Udogie, Porro, and even Spence — are natural wing-backs. That’s not entirely accurate. What matters more is how they’re used in relation to the wingers ahead of them.
Pedro Porro is a brilliant technician with a great passing range and an eye for a cross. But too often, he’s placed in central zones or asked to invert into midfield, where space is tight and his influence is limited. Instead, Porro should be positioned wide on the right, picking his moments to deliver balls into the box — more Trent Alexander-Arnold than inverted full-back.
Of course, Porro isn’t the most athletic or defensively sound, so exposing him on transitions without support is a recipe for disaster. A double pivot would again help here, offering him protection and letting him focus on what he does best — creating from deep and wide areas.
Udogie, on the other hand, thrives in physical duels and tight spaces. He’s an athletic full-back with great composure under pressure. His role should vary depending on the winger ahead, but when paired with inside forwards like Tel or Son, he should focus on overlapping and stretching the pitch.
His crossing may not be elite, but he’s capable of sharp cutbacks — the kind that can create high-quality chances for late-arriving attackers.
A System Holding the Squad Back
None of these players are bad. But many are being set up to fail by being used in roles that don’t play to their strengths. Whether it’s Tel stuck on the touchline, Son chasing shadows, or Bissouma left isolated, too many individuals are being miscast.
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Of course, injuries, confidence, and limited training time haven’t helped. But with multiple international breaks and clear time for preparation, it’s fair to expect more tactical refinement from the coaching staff.
Tottenham’s squad has talent — but that talent needs to be correctly platformed. It’s time to start asking whether the system is helping the players… or holding them back.