As we move past the second international break of the 2024/25 season, we took the time to rank the entire Spurs squad based on their performances so far this season.
Note: players must have played 100 minutes of senior football this season to qualify for this list. All season stats taken from FBRef
Mins: 620, G:0, A:2, Best Performance: Manchester United (A)
The most irreplaceable player in the Tottenham squad, Micky Van de Ven has had an exceptional start to the season. His blistering pace allows those in front play with confidence on the ball and aggression off it, while his ability to carry and drive into the opposing third adds an unpredictable element to a left-sided attack that could be described as vanilla at times. Rival fans and pundits alike are beginning to really take notice of the special talent we have on our hands. 9/10
Mins: 616, G:1, A:2, Best Performance: Manchester United (A)
Since arriving from Juventus, Kulusevski has flashed his raw technical ability and impressed fans with his tireless work rate off the ball. Despite this, his ‘fit’ as a winger has been questioned due to his tendency to hold up attacks and clear preference to play centrally. Ange’s decision to move him inboard into the midfield three is proving to be a masterstroke, capitalising on his strength, work rate and creativity in tight spaces. His performance against Manchester United saw him run riot in the half spaces and create endless chances. While the defensive integrity of this move can still be questioned, Kulsevski’s impact in the new role cannot. 9/10
Mins: 657, G:6, A:0, Best Performance: Newcastle (A)
A young man frequently scapegoated by Spurs fans; Brennan Johnson has had an interesting first few months of season 2024/25, to say the least. A sluggish start and disappointing performance against Arsenal saw him deactivate his social media due to the negative online response. In the six games since that match, Johnson has scored in all six appearances, silencing the haters and propelling Spurs to many crucial victories. His greatly improved end product and his positional instincts have been key to his goal-scoring run. 8.5/10
Mins: 618, G:2, A:3, Best Performance: Brentford (H)
The puppet master in Tottenham’s midfield, James Maddison has enjoyed a strong start to the season, even by his lofty standards. His creative play is something Spurs fans have been crying out for for seasons, and his 99th percentile rank for progressive passes amongst Europe’s top 5 leagues (FBRef) show how impactful he is when he is on the pitch. He does have a tendency to fall out of games for extended periods, and there is undoubtedly a strong correlation between these periods and those where the team loses control of matches. A strong start nonetheless. 8/10
Mins: 810, CS:3, Best Performance: Qarabag FK (H)
Undoubtedly one of the best shot-stoppers on the planet, Guglielmo Vicario has quietly had an impressive start to the season. You’d be hard-pressed to find a goal he has conceded this year where he could’ve realistically done better, and his aggression and decisiveness when sweeping loose balls has bailed the defensive line out on more than one occasion. For every brilliant reflex save, however, there is a set piece he flaps at or a pass that puts a Spurs defender under more pressure than they need to be. As this is yet to cost us, Vicario comes in at number 5 on the list. 7.5/10
Mins: 548, G:2, A:2, Best Performance: Everton (H)
The ever-reliable captain of the club, Heung-Min Son continues to show his class. While his numbers won’t blow you away, Son’s creativity and reliability from the left remain world-class. An inside forward being asked to play as both a touchline winger or number 9, Son’s defensive work rate and pressing intelligence are crucial in leading the Tottenham press. The saying “you don’t know what you have until it’s gone,” perfectly describes the void the captain’s injury has created on the left. If this side is to make a legitimate play at a trophy this season, it will be dependent on the brilliance of this man. 7.5/10
Mins: 493, G:0, A:1, Best Performance: Coventry (A)
A midfield of James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski needs to be anchored with defensive stalwart, and Rodrigo Bentancur has been just that this season. After a tumultuous start to the year, Bentancur filled in for the injured Yves Bissouma and immediately laid claim to the number six role, making it his own. His reading of the game, strength in duels and technical ability in press resistance makes him the perfect fit for this midfield system. Unfortunately, it appears he is likely to be hit with a sizeable ban, but Spurs fans will hope for more of the same for Bentancur when he is on the pitch. 7.5/10
Mins: 716, G:1, A:0, Best Performance: Ferencvaros (A)
Following a brilliant 2023/24 campaign, Porro has enjoyed a solid start to the season. After opening the team’s account for the season against Leicester, his performances have been consistently solid, but have been lacking that game-breaking ability he displayed last season. His defensive work has been relentless as always, but at times he can be beaten too easily, particularly by wingers who look to move inside. It is good to see he has been rewarded with a long-overdue Spanish call-up, and he made the most of it with a stellar performance against Serbia. 7.5/10
Mins: 601, G:3, A:2, Best Performance: Qarabag FK (H)
Picking up a knock in his first match, Spurs’ record signing hardly got off to the ideal start to his time in North London. Since his return, he has shown all the traits that saw him profiled as the perfect fit for the Tottenham number 9 role. Solanke’s willingness in build-up play, strength with his back to goal, relentless defensive pressure and work-rate, and instincts in the 18-yard box have seen him become a consistent contributor to this Spurs side that lacks structure when he’s not in the picture. A well-deserved England call-up should see him continue to build confidence as the season progresses. 7/10
Mins: 720, G:1, A:0, Best Performance: Everton (H)
A victim of his own standards, Romero’s start to season 2024/25 has been solid enough across the board. A poor showing against Brighton will stick in the minds of fans across the international break, but he continues to be a reliable option in the Spurs backline. Thankfully it seems he has found a strong balance between aggression and discipline, and remains a goal threat at set pieces. At his best, he is one of the premier centre-halves in the world, and Spurs fans will be hoping he can find this form as the season moves on. 7/10
Mins: 353, G:1, A:0, Best Performance: Ferencvaros (A)
Off-field behaviour and injury have marred what has otherwise been a relatively strong start to the year for Bissouma, who was looking to build on a strong pre-season. When he is playing, his technical ability allows him to beat pressure and break lines like few others in the side, but he finds himself on the outside looking in due to a run of strong performances from Bentancur. If he stays fit, he will get his chance when Bentancur’s ban is finalised. His first Spurs goal in his season debut was one of the highlights of the year so far. 7/10
Mins: 109, G:1, A:0, Best Performance: Coventry (A)
A player whose Spurs career had been written off by many, Spence’s strong preseason performances gave some hope that he may have something left to give. In his limited opportunities as a substitute Spence has shown his versatility, playing on both sides of the back four and making strong contributions as a reliable defender and dangerous forward threat. His second-half performance against Coventry was brilliant and helped bail the side out of an otherwise humiliating result. 7/10
Mins: 179, G:0, A:0, Best Performance: Everton (H)
The summer transfer of Wilson Odobert was possibly the best-kept secret of the whole window, and drew some scepticism from fans due to his lack of profile. These were quickly put to bed in his Spurs debut against Everton. Tottenham have been desperate for a winger with Odobert’s willingness and ability to drive at defenders and genuinely look to beat them. While a promising start to the season was cruelly cut short by injury, the young Frenchman flashed his raw ability and was impactful in the few minutes he played. 6.5/10
Mins: 304, G:0, A:0, Best Performance: Qarabag FK (H)
You’d have a hard time finding a more versatile player in Europe, let alone one that is just 18 years of age. Gray has already made strong contributions as a sitting midfielder, left and right back, and even put in a brave shift at centre-back against Ferencvaros when required. While yet to really impact at the Premier League level, his work rate and duel-winning ability mean Gray has been and will continue to be a reliable performer in cup competitions. 6.5/10
Mins: 120, G:0, A:0, Best Performance: Ferencvaros (A)
At just 17 years old, Mikey Moore has already captured the hearts and imaginations of Spurs fans across the world. Lauded as a youngster for his raw technical ability, Moore has already shown flashes of the special player he may one day become despite his limited opportunity at the senior level. He deserved more in a spirited showing against Ferencvaros in his first senior start, but it seems Spurs fans won’t have to wait long for him to open his senior account. Look for his role in the side to grow he earns the respect and confidence of the staff. 6.5/10
Mins: 477, G:2, A:1, Best Performance: Qarabag FK (H)
After a slow start to the season, Sarr’s last few matches have reminded fans of the class he possesses. It appears at times that he doesn’t quite have a home in Ange’s midfield this year, as he lacks the defensive instincts and strength to sit deeper but doesn’t quite possess the creativity required to play further forward. Still only 22, Sarr remains a reliable option as he continues to develop consistency in his output. Two goals right before the international break will hopefully give the young midfielder confidence moving forward. 6/10
Mins: 270, G:0, A:0, Best Performance: Coventry (A)
In only three appearances this season Ben Davies has been precisely what Spurs fans have come to expect from him; a reliable and versatile leader who just gets the job done. Davies made some critical defensive interventions that kept the team’s Carabao Cup hopes alive and remains an important depth piece in Postecoglou’s squad. 6/10
Mins: 187, G:0, A:0, Best Performance: Ferencvaros (A)
There is a solid chance this is the lowest Lucas Bergvall ever finds himself on one of these lists. An undeniably talented player, he broke fans’ hearts when he was substituted after just 12 minutes in his first start due to a Dragusin red card. In his limited opportunity this season he has provided supporters with plenty of hope for the future, but has been more prone to mistakes in dangerous areas than one would like. As he continues to receive opportunities he will likely grow in confidence and fly up this list, although a slight injury concern from his time spent away may force Bergvall and fans alike to wait a little longer. 5.5/10
Mins: 197, G:0, A:0, Best Performance: Newcastle (A)
Dragusin’s first appearance of the year against Newcastle showed him to be a strong and intelligent defender with impressive timing and technique in the tackle. Since that performance he has had little opportunity, partly due to a rash 7th-minute minute red-card that put his team under far more pressure than it needed to be, both in the Qarabag match itself and the following Ferencvaros fixture. His lack of opportunity since then makes this ranking feel unfairly low as he has shown himself to be the third centre-back option this squad desperately needed. 5/10
Mins: 691, G:0, A:0, Best Performance: Brentford (H)
A young player lacking in confidence, Udogie has been far from his brilliant best to start season 2024/25. Generally, his defending has been quite strong and he seems comfortable in 1v1 scenarios out wide, but all that good work comes unstuck when he makes critical errors that lead to goals. He continues to show strength when he drives the ball into the opponent’s third, but his interplay once he gets there has been predictable and far less damaging this season. This ranking feels low, but he has shown the levels he is capable of. Fans can be confident that Udogie will be fine, he is simply a young player who needs some time to get his form back on track. 4/10
Mins: 352, G:0, A:1, Best Performance: Brighton (A)
As seen last season Timo Werner is a hard-working, line-breaking winger who can, at times, be a strong option off the bench against a fatigued fullback. Timo Werner is not a player with sufficient talent or creativity to be starting Premier League matches for Tottenham Hotspur. His finishing lacks purpose, his dribbling has become predictable, and he completely lacks a killer forward ball. Injuries to Son, Odobert and Richarlison have seen him thrown into deeper waters than he deserves, and hopefully, as these players come back he can return to being the impact sub he was brought in to be. 2.5/10
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