How Tottenham Hotspur have improved without Harry Kane

• Tottenham Hotspur have been a different team this season, topping the Premier League 
• Harry Kane left the club in the summer and many expected a setback to the team
• New manager Ange Postecoglou has however transformed the team without the talisman striker

Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou has seemingly revitalized every aspect of the team’s performance on the field. A notable change has been evident in the attacking squad, notably performing well without Harry Kane and the goalkeeping department, with Guglielmo Vicario demonstrating a level of competence that has spared him from the embarrassing mistakes witnessed with former Tottenham goalkeeper Hugo Lloris, who faced scrutiny in the 2022/23 season after making four errors leading to goals, topping the league in this unfavorable statistic.

One of the most pronounced transformations under Postecoglou’s leadership has been observed in the team’s wide play. While Conte’s tactical approach often confined the wing-backs to specific areas designated by the manager, the new arrivals, Destiny Udogie, and Pedro Porro, have been seen venturing into midfield and even central attacking positions, creating additional space for key creative players to operate from deeper positions.

This increased mobility and involvement in various areas of the pitch have facilitated the smoother progression of play, enabling key players like Yves Bissouma and James Maddison to execute incisive passes, thereby propelling Tottenham’s offensive drive. Moreover, the dynamic forward runs made by Pape Matar Sarr have proven to be a constant source of trouble for opposing defenses, adding a new dimension to Tottenham’s attacking strategy.

Harry Kane left Tottenham Hotspur in July for Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich. | PHOTO: Independent |

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The overall outcome of these tactical changes has been the establishment of a team with a distinct and recognizable playing style, one that has notably enhanced their goal-scoring abilities. In previous seasons, Tottenham often relied heavily on the individual brilliance of Harry Kane, resorting to a strategy that primarily involved feeding the ball to Kane and hoping for the best.

While Kane’s partnership with Son Heung-min resulted in a fourth-place finish for Tottenham in the 2021/22 season, the subsequent campaign saw the team struggle to generate coherent attacking patterns, leading to a blend of disorderly and directionless football on the field.

In the current setup, James Maddison has assumed a pivotal creative role, seamlessly fitting into the team’s revamped system that complements his ambitious style of play. This shift has effectively transformed Tottenham into a multifaceted and potent attacking force, marking a significant departure from the previous season when Kane shouldered the lion’s share of the goal-scoring responsibility on his own.

Postecoglou’s impact on Tottenham’s tactical approach and overall gameplay has not only revitalized the team’s performance but has also redefined their approach to scoring goals. The newfound synergy among the players, coupled with a reinvigorated creative impetus, has not only elevated Tottenham’s overall gameplay but has also instilled a renewed sense of purpose and direction within the team, setting the stage for a promising season under their new manager’s guidance.