From contesting in the Champions League final to struggling to break into the top four in the Premier League, Tottenham Hotspur’s rise and fall in the year 2019 were there for all to see.
In November Jose Mourinho assumed duties, replacing Mauricio Pochettino, and since then, he’s improved Spurs somewhat, with the north London outfit now in the reckoning for Champions League football next season.
Tottenham Hotspur have somewhat recovered from the slump that they experienced earlier in the season, but are still seven points and four places adrift of fourth-placed Chelsea. Spurs have got to make up some ground, for having started the current Premier League season in a wobbly manner.
When the resumes, Jose Mourinho’s side will try to cut down the gap between them and Chelsea. In the meantime, we can reflect on Tottenham’s exploits this season, and pick out their hits and flops.
#5 Japhet Tanganga (Hit)
Positives have been few and far between for Tottenham this season, but the emergence of youngster Japhet Tanganga has to be top of the list. Jose Mourinho, who is credited for the developing the likes of Raphael Varane and Kurt Zouma, has found another gem of a centre-back at Spurs.
The Englishman made his full debut in the Premier League against Liverpool and was named the Man of the Match just three days later in Tottenham’s FA Cup match against Middlesbrough.
Since then, Tanganga has gone from strength to strength, making 12 more caps for Spurs.
He’s already giving a good account of himself, having played as a centre-back, a right-back and a left-back as well, doing well in all positions. Together, he and Davinson Sanchez can be the pillars of Spurs’ defence for years to come.
#4 Giovani Lo Celso (Flop)
Signed from Real Betis on a loan deal last summer, Giovani Lo Celso was beginning to get to grips with the Premier League when he picked up a hip-injury on international duty.
The Argentine would go on to miss five weeks of action but soon returned and marked his first full start with a goal against Red Star Belgrade in the Champions League. Since then, he’s found the back of the net just once, in a total of 28 appearances across all competitions.
Lo Celso is still finding his feet in England, and that’s why his output has gone down from last season. While it would be harsh to call him a ‘flop’ but the 24-year-old has put in various underwhelming performances since signing for Tottenham.
Despite that, the north Londoners took up the option to sign him permanently in January, given his obvious potential.
#3 Dele Alli (Hit)
A man reborn under Jose Mourinho, Dele Alli is finally looking like his former self, who at one point in time, was even linked to Real Madrid. For the past few seasons, the Englishman wasn’t at the top of his game, but that hasn’t been the case in 2019-20.
Alli has played 35 matches across all competitions for Tottenham so far this season, scoring nine goals, whilst also setting up five assists.
The 24-year-old, who is extremely versatile and can play in multiple positions, has been one of the few positives from an otherwise tumultuous campaign for Spurs.
Alli was recently robbed at his home in London, but he escaped unharmed and has even joined his teammates in individual training since.
#2 Eric Dier (Flop)
Arguably the biggest setback for Tottenham this season has been the form of Eric Dier. A player who was once on the radar of Manchester United, the 26-year-old has been struggling with form and fitness issues for some time now.
The Englishman has played 25 matches this season, but his performances have been rarely impressive.
Dier has nonetheless, provided two assists but his numbers in terms of tackles, interceptions and blocks have gone down immensely from previous seasons.
Now that his powers have been on the wane for some time, and the midfielder’s contract runs out in the summer of 2021, he should perhaps try and up his game or risk being sold.
#1 Son Heung-min (Hit)
One of the most underrated players in the Premier League, Son Heung-min has been Tottenham’s second most important player behind skipper Harry Kane.
This season again, the 27-year-old has been up to his usual business, having an incredible 36% goal participation rate.
His tally of 16 goals and nine assists in 32 matches has been second to none, and that too, in a season where the whole team have struggled for consistency.
The South-Korean forward scored an amazing solo goal against Burnley, which will be one of the contenders for Goal of the Season.
I dare say Messi who?
All stats courtesy: Transfermarkt.co.in