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£40m Tottenham player is feeling so much better under Ange Postecoglou than Antonio Conte
Ange Postecoglou has come in at Tottenham Hotspur and given fans just what they wanted after years of pragmatic, defensive play under Jose Mourinho, Nuno Espirito Santo and Antonio Conte.
The Aussie gaffer, who won everything there was to win while Celtic manager for two and a half years, joined Spurs and immediately changed the style of play. High defensive line, attacking style of football.
It has worked. While Aston Villa sit fourth in the table, Tottenham are three points behind with a game in hand over the Midlands club – and, with Spurs not in Europe, you’d argue the momentum is with them.
Not only has Postecoglou got the style right, won fans over after initial question marks given his lack of calibre, and worked wonders in the transfer market – but he is getting the best out his inherited squad.
Pedro Porro started ‘badly’ at Spurs, Tim Sherwood comments
Players like Richarlison, Pape Matar Sarr, Cristian Romero and even Son Heung-min are in some of the best form of their lives – and that is down to Postecoglou’s man management. He is working wonders.
Pedro Porro is another example. The Spain star joined Tottenham initially on loan in January 2023, with the deal turning permanent for last summer. Porro started poorly, under Italian manager Conte.
Indeed, Tim Sherwood’s comments about Porro became renowned. He said Porro was “so bad” and his positioning was “absolutely disgusting” – but this season, Porro has turned that initial form right around.
With Postecoglou deploying an attacking style of play, Porro is allowed to play as an inverted right-back – able to get forward and join the attack. The 24-year-old has had a hand in nine goals in 27 games.
Pedro Porro now happy at Tottenham under Ange Postecoglou
Currently on international duty with Spain – where Porro’s side will take on Colombia and Brazil during the break – he gave an interview to Spanish outlet El Espanol. He says he’s much happier now.
At least, more so under Postecoglou – than his first six months with Conte: “It is different from the time I joined. Now I feel more important in the team. I feel much more confident. That makes you better.
“I’m feeling much better, more and more, as the games go by. The first week I had to do many more things individually at home in the afternoon, but the work we’ve been doing since then is much better.”
Is Pedro Porro one of the best right-backs in the Premier League?
He is slowly starting to reach that level. Of course, it is difficult to look past Kyle Walker at Man City. The former Tottenham man, though, is past the peak of his powers and will decline in the next few years.
Trent Alexander-Arnold at Liverpool has moved into midfield, where he will surely play in the next few years. Gary Lineker predicted it. Ben White is a centre-back, despite impressing on the right at Arsenal.
As Trent moves into midfield, White moves into centre-back at some point and Walker enters his mid-thirties – Porro will surely become one of the best in his position in the League, if not the best.