Three Takeaways from 2020 for Tottenham Hotspur

Like the entire world there were ups and downs in 2020 for Tottenham Hotspur as a team and club, here are some of HotspurHQs takeaways on Spurs from the year.

Tottenham Hotspur had a rough start to 2020 with a rash of injuries and had a difficult end with no wins in their last four matches. In-between there was some good football and some not so good football as Spurs continue to morph into a team built in the image of their coach José Mourinho. In a year unlike any other here are some takeaways on Tottenham Hotspur and reasons to look forward to the year ahead.

Tottenham Team Still in Transition

While the first XI can fit the bill for Mourinho’s preferred 4-2-3-1 formation, the depth is not an exact match. Additionally, while the defense has been much improved, it gets a lot of protection, which diminishes the number of players Tottenham Hotspur can commit to attack.

Spurs are still looking for the right balance in the back, to have depth, experience, pace, and ability. Hopefully, with Joe Rodon a full-fledged team member who can participate in Europa League some more rotation and balance can be found. More significant than continuing to sort out the defense is finding some cover for Pierre Højbjerg and making some decisions on a couple players.

Last January it was north London’s worst kept secret that Christian Eriksen wanted out and it was clearly having an impact in a lot of areas. While there are two longtime Spurs who have several questions surrounding their futures in Harry Winks and Dele Alli, neither are having the same negative impact that Eriksen seemed to be having at the end.

In fact, with Winks and Dele both they seem to be fighting for their respective places in the team and neither has come out negatively to the media. As Tottenham continue to sort out the futures of Dele and Winks, there are still questions about the support backing up Harry Kane and a new long-term deal for Heung-Min Son. Add in the seemingly ever looming question about Real Madrid buying back Sergio Reguilón and there are questions about the squad, but overall progress is being made.

Players Have Bought-In to Mourinho

While the performances the last two weeks of the year belay the idea, in truth the team has clearly bought-in to what José Mourinho is selling. Whether it is through gifts of meat or challenges to take their individual games to the next level, Spurs players are on-board with Mourinho. At times, the team seems to have taken too much of a liking to the low-block style but that is one of the few negatives from the all-in atmosphere.

The players themselves sound very much like Mourinho during press conferences always focused on the three points and the fixture at hand. While everyone wants to win Silverware, in all these competitions, you do so one match at a time. The focus on the three points is step one. Step two is the belief that you are capable of and will take the three points.

Tottenham at times have shown that next level of belief but have regressed back a bit over the last month as weary legs and a lack of offensive adventure have caught the team out. Regardless, Tottenham are positioned to compete and know what it takes to do so. Now, it is about knowing they will win and executing.

Time is Now for Tottenham

The time is now for Tottenham to begin winning some trophies. When you look across the core of the team, almost everyone who is critical to the plan for this season and next is in or is entering the prime of their careers. At 27 and 28 years old, Harry Kane and Heung-Min Son are right in the middle of what should be the best years of their careers.

What is important for Tottenham is that both players did have fantastic years, even if injury cut the time shorter than either would have liked. Kane and Son together are being compared to some of the best duos ever to attack a goal in the Premier League. Now is the time for Tottenham to be winning things, while the two most important offensive weapons are in their respective peaks.

Spurs do have a couple players in their 30s with Hugo Lloris the oldest at 34. However, keepers can play well beyond normal years in a sporting career – look at 38-year-old Peter Cech facing 18-year-old Dane Scarlett in the Chelsea vs Tottenham under-23 match-up a couple weeks ago.

Hugo has a couple more top years as does Moussa Sissoko and Toby Alderweireld, who are both 31. Other than Gareth Bale (31) and Joe Hart (33) all the contributors on the team are 28 or younger. With a nice mix of youth and experience now is the time for Tottenham Hotspur and 2020 sure has us believing 2021 is the year to end the trophy drought.