Imagine Him & Son: Ange Must Drop Odobert to Unleash “Special” Spurs Star

Tottenham Hotspur kicked off their 2024/25 Premier League campaign with a draw, followed by an emphatic win in their second match. Now, they face a challenging visit to St. James’ Park, a ground where they’ve struggled recently, losing their last two visits by an aggregate score of 10-1.

Shaping Spurs for Success

Ange Postecoglou is molding the team with a clear vision, aiming for a strong push towards Champions League qualification and possibly securing some long-awaited silverware. This Tottenham side is a balanced mix of youth and experience, with dynamism and depth across the field. However, injuries derailed their progress last season, and fans will be hoping for better luck with fitness this time around.

Spurs Team News

Postecoglou’s main concern ahead of today’s fixture is the absence of Dominic Solanke, who missed last week’s match due to an ankle injury sustained in training. The £65m summer signing from Bournemouth will not feature today, though the manager has assured fans that Solanke is “close” to returning, but will not be risked ahead of the international break.

The striker shortage is compounded by the likely absence of Richarlison, who suffered a muscle injury in training. As a result, Heung-min Son is expected to retain his spot as the lead striker.

Rodrigo Bentancur also missed the previous game due to a concussion sustained in the opening-day draw against Leicester City. However, he is now available and should start in midfield.

Why Bentancur Must Start Against Newcastle

Rodrigo Bentancur has had a tough time with injuries, missing much of 2023 after tearing his ACL against Leicester in February. Despite his setbacks, Bentancur is a dynamic, skilled, and hard-working midfielder, often described as a “Rolls-Royce” by football writer Tom Robinson.

His stats highlight his importance:

• Top 9% of center-midfielders in Europe’s top five leagues for passes attempted.
• Top 8% for touches in the attacking penalty area and interceptions per 90 minutes.

Bentancur’s return to the starting lineup would likely see Dejan Kulusevski moved to the right flank, a position where his intelligence, creativity, and hard-working style could be crucial against Newcastle.

How Kulusevski Could Keep Son Firing

Despite not possessing the sheer pace of some of his teammates, Dejan Kulusevski brings a different dimension to Spurs’ attack. He was instrumental in the 4-0 win against Everton, providing an assist, completing 95% of his passes, and winning the majority of his duels.

With Wilson Odobert likely to be dropped, Kulusevski’s inclusion could be key in unlocking Newcastle’s defense and allowing Heung-min Son to shine. Kulusevski’s creativity and work rate make him an ideal partner for Son, who will be looking to add to his goal tally against a well-drilled Newcastle side.

Heung-min Son, Tottenham’s captain, is much more than just a goal scorer. He ranks among the top 7% of forwards in Europe for assists, the top 11% for shot-creating actions, and the top 1% for pass completion. His ability to create space and link up with teammates like Kulusevski could be vital in today’s match.

Conclusion

Ange Postecoglou faces some tough decisions, but dropping Odobert to start Bentancur in midfield, while moving Kulusevski to the right flank, could be the key to unlocking Newcastle and securing a crucial away win. With Son leading the line, supported by the creativity of Kulusevski and the dynamism of Bentancur, Tottenham could well leave St. James’ Park with all three points.