Tottenham Hotspur’s recent performance in the Premier League has raised concerns, particularly following their 1-0 defeat to Bournemouth on December 5, 2024. This loss extended their winless streak to three matches, a stark contrast to their brilliant 4-0 victory over Manchester City just weeks earlier. Despite a strong start after the international break, Spurs have struggled to maintain momentum, drawing against Roma and Fulham before falling to the Cherries in a disappointing display.
The match at Vitality Stadium saw Bournemouth dominate play, creating several clear-cut opportunities that could have extended their lead. Tottenham’s performance was lackluster, with multiple players failing to meet expectations. One of the most glaring underperformers was Dejan Kulusevski. The Swedish winger was given a chance to start but squandered it with a poor showing that highlighted his lack of impact on the game. Kulusevski’s statistics from the match were abysmal: he won only 2 out of 10 duels, completed just 2 out of 8 crosses, and lost possession on 30 occasions. His performance was further worsened by failing to complete any of his 2 attempted dribbles. This poor form made him the weakest link in Tottenham’s attack, and many observers believe he should be dropped for Spurs’ upcoming derby against Chelsea.
Kulusevski’s struggles have led to growing calls for a change in the starting lineup, particularly given Tottenham’s upcoming clash with their fierce rivals. Spurs find themselves 10th in the Premier League table, having earned just one point from their last two matches. They are now six points adrift of Manchester City, who occupy the final Champions League qualification spot. This makes the Chelsea game a must-win for manager Ange Postecoglou and his team, as they seek to stay in the hunt for European football next season.
In light of Kulusevski’s disappointing performance, it seems likely that Postecoglou will opt to start Son Heung-min ahead of the Swedish winger. Son has been one of Spurs’ standout performers this season and offers more creativity and finishing ability than Kulusevski, whose recent form has been far from convincing. Additionally, Brennan Johnson, who had a similarly underwhelming outing against Bournemouth, has shown flashes of promise with his goal-scoring ability, making him another option for the right-wing spot. Johnson’s consistency in finding the back of the net could warrant a starting role ahead of Kulusevski for the Chelsea match, especially if Spurs are to improve their attacking output.
Tottenham’s inconsistency under Postecoglou has been a recurring theme this season. After an impressive start to the campaign, they have faltered in recent weeks, struggling to find the form that initially put them in the upper half of the table. If Spurs are to maintain their ambitions of qualifying for the Champions League, they must address this inconsistency quickly. The upcoming match against Chelsea presents a crucial opportunity to bounce back and demonstrate that they can compete with the top teams in the league.
Postecoglou faces a pivotal moment in his tenure at Spurs. His decisions over the next few weeks could shape the direction of the club’s season, and dropping Kulusevski after his poor performance against Bournemouth might be the right move. Spurs need to improve if they are to challenge for European spots, and starting a more effective lineup in the Chelsea match could be a step toward achieving that goal. With players like Son and Johnson offering more in attack, Postecoglou has the opportunity to revitalize Spurs’ forward play and get their season back on track.
