Spurs let their “monster” talent leave for £0, now he’s been outscoring Kulusevski

Tottenham Hotspur have faced a challenging beginning to the 2024/25 Premier League season, characterized by an uneven performance in their initial fixtures. The team commenced their campaign with a 1-1 draw against Leicester City, despite initially taking the lead. This was followed by a convincing 4-0 victory over Everton. However, the optimism was tempered by a subsequent 2-1 defeat to Newcastle United, with a decisive late goal from Alexander Isak. Currently, Tottenham find themselves with four points from their first three matches.

Ange Postecoglou, the head coach of Tottenham Hotspur, is likely focused on securing a top-four finish this season to ensure qualification for the UEFA Champions League. This objective is crucial after the team’s fifth-place finish in the previous season, which resulted in missing out on the prestigious European competition. The challenge for Postecoglou is to enhance the team’s offensive capabilities, particularly given that Tottenham have struggled to score more than one goal in two of their three matches. It is imperative for Postecoglou to develop strategies that improve the team’s clinical finishing, while it is equally essential for the players to capitalize on scoring opportunities.

One player under scrutiny is Dejan Kulusevski, a Swedish winger who has yet to demonstrate his ability to be a consistent source of goals and assists. Kulusevski has started the current season with no goals and only one assist in three appearances, a notable drop from his pre-season form where he managed three goals and three assists in six matches. For Tottenham to achieve their Champions League aspirations, Postecoglou will need Kulusevski to enhance his goal-scoring contributions.

In the 2023/24 Premier League season, Kulusevski made 36 appearances but scored only eight goals. Despite his involvement in nearly every league match, he fell short of reaching double figures for goals. In addition to his league performances, Kulusevski did not score in his three FA Cup and League Cup appearances, totaling eight goals and four assists across 42 matches in all competitions. This situation is exacerbated by Tottenham’s previous decision to release a promising talent who has since surpassed Kulusevski’s performance metrics.

Noni Madueke, an English winger, is the player in question. Madueke began his football journey with Crystal Palace’s academy before moving to Tottenham, where he spent four years but made only one appearance at the U18 level. Released by Tottenham in the summer of 2018, Madueke joined PSV Eindhoven, where he rapidly made his mark. At PSV, he excelled at youth levels with 18 goals and 13 assists in 44 appearances. His performance quickly earned him a spot in the senior team, where he continued to impress.

During the 2020/21 Eredivisie season, Madueke made 24 appearances, with seven starts, scoring seven goals and providing four assists. Over his tenure with PSV, he accumulated 20 goals and 14 assists in 80 games. His potential was further recognized when Chelsea signed him in January 2023 for a reported fee of £30 million. This transfer highlighted Tottenham’s missed opportunity, as Madueke’s value and performance have only increased.

In his debut season with Chelsea, Madueke’s performances were notable despite limited opportunities. He scored five goals and provided two assists in 23 Premier League appearances, with additional contributions in domestic cup competitions. This season, Madueke has started exceptionally well, netting four goals in four matches across all competitions. His development and performances suggest that Tottenham made a significant error by allowing him to leave without a transfer fee.

Madueke’s success at Chelsea and his recent call-up to the England senior team underscore the missed potential for Tottenham. His ability to score and assist in various competitions, contrasted with Kulusevski’s current form, highlights a significant disparity. Tottenham’s decision to release Madueke, who is now valued at £30 million, reflects a substantial oversight in player development and talent retention.

In conclusion, Tottenham Hotspur’s current challenges, coupled with their previous misjudgments regarding player management, underscore the importance of strategic decision-making in football. As the team seeks to recover their form and achieve their season objectives, the lessons from past mistakes, such as the release of Noni Madueke, remain pertinent. The ongoing assessment of player performance and potential will be crucial for Tottenham as they navigate their aspirations for the season.