Tottenham 2023/24 season review: Top scorers, assists & player of the year

It was truly a season of euphoric early highs and turgid troughs for Tottenham Hotspur in their first campaign under Ange Postecoglou.

With no European football to contend with, Spurs made a rapid start under the Greek-Australian in the wake of all-time top goalscorer Harry Kane's departure as their new attacking style of play made a big impression in the Premier League.

While an ultimately disappointing end to the campaign saw them miss out on Champions League football, there is plenty for Tottenham to take from the 2023/24 season moving forward.

Here's 90min's review of an entertaining - both good and bad - season on the Lilywhite side of north London.

Tottenham 2023/24 player of the season

Son Heung-min

Son's partnership with Kane was beginning to define him as a player, so the England captain's departure - as damaging as it has been for Tottenham - opened up space for the South Korean to take over as the club's poster boy.

The 31-year-old, who replaced Hugo Lloris as captain, delivered both on the wing and in a central position whenever required and his role in ensuring a harmonious transition to a new regime cannot be overlooked.

New signings have come in and made a big impact at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, but Spurs would have been truly lost without their talismanic forward, who ended the Premier League season with 27 goal involvements - 17 goals and ten assists.

Honourable mentions: Micky van de Ven, Pedro Porro, Guglielmo Vicario

Tottenham 2023/24 goal of the season

Pedro Porro vs Burnley

Many of the 76 goals Tottenham scored in all competitions in 2023/24 followed a similar pattern; working the ball wide, getting to the byline and finding a free player close in to finish.

However, that doesn't mean there's been no room for the odd howitzer from distance, the pick of the bunch being Pedro Porro's stunner in the FA Cup in January.

The Spaniard, who has regularly shown his eye for the spectacular, ended up being the match-winner in the 1-0 victory thanks to a powerful strike from distance that dipped perfectly and nestled in the top corner. Picturesque.

Honourable mentions: Cristian Romero vs Burnley, James Maddison vs Burnley, Richarlison vs Everton, James Maddison vs Aston Villa, Micky van de Ven vs Nottingham Forest

Tottenham 2023/24 performance of the season

Aston Villa 0-4 Tottenham

Tottenham were in the driving seat for a top-four finish after this thumping success at Aston Villa. While that didn't end up materialising, this 4-0 drubbing of Unai Emery's Champions League qualifiers was still a showcase of Spurs at their best.

They tore a disorganised Villa backline apart after battling through intense home pressure in the first half. Four goals arrived in the second 45 minutes as James Maddison and Brennan Johnson opened the scoring before John McGinn's hot-headed red card.

Spurs reigned it in before Son and Timo Werner added gloss to the scoreline in stoppage time, but this was a performance that showed Postecoglou's side at their most clinical and balanced between defence and midfield.

Honourable mentions: Tottenham 2-1 Liverpool, Arsenal 2-2 Tottenham, Manchester City 3-3 Tottenham

Tottenham 2023/24 signing of the season

Micky van de Ven

Micky van de Ven go vroooom.

Few defenders can match the express pace the Dutchman boasts. He was clocked at a top speed of 37.38 km/h in January, a Premier League record since data collection began in 2020/21, and enabled Tottenham to play a high line thanks to his ridiculous prowess in recovery.

He was named the club's official player of the year and has endeared himself to fans with a number of impressive goals, ending the campaign with three league strikes.

Van de Ven has a little more to prove alongside the rest of Spurs' defence, given they conceded 61 league goals, but the early signs are more than merely encouraging.

Honourable mentions: Guglielmo Vicario, James Maddison, Brennan Johnson

Tottenham 2023/24 most improved player

Pape Matar Sarr

Pape Matar Sarr had limited opportunities to shine under Antonio Conte last season but was given a defined role early on under Postecoglou and has thrived ever since.

A goal in the opening stages of the campaign against Manchester United boosted the Senegal midfielder's confidence and his box-crashing runs and indefatigable efforts in midfield were cornerstones of Tottenham's excellent form during the first half of the season.

The Lilywhites have a few too many similar options in central midfield and one or two players will likely leave this summer, but Sarr's efforts mean he will be a regular again next term.

Honourable mentions: Pedro Porro, Dejan Kulusevski

Tottenham 2023/24 disappointment of the season

Yves Bissouma

After a disappointing debut season in north London, Yves Bissouma started 2023/24 with a point to prove. His ball retention and recovery skills were evident during the unbeaten start, but things quickly went downhill.

The Mali international picked up a ridiculous red card in the 1-0 away win at Luton Town - being shown a second booking for a needless dive - and was dismissed for a second time during a 2-0 success at Nottingham Forest, again foolishly jeopardising his side's position of strength.

Bissouma tested positive for malaria during the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations and that illness almost certainly contributed to his less desirable performances later in the season, but he'll undoubtedly be targeting a more consistent year in 2024/25.

Dishonourable mentions: Richarlison, Emerson Royal

Tottenham 2023/24 most appearances

• Gugliemo Vicario - 40 (38 Premier League, 2 FA Cup)
• Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg - 39 (36 Premier League, 2 FA Cup, 1 Carabao Cup)
• Dejan Kulusevski - 39 (36 Premier League, 2 FA Cup, 1 Carabao Cup)
• Pedro Porro - 37 (35 Premier League, 2 FA Cup)
• Son Heung-min - 36 (35 Premier League, 1 Carabao Cup)

Tottenham 2023/24 top scorers

• Son Heung-min - 17 (17 Premier League)
• Richarlison - 12 (11 Premier League, 1 Carabao Cup)
• Dejan Kulusevski - 8 (8 Premier League)
• Cristian Romero - 5 (5 Premier League)
• Brennan Johnson - 5 (5 Premier League)

Tottenham 2023/24 top assisters

• Brennan Johnson - 10 (10 Premier League)
• Son Heung-min - 10 (10 Premier League)
• James Maddison - 9 (9 Premier League)
• Pedro Porro - 7 (7 Premier League)
• Richarlison - 4 (4 Premier League)

Tottenham 2023/24 record in all competitions

• Premier League - P38, W20, D6, L12, GF 74, GA 61, GD + 13, Pts 66, Position 5th
• FA Cup - P2, W1, L1, GF 1, GA 1, fourth round
• Carabao Cup - P1, L1, GF 1, GA 1, second round

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