Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou has expressed his dissatisfaction with the club's transfer activity this month, emphasizing the urgent need for reinforcements. With a squad ravaged by injuries, Postecoglou stated that his team "needs help" ahead of the January transfer window and cautioned that not making any additions would be akin to "playing with fire".
This season has been particularly challenging for Spurs, who despite remaining competitive in three cup competitions, have suffered 12 defeats in their 22 Premier League matches—matching the total number of losses they experienced throughout the whole of last season.
The injury crisis has been especially pronounced among the vital centre-back pairing of Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven, resulting in several players being deployed in unfamiliar roles as they adapt to Postecoglou's demanding playing style. The recent arrival of goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky from Slavia Prague has not quelled the calls for further signings.
"This playing group needs help, there's no doubt about that," Postecoglou told reporters ahead of the weekend's clash against Leicester City. "We're sort of playing with fire by not bringing anyone in. However, I understand the club is attempting to address this situation."
While Postecoglou maintains he is not directly involved in the club's transfer negotiations, he does engage in regular discussions with Tottenham's technical director, Johan Lange. "My conversations with Johan and the club have revolved around securing assistance for the players, and I trust them to fulfill their responsibilities," the 59-year-old manager remarked. "I communicate with Johan daily, and he's doing everything he can to get the help we need. I think it's obvious that assistance is required, and to suggest otherwise would be misleading."
Last season, Postecoglou led Spurs to a fifth-place finish, surpassing teams like Chelsea, Newcastle, Manchester United, and West Ham, all of whom currently occupy higher positions in the league table.
When questioned about the current downturn in form, Postecoglou attributed it primarily to injuries. "It's just injuries," he shrugged. "You could walk outside and say, 'Wow, it's really bright,' and wonder if it’s not the sun. But it is the sun; we’re simply dealing with injuries right now."
Since Postecoglou took charge in the summer of 2023, only two clubs in global football have posted a higher net spend than Tottenham—Saudi Arabian heavyweights Al Hilal and the notorious spenders Paris Saint-Germain. Despite his difficult circumstances, the embattled manager is adamant that additional signings must occur to bolster the squad.