Since permanently joining Tottenham Hotspur in 2020, Lo Celso has had a turbulent run in the squad, including an 18 month spell on loan at La Liga side Villareal prior to the 2023/2024 campaign.
Lo Celso has had somewhat of a career renaissance this campaign. He has impressed many fans, much like when he first joined in the 2019/2020 season under Mauricio Pochettino originally and then under Jose Mourinho. He had scored back to back goals in games against Aston Villa and Manchester City and has even acquired major interest from FC Barcelona manager Xavi. But how exactly has he found himself back into favour with the Spurs fanbase?
It is safe to say that for the majority of the Tottenham squad this season so far, they have had a much better campaign than their last at Spurs. All of their individual successes seem to have come via one common denominator; Ange Postecoglou. Since the departure of Pochettino, there has been a lack of attacking philosophy and more importantly creative philosophy, which is one of the things Lo Celso excels in.
This was evident in his goal in Tottenham's 3-3 draw with Manchester City at the Etihad. The goal came as Lo Celso was given space with the ball by City's back line as he would drive with the ball towards the edge of the box before firing in an equaliser for Spurs. He was allowed to do this as a result of having creative freedom in the middle of the park and being in a squad which enhances those capabilities.
However, before Postecoglou, it would not click with Lo Celso and being in the Spurs team. Mourinho had him in top form at the beginning of his tenure as Spurs boss. However, this also came at a cost as Lo Celso was always used as a substitute, such as when he scored within a minute of coming on in Spurs' 2-0 win over City at home with his first touch in November 2020. However, Lo Celso would be taken out of the team through injury, missing the majority of the remainder of the season. By the time he came back from his hamstring injury, Mourinho did not know where to fit him into his side. Lo Celso was weirdly playing in every other position than his favoured attacking midfield role, playing at Villa park in one point at right wing and not playing his best football as many fans would have predicted prior to kick-off.
Lo Celso's break back into the team has also come as a result of him being an ultimate opportunist. With the main attacking midfield James Maddison getting unfortunately injured during Tottenham's 4-1 defeat to Chelsea at home, it opened a door for a Lo Celso who had just come back from his own injury to step up. Lo Celso would end up stepping up and be a highlight in a month of lows for Spurs supporters as now fans may feel as if there is some quality in their depth after all.
With Lo Celso still only being 27 years of age, there are plenty of years of quality left for him to possess whether at Tottenham or not. With Barcelona interested, it would be hard to argue that Lo Celso is not key to the team's strength as they search for Champions League qualification.
Comments