The stakes couldn’t be higher for Tottenham Hotspur and Ange Postecoglou as they prepare for a decisive Europa League showdown. After a dismal performance in their first-leg clash against AZ Alkmaar, Spurs find themselves trailing 1-0, needing a vastly improved display at home to keep their European hopes alive.
Last week’s showing in the Netherlands was one of Tottenham’s worst performances this season, and to make matters worse, they followed it up with another lackluster outing in the Premier League, settling for a disappointing draw against Bournemouth. With the pressure mounting, Postecoglou faces some tough decisions regarding his squad selection, and one of the most pressing issues is Pedro Porro’s place in the starting lineup.
Pedro Porro’s Alarming Dip in Form
When Tottenham secured Pedro Porro from Sporting CP—initially on loan before completing a permanent transfer in February 2023—there was plenty of excitement among the fanbase. The Spanish full-back had impressed in Portugal, delivering three goals and 11 assists in just 26 appearances before his move to North London.
His transition to the Premier League appeared seamless at first. In just 15 matches during the second half of the 2022/23 season, Porro contributed three goals and three assists, showcasing his attacking prowess from the right flank. The following season, he maintained his offensive output, recording four goals and seven assists across 37 games. However, cracks began to appear in his defensive performances, with mistakes in key fixtures—such as against Newcastle United and Fulham—raising concerns about his reliability at the back.
This season, however, has been significantly worse. While Porro has managed nine goal involvements in 40 games, his defensive struggles have been glaring. A prime example came in Tottenham’s FA Cup clash against Ipswich Town, where journalist Mitch Fretton described his defensive display as a “horror show.” Another woeful performance followed against Arsenal in January, with Spurs content creator Seb Martin likening his display to a “nightmare.”
Most recently, against Bournemouth, Porro’s defensive woes were on full display. He lost possession 27 times—a shocking statistic for a player in his position—and was heavily criticized by Spurs content creator Jaco, who labeled his performance “terrible.” This was reflected in his 3/10 match rating from Daily Express journalist Tom Parsons.
While Porro’s attacking contributions cannot be ignored, his defensive vulnerabilities make him a significant liability—especially in a must-win European tie. Given the stakes, Postecoglou cannot afford to take risks at the back, and it may be time for the Spaniard to be dropped from the starting lineup.
Who Should Replace Porro in This Crucial Europa League Fixture?
If Postecoglou decides to bench Porro, he has two viable options for the right-back role: shifting Djed Spence from left-back or handing the responsibility to Archie Gray.
Between the two, Gray appears to be the more logical choice—for several reasons.
First, moving Gray to right-back allows Spence to continue on the left, which in turn provides a much-needed defensive reshuffle. This would mean benching Destiny Udogie, who, like Porro, has faced heavy criticism for his defensive lapses this season.
Second, despite being a natural midfielder, Gray has adapted remarkably well to a defensive role under Postecoglou. The 19-year-old sensation, once hailed as a “future £100m star” by analyst Ben Mattinson, has proven his versatility throughout the campaign. He has played seven times at right-back and five times at left-back, in addition to his usual midfield duties. More importantly, he has started every Europa League fixture this season—except last week’s defeat—and has generally been a dependable presence at the back.
Statistically, Gray’s numbers further support his case for inclusion. According to FBref, he ranks among the top 1% of full-backs across Europe’s top five leagues, the Champions League, and the Europa League for medium passes completed and shots blocked. Additionally, he sits in the top 2% for carries and top 4% for progressive passing distance per 90 minutes—an impressive feat for someone playing out of position.
A Make-or-Break Decision for Postecoglou
Tottenham’s Europa League ambitions hinge on tonight’s performance, and Postecoglou cannot afford any defensive liabilities in such a high-stakes encounter. While Porro’s attacking flair is undeniable, his defensive fragility makes him a risk Spurs simply cannot take in this must-win match.
By deploying Gray at right-back and Spence on the left, Postecoglou could introduce much-needed defensive stability while maintaining a solid attacking outlet. It’s crunch time for Tottenham, and selecting the right lineup could determine whether they continue their European journey—or suffer another painful early exit.
Ange could only save his job today by dropping “terrible” Spurs dud for his “future £100m” star
