Premier League: Tottenham’s 2019-20 Players of the Year

Tottenham’s defense was a 35-pound anchor that dragged the club down throughout the season. Despite the team’s offensive firepower, the inconsistency in the back-line created horror movie-level nightmares.

Spurs have conceded 40 goals this season, ninth-most in the Top Flight. Their expected goals against were the seventh highest. On a positive note, Jose’s men had a defensive goal conversion rate of +2.7, which was one of the best in the league.

Tottenham managed only four clean sheets during the season despite having the sixth-highest save percentage and shots on target against.

Despite the grim statistics, the London club had a few stand-out defensive performers.

Veteran Toby Alderweireld led the club in total blocks, shots blocked, clearances, and aerial duel winning percentage. The Belgian also was second in successful pressure percentage and had the second-highest number of key passes and progressive passes among back-line defenders.

23-year old Davinson Sánchez had Spurs’ best successful pressure percentage. He also was second in tackles, tackles won, tackles in the defensive third, shots blocked, aerial duel winning percentage, and interceptions.

Tottenham’s defensive player of the year was Serge Aurier.

The 27-year old struggled last season as he was coping with competition for playing time and nagging injuries. He only played in eight Premier League matches last season.

Serge showed this season that he was worth the $27.5 million they paid PSG for his services in the summer of 2017.

The Ivory Coast international tackled opposing players all over the pitch as he led Spurs in total tackles, tackles won, tackles in the defensive third, and tackles in the middle third. He also led in the total number of dribblers tackled, and the percentage of dribblers tackled.

In the 22 matches he played, Serge also was solid at providing pressure. He had the most pressures in the defensive third and led all defenders in successful pressures.

He also contributed to the offense as he scored one goal, led the team in progressive passes and led all defenders in assists with four.

Serge’s productivity with and without the ball made him Tottenham’s best all-around defensive player.

As the José Mourinho era rolls forward, Spurs do not have the pre-fabricated championship-contending level that their manager craves, but they do have the players to build a winning foundation.