Ange Postecoglou: Spurs and Chelsea projects not comparable

Ange Postecoglou believes it is impossible to compare Tottenham's current project with London rivals Chelsea.

Spurs continued their Jekyll and Hyde form on Thursday with a 1-0 loss at Bournemouth and while they are in the middle of an injury crisis, recent discourse over the club’s inconsistency has turned the focus on their decision to target youth in the summer transfer window.

Tottenham brought in three teenagers alongside £65m forward Dominic Solanke in Archie Gray, Lucas Bergvall and Wilson Odobert, with another in 18-year-old Yang Min-hyeok set to be available from January, but on Sunday they will face the team with the youngest average age in the Premier League in Chelsea.

Enzo Maresca is only a matter of months into his tenure at Stamford Bridge and yet able to work with a squad which has been put together in a £1bn spending spree by owners Clearlake Capital since they took over in 2022.

It led to Postecoglou quickly dismissing suggestions there are similarities.

He said: "I don’t think so. The sheer volume that they’ve invested, both from a financial perspective but also a numbers perspective (means) that we are nowhere near being in that boat.

"The players we’ve signed are not only young in age but young in experience. Archie Gray made his senior debut last year in the Championship. Lucas Bergvall has come from Swedish first division. Wilson’s out (injured) but the teenagers weren’t experienced either.

"It’s different in both approaches and really almost impossible to compare what we’re trying to do."

Postecoglou’s current energy is being poured into breaking Spurs’ cycle of inconsistency which has seen them win six and lose six of their 14 league games this season.

"It doesn’t sit well with me. Nor should it. I’m not