Tottenham legend Gary Mabbutt has been thoroughly impressed by Tottenham’s new goalkeeper Gugililmo Vicario and their new-look backline.
The defence was a major worry for Spurs last season, with the Lilywhites conceding a whopping 63 goals in 2022-23, which was more than any other side in the top 14.
A lot of those goals were down to unforced errors at the back, and unsurprisingly, the backline has been revamped this season, with Vicario taking over the gloves from Hugo Lloris, while Micky van de Ven and Destiny Udogie have established themselves as mainstays in the side.
Spurs have improved considerably at the back this season, having conceded just eight goals in their first eight matches this season, despite adopting an ultra-attacking approach and playing with a high defensive line under Ange Postecoglou
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Gary Mabbutt is a big fan of the new Spurs defence
Mabbutt believes that Tottenham now have a solid base at the back, which allows their attacking players to express themselves better.
The former Spurs centre-back told talkSPORT: “He has come in, brought in a couple of players, van de Ven has been outstanding. Him and Romero now can make a very, very solid partnership like we had with Jan Vertonghen and Toby.
“They could be together for five years. They are working well together. You have got Udogie at left-back. Porro at right-back.
“Those four across the back, with Vicario behind them in goal. You have a very solid back five that allows James Maddison, Bissouma and Sarr, and everybody in front of them to go out and play. That’s what we have now. A solid foundation.”
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While the personnel changes at the back have certainly helped, the main reason for our defensive improvement is the fact that we now control matches and dominate possession rather than passively defending with men behind the ball.
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