A topsy-turvy Tottenham season culminated with Champions League qualification being secured on the final day of the campaign.
From the bleak days of Nuno Espirito Santo to the passion and chaos of Antonio Conte, Spurs are now in a position to push on this summer – if they can convince their manager to stay on.
Here’s the rundown on their 2021/22 season, from their player of the year to the biggest disappointment.
Son Heung-min
Tottenham fans have firmly left their bitterness over Harry Kane’s summer of 2021 behind, but even the England captain was no match for Son Heung-min this season.
The South Korean carried Spurs on his back at the start of the campaign and played a major role in their end of season push for a Champions League position.
He ended up winning the Golden Boot, sharing the award with Mohamed Salah as both scored 23 goals in the Premier League.
Honourable mentions: Harry Kane, Dejan Kulusevski, Hugo Lloris
Steven Bergwijn vs Leicester
There might have been a few more blockbuster strikes than Steven Bergwijn‘s second at Leicester, but in the context of Tottenham’s season, it wins this award.
Deep, deep, deep into stoppage time having just drawn Tottenham level, the Dutchman charged onto Harry Kane’s through ball, rounded Kasper Schmeichel and scuffed the ball into the far corner past some despairing dives from Foxes defenders.
Cue limbs in the away end of the King Power Stadium.
Honourable mentions: Lucas Moura vs Norwich, Son Heung-min vs Newcastle, Dejan Kulusevski vs Norwich
Manchester City 2-3 Tottenham
Having just lost three games on the trot, the last thing Spurs realistically needed was a trip to eventual Premier League champions Manchester City.
However, they put in a peak Antonio Conte performance, twice taking the lead before stealing it at the end with Harry Kane’s header.
Kane was the leader in that fixture, scoring twice to show Pep Guardiola what he missed out on in the summer.
Honourable mentions: Leicester 2-3 Tottenham, Aston Villa 0-4 Tottenham
Dejan Kulusevski
Talk about a game-changer.
Lucas Moura and Steven Bergwijn had been given opportunities alongside Kane and Son in the front three, but neither had made the position their own.
Dejan Kulusevski came in during the January transfer window and gave Spurs a unique threat on the right, freeing up space for the renowned strike duo while showing his own talent in front of goal.
Cristian Romero and Rodrigo Bentancur have also been spectacular, but the ginger Swede just about gets the nod. He’s also got the best chant at the club, too.
Honourable mentions: Cristian Romero, Rodrigo Bentancur
Listen to Oh What a Night, 90min’s Tottenham podcast. On this week’s episode, Sean Walsh and Jude Summerfield discuss Champions League qualification, Son Heung-min’s Golden Boot and Antonio Conte’s big summer.
Eric Dier
Once a lamentable presence in the team, Eric Dier is now a mainstay under Conte.
Suiting the central role in Conte’s back three to a tee, the 28-year-old has shown his passing range and leadership qualities in defence, perfectly complementing the authoritative Cristian Romero and the reliable Ben Davies.
Honourable mentions: Ben Davies, Matt Doherty, Oliver Skipp
Nuno Espirito Santo
You could look at this two ways. The first disappointment was that Tottenham spent the 2021 summer chasing managers and ended up with the uninspiring appointment of Nuno Espirito Santo.
Secondly, the style of play and results towards the end of his reign were truly turgid, while his manner with the players and press was as closed off as possible.
Thankfully, Spurs acted quickly enough to ditch the former Wolves boss and bring in Antonio Conte in November.
Dishonourable mentions: Tanguy Ndombele, Giovani Lo Celso
