Pedro Porro has thanked Tottenham Hotspur boss Ange Postecoglou for helping him become a better ‘one-on-one’ defender.
Porro initially joined Spurs on loan from Sporting CP in the 2022/23 winter transfer window, before making a £39m (per Sky Sports) permanent switch the following summer.
Both with and without the ball, Porro initially faced criticism as he struggled to adjust to English football, particularly from former Man Utd defender Gary Neville.
But over the last 12 months, Porro has emerged as one of Tottenham’s most important players and is now being rewarded with call-ups to the Spanish national team — although he still doesn’t view himself in the same bracket as compatriots Dani Carvajal and Jesus Navas.
This season, Porro ranks among the club’s top two when it comes to tackles (18), blocks (12), interceptions (10) and chances created (13) in Premier League play. He also scored Spurs’ first goal of the season in a 1-1 draw away at Leicester City.
Pedro Porro thanks Spurs boss Postecoglou
The above stats show just how much Porro has improved defensively — alongside his final-third output — and despite being a manager better known for his attacking qualities, the 25-year-old has given credit to Postecoglou for making that happen.
“I would say yes, since I was at Sporting. I’m much better and that’s important,” Porro told MaisFutebol.
“The Premier [League] is very one-on-one and I worked on that well. The coach we have [Postecoglou] works on that especially and, thanks to the work, I improved.”
