Former Tottenham defender Michael Dawson has insisted the club must reach the Champions League and called on the club's new young stars to help do so.

Ange Postecoglou endured a rollercoaster campaign in his first season at Spurs after going on a ten match unbeaten league run before seeing his side riddled with injuries, eventually finishing 5th in the table. 

While many at the club will be content with the Australian's debut season in charge, there are also expectations that, this year, he will return them to Europe's biggest stage.

And Dawson, echoed those thoughts as he told Mail Sport, he said: 'Pre-season has been very good. I look at preseason games, and sometimes it can be hard to reflect and look where teams are, especially with the Euros being going on. 

'Mickey van de Ven was not there, Cristian Romero was not there. Radu Dragusin came back later than others. So it's been a patched up defence, but I think it gives an opportunity to the young players there to show what they can do.

Michael Dawson has called on Ange Postecoglou's Spurs to reach the Champions League

'I think Ange's first season was entertaining and great to watch. But now it's about trying to get back in the Champions League. That has to be the goal'. 

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Over the summer, Spurs have signed a host of teenage stars - such as the aforementioned Gray, Lucas Bergvall and Wilson Odobert - as they look to build for the future.

However, Dawson believes that these young talents have the potential to make an immediate impact in north London.

'Well, I certainly think Mikey Moore will. I think sometimes these opportunities, you're waiting for them and Mikey certainly got that - getting a few goals in pre-season. 

'I mean, we saw him at the back end of the season last year, being involved training with the team. 

'And I think this year, with European football, you're going to have those opportunities because you can't have the intensity that we have in the Premier League, and then have European football and trying to be successful.'

'I've also seen a lot of Archie Gray. He was absolutely magnificent in the Championship last year in his first full season. But this is another step up. 

'I think he can play numerous positions, and he will play minutes. He's a kid who wants to learn. He takes on board and his work work ethic. He's just loves football. 

As well as Tottenham's summer transfer window, Dawson admitted that some of Spurs' rivals have impressed him with their transfer activity. 

He said: 'I like United's business. Leny Yoro, young kid, but I've seen him in their preseasons. He's quick and he covers ground well. I mean, I think that's just the start of them. 

'I think Aston Villa as well, who've signed Amadou Onana. It's gonna be a big season for Villa because I thought they were magnificent last year but with Champions League football, you have to have a squad to be able to compete in the top levels'. 

Meanwhile, Tottenham's noisy neighbours, Arsenal, will be looking to go one further than they did last season and claim the Premier League title.

'You have to be honest and give credit where credit's due. And credit to Arsenal, these last two years they've run Man City so close. I mean, I don't know much more than what Arsenal can do. 

'Riccardo Calafiori, if that's how you pronounce him, really like him. I think that's a position that they had to try and strengthen, because Gabrielle and Saliba have been absolutely magnificent. 

'But you're getting tested. I think Saliba played an eye on every single minute last year, the Champions League, in the Premier League. So you're talking about having a big squad. 

'Arsenal were a force and they're going to come close again. I really believe that. I think they're probably a striker away'. 

Dawson was speaking on behalf of Sky Sports as part of its start of season football campaign which brings together 92 passionate football fans from each team across the Premier League & EFL to share their hopes for the 2024-25 season. 

Speaking about the campaign, he said: 'It's incredible. I always said when we went through Covid, football was nothing without supporters. 

'Now fans of the 92 Football League clubs, certainly their lower leagues in in League Two that we probably haven't seen an awful lot of, get the opportunity to watch their team, it's great. 

'I think it's fantastic for supporters to go to a local pub to watch it with their friends, when maybe their team's playing away. All these opportunities is only positive and credit to Sky for making that that happen'.

With the launch of Sky Sports+, fans can enjoy more football on Sky including all EFL teams at least 20 times a season. See fan stories from all 92 clubs in the Premier League & EFL by keeping an eye on Sky Sports social media channels ahead of the new season.