Ange Postecoglou, the Australian soccer coach and now Tottenham Hotspur Head Coach, has a history of unearthing and signing Asian talent. Throughout his career, he has shown a strong affinity for identifying and developing players from the Asian region.

During his tenure as the head coach of the Australian national team from 2013 to 2017, Postecoglou played a significant role in nurturing young talent from Australia's Asian football community.

He actively scouted and recruited players with Asian heritage, recognizing their unique skill sets and cultural understanding of the game. This approach resulted in the emergence of several Asian-Australian players who went on to make notable contributions to the national team.

Furthermore, Postecoglou's coaching stints in the J1 League (Japan's top professional league) and his subsequent appointment as the head coach of Yokohama F. Marinos showcased his commitment to developing Asian talent.

During his time in Japan, he actively sought out and signed promising Japanese players, providing them with opportunities to grow and thrive in a highly competitive environment.

Overall, Ange Postecoglou's track record demonstrates his propensity for unearthing and signing Asian talent, highlighting his belief in the potential of players from the region and his dedication to their development.

Promising Asian Players

Tottenham wants to unearth undervalued talent and the Asian market may well be a source the club will look at.

I referred to these as 'Hidden Gems' previously, not something the club have been particularly great at and something I have previously suggested we undertake by scouring South America, perhaps we are going to do that in Asia now.

Here is a list of promising young Asian players currently plying their trade in Europe that Tottenham might be interested in:

Takefusa Kubo (Japan) - The 22-year-old plays as an attacking midfielder, although more usually a right-winger, for Real Sociedad. Kubo was previously on the books of none other than Real Madrid. He is known for his exceptional technical skills, dribbling ability, and playmaking prowess.

nal level, Kubo has represented the Japanese national team. He has featured in various youth categories and has also earned call-ups to the senior team, competing in international tournaments and World Cup qualifiers.

Takefusa Kubo's technical abilities, vision, and potential have earned him a reputation as one of the most promising young talents in Japanese football.

• Real Madrid: 50% capital gains from a future sale, no repurchase option.
• Real Sociedad: 100% player rights. Termination clause is 60 million.
• Youngest player in J.League history that has played in a match: 15y 5m 1d
• Youngest goalscorer in J.League history: 15y, 10m, 11d

1. Lee Kang-in (South Korea) - A midfielder for RCD Mallorca in La Liga, Lee has shown great potential with his dribbling ability and vision. He became the youngest player to score for the South Korean national team at the age of 18. Lee began his youth career at Valencia CF, a Spanish football club known for its strong youth development system. He progressed through the ranks of Valencia's academy and caught the attention of scouts with his impressive performances. In 2018, Lee made his professional debut for Valencia's first team, becoming the youngest South Korean player to feature in a La Liga match. He quickly established himself as a promising talent with his flair on the ball and intelligent playmaking abilities. At the international level, Lee has represented the South Korean national team. He has featured in various age groups, including the U-20 and U-23 teams, and has participated in tournaments such as the FIFA U-20 World Cup and AFC U-23 Championship. Lee Kang-in's potential and skill have earned him recognition both in South Korea and internationally. His performances have garnered interest from clubs and fans alike, and he is considered one of the rising stars of South Korean football.

2. Lee Seung-woo (South Korea) - Playing as a forward for Suwon (K League), the 25-year-old Lee is a skillful and pacey player who previously spent time in Barcelona's youth academy. Lee started his youth career at the prestigious FC Barcelona academy, La Masia, known for producing talented young players. He joined Barcelona's youth setup in 2011 and progressed through the ranks, impressing with his performances in various youth competitions. In 2017, Lee made his professional debut for Barcelona's first team in a Copa del Rey match, becoming the first South Korean player to represent the club. After his time at Barcelona, he embarked on a career in various leagues and clubs around the world to further develop his skills. Lee has also represented the South Korean national team at the international level. He has featured in different age groups, including the U-17 and U-20 teams, and has showcased his abilities in tournaments such as the FIFA U-20 World Cup.

3. Ritsu Doan (Japan) - Doan, a right-sided attacking midfielder, currently plays for SC Freiburg in the German Bundesliga. The 24-year-old possesses excellent dribbling skills, creativity and has a knack for scoring goals. Doan began his youth career at Gamba Osaka, a prominent football club in Japan. He made his professional debut for Gamba Osaka in 2015, becoming the youngest player in the club's history to feature in a league match. His impressive performances at a young age attracted attention both domestically and internationally. In 2017, Doan joined Groningen, a Dutch football club, where he continued to showcase his talents. During his time at Groningen, he developed into a key player, contributing with goals and assists. His performances earned him recognition and he subsequently secured a move to the German club PSV Eindhoven in 2019. Doan has represented Japan at the international level. He has featured for the Japan national team, participating in various international tournaments and World Cup qualifying matches. Doan's versatility and attacking prowess make him a valuable asset for both his club and national team.

4. Ko Itakura (Japan) - Itakura is a 26-year-old center-back who is currently playing for Borussia Monchengladbach and was previously with Manchester City. Itakura primarily plays as a central defender and is known for his strong defensive abilities, distribution and composure on the ball. Itakura began his youth career at Kashiwa Reysol, a Japanese football club, before joining the Yokohama F. Marinos in 2018. He made his professional debut for Yokohama F. Marinos in the J1 League, the top tier of Japanese football, and quickly established himself as a key player in the team's defense. Itakura has represented Japan at the international level. He has featured for the Japan U-20 and U-23 national teams, participating in various tournaments and friendly matches. Itakura's performances have garnered attention both domestically and internationally, and he has been praised for his technical skills, aerial ability, and ability to read the game.

5. Reo Hatate (Japan) - Hatate is a 25-year-old central midfielder playing for Celtic where he has a deal until 2026. is known for his versatility on the field. He started his youth career at Fukuoka University Chikushi High School and then joined the football club Sanfrecce Hiroshima in 2018.

   
   

   Hatate made his professional debut for Sanfrecce Hiroshima in the J1 League, the top tier of Japanese football, in 2018. Since then, he has showcased his skills and impressed with his performances. Hatate's playing style is characterized by his agility, technical ability, and tactical awareness. He is capable of playing in multiple positions across the midfield, including as a central midfielder, attacking midfielder, or wide midfielder.

   
   

   Hatate has also represented Japan at the international level. He has featured for the Japan U-20 and U-23 national teams, participating in various tournaments and friendly matches.

These players have shown promising potential and are making strides in their respective leagues. They represent a new generation of talented Asian players who are making an impact on the global football stage.

Have a nice day.