‘Really beneficial’: Ange defends ‘unique’ Aussie friendly amid controversy over player welfare

Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou has defended the ”unique opportunity” to play a friendly against Newcastle in Melbourne just three days after the Premier League season concludes.

The clash at the Melbourne Cricket Ground will mark the second-straight year in which Tottenham have ventured all the way to Australia for a friendly having played West Ham in Perth last year.

However, the fixture against Newcastle will take place not long after the dust has settled on the 2023/24 campaign.

The decision sparked concerns about player welfare given the ever-increasing fixture list for the players.

Additionally, both clubs will have players called up for their respective nations as the European Championships and Copa America take place during the summer.

However, Postecoglou revealed the club went through with the decision to head to Melbourne so soon after the conclusion of the season as all involved felt it would prove to be a “really beneficial” for Tottenham.

“I guess with all these decisions there’s always going to be conjecture and scrutiny around why they’re made,” Postecoglou said during a press conference.

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“But from our perspective, like any club, you weigh up the benefits and costs of doing something.

“For one reason or another, we haven’t had a lot of games this year and there was a unique opportunity for us to have a game at the end of the year. I’m obviously part of that discussion and we are mindful of the players and the schedule.

“We weighed it all up