Igor Tudor has a number of player injury concerns in an incredibly pivotal part of the season for Tottenham Hotspur, as the Lilywhites find themselves caught up in a troublesome relegation battle
Igor Tudor will need his best players available for selection when Tottenham Hotspur return to Premier League action in the coming weeks, should the club hope to avoid relegation.
The Lilywhites are just one point clear of the drop zone at the time of writing, perched in 17th with seven wins, nine draws and a mammoth 15 losses to show for their efforts in 2025/26. And with just seven matches remaining in the season and with West Ham breathing down the neck of Spurs, Tudor doesn't have the benefit of time nor space to turn the tide in north London.
The Croatian has failed to see a single victory in his first five Premier League matches in charge of Tottenham, suffering crushing losses to Arsenal, Fulham, Crystal Palace and Nottingham Forest, while holding Liverpool to a draw.
Spurs also crashed out of the Champions League this month following a 7-5 aggregate loss to Atletico Madrid over two legs, despite winning their reverse encounter at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium 3-2.
With a tough match against a resurgent Sunderland awaiting them at the Stadium of Light come Sunday, April 12, football.london breaks down the ideal starting XI that Tudor should look to deploy in his final seven games of the season - fitness allowing...
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GK - Guglielmo Vicario
First-choice goalkeeper, Guglielmo Vicario, handed Spurs a major blow ahead of the international break, when it was announced that he would undergo surgery on a hernia and could face up to a month out of action as a result.
Despite being ruled out fresh off the back of surgery, Vicario was spotted at Italy's training camp ahead of their World Cup qualifier against Northern Ireland earlier this week - albeit, in a showing of solitude rather than holding any hopes of playing.
The outlook for the next couple of weeks with regards to goalkeeping looks incredibly bleak for Spurs, especially considering second-choice shot-stopper Antonin Kinsky was subbed off just moments into the club's initial Champions League clash with Atleti earlier this month after a series of high-profile errors.
However, should Vicario's recovery go well, there should be nothing stopping the 29-year-old from returning to the field toward the latter stages of Tottenham's make or break campaign.
RB - Pedro Porro
With a no-nonsense attitude and solid on the right-hand side of defence, Pedro Porro is exactly what Spurs need amidst their current relegation battle. The 26-year-old is also one of the club's more experienced heads, which will prove invaluable in holding the team together thick and thin.
Given the Spaniard was briefly sidelined earlier this year with a hamstring injury, however, Tudor may be wise to manage his minutes to prevent a similar issue in a vital run of games.
CB - Cristian Romero
Club captain and leader, Cristian Romero should be one of the first names on Tudor's team sheet throughout April and May. The Argentine is strong in the tackle, and incredibly reliable when he is able to keep a cool head.
Romero will need to toe the line incredibly carefully in the coming weeks, especially given how thin Spurs are across the board. With eight yellow cards and two reds to his name this season, neither he nor Tottenham can afford a silly sending off on the 27-year-old's part in their final seven games.
CB - Micky van de Ven
A burning beacon in an otherwise lacklustre team this season, Micky van de Ven has impressed in the heart of the Spurs defence with his blistering pace and quality game management. A touch on the inexperienced side at just 24, the Dutchman's best partner is undoubtedly Romero - making for an incredibly tough backline to break down when together.
LB - Djed Spence
Equally as impressive going forward as he is seated in the backline, Djed Spence offers Spurs an air of versatility in terms of transitional football. However, Tudor may have to be wary that the 24-year-old doesn't veer too far forward, allowing Spurs to be caught out on the counter.
CM - Archie Gray
One of the club's most consistently impressive players this season despite their poor run of form, Archie Gray has proven time and time again that he can hang with the best of the best in the Premier League at just 20. Speaking about the talent earlier this month, Tudor said: "He's playing continually in the right way, in a good way.
"It's a mix of quality, physically and mentally, to always make the right choices, be humble, and have the legs to do so."
CM - Rodrigo Bentancur
Another leader on the pitch for the Lilywhites, Rodrigo Bentancur also has to be starting each and every game for his club in the coming months. Largely thought of as a defensive-midfidler, the Uruguayan has learned to adapt to a more box-to-box role as of recent, and has come in clutch on occasion when most needed.
Currently sidelined with a thigh injury, it remains to be seen if the 28-year-old will be available for selection for next month's trip to Wearside.
CAM - Xavi Simons
With just one goal and four assists to his name this season, Xavi Simons has failed to make much of a mark in north London. That's not to say that the attacking-midfielder hasn't shown flashes of brilliance, however.
While a fully fit James Maddison would be the obvious choice here, the Englishman has not played in almost a year as a result of an ACL injury, and doesn't look likely to return before season's end.
RW - Mohammed Kudus
Mohammed Kudus has also been recovering from a thigh injury of his own as of recent, in a major blow to Spurs' attack. The 25-year-old has two goals and six assists to his name in a struggling side this season, despite playing for a total of just 773 Premier League minutes.
Should Kudus be fit to return against Sunderland, his selection is a no-brainer; his trickery and pace a headache for any defensive line.
LW - Mathys Tel
While he is far from a finished product at just 20, Mathys Tel has also shown signs of superstardom across the attacking line. When deployed side-by-side with Kudus, the Dutchman could certainly prove problematic against any opposition in the English top flight.
Tudor will have to hope the player is fit after the international break.
CF - Richarlison
While Dominic Solanke's three Premier League goals this season may have been good enough to earn him an England call-up under Thomas Tuchel, Richarlison is the obvious choice to lead the line for the Lilywhites. The Brazilian has managed three times as many goals as Solanke this season, and is a constant danger in and around the box.
Service for the 28-year-old could make all the difference.