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The Tottenham Hotspur Stadium is world-renowned for its dual-surface technology, allowing a grass football pitch to slide away to reveal a synthetic turf used for NFL games and concerts. However, according to Sky Sports, the club's new performance director, Dan Lewindon, is now investigating whether this engineering marvel is contributing to a spike in serious leg and ligament injuries. While independent testing has been carried out on the bounce and surface tension of the pitch, the results remain inconclusive, prompting further analysis to compare the surface against other Premier League grounds.

Concerns have been heightened by a series of high-profile injuries occurring specifically at home. Stars such as Dejan Kulusevski, Radu Dragusin, and Wilson Odobert have all suffered significant setbacks in N17. James Maddison also suffered a partial ACL tear during a home clash against Bodo/Glimt before later rupturing it completely. The review comes at a time when Real Madrid are facing similar scrutiny, with the Spanish giants also investigating a spate of ACL injuries following the installation of a retractable pitch at the renovated Santiago Bernabeu.

Beyond the turf, Lewindon’s three-month review has reportedly uncovered structural issues within the club's performance department. There is a growing belief within the hierarchy that a lack of integration and shared decision-making between medical and coaching staff has led to a cycle of injury reoccurrences. To combat this, Spurs plan to implement a "small-team approach," where specific physios are assigned to groups of just six players to ensure more personalised training designs and higher-quality physical preparation.

The constant revolving door in the dugout has also been cited as a contributing factor. With four different head coaches - Ange Postecoglou, Thomas Frank, Igor Tudor, and Roberto De Zerbi - leading the team in just a single year, the players have been subjected to wildly different training methods and tactical demands. This lack of continuity is believed to have increased the physical risk to the squad, as players struggled to adapt to the changing intensity levels required by each new regime.

The club have also had to defend its medical staff following criticism of how Xavi Simons' season-ending injury was handled. During a victory at Wolves, the midfielder was given ice spray and allowed to return to the field before eventually being stretchered off with a ruptured ACL. Despite fan backlash, the club stands by the decision. It is understood Lewindon was very satisfied with the medical team's handling of the situation. Simons wanted to continue at Molineux, and with an ACL test hard to perform at pitchside, the decision to allow him the opportunity to return to the game was deemed correct by the club.

Crucially, the club maintains that no further damage was caused by his brief return to the pitch. This incident was one of many during a nightmare debut period as Spurs also lost Cristian Romero and Destiny Udogie to serious injuries in De Zerbi's first three matches at the helm. The Italian coach is said to be pushing for a more robust support system, including the appointment of a team psychologist to improve communication across the performance and medical departments.

Maddison has been vocal about the need for a deep dive into the club's fitness records, saying: "Our situation with the injuries has been worse than any other club. People try and say, 'Oh, but we've got this and that'. But ours is astronomical, and we need to look at why that is. Sometimes it can just be unlucky, sometimes it can be a coincidence, like me doing my ACL or [Dejan] Kulusevski getting a horrendous knock off [Marc] Guehi. That's not the medical team, that's not the pitch or all the theories that you see, sometimes that's rubbish."

Despite his pragmatic view on some incidents, Maddison is convinced that the sheer volume of absences derailed the season as Spurs fought to avoid relegation. "We've been a bit unlucky," he added. "But like I said, the big names that we've missed, it does affect you and you can't just deny that. Myself, Kulusevski and [Mohammed] Kudus, and [Rodrigo] Bentancur missed three months and whatnot. If you had had them for the whole season, we wouldn't have been in this situation, I strongly believe. That's just not me being naive, that's just a fact. But it is the situation we find ourselves in, and I am just proud of the lads to dig deep today."

Gallagher endured a highly unstable transitional period after completing a £35 million transfer to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. The former Chelsea man was originally signed by Thomas Frank, but he managed just five appearances under the Dane before the manager was swiftly sacked. His successor, Igor Tudor, heavily restricted the midfielder's minutes, limiting him to a mere six appearances during a short, uninspiring tenure that left Gallagher short on match fitness and confidence.

The engine room operator candidly detailed the isolation and sporting rejection he experienced during the continuous disruptions. Revealing the emotional toll of peripheral status before a tactical shift, Gallagher told Sky Sports: "I’ve not really been able to speak to anyone in the last few months. It’s obviously been really tough times for me and the team and I’ve just been so focused on trying to improve to help the team as much as I can. I was low on confidence, the last manager wasn’t having me, the fans didn’t think I was any good."

Despite the intense alienation felt under Tudor's short stewardship, the midfielder focused heavily on his mental resilience to win back the disillusioned home support. He added: "I mentally dealt with that really well. I knew I could come back and show the fans what I can really do. Hopefully it’s only the start because I’ve got so much to give and looking forward to building an even better connection with our fans."

De Zerbi has completely transformed Gallagher's fortunes, showing absolute trust by starting him in every single match of his tenure so far. The Italian manager successfully deployed him in an advanced No.10 role across the last five games, perfectly offsetting creativity deficits caused by injuries to James Maddison and Xavi Simons. Having recently struck the decisive winner against Aston Villa, Gallagher enters the summer with the chance to recharge after not being selected in England's World Cup squad.

In an open letter highlighted by BBC Sport, the non-executive chairman admitted that the club had lost its way, leading to one of the most difficult campaigns in their modern history. The victory over the Toffees saved Spurs from their first drop to the second tier since 1977, sending London rivals West Ham down in their place.

Charrington, who joined the board in March 2025 following the departure of long-term chair¬Oman Daniel Levy, did not hold back in his assessment of the club's administrative failings. "The qualities that make Spurs distinct – our football, our ambition, the connection between the team and its supporters – had been allowed to fade. Football success had not been driving our decisions. We did not have the right expertise in key roles. We did not build squads good enough to compete in the most demanding league in the world," he wrote.

The "seismic" change Charrington referred to began last September when the Lewis family, who own the club, authorised a total reset of the sporting department. This overhaul saw Levy step down after nearly 25 years at the helm, a move intended to refocus the club on pitch performance rather than just commercial growth. However, Charrington admitted the change "came later than it should have," leaving the team in a perilous position for much of the season.

"Last September, we recognised that something seismic had to change at Spurs," Charrington explained. "The Lewis family stepped in and authorised a full reset. That decision was not taken lightly." Despite the upheaval, the club insists that the Lewis family remains "wholly committed" to the project, rejecting reports of a potential sale to American tech investors.

With Premier League status secured, the focus now shifts to a crucial summer transfer window where the club has promised to prioritise sporting merit above all else. Charrington outlined plans to restructure the entire football operation, including the medical and performance departments, as well as the academy and Martin Ho’s women’s team. The chairman remains adamant that the club is not for sale despite previous interest from a consortium led by Brooklyn Earick.

"This season fell well short of what Tottenham demands. We must be in the fight with the best teams in this league, every season, and we are rebuilding this club with that standard in mind," Charrington concluded in his address to the fans. "Even in the darkest of seasons, you showed up and carried this team. That loyalty is not something we take for granted. It is something we are determined to be worthy of."

Roberto De Zerbi, the club’s third manager of the season following the short-lived tenures of Thomas Frank and Igor Tudor, has been credited with sparking the late-season recovery. The Italian tactician signed a five-year deal in March and has quickly won over a dressing room that appeared fractured under previous leadership. Both James Maddison and Conor Gallagher have been vocal in their praise for the former Brighton boss.

Maddison stated: "Without that appointment, disaster could have maybe struck, but it didn't, and he takes a lot of credit for that because of the work he's done behind the scenes and on the training pitch." Gallagher echoed those sentiments, adding: "From the first day or two he had everyone under his wing. Everyone trusted him instantly and everything he was doing – it was like, thank God he's come in straight away."

Back-to-back 17th-placed finishes have been endured in north London. Ange Postecoglou helped to paper over a few cracks when delivering Europa League glory towards the end of his managerial tenure - as a 17-year wait for major silverware was brought to a close - but there has been little else to get excited about.

Thomas Frank and Igor Tudor passed through the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium without making any kind of positive impact, before former Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi was handed the reins and steadied the ship enough to steer a successful course to safety.

That battle went down to the final day, with Spurs left celebrating survival by the narrowest of margins as local rivals Arsenal hoisted the Premier League title aloft - highlighting the ever-widening gap between two old adversaries.

Efforts will be made over the coming weeks to awaken a sleeping giant from its slumber, but could a number of high-profile performers be offloaded while welcoming fresh faces on board? Plenty of movement is being predicted when another transfer market opens for business.

Dutch defender Micky van de Ven is among those to be generating exit talk, but ex-Spurs full-back Hutton - speaking exclusively to GOAL courtesy of casino zonder cruks - has told GOAL of the Liverpool-linked centre-half: “That's one guy that I think they have to keep, in my opinion.

“If they want to build and be stronger for next season, he's your captain in waiting because I think [Cristian] Romero will probably be off. So they need to keep these kind of guys to build around.

“If you did cash in on him and he goes to another Premier League team or whatever, you have to replace that guy and that's not going to be easy. So it's a difficult situation because these guys want to play at the highest level possible and it's going to probably take a number of windows, I feel, for Spurs to get back to that sort of level, but they have to keep the likes of Van de Ven if they want to do that.”

Pressed further on the Anfield rumours that have been raging around Van de Ven, Hutton added: “He'd be an outstanding signing. I really like him as a player. Strength, his running power, his speed, some of the goals that we've seen him score - I know it doesn't happen every week, but it's quite incredible.

“He's good with the ball, technically good. He literally ticks all the boxes. He should be playing with a Champions League team, in my opinion. So I think that's the number one priority, to try and keep hold of him.”

Spurs need to retain prized assets in order to become upwardly mobile once more. Having become stuck in a serious rut, questions have been asked of whether they can still consider themselves to be part of the Premier League elite.

Pressed on whether Tottenham are ‘Big Six’ material, Hutton said: “I don't think so, if I'm totally honest. I think you have to show that mentality of a squad that can go and compete regularly at the top end of the table and they've not done that. It's quite as simple as that.

“Probably if you look at the finances and money that's coming into the club, you'd say the business side of it has been run really well, but unfortunately that's not gone onto the pitch for them and they've really struggled. So at this moment in time, I don't see them as a ‘Big Six’ team.”

Tottenham managed to avoid the humiliation of relegation to the Championship by the skin of their teeth, securing a 1-0 victory over Everton on the final day to finish two points clear of 18th place West Ham. A goal from Joao Palhinha just before the interval was enough to seal three vital points and ensure Spurs' ever-present Premier League status remained intact, much to the relief of the home support.

De Zerbi is in no mood for long-term celebrations. Instead, the former Brighton boss has turned his attention to a ruthless rebuilding project, suggesting that the vast majority of the current squad is not fit for purpose if the club wants to avoid another season of misery.

Speaking in the immediate aftermath of the Everton win, De Zerbi was brutally honest about the lack of quality within his ranks. He made it clear that the current group is nowhere near the standard expected for a club of Tottenham’s stature and hinted that more than half of the dressing room could be shown the exit door this summer.

“From tonight, we have to start to organise and to build a new team,” De Zerbi told reporters. “I think we have now to change too many players. We have 10, 11, 12 players good enough to stay. Good enough. Like players. Especially like people. And then we have to complete the squad with the first level of players.”

The Italian is determined to ensure that the club never finds itself in a similar predicament again. Having spent the latter half of the season fighting a desperate battle at the bottom of the table, De Zerbi is calling on the board and the recruitment department to deliver "first level" signings that can transform the team back into a competitive force.

“First level of players because we suffered too much,” the manager continued. “I suffered a lot but I think the fans, the club, the board, the players, they suffered too much. We are Tottenham and we can't suffer like this until the last second of the last game to stay up. And I will be stronger. I will be stronger.”

While De Zerbi is leading the charge for change, he acknowledged that he cannot overhaul the football club in isolation. He highlighted the need for synchronisation between himself and the Spurs hierarchy to ensure the upcoming transfer window is a success and the "dream" squad is assembled before pre-season begins.

“I don't want to decide alone because football is a group - sporting director, scouting, CEO - but my target now is finished to stay up,” De Zerbi explained. “My target is to start the pre-season with the team I have in my dream.”

Tottenham managed to avoid the humiliation of relegation to the Championship by the skin of their teeth, securing a 1-0 victory over Everton on the final day to finish two points clear of 18th place West Ham. A goal from Joao Palhinha just before the interval was enough to seal three vital points and ensure Spurs' ever-present Premier League status remained intact, much to the relief of the home support.

De Zerbi is in no mood for long-term celebrations. Instead, the former Brighton boss has turned his attention to a ruthless rebuilding project, suggesting that the vast majority of the current squad is not fit for purpose if the club wants to avoid another season of misery.

Speaking in the immediate aftermath of the Everton win, De Zerbi was brutally honest about the lack of quality within his ranks. He made it clear that the current group is nowhere near the standard expected for a club of Tottenham’s stature and hinted that more than half of the dressing room could be shown the exit door this summer.

“From tonight, we have to start to organise and to build a new team,” De Zerbi told reporters. “I think we have now to change too many players. We have 10, 11, 12 players good enough to stay. Good enough. Like players. Especially like people. And then we have to complete the squad with the first level of players.”

The Italian is determined to ensure that the club never finds itself in a similar predicament again. Having spent the latter half of the season fighting a desperate battle at the bottom of the table, De Zerbi is calling on the board and the recruitment department to deliver "first level" signings that can transform the team back into a competitive force.

“First level of players because we suffered too much,” the manager continued. “I suffered a lot but I think the fans, the club, the board, the players, they suffered too much. We are Tottenham and we can't suffer like this until the last second of the last game to stay up. And I will be stronger. I will be stronger.”

While De Zerbi is leading the charge for change, he acknowledged that he cannot overhaul the football club in isolation. He highlighted the need for synchronisation between himself and the Spurs hierarchy to ensure the upcoming transfer window is a success and the "dream" squad is assembled before pre-season begins.

“I don't want to decide alone because football is a group - sporting director, scouting, CEO - but my target now is finished to stay up,” De Zerbi explained. “My target is to start the pre-season with the team I have in my dream.”

Tottenham secured their top-flight status on the final day of the season following a crucial 1-0 victory against Everton. The great escape was masterminded by De Zerbi, who saved the club from relegation after taking over a sinking ship. Spurs had only won seven matches from their first 31 fixtures. However, the Italian manager recorded three wins, two draws, and two defeats in his first seven games in charge to keep them up. Speaking to BBC's Match of the Day, Van de Ven, who was captaining the side in the absence of injured skipper Cristian Romero, did not hold back his anger regarding the situation.

Van de Ven stated: "It is unacceptable that the last game we played this season we play for relegation. This club has some unbelievable players. It was embarrassing to let it come to the final day, but we did it, and that is what is important."

He added: "To be honest, I was more emotional at the end of the final whistle. It has been a tough season for me personally as well. I played almost every game, and I have suffered a lot. The emotions are really happy, and we must not let it happen again."

Match-winner Joao Palhinha also shared his thoughts following a tumultuous campaign. The Portuguese midfielder reacted quickest to slot home a rebound off the post right before half-time. Palhinha highlighted the resilience shown by his team-mates under De Zerbi's leadership. Speaking to Sky Sports, he explained: "A lot of things happened this season but we showed today what we can do. After a bad season like this one, we showed up as a collective and had amazing support from the fans."

De Zerbi will hope to build his team around key figures like Van de Ven, whose contract expires on June 30, 2029. Despite collective struggles, the defender enjoyed a strong individual campaign, playing 45 matches across all competitions, including the Champions League. He registered seven goals and one assist in 3,943 minutes of action. The club will aim to overhaul the squad and ensure they never repeat this disastrous campaign.

Antonin Kinsky (6/10):

Had very little to do, but what he did do, he did competently. Fine save denied George in stoppage time.

Pedro Porro (6/10):

Got up and down the right-hand side and put in some dangerous crosses from set-pieces.

Kevin Danso (8/10):

Dominant up against Barry as he kept the Everton forward on a tight leash. Caused problems from set-pieces, though his finishing left a lot to be desired.

Micky van de Ven (7/10):

Made a couple of key interventions, the most notable of which was cutting out George's cross late on with Kinsky beaten.

Destiny Udogie (6/10):

Showed plenty of confidence as he unveiled a few flicks and tricks in his own territory. Solid outing at left-back.

Joao Palhinha (7/10):

Did plenty of good defensive work, even if he looked short of the quality required in possession. All that pales in comparison to his biggest contribution, as his stabbed effort just about crossed the line shortly before half-time.

Rodrigo Bentancur (7/10):

A steadying presence at the heart of midfield. Kept things simple while using the ball intelligently.

Conor Gallagher (7/10):

First touch remains an issue, but worked tirelessly in midfield. Fired wide early on when he perhaps could have done better.

Djed Spence (7/10):

Deployed higher up the pitch than usual, but used his pace well to get in behind. Dangerous cross almost found Richarlison in the first half.

Richarlison (7/10):

Didn't get a real sight of goal, but worked hard for his team and held the ball up effectively against his former side.

Mathys Tel (6/10):

Got O'Brien booked early on and looked a threat, but struggled to produce anything of note in the final third before going off for Sarr.

Pape Matar Sarr (5/10):

Most notable contribution was to pick up a yellow card for diving.

Randal Kolo Muani (5/10):

Left a little isolated after replacing Richarlison up front.

James Maddison (N/A):

Put himself about for the final 10 minutes.

Archie Gray (N/A):

Replaced Bentancur late on.

Radu Dragusin (N/A):

Thrown on in the final minute of normal time to shore things up.

Roberto De Zerbi (7/10):

Far from a perfect performance, but his side came out the traps quickly and got the result their performance just about deserved.

Antonin Kinsky (6/10):

Had very little to do, but what he did do, he did competently. Fine save denied George in stoppage time.

Pedro Porro (6/10):

Got up and down the right-hand side and put in some dangerous crosses from set-pieces.

Kevin Danso (8/10):

Dominant up against Barry as he kept the Everton forward on a tight leash. Caused problems from set-pieces, though his finishing left a lot to be desired.

Micky van de Ven (7/10):

Made a couple of key interventions, the most notable of which was cutting out George's cross late on with Kinsky beaten.

Destiny Udogie (6/10):

Showed plenty of confidence as he unveiled a few flicks and tricks in his own territory. Solid outing at left-back.

Joao Palhinha (7/10):

Did plenty of good defensive work, even if he looked short of the quality required in possession. All that pales in comparison to his biggest contribution, as his stabbed effort just about crossed the line shortly before half-time.

Rodrigo Bentancur (7/10):

A steadying presence at the heart of midfield. Kept things simple while using the ball intelligently.

Conor Gallagher (7/10):

First touch remains an issue, but worked tirelessly in midfield. Fired wide early on when he perhaps could have done better.

Djed Spence (7/10):

Deployed higher up the pitch than usual, but used his pace well to get in behind. Dangerous cross almost found Richarlison in the first half.

Richarlison (7/10):

Didn't get a real sight of goal, but worked hard for his team and held the ball up effectively against his former side.

Mathys Tel (6/10):

Got O'Brien booked early on and looked a threat, but struggled to produce anything of note in the final third before going off for Sarr.

Pape Matar Sarr (5/10):

Most notable contribution was to pick up a yellow card for diving.

Randal Kolo Muani (5/10):

Left a little isolated after replacing Richarlison up front.

James Maddison (N/A):

Put himself about for the final 10 minutes.

Archie Gray (N/A):

Replaced Bentancur late on.

Radu Dragusin (N/A):

Thrown on in the final minute of normal time to shore things up.

Roberto De Zerbi (7/10):

Far from a perfect performance, but his side came out the traps quickly and got the result their performance just about deserved.

The Argentine centre-back has landed back in England ahead of Sunday's crucial fixture against Everton, reversing his initial plan to remain in South America. Romero had previously travelled back to his homeland to continue his recovery from a knee injury, but his decision to attend a match involving his former side Belgrano while Tottenham faced the threat of the drop caused a massive stir in north London.

The timing of the visit sparked anger among several former Spurs figures, with the club locked in a relegation battle. Concerns also grew over Romero’s long-term future amid reports linking him with a potential summer move to Spain. Romero’s return comes before a defining weekend for Tottenham, who may need a three points against Everton to avoid relegation.

Former Tottenham midfielder and manager Hoddle delivered a fierce assessment of Romero’s actions after the footage from Argentina surfaced.

"I'd drive him to the airport and say don't bother coming back," Hoddle said, as quoted by Daily Mail. "It sums his selfishness up. He can't be a captain and act like that. If it was for his family or something like that then fine but if this is true that he's going back to watch a football match, then let him stay in Argentina and get as much money for him as possible."

Sheringham also criticised the defender’s absence, insisting Tottenham’s captain should have remained with the squad. He said: "The biggest game in the history of the club This is going to be one nervy game and when your captain is not there that does not set a good example for everyone. That is naughty, that is loose from whoever is letting him do what he wants to do."

"How does he even go about that? Is it ok if I go back to Argentina because my boyhood club are playing in an important game... What? Don't even ask the question! No! I need you alongside your teammates in the dressing room to give them some support. I can't believe he's asked the question, I can't believe he's been allowed to go. That sets a precedent that does."

Romero remains sidelined with the knee injury he suffered against Sunderland, but Tottenham hope his presence around the squad can provide a lift ahead of Sunday’s decisive fixture. Manager Roberto De Zerbi refused to discuss Romero’s future beyond this season when asked about speculation surrounding the defender.

"Sometimes, not all the leaders are the same," De Zerbi admitted. "Romero is preparing for the World Cup with an injury. For me, nothing changed. Then we have to think, everything is for the best future of Tottenham. He spoke with the medical staff. Together, they decided to go to Argentina to complete rehab with Argentinian medical staff."

"We spoke last week. With me, he has shown he wants to stay with us. I want to be clear, I am not stupid. If I understand that there is a player who thinks for himself before the club, I cannot be the same Roberto. With Romero, I can't say nothing. With me, in my time, he has been correct at the beginning until now."