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Per The Telegraph, In a move that highlights the severity of the crisis at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, the club has posted a job advertisement for a high-impact Performance Psychologist. The decision points to an acknowledgment from the board that tactical adjustments and physical conditioning alone are no longer sufficient to correct the team's downward trajectory.

Detailing the specific responsibilities, the club's advertisement states: “We are seeking an outstanding Performance Psychologist to join our Performance Team... Working as part of a multi-disciplinary team you will lead the delivery of evidence-based psychological support to elite professional players. The role encompasses individual player support, systemic work across the coaching and performance staff, and the ongoing development of a psychologically informed performance culture throughout the team.

“This role demands a practitioner who is credible, discreet, and highly effective in a Premier League environment, capable of building trust with players and coaches while operating with the professional rigor expected at the highest level of the game.”

The breaking point appeared to come during last weekend’s demoralising 2-2 draw with Brighton. After Xavi Simons had put Spurs ahead with a stunning goal, a stoppage-time equaliser from Georginio Rutter left the home side stunned. Simons was seen on the brink of tears at the final whistle, while several of his team-mates collapsed to the turf in despair. This inability to see out games has become a recurring theme in a season where confidence has evaporated.

New head coach Roberto De Zerbi has wasted no time in diagnosing the squad's lack of belief. While the Italian has tried to implement a more expansive style of play, he has been vocal about the need for a shift in mentality. Ahead of a critical trip to Molineux to face Wolves, the manager has warned his stars that there is no room for self-pity in a relegation scrap.

He said after the Brighton draw: "I'm proud for their performance - they have to be stronger and to be focused just on the Wolverhampton game, and to come to the training ground on Monday afternoon with a smile, because otherwise they go home immediately. I have no time to see the negative people, to see the sad players or sad assistants."

Despite the grim atmosphere and the fact that the club remains without a league win in 2026, De Zerbi is publicly projecting total confidence in his ability to steer the ship to safety. With Spurs sitting 18th and two points from safety, the Italian has made the claim that his side has the quality to produce a perfect finish to the campaign and avoid a historic drop to the Championship.

"We have another five games - it's tough, every one of us knows it's a tough moment, it's a difficult situation - but we have another five games, 15 points, and this team is able to win five games in a row," De Zerbi said. "Now it's difficult to hear my words, but if you watch the players, if you analyse the level of the players, I think we can win five games in a row. Not to be arrogant, because I'm not arrogant, especially now, but we have enough qualities to fight and to win games in a row."

Tottenham will aim to pick up the first of those wins against rock-bottom Wolves on Saturday.

The situation at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium is becoming increasingly desperate as the club continues to slide toward the Championship. New manager Roberto De Zerbi has been tasked with an emergency rescue operation, but results have yet to turn around for the Italian tactician since he replaced Igor Tudor.

Spurs are currently without a single league win in the calendar year of 2026, a statistic that underlines the magnitude of the task facing the former Brighton boss. Their most recent disappointment came in a 2-2 draw against De Zerbi's former club Brighton, where a late collapse saw them throw away two vital points in their bid for survival.

While many Arsenal supporters are currently enjoying the sight of Tottenham languishing in the relegation zone, Lauren has taken a different stance. The former Cameroon defender believes that the disappearance of the north London derby from the calendar would be a negative for the Gunners and the league as a whole.

“As an Arsenal fan there is a game we want to see every single season, and that is the north London derby against Tottenham,” Lauren told CasinoWizard. “It’s good to be playing your biggest rivals every season. I don’t think Tottenham going down would be good news for Arsenal fans or the Premier League in general. It’s good to play them and beat them and I want that to continue. Tottenham relegation would be a big shock to the Premier League but preferably, I would see them stay up and we take some points off them again next season.”

While Tottenham are looking over their shoulders at the bottom of the table, Arsenal are preoccupied with a tense title race at the summit. Mikel Arteta’s side currently hold a three-point lead over Manchester City, though Pep Guardiola’s men possess a crucial game in hand following their recent 2-1 victory over the Gunners at the Etihad Stadium.

Despite the mounting pressure on Mikel Arteta to deliver the club's first league title in over two decades, Lauren remains firm that the Spaniard is the right man for the job regardless of the outcome. “All the talk of Arteta being at risk and Arsenal winning no trophies needs to stop,” he added. “I don’t think that way, because I think Arsenal are going to win the Premier League. I’m positive, I am confident. Losing against Manchester City has not ended the race for the title. City weren’t better, they aren’t better, they just took their chances.”

With only five fixtures remaining in the Premier League season, the margin for error has evaporated for De Zerbi and Tottenham. The Italian has publicly challenged his squad to maintain a positive mindset, warning that he has no time for "negative people" as they prepare for a season-defining trip to Wolves.

Despite the grim reality of the table, De Zerbi remains defiant about his team's ability to escape the drop. "We have another five games - it's tough, every one of us knows it's a tough moment, it's a difficult situation - but we have another five games, 15 points, and this team is able to win five games in a row," the manager asserted.

This heavy investment has assembled one of the world’s most expensive squads. According to Transfermarkt, Tottenham’s players are currently valued at a combined €803m, placing the club ninth among global outfits; only Bayern Munich, at €969m, sits ahead of the Spurs in Europe.

Nevertheless, the club now faces relegation from the Premier League. According to Transfermarkt, the most valuable side ever to drop out of the top flight was Leicester City in 2022/23, though their squad was valued at just £444m—less than half of Tottenham’s current total. The Foxes’ own trajectory has since carried them from a 2016 title win down to the third tier.

With five matchdays left, Spurs are two points adrift of the safety of 17th place, currently held by West Ham United. That deficit feels significant—a considerable distance to make up. Their last Premier League win came on 28 December, a 1–0 victory over Crystal Palace, since when they have gone 15 matches without victory and seen two managerial changes.

Danish boss Thomas Frank was sacked in February; his Croatian successor, Igor Tudor, lasted just 44 days before making way for Italian Roberto De Zerbi. In his second match, a 2–2 draw with Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday, De Zerbi appeared poised to end the drought. However, Austrian defender Kevin Danso’s costly stoppage-time error gifted the Seagulls an equaliser. Danso then endured a racist backlash on social media, prompting the club to issue a statement condemning the abuse.

Should they fail to beat Wolves this Saturday—making it 16 matches without a win—Spurs will match a 91-year-old club record last set in 1935. Next up are already-relegated Wolves, the weakest of the remaining opponents. After that, Spurs face Chelsea, Aston Villa, Leeds United and, on the final matchday, Everton.

“This team can win five games in a row,” insists manager De Zerbi, who is trying to boost morale with an edict to stay upbeat. “They have to come to training with a smile, otherwise they can go straight home,” says De Zerbi. “I have no time for negative people, sad players or assistant coaches. I don’t like people who whinge and think negatively.”

Although Tottenham are not among England’s most decorated clubs, they have long been part of the national elite. The Spurs won the league title in 1951 and 1961; as one of only six founding members of the Premier League, which began in 1992, they have never been relegated; over the past 13 years, they have finished in the top six on ten occasions; in 2017 they were runners-up, reached the Champions League final in 2019, and last May won the Europa League, their fourth European trophy and their first title since 2008.

Despite this success, manager Ange Postecoglou was sacked after a poor domestic campaign saw the club slip as low as 17th, with European glory becoming the sole priority. A fresh transfer splurge preceded a promising start under Frank, and by mid-October the side sat third in the Premier League.

Daniel Levy’s surprise exit in September further energised the support, and he was succeeded by the relatively unknown Peter Charrington and Vinai Venkatesham. As autumn wore on, domestic form slipped, yet the club remained competitive in the Champions League. In January they comfortably beat Borussia Dortmund and Eintracht Frankfurt to finish fourth in their group.

They were then eliminated by Atlético Madrid in the round of 16. The tie is remembered mainly for Tudor’s curious handling of Antonin Kinsky: in the first leg, the then manager surprisingly picked his nominal second-choice goalkeeper to start, but hauled him off after just 17 minutes with the score at 0–3 following glaring errors.

On the one hand, there was an excellent start to the season and impressive results in the Champions League group stage. On the other, there has been a historic slump in the Premier League since the turn of the year. Logically, it is hard to explain how these two performances coexist. However, underlying problems are clear.

Years of frequent managerial changes have left the squad expensive yet piecemeal, lacking clear structure or hierarchy. Long-serving captain Heung-Min Son departed last summer, leaving a vacuum in leadership that has undermined team stability and resilience. In their past 32 league matches when falling behind, Spurs have failed to earn a single win.

Injuries have only deepened the crisis: Daniel Kulusevski and James Maddison, two of the club’s best players, have yet to feature this season, while Lucas Bergvall and Dominic Solanke spent months on the sidelines. Mohammed Kudus has been out since early January, and captain Cristian Romero is likely ruled out for the campaign.

Several new signings failed to live up to expectations, including former Bayern Munich duo Joao Palhinha and Mathys Tel. Palhinha, currently on loan, began brightly with a spectacular bicycle-kick goal, yet Tottenham will not activate his €30 million buy option, meaning he will return to Bayern in the summer. From a financial perspective, the German record champions are therefore suffering alongside the Spurs; on a personal level, Harry Kane is also likely to be deeply affected by his long-standing club’s relegation.

Xavi Simons also failed to live up to his potential overall, though he did manage to score two points in the 2-2 draw against Brighton at the weekend. Sporting director Max Eberl, sporting director Christoph Freund and manager Vincent Kompany were desperate to bring Simons to FC Bayern last summer. Club president Uli Hoeneß refused to release the funds, offering only a figurative slice of apple pie as consolation. Tottenham then pounced, making Simons their record signing for €65 million—another costly investment that has yet to pay off.

This heavy investment has assembled one of the world’s most expensive squads. According to Transfermarkt, Tottenham’s players are currently valued at a combined €803m, placing the club ninth among global outfits; only Bayern Munich, at €969m, sits ahead of the Spurs in Europe.

Nevertheless, the club now faces relegation from the Premier League. According to Transfermarkt, the most valuable side ever to drop out of the top flight was Leicester City in 2022/23, though their squad was valued at just £444m—less than half of Tottenham’s current total. The Foxes’ own trajectory has since carried them from a 2016 title win down to the third tier.

With five matchdays left, Spurs are two points adrift of the safety of 17th place, currently held by West Ham United. That deficit feels significant—a considerable distance to make up. Their last Premier League win came on 28 December, a 1–0 victory over Crystal Palace, since when they have gone 15 matches without victory and seen two managerial changes.

Danish boss Thomas Frank was sacked in February; his Croatian successor, Igor Tudor, lasted just 44 days before making way for Italian Roberto De Zerbi. In his second match, a 2–2 draw with Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday, De Zerbi appeared poised to end the drought. However, Austrian defender Kevin Danso’s costly stoppage-time error gifted the Seagulls an equaliser. Danso then endured a racist backlash on social media, prompting the club to issue a statement condemning the abuse.

Should they fail to beat Wolves this Saturday—making it 16 matches without a win—Spurs will match a 91-year-old club record last set in 1935. Next up are already-relegated Wolves, the weakest of the remaining opponents. After that, Spurs face Chelsea, Aston Villa, Leeds United and, on the final matchday, Everton.

“This team can win five games in a row,” insists manager De Zerbi, who is trying to boost morale with an edict to stay upbeat. “They have to come to training with a smile, otherwise they can go straight home,” says De Zerbi. “I have no time for negative people, sad players or assistant coaches. I don’t like people who whinge and think negatively.”

Although Tottenham are not among England’s most decorated clubs, they have long been part of the national elite. The Spurs won the league title in 1951 and 1961; as one of only six founding members of the Premier League, which began in 1992, they have never been relegated; over the past 13 years, they have finished in the top six on ten occasions; in 2017 they were runners-up, reached the Champions League final in 2019, and last May won the Europa League, their fourth European trophy and their first title since 2008.

Despite this success, manager Ange Postecoglou was sacked after a poor domestic campaign saw the club slip as low as 17th, with European glory becoming the sole priority. A fresh transfer splurge preceded a promising start under Frank, and by mid-October the side sat third in the Premier League.

Daniel Levy’s surprise exit in September further energised the support, and he was succeeded by the relatively unknown Peter Charrington and Vinai Venkatesham. As autumn wore on, domestic form slipped, yet the club remained competitive in the Champions League. In January they comfortably beat Borussia Dortmund and Eintracht Frankfurt to finish fourth in their group.

They were then eliminated by Atlético Madrid in the round of 16. The tie is remembered mainly for Tudor’s curious handling of Antonin Kinsky: in the first leg, the then manager surprisingly picked his nominal second-choice goalkeeper to start, but hauled him off after just 17 minutes with the score at 0–3 following glaring errors.

On the one hand, there was an excellent start to the season and impressive results in the Champions League group stage. On the other, there has been a historic slump in the Premier League since the turn of the year. Logically, it is hard to explain how these two performances coexist. However, underlying problems are clear.

Years of frequent managerial changes have left the squad expensive yet piecemeal, lacking clear structure or hierarchy. Long-serving captain Heung-Min Son departed last summer, leaving a vacuum in leadership that has undermined team stability and resilience. In their past 32 league matches when falling behind, Spurs have failed to earn a single win.

Injuries have only deepened the crisis: Daniel Kulusevski and James Maddison, two of the club’s best players, have yet to feature this season, while Lucas Bergvall and Dominic Solanke spent months on the sidelines. Mohammed Kudus has been out since early January, and captain Cristian Romero is likely ruled out for the campaign.

Several new signings failed to live up to expectations, including former Bayern Munich duo Joao Palhinha and Mathys Tel. Palhinha, currently on loan, began brightly with a spectacular bicycle-kick goal, yet Tottenham will not activate his €30 million buy option, meaning he will return to Bayern in the summer. From a financial perspective, the German record champions are therefore suffering alongside the Spurs; on a personal level, Harry Kane is also likely to be deeply affected by his long-standing club’s relegation.

Xavi Simons also failed to live up to his potential overall, though he did manage to score two points in the 2-2 draw against Brighton at the weekend. Sporting director Max Eberl, sporting director Christoph Freund and manager Vincent Kompany were desperate to bring Simons to FC Bayern last summer. Club president Uli Hoeneß refused to release the funds, offering only a figurative slice of apple pie as consolation. Tottenham then pounced, making Simons their record signing for €65 million—another costly investment that has yet to pay off.

Some 12 months ago, Ange Postecoglou was guiding supposed members of the fabled ‘Big Six’ towards their lowest finish in the Premier League era. Some cracks were papered over there by a Europa League triumph that brought a 17-year wait for major silverware to a close.

Change in the dugout was made regardless last summer, with Thomas Frank inheriting managerial reins. He lasted just eight months, while interim successor Igor Tudor was moved on after only seven games at the helm - with no league victories being savoured during his ill-fated tenure.

Roberto De Zerbi is the latest to answer Spurs’ SOS call, but the former Brighton boss is finding out the hard way - amid mounting injury problems - that the mission at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium may be so impossible that even Tom Cruise would be destined to fail.

A morale-sapping winless run has been extended to 15 games - with 2026 yet to deliver any cause for celebration - and a two-point gap needs to be bridged in order to clamber out of the drop zone and avoid tumbling into the Championship.

How did Spurs allow such a dramatic fall from grace to come about and who is responsible? When those questions were put to M’Poku - who once lined up in the club’s academy system alongside the likes of Harry Kane - the ex-DR Congo international - who is now turning out for Yanited in Baller League UK - told GOAL: “I think everyone has to take his own responsibility. From the outside, we don't even know who to blame.

“I think Daniel Levy did a great job until now and in terms of business, the club is probably the most profitable club and stable club financially. I think in terms of football, Spurs never really had a vision or methodology.

“Because now, what I've seen for the last few years, every manager comes with their idea and then we play their idea, then they're gone, and then another guy comes, another guy goes. I think there's not really been a real strategy and methodology of football like Arsenal, Ajax, Liverpool.”

Domestic and continental rivals have been able to find the kind of stability that Spurs now crave, with there the very real threat that things will get considerably worse - with a mass exodus of top talent on the cards - before they start to get any better.

If relegation were to be endured, then Tottenham - even with parachute payments and deep pockets being factored into the equation - may find it difficult to yo-yo straight out of the second tier.

The Championship is a notoriously competitive division, with everybody capable of anybody on their day, and the 2026-27 campaign is likely to include some big spending from Wrexham - under the guidance of Hollywood co-owners Ryan Reynolds, Rob Mac - and a Birmingham City board that boasts NFL legend Tom Brady within its ranks.

When it was put to M’Poku that Spurs could find themselves stuck in a rut and unable to clamber back into the big time, the 34-year-old - who also spent time in Belgium, Greece, Italy, Abu Dhabi and Turkey during his playing career - added: “I don't think they will get stuck and I don't think they will go down. I hope so.”

Tottenham’s next opportunity to start building momentum and put a dramatic clamber away from danger in motion will come when taking in a trip to rock-bottom Wolves on Saturday - in what has quickly become a must-win encounter.

M’Poku will be among those watching on from afar before readying himself for a return to action at the Copper Box Arena - as Yanited seek to shake a demoralising defeat of their own (8-1 to the Prime FC team managed by KSI) from the system.

Baller League Season Three is available to watch live on www.youtube.com/@BallerLeagueUK

Some 12 months ago, Ange Postecoglou was guiding supposed members of the fabled ‘Big Six’ towards their lowest finish in the Premier League era. Some cracks were papered over there by a Europa League triumph that brought a 17-year wait for major silverware to a close.

Change in the dugout was made regardless last summer, with Thomas Frank inheriting managerial reins. He lasted just eight months, while interim successor Igor Tudor was moved on after only seven games at the helm - with no league victories being savoured during his ill-fated tenure.

Roberto De Zerbi is the latest to answer Spurs’ SOS call, but the former Brighton boss is finding out the hard way - amid mounting injury problems - that the mission at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium may be so impossible that even Tom Cruise would be destined to fail.

A morale-sapping winless run has been extended to 15 games - with 2026 yet to deliver any cause for celebration - and a two-point gap needs to be bridged in order to clamber out of the drop zone and avoid tumbling into the Championship.

How did Spurs allow such a dramatic fall from grace to come about and who is responsible? When those questions were put to M’Poku - who once lined up in the club’s academy system alongside the likes of Harry Kane - the ex-DR Congo international - who is now turning out for Yanited in Baller League UK - told GOAL: “I think everyone has to take his own responsibility. From the outside, we don't even know who to blame.

“I think Daniel Levy did a great job until now and in terms of business, the club is probably the most profitable club and stable club financially. I think in terms of football, Spurs never really had a vision or methodology.

“Because now, what I've seen for the last few years, every manager comes with their idea and then we play their idea, then they're gone, and then another guy comes, another guy goes. I think there's not really been a real strategy and methodology of football like Arsenal, Ajax, Liverpool.”

Domestic and continental rivals have been able to find the kind of stability that Spurs now crave, with there the very real threat that things will get considerably worse - with a mass exodus of top talent on the cards - before they start to get any better.

If relegation were to be endured, then Tottenham - even with parachute payments and deep pockets being factored into the equation - may find it difficult to yo-yo straight out of the second tier.

The Championship is a notoriously competitive division, with everybody capable of anybody on their day, and the 2026-27 campaign is likely to include some big spending from Wrexham - under the guidance of Hollywood co-owners Ryan Reynolds, Rob Mac - and a Birmingham City board that boasts NFL legend Tom Brady within its ranks.

When it was put to M’Poku that Spurs could find themselves stuck in a rut and unable to clamber back into the big time, the 34-year-old - who also spent time in Belgium, Greece, Italy, Abu Dhabi and Turkey during his playing career - added: “I don't think they will get stuck and I don't think they will go down. I hope so.”

Tottenham’s next opportunity to start building momentum and put a dramatic clamber away from danger in motion will come when taking in a trip to rock-bottom Wolves on Saturday - in what has quickly become a must-win encounter.

M’Poku will be among those watching on from afar before readying himself for a return to action at the Copper Box Arena - as Yanited seek to shake a demoralising defeat of their own (8-1 to the Prime FC team managed by KSI) from the system.

Baller League Season Three is available to watch live on www.youtube.com/@BallerLeagueUK

Tottenham have released a scathing statement after Danso was targeted with "dehumanising" racism following Saturday’s 2-2 draw with Brighton. The Austrian defender found himself the victim of a social media onslaught after his late error allowed Georginio Rutter to equalise for the visitors, a result that leaves Spurs stuck in the Premier League relegation zone.

The club statement read: "Since yesterday's fixture against Brighton, which took place during the Premier League's No Room For Racism weekend, Kevin Danso has been, and continues to be, subject to significant and abhorrent racist abuse on social media. We have heard and seen vile, dehumanising racism. Behaviour that is without doubt a criminal offence. It will not be tolerated."

The north London club confirmed they are not taking the matter lightly and have already contacted the Metropolitan Police to track down those responsible. Spurs have also reached out to international authorities and the social media platforms themselves to ensure the perpetrators are identified and punished for their actions.

"The club is taking immediate action. We are reporting all identified content to the Metropolitan Police and to the appropriate authorities in the country where perpetrators reside, as well as to relevant social media platforms. We will push for the strongest possible action against each and every person we identify. Kevin has our complete and unconditional support as a player and as a person. No one at this club will ever stand alone in the face of this," the club continued.

Danso took to his own social media channels to address the situation with poise. The defender admitted the result on the pitch was disappointing but insisted that the hate he received would not break his focus as the club battles against a potential drop to the Championship.

Writing in a post on Instagram, Danso said: "Not the result we needed yesterday. We gave everything, we learn and we move. I've also seen the comments. The racist abuse has no place in this game or anywhere. But it doesn't define me, and it won't distract me from what is important. I know who I am, what I stand for, and why I play. Now it's about staying focused, working harder, and coming back stronger for the next games. We keep pushing, we keep believing, and we give our all every single time we step on that pitch. Stronger. Together. On to the next."

Tottenham reinforced their message by stating that a player's performance or the team's league position is never an excuse for discrimination. They highlighted their previous success in securing criminal convictions for those who abuse their staff or players, warning that fans could face lifetime bans or even prison time.

"Nothing about form or league position can ever excuse or explain racist abuse. There is no connection between performance on the pitch and the right to target a player with discrimination. Criticism of performances is part of the game. Racism is not," the statement concluded. They added that abusers could face "custodial sentences, football banning orders, criminal records, fines, community orders or police-mandated educational programmes."

Spurs’ head coach insists a mindset shift is vital to escape the bottom three after a late 2-2 draw with Brighton left them a point off safety. The pressure is mounting as rivals West Ham and Nottingham Forest could widen the gap to four and five points respectively with wins this weekend. Despite improved performances, these results keep Tottenham firmly in the relegation dogfight."

"I am sorry for the result, for the players because they are suffering too much," De Zerbi told Sky Sports. "Today we deserved to win the game against one great Brighton. A big congratulations for their style, their level of players and everything. We couldn't concede that goal from Rutter. I said to be strong, to follow me again and again because I want to help them. They can change the mentality because that is the most important part. Now it's too easy to think negative, but we have to be focused on this performance and work to find the condition to win again."

Despite a dismal 15-match winless run dating back to December, De Zerbi remains optimistic about survival after his side’s gritty display against Brighton. The Italian praised his players for going toe-to-toe with the European-chasing Seagulls, seeing enough 'fight' to believe they can still avoid the drop.

"I am positive but I am proud of my players. They played a fantastic game with character and spirit," De Zerbi added. "We have to be stronger than this result, we have to move on and prepare the next game and try to win the game at Wolves. If you are strong like today, I think we can compete again. Today, I saw signs, I saw blood, character, qualities, organisation with and without the ball. Everything to reach our target."

Ahead of a daunting trip to Molineux to face Wolves, De Zerbi demanded a strict winning mentality from his squad. The fixture is critical for bottom-placed Wolves, who were spared immediate relegation by Spurs' draw with Brighton but will fall into the Championship for the first time since 2018 if West Ham avoid defeat against Palace. With survival on the line for their opponents, De Zerbi is leaving no room for complacency.

"We have to improve a lot of things. The crucial part is to keep this mentality and I told the players to come on Monday afternoon with the same behaviour they showed today. I don't want to work with sad people, with negative people. They have to believe in myself. If I am here, it's because I am positive to stay in the Premier League next season. I am positive because I know my players, I know their qualities. I know them like people and I believe in them," the manager concluded.

Despite sitting 18th, the electric atmosphere during De Zerbi’s home debut was a standout for the manager. In a back-and-forth thriller, goals from Pedro Porro and Xavi Simons twice put Spurs ahead, but Brighton responded through Kaoru Mitoma and a late Georginio Rutter equalizer. Though the draw denied Spurs a move to 16th, the fans' passionate support mirrored a top-four clash rather than a relegation battle.

"I know we are fighting to stay in the Premier League. A very difficult moment. But we are lucky, every one of us to work in this club with these fans because it was an incredible atmosphere today," De Zerbi remarked. "You would think we are fighting for Champions League, not relegation. Until the end we will fight in every game and give our best. If we are able to give our best, it's not finished yet."

Spurs’ head coach insists a mindset shift is vital to escape the bottom three after a late 2-2 draw with Brighton left them a point off safety. The pressure is mounting as rivals West Ham and Nottingham Forest could widen the gap to four and five points respectively with wins this weekend. Despite improved performances, these results keep Tottenham firmly in the relegation dogfight."

"I am sorry for the result, for the players because they are suffering too much," De Zerbi told Sky Sports. "Today we deserved to win the game against one great Brighton. A big congratulations for their style, their level of players and everything. We couldn't concede that goal from Rutter. I said to be strong, to follow me again and again because I want to help them. They can change the mentality because that is the most important part. Now it's too easy to think negative, but we have to be focused on this performance and work to find the condition to win again."

Despite a dismal 15-match winless run dating back to December, De Zerbi remains optimistic about survival after his side’s gritty display against Brighton. The Italian praised his players for going toe-to-toe with the European-chasing Seagulls, seeing enough 'fight' to believe they can still avoid the drop.

"I am positive but I am proud of my players. They played a fantastic game with character and spirit," De Zerbi added. "We have to be stronger than this result, we have to move on and prepare the next game and try to win the game at Wolves. If you are strong like today, I think we can compete again. Today, I saw signs, I saw blood, character, qualities, organisation with and without the ball. Everything to reach our target."

Ahead of a daunting trip to Molineux to face Wolves, De Zerbi demanded a strict winning mentality from his squad. The fixture is critical for bottom-placed Wolves, who were spared immediate relegation by Spurs' draw with Brighton but will fall into the Championship for the first time since 2018 if West Ham avoid defeat against Palace. With survival on the line for their opponents, De Zerbi is leaving no room for complacency.

"We have to improve a lot of things. The crucial part is to keep this mentality and I told the players to come on Monday afternoon with the same behaviour they showed today. I don't want to work with sad people, with negative people. They have to believe in myself. If I am here, it's because I am positive to stay in the Premier League next season. I am positive because I know my players, I know their qualities. I know them like people and I believe in them," the manager concluded.

Despite sitting 18th, the electric atmosphere during De Zerbi’s home debut was a standout for the manager. In a back-and-forth thriller, goals from Pedro Porro and Xavi Simons twice put Spurs ahead, but Brighton responded through Kaoru Mitoma and a late Georginio Rutter equalizer. Though the draw denied Spurs a move to 16th, the fans' passionate support mirrored a top-four clash rather than a relegation battle.

"I know we are fighting to stay in the Premier League. A very difficult moment. But we are lucky, every one of us to work in this club with these fans because it was an incredible atmosphere today," De Zerbi remarked. "You would think we are fighting for Champions League, not relegation. Until the end we will fight in every game and give our best. If we are able to give our best, it's not finished yet."

Despite the recent appointment of Roberto De Zerbi to steady the ship, a debut defeat against Sunderland has left the side languishing in the bottom three with only six games remaining in the Premier League season. As the threat of the Championship looms, speculation regarding the futures of their top talent is beginning to intensify. It is expected that a mass exodus would occur should Spurs fail to secure their top-flight status, with several first-team stars likely to be the subject of cut-price offers from domestic and European rivals.

Speaking on Rio Ferdinand Presents, the former England captain was asked which members of the current Spurs squad he would like to see move to Old Trafford. Initially hesitant due to the club's current form, he eventually singled out two specific names for the Man Utd hierarchy to consider. Ferdinand stated: "None right now, no. Can’t think of any that I’d take, especially the way they’re playing now. [Micky] Van de Ven, maybe. Van de Ven and Djed Spence, actually. Djed Spence."

Ferdinand is not the only former United star suggesting a move for the Netherlands international defender. Louis Saha has also thrown his weight behind a potential deal for the pacy centre-back, believing he represents the level of quality required to turn United into genuine contenders again. Saha explained his reasoning for the transfer, saying: "We have players in attacking areas and on the wings, defensively we have a lot of options, but Micky van de Ven would be an exciting addition if he is available. He is the calibre of player that can help United to the next level."

Whether United act on these recommendations remains to be seen, but the outcome of Tottenham's relegation battle will undoubtedly dictate the pace of the upcoming transfer window. For now, Spurs must find a way to navigate their remaining fixtures or risk losing their biggest assets to their traditional 'Big Six' rivals.