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Tottenham head coach De Zerbi has admitted that his side is currently overwhelmed by internal issues as they battle to stay in the Premier League. Languishing in the bottom three, Spurs remain the only top-flight team without a win in 2026, a run that has left them two points adrift of safety with just six games remaining.

While relegation rivals West Ham face a tough challenge against Crystal Palace, who are riding high after qualifying for the Europa Conference League semi-finals after defeating Fiorentina, De Zerbi insisted his squad must look no further than themselves. The Italian coach is desperate to end a 2026 winless league run that has seen the North London club drop to 18th place and slip behind the Hammers.

Addressing the contrast between Spurs' struggles, De Zerbi remained steadfast in his inward-looking approach. The manager was quick to shut down questions regarding other teams’ social plans, with Palace players having celebrated with fans after their historic aggregate triumph over Fiorentina, or momentum shifts in the relegation zone.

"Listen, I am not used to thinking about too many other problems," De Zerbi admitted, as quoted by Football London. "We are full of problems but we are able to win tomorrow, for sure. The focus is on the win tomorrow and then we go to see the Crystal Palace games and all other results. We can’t lose time thinking about other teams if we are not able to win a game since 2025."

Beyond the team's structural issues, De Zerbi has singled out Xavi Simons for individual improvement. The Dutchman, who arrived in North London with high expectations last summer, has struggled for consistency during a difficult debut campaign in the Premier League.

De Zerbi outlined a simplified set of instructions for the 22-year-old as he looks to reintegrate him into the starting line-up. The manager said: "He has to score, he has to make assists and to run without the ball. Stop. It’s enough!"

De Zerbi is now under pressure as they must win this weekend when they face his former club, Brighton. Following a listless 1-0 defeat to Sunderland in his debut match, the Italian must find a way to navigate a squad currently plagued by injuries to key personnel like Cristian Romero.

With West Ham finding form under the pressure, the margin for error has vanished. Spurs face a season-defining run that includes Aston Villa, Leeds United and Chelsea; failures in these fixtures would all but confirm their first relegation from the top flight since 1978.

Alderweireld told ESPN of his true thoughts on the crisis engulfing north London. With Tottenham sitting dangerously in 18th place on 30 points, two points behind 17th-placed West Ham, the Belgian did not hold back.

He questioned the squad's calibre. "I think you also need to start looking at pure quality. What do big players do? What do quality players do? That is to be decisive at important moments, achieve your level ... And that has not been happening all season. Players who were acquired for a lot of money but who nevertheless don't deliver and not in just one or two matches or a period, but throughout the whole season. You just have to conclude that they are not good enough in terms of quality."

Spurs have desperately cycled through managers to halt their slide, with Roberto De Zerbi recently arriving as the third boss of the campaign after Thomas Frank and Igor Tudor. However, the former centre-back believes the dressing room must face the music rather than hiding behind the dugout.

"Now you notice that the coach isn't the problem, it's really purely the squad," Alderweireld said. "The quality in the squad, the responsibilities of the players. You could always put another coach in charge, but you notice that they just don't deliver what they need to deliver. And that is ultimately just quality."

The former Belgium international was particularly stunned by the underperforming defensive partnership of Romero and Van de Ven. As a key figure in the club's past Champions League runs, he knows what it takes to succeed.

"I look at Romero, I look at Van de Ven... They just aren't reaching their level," he said. "Again, not for a period, but actually for an entire season. Then I also look at Romero who gets red cards too often, doesn't make the right decisions and therefore lets his team down."

Tottenham have been rocked by the news of Romero’s premature end to the season following a 1-0 defeat to Sunderland last weekend. The Argentine centre-back left the pitch in tears after a heavy collision with goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky. Addressing the media on Friday, De Zerbi confirmed the worst-case scenario.

"Romero, I’m really sorry for him, for his injury. Romero, first of all, loves Tottenham, and the people have to know he is suffering for this injury," De Zerbi said. "He is suffering because he can’t play anymore for us this season, but he is a great captain for us, for Tottenham."

Without their permanent leader, the club have a crucial decision to make regarding the armband. However, the Italian head coach is demanding a collective response rather than relying on one individual. He wants the entire dressing room to demonstrate resilience during this turbulent period.

"I didn't decide yet because I have had other, more important problems to find a solution," De Zerbi continued. "But I would like all players to be a captain, especially in this moment, it's not important if you play in the first eleven, if you play 30 minutes or 90 minutes or you can't play, we have to feel the responsibility of this situation. And we can't cry, otherwise we have to push and be stronger to come out of this situation because we are able to do that."

Micky van de Ven is the natural vice-captain, but his previous stint with the armband yielded a red card and four consecutive defeats where the team conceded 11 goals. De Zerbi wants more from the Dutchman and others like James Maddison, who is returning from an ACL injury.

"To be a stronger team we need many, many leaders, for sure Maddison is different. Maddison is a top player on the pitch with the ball, but also as a personality, as a character, as a mentality on the pitch, but I would like to reach this level for Micky van de Ven," the manager explained. "For example, [Rodrigo] Bentancur is a leader, [Joao] Palhinha is another leader, I would like to push with [Dominic] Solanke, because Solanke is one of the best strikers in the Premier League, and I want him stronger as a personality, as a character on the pitch.

"But also Xavi Simons is very young, but he's a leader with the ball because he has personality, he has the right character to receive the ball when the ball is hot, because it's not so easy playing this moment for us, but we need players with personality and character, otherwise they don't play with me."

According to BBSportNews, football finance expert Professor Rob Wilson has warned that Tottenham face an unprecedented financial crisis if relegated. The club would experience an immediate and severe reduction in their broadcasting and commercial income. Detailing the exact financial damage, Wilson explained: “In terms of revenue, you’re looking at an initial swing of around £250 million. That’s on the basis for Spurs and a full Premier League cycle down to Championship level income. That factors in broadcast revenue, commercial revenue and matchday reductions albeit they’ll be playing a few more games in the Championship.

“That headline number doesn’t all land at once because you’ve got parachute payments, those payments will give the club an additional payback of around £45m in year one. This is designed to soften the impact for them.”

To survive this potential revenue collapse, the club have to drastically restructure their outgoings, specifically regarding player salaries. Most current contracts likely include relegation clauses, which typically reduce wages by up to 50 per cent. However, this alone will not be enough to balance the books. Wilson highlighted the brutal reality of adapting to the Championship, stating: “That’s a fairly standard and quite a meaningful reset on a wage bill that’s been running into nine-figures annually but the reality is you need to cut your wage bill by about 75 per cent if you’re going to slot into Championship revenue.”

The threat of this financial ruin is imminent, with Spurs currently languishing in 18th place on 30 points after 32 matches. They sit two points behind West Ham United in 17th, while Nottingham Forest and Leeds United are slightly ahead on 33 and 36 points respectively. If they fail to bridge this gap, a mass player exodus is inevitable. Elite European teams are ready to capitalise on their misfortune. Wilson warned: “You’ll see clubs circle like vultures around Spurs given the massive drop off in revenue they’ll get. The likes of Archie Gray and Cristian Romero, you can be sure that they will move.”

According to BBSportNews, football finance expert Professor Rob Wilson has warned that Tottenham face an unprecedented financial crisis if relegated. The club would experience an immediate and severe reduction in their broadcasting and commercial income. Detailing the exact financial damage, Wilson explained: “In terms of revenue, you’re looking at an initial swing of around £250 million. That’s on the basis for Spurs and a full Premier League cycle down to Championship level income. That factors in broadcast revenue, commercial revenue and matchday reductions albeit they’ll be playing a few more games in the Championship.

“That headline number doesn’t all land at once because you’ve got parachute payments, those payments will give the club an additional payback of around £45m in year one. This is designed to soften the impact for them.”

To survive this potential revenue collapse, the club have to drastically restructure their outgoings, specifically regarding player salaries. Most current contracts likely include relegation clauses, which typically reduce wages by up to 50 per cent. However, this alone will not be enough to balance the books. Wilson highlighted the brutal reality of adapting to the Championship, stating: “That’s a fairly standard and quite a meaningful reset on a wage bill that’s been running into nine-figures annually but the reality is you need to cut your wage bill by about 75 per cent if you’re going to slot into Championship revenue.”

The threat of this financial ruin is imminent, with Spurs currently languishing in 18th place on 30 points after 32 matches. They sit two points behind West Ham United in 17th, while Nottingham Forest and Leeds United are slightly ahead on 33 and 36 points respectively. If they fail to bridge this gap, a mass player exodus is inevitable. Elite European teams are ready to capitalise on their misfortune. Wilson warned: “You’ll see clubs circle like vultures around Spurs given the massive drop off in revenue they’ll get. The likes of Archie Gray and Cristian Romero, you can be sure that they will move.”

According to BBSportNews, football finance expert Professor Rob Wilson has warned that Tottenham face an unprecedented financial crisis if relegated. The club would experience an immediate and severe reduction in their broadcasting and commercial income. Detailing the exact financial damage, Wilson explained: “In terms of revenue, you’re looking at an initial swing of around £250 million. That’s on the basis for Spurs and a full Premier League cycle down to Championship level income. That factors in broadcast revenue, commercial revenue and matchday reductions albeit they’ll be playing a few more games in the Championship.

“That headline number doesn’t all land at once because you’ve got parachute payments, those payments will give the club an additional payback of around £45m in year one. This is designed to soften the impact for them.”

To survive this potential revenue collapse, the club have to drastically restructure their outgoings, specifically regarding player salaries. Most current contracts likely include relegation clauses, which typically reduce wages by up to 50 per cent. However, this alone will not be enough to balance the books. Wilson highlighted the brutal reality of adapting to the Championship, stating: “That’s a fairly standard and quite a meaningful reset on a wage bill that’s been running into nine-figures annually but the reality is you need to cut your wage bill by about 75 per cent if you’re going to slot into Championship revenue.”

The threat of this financial ruin is imminent, with Spurs currently languishing in 18th place on 30 points after 32 matches. They sit two points behind West Ham United in 17th, while Nottingham Forest and Leeds United are slightly ahead on 33 and 36 points respectively. If they fail to bridge this gap, a mass player exodus is inevitable. Elite European teams are ready to capitalise on their misfortune. Wilson warned: “You’ll see clubs circle like vultures around Spurs given the massive drop off in revenue they’ll get. The likes of Archie Gray and Cristian Romero, you can be sure that they will move.”

According to The Athletic, Tottenham are currently in advanced talks to sign Senesi on a free transfer if they manage to retain their top-flight status. However, making contact with the 28-year-old before the permitted timeframe is a direct violation of Premier League regulations. The north London club have swiftly denied the allegations, officially declining to comment on the matter to the Daily Telegraph and describing the reports of a potential breach as "rumours and speculation". Despite the denial, the timing of these discussions has raised serious legal concerns, placing Spurs in a precarious position with the league's governing body as they look to secure their primary summer target.

The Premier League rulebook dictates strict protocols regarding when and how domestic clubs can contact players registered elsewhere. The rules regarding contracts, registrations and transfers state: "A club shall be at liberty at any time to make an approach to a player with a view to negotiating a contract with him: T.1.2 in the case of a contract player, with the prior written consent of the club to which he is contracted." Furthermore, the regulations continue: "A club shall be at liberty after the third Saturday in May in any year and before the subsequent 1 July to make such an approach to a contract player: T.2.1 who will become an out of contract player on 1 July."

Fortunately for Tottenham, they might avoid disciplinary action as Bournemouth are not expected to raise a formal complaint. The Cherries appear completely resigned to losing the defender when his current deal expires. Meanwhile, Spurs face a vital relegation battle under new head coach Roberto De Zerbi, who hosted a team-bonding dinner on Wednesday to boost morale.

Emphasising the task ahead, De Zerbi stated: "I have to get to know the players better every week. We have no time to lose. In this moment, especially for Tottenham this season, the qualities of the players are important but the spirit and relationship between the players, the love the players show for the club is more important."

According to The Athletic, Tottenham are currently in advanced talks to sign Senesi on a free transfer if they manage to retain their top-flight status. However, making contact with the 28-year-old before the permitted timeframe is a direct violation of Premier League regulations. The north London club have swiftly denied the allegations, officially declining to comment on the matter to the Daily Telegraph and describing the reports of a potential breach as "rumours and speculation". Despite the denial, the timing of these discussions has raised serious legal concerns, placing Spurs in a precarious position with the league's governing body as they look to secure their primary summer target.

The Premier League rulebook dictates strict protocols regarding when and how domestic clubs can contact players registered elsewhere. The rules regarding contracts, registrations and transfers state: "A club shall be at liberty at any time to make an approach to a player with a view to negotiating a contract with him: T.1.2 in the case of a contract player, with the prior written consent of the club to which he is contracted." Furthermore, the regulations continue: "A club shall be at liberty after the third Saturday in May in any year and before the subsequent 1 July to make such an approach to a contract player: T.2.1 who will become an out of contract player on 1 July."

Fortunately for Tottenham, they might avoid disciplinary action as Bournemouth are not expected to raise a formal complaint. The Cherries appear completely resigned to losing the defender when his current deal expires. Meanwhile, Spurs face a vital relegation battle under new head coach Roberto De Zerbi, who hosted a team-bonding dinner on Wednesday to boost morale.

Emphasising the task ahead, De Zerbi stated: "I have to get to know the players better every week. We have no time to lose. In this moment, especially for Tottenham this season, the qualities of the players are important but the spirit and relationship between the players, the love the players show for the club is more important."

According to The Telegraph, De Zerbi personally arranged a high-end team meal at the famous Bacchanalia restaurant in Mayfair in a bold move to arrest Tottenham’s alarming slide down the table. The outing followed a disappointing 1-0 defeat to Sunderland in his first game at the helm, a result that saw Spurs slip into the bottom three for the first time in 17 years. The restaurant itself claims to be designed "for those who long for escapism", which seems fitting for a squad that has failed to secure a single league victory since the turn of the year.

Speaking after the Sunderland loss, De Zerbi made it clear that his immediate priority was not the technical side of the game, but the psychological state of a squad that appears broken by recent results. The former Brighton boss is focusing on the final six games of the campaign as a mental battle as much as a footballing one. "My job now is not to coach a style, with or without the ball, but try to give the players what they need in terms of mentality," the Italian explained to reporters.

While the lavish dinner was intended to build camaraderie, some fans may be wary of the tactic. Former interim boss Igor Tudor attempted a similar team-bonding exercise at Ousia in Muswell Hill shortly before a 4-1 thrashing by Arsenal and was eventually sacked after just 44 days in charge. However, early reports suggest that De Zerbi has already made a more positive impression on the dressing room than his predecessor, whose abrasive style struggled to win over the players.

The quest for survival has been made significantly harder by the loss of club captain Cristian Romero. The Argentinian defender has been ruled out for the remainder of the season with a knee injury, leaving a massive void in a backline that has consistently struggled for clean sheets. Despite the negative news regarding their skipper, there is a glimmer of hope on the training pitch as Rodrigo Bentancur has returned to full training after being sidelined since January with a serious hamstring problem.

The Uruguayan midfielder's return could prove vital as Tottenham face a daunting run of fixtures to close out the season. Following a clash with De Zerbi's former club Brighton this weekend, Spurs must navigate difficult away trips to Aston Villa and Chelsea. The pressure is mounting on a squad that has seen its confidence evaporate over several months of poor performances and management changes.

Interestingly, the financial implications of relegation do not seem to affect De Zerbi’s own position immediately. Unlike many managers who take over clubs in distress, his contract reportedly does not include a break clause in the event of relegation to the Championship. This suggests the hierarchy is prepared for a long-term project under the Italian, regardless of which division they find themselves in next term. However, the current luxury of Mayfair dining may soon be replaced by more modest surroundings if the club cannot find a way to stay up.

Cristian Romero has been diagnosed with a medial collateral ligament tear, sustained during Tottenham Hotspur’s 1-0 defeat to Sunderland. The centre-back was hurt after a robust push from Sunderland striker Brian Brobbey.

The incident occurred in the 70th minute when, after being pushed by Brobbey, Romero collided with his own goalkeeper, Antonín Kinský, and immediately grasped his knee in pain. The defender left the pitch visibly shaken.

Subsequent scans confirmed a tear in his medial collateral ligament, an injury that typically sidelines players for six to eight weeks. As a result, he is unlikely to feature for Spurs again this season.

However, the 27-year-old Argentine could still be fit for the World Cup, which begins on 11 June. Tottenham must now navigate the run-in without their centre-back.

Currently 18th in the Premier League, Spurs have six games left to avoid relegation, starting with a crucial trip to Brighton & Hove Albion this weekend.

Sunderland won 1-0 thanks to an own goal, with Nordi Mukiele’s shot deflected by Micky van de Ven. It was De Zerbi’s first game in charge, but it ended in frustration as the club stays in the relegation zone.

After the match, Brobbey posted photos of the game on social media, sparking a flood of reactions. Alongside messages of support, hundreds of hateful and racist comments appeared, particularly from Argentina. Sunderland subsequently reported the matter to the police, social media platforms and the Premier League.