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Tottenham manager Roberto De Zerbi desperately needs to try to figure out a way to change their fortunes after their latest defeat against Sunderland.

The new Tottenham boss made some interesting selection decisions heading into the game against Sunderland, with many questioning the decision to start Conor Gallagher.

The likes of Mathys Tel and Xavi Simons were also named on the bench, and it's safe to say his decisions didn't work as they suffered a 1-0 defeat at the Stadium of Light.

Spurs only have six Premier League games to turn things around, and they currently sit in the relegation zone, two points away from safety.

Up next for Spurs is a game against De Zerbi's former club, Brighton, and it's a chance to start their survival bid on their own turf.

De Zerbi Must Unleash Tottenham Star

With a game under his belt, De Zerbi will now have a better idea of who he wants to rely on ahead of the final six Premier League games.

The Italian manager doesn't have a lot of time to work with his players, so he needs to figure out his best XI as soon as possible.

One player he now needs to unleash is Mathys Tel.

The French youngster has found things difficult at Tottenham so far, and he's perhaps been harshly treated since his arrival.

Richarlison was deployed on the left-hand side of attack against Sunderland, but the Brazilian forward was wasted out there.

Tel offers something that Spurs don't have in their side, and De Zerbi needs to hand him a start if he wants to retain Tottenham's Premier League status.

Tel Offers Tottenham Something Different

Richarlison has been an effective weapon for Tottenham this season, but that's usually when deployed through the middle of attack.

The former Everton man was wasted out wide, especially when you have a player like Tel on the bench.

Journalist Alasdair Gold predicted that Tel would flourish at Spurs under De Zerbi due to his pace, and that's exactly what Tottenham need.

“[De Zerbi] likes speed up front, likes a lot of fast play. I think he'll like Mathys Tel, certainly could really flourish under him.”

His speed and technical quality out wide could be hugely beneficial, and De Zerbi needs to unleash him against Brighton.

Celtic are interested in signing Liverpool defender Andy Robertson ahead of the summer transfer window, competing with Tottenham for his signature, according to TEAMtalk.

Robertson is set to make a move in the summer, but it remains to be seen where he could end up.

The Scottish international is out of contract at Liverpool at the end of the season, and it was recently confirmed that he won't be signing a new deal at Anfield.

Robertson has enjoyed an illustrious career at Liverpool, winning the Premier League title and Champions League, but he's now set for a new challenge.

A return to Scotland would certainly be a fairytale ending, but there will be multiple clubs showing an interest in securing his signature, considering he's available on a free transfer.

Celtic in Race With Tottenham for Robertson

According to a report from TEAMtalk, Tottenham have an agreement with Robertson on personal terms ahead of the summer transfer window.

Nothing is signed and sealed, with Tottenham's Premier League status likely to be a factor in Robertson's decision.

Despite Tottenham pushing ahead with a move for Robertson, Celtic are also interested in signing Robertson, who was described as 'elite' by journalist Henry Winter.

Unfortunately for Celtic, Robertson would still consider a move to Tottenham even if they are relegated, but it would undoubtedly lessen their chances.

Reports have previously claimed that Robertson would be open to a move to Parkhead, after he was linked during the January transfer window, but it remains to be seen if that has changed ahead of the summer transfer window.

Robertson Move Might Not Make Sense

Robertson is likely to command a large salary package in comparison to some of Celtic's current squad, and although he might be worth it in terms of experience and ability, there's a big caveat.

Celtic already have an experienced left-back in Kieran Tierney, so unless they plan on playing one of them in the middle of the defence, it might not make a lot of sense to bring Robertson to the club.

It might be tricky for Celtic to turn down a player of the calibre of Robertson if he's willing to make the move, so it wouldn't be a huge surprise to see him arrive if a deal with Tottenham falls through.

As both a player and then as a manager, Glenn Hoddle was an important figure in British football for a number of decades. He was a boyhood Tottenham Hotspur fan and spent time in the academy, joining as a 12-year-old, before making his debut five years later.

At Spurs, the English midfielder won two FA Cups and the UEFA Cup – becoming a club legend – before then going on to win the league in France with Monaco. He later spent spells at Swindon Town and Chelsea, which led him into the world of management.

As a coach, he failed to ever win a major trophy but did get to manage England before then taking over at Tottenham between 2001 and 2003. Despite managing the club he'd supported as a youngster, this period in north London delivered more frustration than joy.

Hoddle Felt 'Disgruntled' at Tottenham

Speaking to The Guardian in 2021, Hoddle spoke about how he was unable to form any sort of relationship with the majority owner Joe Lewis, and a lack of investment left him unable to build a side capable of winning the Premier League.

The former Tottenham coach explained how his time at Spurs is actually one of his 'big regrets.' When asked if he'd ever even met former owner Lewis, he said:

“No. I’ve never met Joe Lewis. Never even had a phone call. Never had a conversation with him and Spurs were always my club. That was the happiest I should have been but it was probably the most disgruntled I felt – at Tottenham.

"It was such a shame because I wanted it so much. I wanted to build a side to win the league like we did at Monaco. That was one of my big regrets but the money wasn’t there.”

Having won major honours with Tottenham as a player, Hoddle wasn't able to bring more success to the club as a manager. They did actually reach the League Cup final in 2002, but lost 2-1 to Blackburn Rovers.

In his second season in charge, things started brightly with Hoddle named Manager of the Month for August, with Spurs top of the league. However, form steadily dwindled, and they ended the 2002/03 campaign in 10th place. Hoddle then lasted until just September the following season, having picked up only four points from the club's opening six league games.

Hoddle Was 'Hurt' as Spurs Denied Him Two Star Striker Signings

Perhaps things could have gone better had the club been a little more proactive in the transfer market. Indeed, Hoddle revealed that he could have bought both Fernando Morientes from Real Madrid and Samuel Eto’o from Mallorca for just £12m in 2003, but Lewis and Daniel Levy were too slow in reacting to the opportunity. He recalled:

“That hurt me big time."

Morientes would end up in England, but joined Liverpool instead, later winning both the FA Cup and UEFA Super Cup. Eto’o would join Barcelona and become a club icon with three La Liga titles and two Champions League triumphs, while also winning more major honours in Italy with Inter Milan.

The Cameroonian striker eventually came to England, enjoying a short spell each at both Chelsea and Everton towards the end of his career.

Former Tottenham midfielder Jamie O'Hara didn't hold back with his assessment of Roberto De Zerbi's side after their defeat against Sunderland, with one player even given a 0/10 rating.

It must feel like Groundhog Day for Tottenham fans, as they watched their side slip to yet another defeat, keeping them in the relegation zone with six games remaining in the Premier League.

Shockingly, Spurs still haven't won in England's top flight in 2026, and they are sleepwalking to relegation unless they can drastically turn things around.

Nottingham Forest and West Ham both picking up points this weekend has worsened their situation, and De Zerbi has a real task on his hands to get a tune out of this squad in such a short space of time.

Jamie O'Hara's Tottenham Player Ratings

Reacting after the game on X, O'Hara shared his player ratings for the game against Sunderland. Dominic Solanke's rating stood out, with the former Tottenham midfielder giving him a 0/10.

O'Hara clearly wasn't happy with Spurs' attacking players, with Richarlison and Randal Kolo Muani both given 1/10 ratings.

Antonin Kinsky, Archie Gray, Lucas Bergvall, and Pedro Porro can take some pride from their performances based on O'Hara's ratings, but even three of those were only a 5/10.

Some of the ratings might seem a little harsh, but it's understandable that Tottenham fans are incredibly frustrated with the players, with De Zerbi now the third manager in charge of them this season.

Tottenham Have Problems All Over The Pitch

It's no surprise to see O'Hara calling out a host of Tottenham players in different positions across the pitch, as they have plenty of problems throughout the squad.

Against Sunderland, Tottenham had very little in attack in terms of creativity, a lack of progression from midfield, their work-rate was incredibly disappointing, and Brian Brobbey had plenty of joy against their defence.

It looks set to be a busy summer transfer window for Spurs if they're are looking to solve their problems throughout the squad.

If they are relegated to the Championship, there's likely to be a mass exodus throughout the squad, but you'd imagine that won't bother Spurs fans too much.

Tottenham defender Cristian Romero was seen in tears as he walked off against Sunderland in the Premier League due to injury, and journalist Gaston Edul has now provided a worrying update.

Spurs suffered yet another defeat, with new manager De Zerbi unable to change their fortunes just yet, as they succumbed to a 1-0 defeat against Sunderland on Sunday.

Tottenham are still searching for their first victory of 2026, and they sit in the relegation zone in the Premier League, two points behind West Ham.

There's now just six games remaining for Tottenham to turn things around, and they might have to do so without their captain Romero, if his injury is as bad as it looked as he walked off the pitch in tears.

Argentine reporter Edul has now shared a worrying injury update on Romero, suggesting that he's set to undergo tests for a potential MCL injury.

Edul suggests that there is some instability in Romero's knee, while the Tottenham defender is still feeling pain.

Depending on the severity, there's every chance Romero is unable for the remainder of the season, but it will be unclear until he undergoes tests.

Even if Romero is only unavailable for a few weeks, it's a crucial blow for the north London club.

Romero Injury Sums Up Tottenham's Season

Tottenham fans must be numb to players getting injured this season.

So many of their key stars have missed large portions of the campaign through injury, and they are still without the likes of Mohammed Kudus, Dejan Kulusevski, and James Maddison, while the majority of their squad have been sidelined at some point in the season.

Romero missing the final few weeks would sum up their season, and it would undoubtedly damage their chances of avoiding relegation from the Premier League.

Kevin Danso would be a likely replacement for the north London club, but he's certainly not Romero, who is one of Spurs' best players and their captain.

Tottenham manager Roberto De Zerbi will already know three players he has to sell in the summer transfer window after what happened against Sunderland.

Spurs are fighting to stay in the Premier League, and despite the appointment of De Zerbi, it was another disappointing performance against Sunderland.

De Zerbi will be assessing his squad as he goes, but he doesn't have a lot of time to turn things around and steer them away from the relegation zone.

There are just six Premier League games remaining for Tottenham, and the threat of relegation is still serious for the north London club.

Three Players De Zerbi Must Sell

De Zerbi will already know three players he needs to sell in the summer transfer window, even if they remain in the Premier League.

The first one is Conor Gallagher. The English midfielder is incredibly useful in certain systems, but in a deep role in a side looking to dominate possession, he's simply not suited.

Gallagher's game is based on hard work and winning the ball back, but he struggles when trying to receive from deep and play progressively.

The second is Micky van de Ven. There's no doubting that the Dutch defender is a phenomenal footballer, but he's not played like that this season for Spurs.

Van de Ven simply isn't worth keeping, considering the fee another club is likely to be willing to pay for him, so he's another who needs to go.

The final one is Cristian Romero. It's a similar story to van de Ven, while he also doesn't appear to be fully committed after recent comments from his dad in the media, telling the world about a secret release clause.

They're Not the Only Ones

Gallagher, van de Ven, and Romero certainly won't be the only ones who should be departing in the summer.

Randal Kolo Muani and Joao Palhinha haven't done enough during their time at the club on loan, so there's no way Spurs should be looking to sign them on permanent deals.

In reality, Spurs need a huge reset in the summer transfer window. Last season, they finished 17th, and this term, they'll do anything for a 17th-placed finish at this stage.

It looks set to be an incredibly busy summer window for the north London club, and an important one at that.

Tottenham Hotspur are rivalling Bayern Munich in the race to sign Brighton goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen this summer, according to reports.

The north London side have placed the signing of a new shot-stopper at the top of their agenda ahead of the summer as they look to replace Guglielmo Vicario.

The Italian is expected to depart Spurs amid interest from Italian clubs, with Inter Milan among those reportedly tracking the 29-year-old.

Inter are believed to have identified Vicario as their top target to replace Swiss international Yann Sommer and have already discussed a move with his representatives, according to journalist Fabrizio Romano.

Tottenham Want to Sign Bart Verbruggen

According to TEAMtalk, Tottenham’s admiration for Verbruggen has only intensified since the arrival of manager Roberto De Zerbi.

Verbruggen played under De Zerbi at Brighton for one season following his arrival from Anderlecht in the summer of 2023 and made 27 appearances across all competitions.

Bayern are also believed to be among Verbruggen’s long-term admirers and view the £50m-rated Dutchman as a leading candidate to succeed Manuel Neuer.

However, a summer move hinges on Neuer’s final decision –the 40-year-old is yet to confirm whether he will continue playing beyond the current campaign.

Neuer, whose contract expires at the end of the season, could reportedly delay his decision until after the Champions League final in May, and the uncertainty is believed to be impacting Brighton’s goalkeeping situation.

The Seagulls are looking to secure a significant profit on Verbruggen this summer and are eyeing Carl Rushworth, who is spending the season on loan at Coventry City, as his long-term replacement.

Verbruggen, praised as ‘unbelievable’, has been Brighton’s first-choice goalkeeper for the past two seasons and is set to make his 100th appearance for the club next weekend.

Tottenham Reach Agreement for Andy Robertson

Tottenham have reached a verbal agreement to sign Liverpool defender Andy Robertson this summer, journalist Fabrizio Romano has revealed.

The north London side are in pole position to land the Scottish international on a free transfer when his contract with Liverpool expires in June.

Robertson is believed to have earmarked Tottenham as his preferred destination, provided they avoid relegation from the Premier League.

Spurs are in the bottom three ahead of De Zerbi’s debut game on Sunday, an away clash at Sunderland.

Tottenham Hotspur return to Premier League action on Sunday in Roberto De Zerbi's first match in charge, knowing they need to bring all three points back from Sunderland.

Spurs slipped into the relegation zone following West Ham's win against Wolves on Friday night, and they will kick off against the Black Cats knowing they are two points from safety with seven matches remaining.

To move out of the drop zone, the north Londoners need to pick up their first three points in the league since they defeated Crystal Palace on December 28.

Tottenham fans will be hoping that De Zerbi has made a major impact on the training ground over the last week to improve a dressing room that appears to be at an all-time low confidence wise.

The Italian would have been hoping to have a strong squad available to him for the long trip north, but he has already confirmed the absence of some key players in his pre-match press conference.

GIVEMESPORT takes a look at the latest injury news ahead of the clash on Wearside.

Mathys Tel was taken off with an injury issue during the 3-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest in Igor Tudor's final game in charge, but he has been pictured in training and looks to be the one player guaranteed to be returning to the squad at Sunderland.

Meanwhile, Pape Matar Sarr suffered a shoulder injury and while he has been pictured back in training later in the week at Hotspur Way, it was noticeable that his shoulder was heavily strapped, which could make him a doubt to face Regis Le Bris' men.

De Zerbi also confirmed that three players they hoped might be back in Guglielmo Vicario, Mohammed Kudus and Rodrigo Bentancur will all be missing.

The former underwent surgery on his hernia during the international break and while he is close to a return he isn't ready to play yet. That means that Antonin Kinsky will return between the sticks for his first appearance since his disaster against Atletico Madrid in the Champions League.

Speaking about Bentancur, De Zerbi said:

"Bentancur is working with us, but not completely, but we are enough to fight, to play and to make points."

Tottenham also confirmed Kudus' injury setback this week, which could require surgery in a huge blow to De Zerbi, who tried to sign the player when he was Brighton boss.

Spurs confirmed in a statement: 'He [Kudus] had returned to team training during the past week, however will now require further specialist review and, potentially, surgery. We will provide any relevant further updates in due course.'

All The Spurs Players Unavailable

Tottenham and De Zerbi will once again be without Ben Davies and probably Yves Bissouma, who is yet to be seen in a group on the training pitch, although both are expected to return to action this month.

Vicario, Kudus and Bentancur will also be absent against Sunderland, while Spurs are still without three long-term absentees.

Dejan Kulusevski, James Maddison and Wilson Odobert all remain likely to miss the rest of the season.

Tottenham Hotspur are closing in on making a key addition for Roberto De Zerbi after reaching a verbal agreement behind the scenes.

De Zerbi has already made a big impact on the Tottenham training ground in his first week working with his players, with one individual believing his opening session was 'outstanding'.

The Spurs players now need to act upon the Italian's instructions, starting with the trip to face Sunderland at the Stadium of Light on Sunday.

The north Londoners slipped into the Premier League's relegation zone following West Ham United's 4-0 thrashing of Wolves in the capital on Friday night, which has left De Zerbi's men two points from safety with seven matches left to secure survival.

GIVEMESPORT sources revealed that De Zerbi's contract does not contain a relegation release clause, with the 46-year-old already confirming that he will be in charge next season no matter which division they find themselves in.

Behind the scenes however, Tottenham chiefs are already working on how they will give their new manager the best resources to work with next term, should they remain in the top flight.

Tottenham Reach 'Verbal Agreement' for Celtic-Linked Star

While Tottenham have been linked with a move for Celtic star Benjamin Nygren in recent days, they have also reached a 'verbal agreement' to sign Andy Robertson from Liverpool, according to journalist Fabrizio Romano.

The move will happen, subject to Spurs preserving their Premier League status, with the Scotland international already giving the green light for a switch to London should that happen.

Tottenham came close to signing the 32-year-old during the January transfer window, but the Reds were unable to source a replacement for the Scot and he ended up remaining at Anfield.

However, his summer exit when his contract expires was confirmed recently, with a move to Spurs already lined up should De Zerbi stop them dropping into the Championship.

Robertson Agreement a Blow for Celtic

Given his exploits for Scotland and his previous Scottish Premiership experience, there appeared to be a feeling that Robertson could be tempted to move back north of the border with Celtic in the summer on a free transfer.

Reports in January suggested that Celtic were lining up an ambitious move to bring the defender back to Glasgow, after he grew up as part of the club's academy.

A separate report said that the left-back was open to a switch to Parkhead, given his emotional connections and the fact it could allow him to finish his career in his home country.

The Hoops secured the signing of Kieran Tierney in similar circumstances when he left Arsenal to rejoin the Glasgow giants in 2025, but they aren't set to repeat it with Robertson, as things stand.

Of course, the 32-year-old will be back on the table if De Zerbi is unable to save Tottenham, which could put Celtic back in contention for his signature.

If Robertson really is open to joining the Bhoys, they must go all out for him should he become available again.

Tottenham get back to Premier League action after a three-week break on Sunday as they make the long trip north to take on Sunderland at the Stadium of Light.

It is a huge weekend for Spurs with new permanent head coach Roberto De Zerbi taking charge of his first match, aiming to move the Lilywhites away from the relegation zone.

Spurs are staring down the barrel of a first relegation out of the English top flight since 1977, struggling at the bottom of the table with just seven games of the season to go.

Italian De Zerbi has been tasked with saving the club between now and the end of May and then rebuilding over the summer during the transfer window, with the former Brighton & Hove Albion boss handed a five-year contract in N17.

Tottenham Defenders Likely To Choose Themselves

All eyes will be on his starting lineup in his first match in charge of the club and who his immediate favourites in the squad are following a first week on the training ground.

The Italian has tended to favour a 4-2-3-1 formation in his previous roles, although he did transition to a 3-4-3 at Marseille too.

The first question comes in between the sticks, with Guglielmo Vicario undergoing hernia surgery during the international break in the hope of not missing too much time in the run-in.

The keeper will miss the game with the Black Cats, although could return to action for the game with Brighton next week. That means Antonin Kinsky is set to face Sunderland.

Ahead of him, De Zerbi should have a first-choice back line to choose from and it would be an unexpected decision if he did not pick Pedro Porro, Cristian Romero, Micky van de Ven and Destiny Udogie as his defensive quartet.

It's further forward where there are some more interesting question marks.

Choosing a double pivot comes next and one of the choices is a no-brainer: Archie Gray.

The youngster has been the standout performer in a struggling Spurs side for weeks and scored for England U21s during the break, giving him even more confidence heading into a first game under De Zerbi. He is one of the first names on the teamsheet.

The big question comes alongside him. De Zerbi could go for a very youthful double pivot and throw Lucas Bergvall in there, although the Swede is only just returning from injury.

Pape Matar Sarr was the one under Igor Tudor, although he flattered to deceive somewhat. Rodrigo Bentancur would be a seemingly obvious choice, but he's not ready to return from injury just yet, with Joao Palhinha perhaps not having the mobility that De Zerbi might demand.

New Signing Could Be Left On the Bench

Conor Gallagher was a big-money signing in January, but he may be ousted by a man unlikely to have a future at Spurs beyond the end of this season in Yves Bissouma should he be available on Wearside. He did not play under De Zerbi at Brighton, but has the bravery and ability on the half turn to fit perfectly into a De Zerbi system.

In the three ahead of those two, Xavi Simons has a huge role to play, having been pushed to the side somewhat under Tudor. The Dutchman can drive Tottenham forward and could be a crucial player for De Zerbi moving forward.

Either side of him De Zerbi likes his wingers high and wide and being direct, with the ability to come inside too. Mathys Tel should be a shoo-in for a start, as would Mohammed Kudus, were he not injured. As would Wilson Odobert, or Dejan Kulusevski.

De Zerbi may be forced to play a winger who does not quite fit his plans for these games in the form of Richarlison, with no other options, with Dominic Solanke the focal point up front.