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Roberto De Zerbi has now provided a fresh injury update on Tottenham midfielder Dejan Kulusevski who has been out since May 2025.

Tottenham Hotspur will have to secure their Premier League status this season without several of their key players available to help them.

At the moment, at least six Spurs players are expected to miss out on Saturday against Wolves because of injuries.

Several members of the club’s leadership group are out, with Cristian Romero, James Maddison and Guglielmo Vicario all sidelined.

Destiny Udogie is also now set to be out after picking up a muscular injury since Spurs last took to the field against Brighton.

While James Maddison is set to miss out against Wolves, Roberto De Zerbi has confirmed that Maddison will be on the bench to serve as a confidence boost to his teammates.

The Spurs boss has also provided an update on another of his long-term absentees, Dejan Kulusevski.

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The Swede has been out since May last year and is yet to kick a ball this season, having not played under any of Tottenham’s last three managers.

Speaking about Kulusevski’s situation, De Zerbi told football.london that he feels for the player and hopes he can return soon.

He said: “I am sorry for him because he is one of my perfect players. He is a very specific player for me like Kudus, like Romero but I hope for him he can play in the World Cup because the World Cup for a player is a moment. It is the best period of their career, but I do not know the situation very well.”

Kulusevski seems unlikely to play for Spurs this season

Tottenham fans have voiced concern over how long Dejan Kulusevski has been out, with many questioning whether the Swede will play again this season.

De Zerbi’s press conference has provided a degree of hope regarding the fitness of the versatile midfielder, who could return in the summer for the World Cup. But it appears we can kiss the prospect of Deki playing in the Premier League this season goodbye.

However, things could look very different when he does return as Spurs continue their fight for safety. Should they go down, the Swede could return with them in the Championship.

Roberto De Zerbi has offered the latest on James Maddison ahead of a crucial weekend for Tottenham Hotspur, with fitness concerns once again casting doubt over a key figure as the run-in intensifies.

Tottenham Hotspur are set to return to Premier League action this weekend as they prepare to take on relegated Wolves.

The last time the two sides met, Spurs were held to a 1-1 draw at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, needing to come from behind to earn a point thanks to a late Joao Palhinha strike.

This time, though, a draw will do little for Tottenham’s chances as they sit in the bottom three of the Premier League table with just five games to go.

A victory, however, will see Spurs leave the drop zone and leapfrog West Ham United into 17th place if the Hammers fail to secure a win against Everton.

Roberto De Zerbi has now provided an update on his injured Tottenham Hotspur man, James Maddison.

Spurs Web reported before De Zerbi’s press conference that five Spurs players are expected to miss out on this weekend’s game.

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James Maddison was among those flagged, despite returning to the matchday squad against Brighton, where he was an unused substitute.

Speaking about the midfielder’s fitness and availability, De Zerbi explained that Maddison is still not ready to return fully, telling football.london: “No he is not available [to play] yet. Especially in this week, he felt pain but not so important pain.

“Tomorrow he will come on the bench because he is important whether he plays or not. Better he plays but as a leader and a guy, I want to see in my dressing room nice people, positive people.”

Spurs need leadership as James Maddison absence continues

Spurs could do with more leaders in the coming weeks as they battle to stay in the Premier League for the rest of the season

James Maddison is one such voice who can spur the side on, even when he is not on the pitch for Tottenham.

The Englishman will, however, have to bide his time on the sidelines as he continues to recover from his ACL injury, which will likely keep him out until next season.

Roberto De Zerbi has now provided an injury update on his Tottenham Hotspur squad ahead of their Premier League match with Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday afternoon.

Wolverhampton Wanderers have now been officially relegated from the Premier League following the draw between West Ham United and Crystal Palace on Monday night.

Rob Edwards’ side, who had shown some upturn in form in recent weeks, grabbing two wins in their last five, saw their fate sealed after a poor run in their last three outings, where they were winless.

Tottenham Hotspur will now be desperate to avoid a similar outcome this campaign as they sit in the bottom three with five games left before the 2025-26 season comes to an end.

Up next is a clash between the two sides this weekend. Wolves will take to the field for the first time since their relegation was confirmed, while Spurs will be looking to secure their first win in 2026 as they fight for survival.

With the game crucial for Tottenham, Roberto De Zerbi will be keen to have as many players fit and ready as possible.

He has been handed a boost, with Rodrigo Bentancur and Yves Bissouma featuring against Brighton and Hove Albion without picking up injuries, and both should be in contention for Saturday’s game.

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James Maddison also made a surprising return to the bench last time out as an unused substitute, although it remains to be seen if he is fit enough to feature before the end of the season.

Meanwhile, Guglielmo Vicario’s situation remains unclear as he continues to recover from the hernia surgery he underwent during the international break, while Xavi Simons has declared himself fit after the knock he picked up against Brighton and will be available.

However, Wilson Odobert, Ben Davies, Dejan Kulusevski, Cristian Romero and Mohammed Kudus all remain unavailable ahead of this clash. Destiny Udogie was also a doubt heading into the game.

Roberto De Zerbi has now addressed the official Tottenham channels and provided an update on several of his injured players.

Speaking to Football London about his squad, De Zerbi said: “Destiny has a [muscular] problem. I think he can’t play tomorrow, but he played on Saturday and played a great first half, second half as well but the first was great. We have Spence, Souza is available to come with us. It’s not a big problem, I hope Udogie could be back for next week at Villa Park.”

He added: “I have a big opinion of Destiny and he is a crucial player for us. We are lucky because we can play with Djed Spence, another important player and another very good guy.”

Tottenham have taken a significant step forward in their pursuit of Marcos Senesi, although one key condition could yet determine whether the deal is completed.

Tottenham Hotspur’s interest in Marcos Senesi is nothing new, with reports over the last few months linking Spurs with the Bournemouth centre-back.

Spurs Web relayed a few weeks ago that Tottenham had moved into pole position to sign the soon-to-be free agent, who is not short of options.

The likes of Barcelona and Juventus have been in the race, but a new report has shown there is a fresh development in the centre-back’s future.

Tottenham reach Marcos Senesi agreement ahead of summer transfer

A new report from Florian Plettenberg now states that Tottenham and Marcos Senesi have reached an agreement in principle.

The Bournemouth centre-back has been impressive this season, with the Cherries having played 33 games and the defender providing five assists.

It is explained that the 28-year-old top centre-back has given his commitment to join Spurs on a free transfer in the summer.

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However, there is a clause, as the move is only expected to go through if Tottenham stay in the Premier League; nothing has been signed yet.

Tottenham also have a verbal agreement to sign Andy Robertson if the club remain in the Premier League.

Spurs survival push now crucial to transfer plans

Spurs will now continue their fight to stay in the Premier League as they remain in the bottom three with five games to go this season.

Tottenham’s next encounter is against Wolves, who are already relegated, and they have a big chance of leaving the bottom three with a victory.

However, they will be hoping their relegation rivals slip up in their own fixtures, with Spurs relying on favours elsewhere as they battle to preserve their Premier League status for the remainder of the season.

Gabby Agbonlahor has mapped out Tottenham and West Ham’s run-ins and predicted which of the two he thinks will be relegated.

Tottenham Hotspur cannot afford anything close to average performances in the Premier League run-in, with five games left to play.

The displays from here on must be good enough to get results, as failure to secure victories now will almost certainly lead to relegation to the Championship.

Next up in the league for Tottenham is a game against Wolves, a must-win, as victory at Molineux could see them leapfrog West Ham and move out of the relegation zone; however, that is only if the Hammers fail to win their own clash.

Spurs run-in predicted by Gabby Agbonlahor amid relegation battle

Former Premier League striker Gabby Agbonlahor has now had his say, predicting Tottenham’s next five games as they continue their fight for survival.

Speaking to talkSPORT, Agbonlahor outlined how he expects Spurs’ fixtures to unfold, backing them to pick up enough points to secure safety.

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He said: “Spurs first of all, Ally, I think they beat Wolves. I look at them away to Aston Villa, I am going to go for a draw.

“Three points at home to Leeds. Chelsea away, this Chelsea side cannot be trusted, I am going to go for a draw. And in the last home game of the season against Everton, a win for Spurs. 42 points for Spurs to finish on.”

Tottenham predicted run-in by Gabby Agbonlahor

Tottenham vs West Ham predictions could decide survival

Agbonlahor is not the only one to predict Spurs to stay up, with Roy Keane also of the opinion that the Lilywhites will avoid the drop this term.

The former Manchester United midfielder believes the relegation scrap will be between Nottingham Forest and the Hammers, and Agbonlahor’s prediction points towards West Ham as the side to go down.

Outlining his expectations for West Ham’s remaining fixtures, Agbonlahor explained on talkSPORT how he sees their results playing out: “Next, West Ham – Everton they have got at home, Ally, I am going to go draw. Brentford away, I have got a point.

“Arsenal at home, I have gone for a loss – zero points. Then their last two games are Newcastle away and Leeds United at home, I have gone two wins, finish on 41 points. West Ham go down.”

West Ham predicted run-in

Mauricio Pochettino has reopened the door to a potential Tottenham return, but there is a Roberto De Zerbi-shaped hurdle in his way this summer.

Tottenham Hotspur have hired three different managers this season as they fight to avoid the drop to the Championship.

The Thomas Frank project lasted just eight months before the plug was pulled on the Dane, who struggled to deliver results on the pitch and played a brand of football that was far from the Tottenham way.

Following his departure, in came Igor Tudor, who lasted just 44 days in the Spurs dugout and had a disappointingly low 0% win rate in the Premier League and, with Tottenham fighting for survival, there was no option other than for the club to part ways with him.

Tottenham now have what has been described as their first-choice option in the dugout in Roberto De Zerbi. The former Brighton man has yet to put a foot wrong as he continues Spurs’ fight to avoid the drop to the Championship.

Mauricio Pochettino opens up on a potential Tottenham return

A lot was made about De Zerbi’s appointment, with talks around his record at previous clubs, where he rarely stays for more than two seasons.

However, with Spurs he has made a long-term commitment, signing a five-year deal – one that should keep him in the dugout until 2031.

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The North London side, however, was not short of alternative options before eventually landing the Italian, with the likes of Sean Dyche and even former manager Mauricio Pochettino heavily linked with the vacancy.

The Argentine was high on the list for many, though his current commitment to the United States national team ultimately ruled him out of contention during a World Cup year.

Despite his current role on the international stage, Pochettino has now opened up about the possibility of an eventual return to the club where he previously enjoyed great success.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with FourFourTwo, the former manager addressed his enduring connection with the supporters and the values of the institution.

“Yes, why not [go back]? If the right conditions are there, of course. Tottenham feels like home to us. We identify with the club’s idiosyncrasies, values and supporters.

“Right now it is about enjoying the World Cup,” he added. “After that, I have always said I came so close to winning the Premier League and Champions League, and want to try again. I would like to be part of a project with the ambition of winning both.”

Mauricio Pochettino could replace Roberto De Zerbi at Spurs if board relations falter

The decision of De Zerbi to sign a long-term contract suggests that Tottenham may not be in search of a new manager anytime soon, especially as the Italian remains committed to the project even if the club suffers relegation.

However, the former Brighton boss has not entirely ruled out the possibility of a future departure, recently sharing the specific circumstances that could force him to reconsider his position.

In a recent interview, De Zerbi explained that maintaining a strong relationship with the board is far more important to him than the league status of the club.

Explaining the necessity of a shared vision between the coaching staff and the hierarchy, he said: “The problem is not the league. The problem is to keep the relationship with the board and to have the same ideas in the project. Yes. Everyone on the same page.”

It is only if this internal alignment begins to fracture that a return to North London could realistically be on the cards for Mauricio Pochettino.

Alasdair Gold has revealed that Xavi Simons has left no stone unturned in his efforts to become the best player he can be for Tottenham Hotspur.

The Dutchman has not lived up to his billing in his first season in the Premier League, but he is now showing signs of coming into his own after getting used to the pace and physicality of the division.

Xavi was named on WhoScored’s Team of the Week after his masterclass against Brighton, which included a sublime goal and an assist.

While that was not enough to get Spurs their first league win of the calendar year, the Tottenham midfielder has vowed to keep fighting until the end as the Lilywhites desperately try to avoid relegation.

Xavi Simons has taken some big steps to produce his best for Tottenham

Football.London’s Alasdair Gold has revealed that the attacking midfielder has assembled his own team around him in North London to help him perform at his best.

Gold states that Xavi is working with his own data and video analysts, as well as a personal trainer, strength and conditioning coach, and a mindset coach.

Additionally, the journalist shares that the 22-year-old has regularly been spotted working hard in Hotspur Way, even on his days off.

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The Netherlands international thus appears to be leaving no stone unturned in his quest to adapt to English football, and Spurs fans will be hoping that the former RB Leipzig man produces the moments of quality that keep the club in the Premier League.

Roberto De Zerbi is confident he can get the best out of Xavi

De Zerbi has said that Xavi is lucky to have him as his coach, since he too was a number ten in his playing days.

The Tottenham boss has admitted that he has a special connection with the Dutchman and suggested that the best is yet to come from the 22-year-old.

Tottenham head to the West Midlands desperate to finally end their winless league run against a Wolves side already confirmed for relegation.

Tottenham Hotspur remain the only side without a Premier League win since the turn of the year, but they were just three minutes away from ending that run against Brighton on Saturday, only to be undone by stoppage-time goals in both halves. It was frustrating, but there was a clear step forward, with more control and intent, and Spurs finally showing signs of a performance that felt long overdue.

That point does little to ease the pressure in the table, though. Spurs still sit 18th, two points from safety, and just 5 more games remaining.

Wolves, meanwhile, are playing without the weight of survival hanging over them. Relegation was confirmed earlier this week, bringing an eight-year stay in the top flight to an end. Yet you wouldn’t think they were already down just by watching them.

Rob Edwards’ side have continued to compete properly, picking up eye-catching wins over Liverpool and Aston Villa in recent weeks. However, they do come into this one off the back of consecutive losses, including a 4-0 defeat to West Ham, followed most recently by a 3-0 defeat to Leeds United.

What time does Wolves vs Tottenham kick off?

Location: West Midlands, England

Stadium: Molineux Stadium

Date: Saturday, 25th April 2026

Kick-off Time: 3 pm BST

Referee: Anthony Taylor

VAR: Peter Bankes

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Tottenham vs Wolves: Head to head record

The reverse fixture earlier this season saw Wolves hold the upper hand for long periods before Joao Palhinha struck late to rescue a point for Spurs.

Looking at the broader picture, Wolves have had the better of this fixture in recent years. They have avoided defeat in seven of the last ten meetings between the sides, and Tottenham’s last win in this matchup dates back to 2022. If you narrow it down to games at Molineux, you have to go back even further to find a Spurs victory.

Tottenham team news

Tottenham welcomed Rodrigo Bentancur and James Maddison back into the matchday squad against Brighton, although the latter remained an unused substitute. However, it was later revealed that his inclusion was more of a morale boost for the squad, with the midfielder still some way off from featuring on the pitch.

There is also uncertainty surrounding Guglielmo Vicario following his hernia surgery last month, with Roberto De Zerbi expected to provide clarity closer to kick-off. Destiny Udogie is also a fresh doubt.

Cristian Romero, Ben Davies, Dejan Kulusevski and Wilson Odobert remain ruled out.

Wolves team news

Wolves will be without Sam Johnstone, who was linked with a move to Spurs in the previous transfer window, as well as former Tottenham defender Matt Doherty.

There are also fitness concerns over Angel Gomes and Ladislav Krejci after both were forced off during the defeat to Leeds. Jose Sa is another doubt as he continues to deal with a shoulder problem, leaving Rob Edwards with decisions to make in goal.

Predicted line-ups

TOTTENHAM: Kinsky, Porro, Danso, Van de Ven, Spence, Bentancur, Bissouma, Gallagher; Tel, Solanke, Simons.

WOLVES: Bentley, Bueno, Toti Gomes, Lima, Rodrigo Gomes, Andre, Joao Gomes, Mane, Bellegarde, Hwang, Armstrong

Our prediction

If Spurs get this right, it should be fairly comfortable, and a lot of that comes down to how quickly they can get Xavi Simons into the game. Coming off an assist and a ridiculous goal last time out, he’s the kind of player who can take advantage of a Wolves back three that has looked shaky, especially when dragged into wide areas or forced to defend transitions.

What will matter just as much, though, is how the midfield handles things this time. Yves Bissouma and Rodrigo Bentancur were excellent against Brighton, but Wolves are unlikely to give them that same level of space, which means progression has to be sharper and more purposeful rather than safe and sideways. That puts more responsibility on getting the ball into players like Simons and Mathys Tel early, because once they’re turned and running at defenders, chances will come naturally.

There’s also a clear opportunity in goal, with Wolves expected to rely on their third-choice keeper, someone who has only 10 Premier League appearances since 2022. Instead of overcomplicating things around the box, Spurs would be better off testing him regularly and seeing if mistakes follow.

Given the situation in the table, Spurs cannot afford anything less than 3 points, and this is exactly the kind of game where they have to show it.

Tottenham Hotspur run the risk of relegation this season, but all of these problems could have been avoided with better decision-making by the club. We have now highlighted five things Spurs must do to avoid a similar slump next campaign (if they stay up, that is).

Where do you even begin? Three managers, a squad ravaged by injuries, and now the very real prospect of relegation from the Premier League for the first time since 1977. From 17th last season to 18th this campaign – entering the relegation zone for the first time since January 2009 – the trajectory has been nothing short of alarming.

Roberto De Zerbi is here now, and there is genuine excitement about what he could build – but none of that matters if the club walks into the summer without learning from what went wrong and improving on it.

Here are five things that simply cannot happen again…

Nobody is going to pretend Johnson was irreplaceable. He had lost his place to Kudus, his starts were drying up, and Crystal Palace were willing to pay £35m. The logic was understandable – cash in while the opportunity was there and reinvest in the squad.

The problem was the second part never happened. Letting him leave in January without signing a winger to cover left Spurs badly exposed when Kudus went down almost immediately after.

Frank acknowledged it was a “risk” at the time, and with the benefit of hindsight, it was one that cost them dearly. Rayan Viktor, a player Spurs had been watching for months, went to Bournemouth for £25m in the same window and has been outstanding since. His value is now pushing £87m. The sale was not necessarily wrong – the failure to act alongside it was.

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Spurs must learn from this and bolster key areas of their squad to better deal with what is a recurring injury crisis.

To be fair to the club, replacing Harry Kane was never going to be straightforward. He is arguably the greatest striker in Tottenham’s history, and no single signing was ever going to fill that gap overnight.

Solanke came in for £65m with genuine pedigree after an outstanding season at Bournemouth, and on his day, he has shown exactly why Spurs wanted him. But injuries have derailed his time at the club repeatedly, and when he has played, the goals have not come consistently enough – he missed 12 big chances in his debut season alone.

Kolo Muani and Mathys Tel offered some spark on loan, but were never long-term answers. Three years on, the club are still being linked with strikers like Marcos Leonardo from Al-Hilal as the search continues. This summer has to be the one where it gets properly resolved

Vicario deserves enormous credit for his time at Tottenham. He has been excellent between the sticks, played through pain on more than one occasion, and was a key part of the Europa League triumph. But his limitations with the ball at his feet have been a talking point for some time, and with De Zerbi now in charge, that weakness is impossible to ignore.

De Zerbi’s former goalkeeping coach made it clear that the Italian demands a keeper who is deeply involved in the build-up – not one who goes long under pressure. Vicario has reportedly said yes to Inter Milan, and with the pursuit of Verbruggen already getting complicated by Bayern Munich’s interest, Spurs need to move quickly. The issue was always going to surface eventually – the regret is that it was not addressed sooner.

So, Spurs must now get a goalkeeper that fits their style of play ahead of next season. One good with the ball at his feet and capable of making crucial saves. James Trafford looks like the best option they have been linked with in recent weeks.

There were moments this season when you could see what Spurs were trying to build in midfield. Gray has been outstanding, Bergvall has grown into the role, and when Maddison has been available he has shown his quality. The issue is what sits around them. Gallagher has looked lost for much of the season, and Palhinha – for all his defensive qualities – has been exposed in a system that demands more on the ball.

De Zerbi has already made Locatelli his priority – a midfielder he shaped at Sassuolo and someone who understands exactly how the Italian wants the game to be played.Gray and Bergvall have shown they can handle a possession-heavy system, but they need the right experienced heads around them. Getting that balance right in the summer is not optional.

Losing Kulusevski, Odobert, and Maddison for significant periods — on top of the Kudus injury that had already exposed the Johnson sale — is the kind of misfortune that would test any squad. Buteleven players out simultaneously is not just bad luck – it is a depth problem.

Kudus alone missed 13 games after his quad injury in January, and with Johnson already gone, there was simply nobody to fill in. This is now the second consecutive season where Spurs have found themselves in this position, and that pattern is hard to ignore. De Zerbi has shown at Brighton and Marseille that he can get the best out of a well-constructed squad. Giving him one to work with has to be the priority this summer.

What De Zerbi needs this summer

De Zerbi’s appointment feels like a genuine turning point for this club. He has the tactical identity, the ambition, and from everything we have seen in training, the personality to get Tottenham playing the kind of football the fanbase has been craving. But the best manager in the world can only do so much with the wrong players around him.

If the club backs him properly this summer – addresses the depth issues, finds the right striker, sorts the goalkeeper situation, and recruits a midfield that actually fits the system – there is no reason why next season cannot look very different. The mistakes have been made. The question now is whether the right lessons have been learned.

A difficult season has pushed Tottenham Hotspur into a relegation battle, but there are four key ways the Lilywhites can still turn things around and stay in the Premier League.

The situation at Tottenham Hotspur is now very serious. What once felt unlikely has become a real problem, with the club fighting to stay in the Premier League.

With just five games left in the 2025/26 season, Spurs sit 18th on 31 points, and belief among fans is beginning to fade. They are now in danger of dropping into the Championship for the first time since 1977.

The 2-2 draw with Brighton showed this again, with Spurs producing good attacking moments, especially through Xavi Simons, but still being punished by costly defensive mistakes at key times.

Following West Ham’s 0-0 draw with Crystal Palace, Opta’s supercomputer has increased Tottenham’s relegation chances to 58.33 percent.

However, a win in their next match is now a must. Results have not improved in 2026, and the team is now in a clear state of emergency rather than just a poor run of form.

At this point, Tottenham need more than good performances or ideas. They need points, and they need them quickly. Here are four crucial ways Spurs can still secure their Premier League status before the final whistle on May 24th.

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Tottenham need to kickstart a revival with a win over Wolves

The trip to Molineux on Saturday is no longer just a big game, it has become a season-defining moment for Tottenham. Spurs are still searching for their first Premier League win of 2026, which is a worrying contrast to their better results in Europe.

Facing a Wolves side already relegated gives Tottenham a strong chance to end that run, but it also increases the pressure. This is exactly the kind of game they must win, and anything less would leave them in an even worse position with very little time left to recover. It is also the type of match Spurs need to take control of if they want to stay up.

Roberto De Zerbi will need his players to approach it like a cup final. The focus must be on ending the winless run, rebuilding confidence, and giving the fans something to believe in again.

Tottenham must stop making costly late mistakes

Another major issue Tottenham must fix is how they manage games, especially in the final minutes. The draw with Brighton showed it again, as they gave away a late goal and dropped three important points.

This is not a one-off problem. Spurs have taken the lead in several matches but still failed to win, which is a big reason they are in the relegation zone. Turning wins into draws at this stage of the season is very costly.

There have been good moments going forward, with Xavi Simons in attack and Rodrigo Bentancur in midfield showing strong performances, just as they did against Brighton. However, those efforts keep getting wasted because of a lack of focus towards the end of games.

Even with tough games ahead against teams like Chelsea and Aston Villa, De Zerbi still believes his side can win their remaining matches. But for that to happen, Spurs must learn how to close out games properly.

With only a few matches left, they need to improve quickly. Staying organised, making better decisions, and staying focused until the final whistle will be key. If they can protect leads, their chances of staying in the Premier League will definitely improve.

Roberto De Zerbi must stick with a settled starting XI

With only five games left, Tottenham need stability more than constant changes. One of the main concerns has been how often De Zerbi rotates his starting XI. At this stage of the season, he needs to stop changing the team too much and instead build consistency.

A more settled side is starting to take shape. Antonin Kinsky is expected to remain in goal, with Pedro Porro, Kevin Danso, Micky van de Ven and Destiny Udogie (if fit) in defence. In midfield, Yves Bissouma and Rodrigo Bentancur both impressed against Brighton and could be trusted again to control the middle of the pitch.

Further forward, Conor Gallagher brings energy and pressing, while Xavi Simons remains the main creative threat after another strong performance. On the right, Randal Kolo Muani is likely to keep his place, with Dominic Solanke leading the attack.

The key point now is consistency. Spurs need players to understand each other better, and avoid constant changes that disrupt balance. At this stage, De Zerbi must stop rotating his squad too often and stick with a trusted core if they are to find stability and results.

Tottenham need help from elsewhere in the relegation battle

Finally, Tottenham must accept that survival is no longer fully in their hands, they are now in a tight fight with West Ham and Nottingham Forest to avoid relegation.

While catching a stronger Leeds side looks unlikely at this stage, there is still hope when it comes to West Ham, especially after their recent draw with Crystal Palace. That result has kept the gap close and left Spurs with a small chance to close in if they can improve their own results.

Because Tottenham also have a better goal difference than some of the teams around them, matching points alone may not be enough. They will need to take full advantage when rivals like West Ham and Forest drop points, while also hoping other results go their way.

Spurs need those teams to drop points (lose or draw games) while Tottenham try to win their own matches. At this stage, Spurs must focus on their own games first while they look elsewhere for help.