Football FanCast

Tottenham Hotspur face Liverpool in the Premier League on Sunday, and Igor Tudor only has half a squad.

Four matches (in the league) isn't a long run for a manager to implement their vision, but Spurs don't exactly have much time to put things to rights. Micky van de Ven labelled this situation a "Doomsday scenario".

For many fans, there's surely something apocalyptic about Tottenham's staggering, startling collapse, with the Londoners stripped back to the bare bones as they look to stave off the threat of relegation.

The latest Spurs injury news

Tottenham are threadbare as they prepare to take on last year's champions. Liverpool have hardly been in good nick this season, but the severity of Spurs' injury crisis has eliminated any hope of securing a result on Merseyside.

Tudor is at risk of being dismissed from his interim post, but the fact that the board are waiting until the weekend has passed says much of the club's strategy and the acceptance that this storm of fitness concerns needs to be endured.

Van de Ven didn't help matters when he got himself sent off against Crystal Palace last week. The Dutchman has probably been Tottenham's star man this season, but his reckless lunge on Ismaila Sarr gave the Eagles a route back into the game, and the malaise deepened.

Complicating things, Cristian Romero and Joao Palhinha will sit this one out after clashing heads in the defeat at Atletico Madrid, out due to concussion protocols.

All told, 13 first-team players could miss the trip, and with Yves Bissouma out due to injury and Conor Gallagher down with a fever, and in the absence of midfield options, Tudor could make a tweak and unleash a struggling star in a new role.

Tudor must unleash Spurs forward in new role

Tottenham are going to be up against it at Anfield, but Tudor can help set the seeds for more stable and confident performances over the final few months of the campaign by getting a tune out of Xavi Simons, who has struggled since joining Tottenham from RB Leipzig for around £51m last summer.

Simons, 22, is one of the most talented playmakers in Europe, and the Londoners consider him to be a "potential superstar", according to journalist Graeme Bailey, but there's no denying he's found it tough in north London, with content creator Ronaldo Brown remarking several months ago that he's been "swallowed in the Prem", too uncertain on the ball and lacking impetus when part of the attack.

However, context is important, and the enormity of Tottenham's conundrum has sucked the life from these players, all of whom have more to give.

Even amid his struggles, elements of Simons' game have shone through, demonstrating why, as an attacking midfielder, he was compared to Christian Eriksen when he arrived.

For an attacking midfielder, he wins his fair share of duels, getting stuck in from a defensive standpoint. Of course, he's at his best when deployed in an attacking berth, thrust in front of the centre circle, but desperate times call for desperate measures, and this could help remodel Spurs' depleted midfield while retaining some of the creativity that has proved so elusive throughout the season.

And it's not like he's incapable of making things happen himself, with deft feet and a willingness to take on responsibility that has admittedly waned over the months at Tottenham.

While Simons doesn't have the skillset to replace someone like Palhinha, he could play the box-to-box role against a Liverpool midfield who have left a lot to be desired this season, and maybe it could start a positive trend for the business months of this tricky campaign.

Tottenham Hotspur are going to get relegated from the Premier League with Igor Tudor in the dugout. The board must swallow their pride and dismiss their pick to replace Thomas Frank one month ago, with the relegation zone a stone's throw away from north London.

The Croatian, who has previously managed teams such as Juventus and Marseille, has not had a good effect on the struggling side, who are in real bother near the bottom of the league ladder.

While Tudor is expected to lead the Lilywhites out for Sunday's Premier League clash against Liverpool at Anfield, there's little question that change is expected in the coming days, providing the outfit with fresh impetus and a route out of the danger that threatens to consume them.

The latest on Igor Tudor's Spurs future

Tottenham's fall-off has been staggering, but there is no hiding from the reality of the situation any longer. Responsibility must be taken for the failure of Tudor's appointment, and with that, his dismissal, before it is too late.

The potential of dismissing Tudor and sending the club into an even more dizzying spiral will be playing on the minds of the powers that be, but there is an option who could be the perfect pick to lift Tottenham back up.

As per TEAMtalk, ENIC Group have compiled a list of candidates to replace the interim boss, and that list is headed by Robbie Keane, with the Ferencvaros manager the frontrunner to take the reins for the remainder of the season.

The 45-year-old would prefer to take the job on a long-term basis, but he understands the precarious position Tottenham are in and would be willing to step in and close the door on his project in Hungary to guide the Londoners to safety.

Why Keane would save Spurs from relegation

Tottenham are in danger, but if placed in the right system, they have the (fit) players to make a positive difference. Keane understands the club and the Premier League, and in that, he could be the perfect pick to put things to rights.

His expertise as an attacker at the club could finally get some fluency out of the attacking system, fronted by Dominic Solanke.

With Ferencvaros, Keane has established himself as an adaptable manager whose ethos centres around focused attacking play. Former Premier League star Nigel Reo Coker has hailed his "fantastic" work with the outfit. Moreover, his man management skills have drawn praise, eager to get the best out of individual qualities, rather than creating a unit that is uniform in style, mimicking his own approach as a player.

Of course, Solanke will need those around him to step up, with Spurs among the most ineffective creative outfits in the Premier League this season. That has been one of the cruxes of this disastrous season, and it could send them into the second tier.

Expected Goals (xG) is a metric designed to measure the probability of a shot resulting in a goal.

But Keane has demonstrated an aptitude for creating and sustaining a secure tactical system, with an aggressive edge that would suit Solanke's physicality to a tee.

As well as having the capacity to score dazzling goals, Solanke is also a dynamic forward, skilled in link-up play. Moreover, he is deceptively fast, and Keane could utilise that profile to finally create some semblance of fluency across the frontline.

Versatile in setting up his formation, Keane might be at the start of his managerial journey, but he's got plenty to offer and would surely prove an upgrade on the hapless Tudor.

Solanke, 28, is in the prime of his career and has responded well over the past few months after coming back from injury, six goals from only 15 appearances across all competitions this term.

A solution is needed, and this could be the right one to bring Spurs back onto higher ground.

Igor Tudor's position in the Tottenham Hotspur dugout is anything but secure, and it looks like the interim head coach is going to be sacked in the aftermath of Sunday's trip to Anfield in the Premier League.

The Croatian coach was only drafted in a month ago, but Spurs have fallen deeper into a hole since sacking Thomas Frank. The players have failed to respond to Tudor's tactics, drawing criticism from pundits such as Stephen Warnock, who believes he has "lost the changing room".

Tottenham will be up against it on Sunday, but the board are potentially looking ahead to next weekend, when Nottingham Forest will come to N17 in a Premier League six-pointer. A lot rides on that match.

However, the managerial market isn't exactly bustling right now.

The latest on Spurs' search for a Tudor replacement

Tottenham are heading back into the market for another head coach, just one month after appointing crisis specialist Tudor.

Pickings are slim, but Tottenham have placed Ferencvaros boss Robbie Keane at the top of their shortlist, with the one-time Spurs striker keen on the idea of coming home.

That's according to TEAMtalk, but Fabrizio Romano has chipped in to confirm that sporting director Johan Lange has his eye on a number of options, with the unemployed Roberto De Zerbi said to be the "dream candidate".

Manchester United are interested in appointing De Zerbi, who was sacked by Marseille last month, at the end of the season, so convincing him to move to N17 this month will be difficult, but Tottenham are in dire straits and will consider the benefits of presenting a compelling offer for a manager who could steer them away from danger.

Why De Zerbi would be perfect for Spurs

Tottenham fan groups have called for emergency action as the prospect of relegation looms large, and if ENIC Group were to convince De Zerbi that the risk is worth taking, they would secure a proven coach who could steer them away from danger before building a special project over a number of years.

In that, the Italian could become the London club's own version of Jurgen Klopp, who took the reins at a Liverpool team who had fallen by the wayside and lifted them back into the limelight.

De Zerbi has yet to have his 'big break', taking charge at a club at the top of Europe. Tottenham, candidly, are not that club, but they could be, with the infrastructure and pull to return to the Champions League and compete for silverware each year.

That future feels like it's a million miles away, but De Zerbi is a fiery personality with a "unique" tactical mind, as Manchester City's Pep Guardiola had said of his tactics when at the helm at Brighton.

Typically implementing a fluid 4-3-3 formation, De Zerbi certainly has a certain Klopp-like quality about him, front-footed and steeped in possession-focused football.

Klopp was a proponent of gegenpressing, of course, but they both have clear and distinctive approaches and hunger for goals and dominance in the final third.

One thing is for sure: Tottenham would stand a far better chance with De Zerbi taking Tudor's position, inspiring belief and confidence in the beleaguered players while reshaping a confusing tactical set-up.

With 70 Premier League matches under his belt, the 46-year-old is not quite as experienced as others, but he's impressed in England before and led Brighton from relegation danger into midtable, shaping them into one of the sharpest outfits in the country.

De Zerbi is one of the leading managers in the world, and though he might have reservations about taking over at a Tottenham side who are in such an imperilled position, he may also relish the chance to make himself a hero and lead this side back to glory, emulating Klopp at Liverpool.

Tottenham Hotspur are now racing Manchester City, Chelsea and Arsenal to sign an "outstanding" set-piece specialist this summer.

Tudor: Tottenham can "cry or fight" for Premier League survival

Igor Tudor hasn't held back since arriving at Tottenham. The Croatian knows what's at risk and has often spoken with plenty of intent, only to watch on as his side continue to suffer defeat after defeat.

A 5-2 demolishing at the hands of Atletico Madrid just about summed things up, with Antonin Kinsky enduring a 17-minute horror show before he was hauled off in humiliating fashion.

Tudor initially made the change to drop out-of-form goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario, before his second choice made things even worse. There was simply no winning for the interim boss in midweek.

Despite reports that defeat at Liverpool could signal the end of his reign on Sunday, however, Tudor is not giving up. He told reporters earlier this week that Tottenham can either cry or they can fight to retain their top flight status.

"Not easy situation, not an easy moment and from other side a big challenge to change things. Like everything in life, you can choose how to see the situation. So, you can stay and cry or you can fight.

"You can be the victim, or you can say I can change something. This is the message I want to start and what I told to the players. Everyone speaking, everyone has opinions and the life is always how you see it. The bottle is always half empty or half full."

In amongst the chaos of Tudor's failure, and their managerial search which has seen the likes of Robbie Keane name-dropped, Spurs are also planning for a busy summer transfer window. Even with their Premier League place at risk, they've got their eye on a set-piece specialist.

Tottenham racing to sign in-demand Kayode

The Premier League deals in the currency of set pieces these days. That's why Arsenal, the richest side in this brand new economy, are on course to become champions and why Michael Kayode is a man in demand.

According to reports in Italy, Tottenham are now racing to sign Kayode alongside Manchester City, Chelsea and Arsenal this summer. The four teams have set their sights on the defender, who arguably provides the greatest long-throw threat in English football, if not Europe.

As the Premier League turns to long throws, interest in the £40,000-a-week right-back was always likely and Keith Andrews has been aware of his ability all season long.

The Brentford boss told reporters last month: "He plays with such maturity, and you’re right, I’ve said this for quite a while, it wouldn’t be correct if anybody just assessed Michael and focused on his long throw, that’s just one part of his game.

"He’s constantly evolving his game, defensively he’s outstanding, absolutely outstanding, the way he deals with opposition wingers of a high level on a weekly basis."

Tottenham Hotspur are now dreaming of hiring a replacement for Igor Tudor, whose job will be under serious threat if he does not get a result against Liverpool.

Tottenham "actively working" on Tudor replacements

Sat one point above the dropzone and yet to win a game after four attempts under Tudor, Tottenham are now "actively working" on finding their next manager, according to the Athletic's David Ornstein.

Just who that next manager will be remains the big question. The likes of Harry Redknapp have made sure that those in North London know exactly where they stand just in case they receive a shock call, whilst Robbie Keane has also been a prominent name among recent rumours.

Whether Keane would step away from Ferencvaros for an interim spell could be the sticking point for all parties. Tottenham, in such a precarious situation, may not be quick to make a permanent decision until the end of the season.

Whoever does arrive could turn up with the club inside the bottom three with just eight games to go. Should the Lilywhites fail to beat Liverpool and other results do not go their way, then they will be staring down the barrel of relegation.

It would spell the ultimate disaster for a club that ended their trophy drought by winning the Europa League less than a year ago. But Tudor's arrival could prove to be one poor decision too many unless those in North London manage to land their dream replacement in the coming weeks.

Tottenham dreaming of hiring Roberto De Zerbi

As reported by Fabrizio Romano, Tottenham would "love" to hire Roberto De Zerbi to replace Tudor and the former Marseille manage remains their dream, long-term target.

"If there is a dream candidate for Tottenham now, it’s Roberto De Zerbi. He’s seen as the ideal candidate for the Tottenham job.

"Tottenham would love to hire De Zerbi, but at the moment, this depends on several things and it’s not easy. But the name of De Zerbi is a name we should always keep in the dream targets for Tottenham as manager." (Romano)

Of course, if Spurs were at least pushing towards mid-table comfort, then De Zerbi could jump at the chance to join. Now that they're fighting relegation, however, it could be a different story.

Dubbed "one of the most influential managers of the last 20 years" by Pep Guardiola, it's easy to see why Spurs want to hire De Zerbi. The 4-2-3-1 manager transformed Brighton & Hove Albion into a European club for a brief moment and would take the Lilywhites back to similar heights.

Whilst convincing him to join right now may be a hefty task, it should be top of Tottenham's priority list if they survive this summer.

Under-fire Igor Tudor has told Tottenham players to not be “victims” and to ignore outside noise in a desperate bid to rally his low-on-confidence squad for Sunday’s trip to Liverpool.

Tottenham lining up replacements if Tudor loses at Liverpool

Pressure ramped up on interim head coach Tudor after Spurs slipped to a 5-2 loss at Atletico Madrid in the Champions League on Tuesday following a shambolic opening where back-up goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky made two disastrous errors.

Kinsky was substituted after only 17 minutes but Tudor watched Tottenham lose again to make it four defeats in a row to start his tenure, which is a first in the club’s history and the six consecutive losses they have suffered this year is also a record.

“Not easy situation, not an easy moment and from other side a big challenge to change things. Like everything in life, you can choose how to see the situation. So, you can stay and cry or you can fight,” Tudor insisted.

“You can be the victim or you can say I can change something. This is the message I want to start and what I told to the players. Everyone speaking, everyone has opinions and the life is always how you see it. The bottle is always half empty or half full.

“Here there is nothing full, there is a lot of empty things but difficult moments don’t last forever. It will pass and I believe the players who will take this as a challenge, as an opportunity will stand up with the courage to change things, after this period they will become better people and better players.

“So, in tough moments it’s always about that, it’s always about us. In the last period, a lot of things about what is the club, the problems, no one can do nothing and this like victim-ism, like we were victims.

“I said this morning to the players totally opposition things. We are the team and we are the staff. It’s all about us. All the b*******, all the other things are b******* and sorry to use this word, but it’s on us.

“I do every day this work. Psychology work. It is important also to give the courage to the team-mates. Some of them they cannot manage, for sure. Somewhere you arrive and you can help them.

“My goal is to find if I can help to do 18 players out of 20, 15? I don’t know how much? Sometimes you cannot do anything, but most of the time you can do even small changes.

“Small help, you know, you can do it, but also it’s what I always like to say to the players, don’t be a victim.

“Don’t think it’s not about me. You know that can be the problem more than all these things about Tottenham and club, you know, like magic on the club, like bad black magic and these other b*******, you know. So this is about what I want to send a message.”

Captain Cristian Romero and Joao Palhinha will miss the trip to Anfield, adding to the defensive problems with Micky van de Ven suspended and Yves Bissouma also ruled out.

And David Ornstein revealed on Friday that the club are already lining up replacements should Tudor suffer another humiliation at Anfield, where Spurs have not won since 2011.

Tudor not the only one at Spurs facing the sack

According to Tottenham insider John Wenham, there could be mass changes at boardroom level this summer.

Indeed, Johan Lange is now under pressure following the departure of Fabio Paratici, while ex-Arsenal chief Vinai Venkatesham could also depart, with their powers absorbed into one all-seeing role.

That role could be handed to former Crystal Palace director Dougie Freedman, who earned praise for his work in building a talented squad under a restricted budget at Selhurst Park before moving to Saudi Arabia, where he is currently the sporting director of Al-Diriyah.

“Johan Lange is under huge amounts of pressure.

“A lot of talk online about maybe him going in the summer already, Sami Mokbel did a piece saying that Tottenham were looking at Dougie Freedman to come in, highly regarded for his work at Crystal Palace, he’s now with a team in the Saudi League.

“If he were to come in as the director of football, although they could say it would be him and Lange together, I could very quickly see Lange being sort of sidelined.

"Vinai Venkatesham has also come in for huge amounts of scrutiny and pressure, and the ownership board might think, in the summer, let’s bring in Dougie Freedman.

“Let’s have a clean break from Vinai and Lange and try and get fans back on side because they desperately need to do something.” - Wenham, talking to Tottenham Hotspur News

Venkatesham was not a popular appointment back in April of last year due to his connections with the Gunners, and has done little to calm supporters since, admitting this week the club will have to operate on a sell-to-buy basis in the coming transfer windows to avoid Financial Fair Play difficulties.

Tottenham Hotspur are in a rut, but they have more than enough quality to stave off the threat of relegation from the Premier League and rediscover that confidence levels that have evaporated across the course of the season.

And yet, this is an unprecedented situation for the north Londoners, who have never been more imperilled and have any number of issues that no one has been able to find a solution for.

Time is running out. Spurs are now staring down the barrel of a gun, and they need to find some points from somewhere, with relegation rivals Nottingham Forest and West Ham United both in better nick, even a point behind as they both are.

The big question, then, is if Igor Tudor is the right man to lead Spurs forward over the business months of the campaign.

Why Spurs should sack Igor Tudor

Since replacing Thomas Frank on an interim basis one month ago, Tudor's tenure has been a disaster. Tottenham have lost all four matches in the Premier League, with the error-strewn defeat against Atletico Madrid in the Champions League adding insult to injury.

It feels like the Croatian, 47, has failed to rouse the rabble. Cristian Romero is back from suspension, but the Lilywhites lost Micky van de Ven during their home defeat to Crystal Palace last week, and the irreplaceable Dutchman will miss Sunday's trip to Anfield.

In fact, pundit Stephen Warnock has said that he has "lost the changing room", and if Tottenham want to avoid relegation, they may need to wipe the slate clean once again.

Who to appoint, though, in his stead? Pickings are slim, and no mistake, but TEAMtalk reveal that Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe, long admired by the Londoners, could be the perfect pick, should several variables fall into the right places.

This is conditional. Former Newcastle United Director Amanda Staveley, who led the charge as a Saudi-backed consortium purchased the St. James' Park club in 2021, is mooted to be interested in bidding for Tottenham, and her consortium would look to place the English coach in the dugout. The cost of such a takeover would be a mammoth £3billion.

Howe's future at the Magpies helm is by no means secure, but he's done exceptional work in recent years and could be the perfect project manager to bring Spurs back into the limelight.

Why Howe would be perfect for Spurs

Howe's Newcastle are enduring a tricky season, but there's no question that his time at the Toon helm has been sensational, lifting the club back into the ascendancy and keeping them there.

Newcastle are now regular European competitors, having spent two of the past three campaigns in the Champions League.

The chances of Howe becoming Tottenham manager this season are negligible. However, this could become a reality if things gather pace, and that would likely require clarity in regard to Spurs' precarious position in the Premier League.

In any case, Howe would be an upgrade on Tudor, whose tactics and methods have raised no shortage of questions so far this season, leaving most of a Lilywhites persuasion hoping he will be sacked just one month after his appointment.

Hailed for his "special" success on Tyneside by Newcastle reporter Sean McCormick, Howe's record on Tyneside speaks for itself, turning the Magpies into one of the Premier League's most formidable outfits.

That, of course, is without even mentioning the Carabao Cup title that Howe secured last season, Newcastle defeating Liverpool at Wembley to lift the trophy.

Compared to Howe, Tudor's managerial accomplishments pale in comparison. Moreover, Howe has a wealth of experience in the English game, and he knows what it means to weather adversity and challenge for European places, also battling for form lower down the ladder.

It's unlikely that the Croatian will even fulfil his interim contract at Tottenham, much less earn a full-time job in the dugout of this sinking ship.

Tottenham may be in trouble right now, but if they can salvage something from this season, the knock-on effect might just lead to someone like Howe taking over and turning things around.

Aston Villa have now sparked concern in North London that they could beat Tottenham Hotspur in the race to sign a Serie A target this summer.

Emery satisfied with "serious" Aston Villa display

It hasn't been the most routine last few weeks for Aston Villa. They entered their Europa League last 16 first leg against LOSC Lille off the back of just one win in their previous seven games in all competitions.

The Europa League is a competition that Unai Emery knows exactly how to navigate, however, and his side were as professional as it gets to close out a narrow 1-0 victory in France on Thursday.

The Villa boss was satisfied with his side's performance, though will be well aware that there's still work to do in the second leg. He told reporters: "We played very seriously. We were always organised and we played trying to defend strongly, trying to feel comfortable defending as well, and trying to get some transition with the ball and to dominate with the ball – and we did it."

"We respect this competition because we know the difficulties of each match in Europe, away, and how it is for the English teams, like yesterday in the Champions League, how they were struggling."

The Europa League represents one of two routes towards Champions League qualification for the Villans this season. The other, of course being the Premier League's top four, which could become a top five if English sides enjoy enough European success.

Recent results suggest that a top five finish won't be as simple as it first seemed, though. As things stand, Villa are fourth and just three points above Chelsea and Liverpool with Manchester United to play this weekend.

It almost goes without saying just how much Champions League qualification would boost their summer transfer plans. It could even be enough to win the race to a Serie A star.

Aston Villa plotting Mario Gila move

As reported by Tuttosport, Aston Villa are now plotting a move to sign Mario Gila from Lazio this summer. The 25-year-old defender, who came through the famous Real Madrid academy, is also on Tottenham's radar, but their precarious position gives Villa the upper hand.

With potential Champions League qualification in mind, the Spaniard would be an ideal addition and replace the ageing Tyrone Mings. On paper, if Aston Villa have Pau Torres, Ezri Konsa and Gila to call on next season, they would have incredibly impressive centre-back depth under Emery.

With physicality and long balls becoming more prominent in the Premier League, a player with Gila's passing range certainly wouldn't go amiss and neither would his duel success.

Alas, whilst Villa could welcome a difference-maker in their backline, Tottenham could suffer yet another blow. The Lilywhites are staring down the barrel of potential relegation, with one point between themselves and the dropzone.

To say that they are in no position to bring the likes of Lazio defender to North London would be a major understatement.

Crisis is a word that gets bandied about too often in football, but there's no question that Tottenham Hotspur are in a full-blown emergency as relegation from the Premier League looms large.

Time is running out for interim boss Igor Tudor to whip these struggling Spurs stars into shape and save their Premier League status. Tottenham have lost five top-flight matches in a row, and Tudor each of his first four games in Thomas Frank's old seat.

It's probably fair to say that of all the Londoners' remaining chances to turn things around, their big moment isn't going to arrive this weekend, with a trip to Anfield to face Liverpool on the cards.

Arne Slot's side have suffered a poor title defence, but the scale of Spurs' current injury crisis has created an alarming situation indeed.

Spurs' injury nightmare

Micky van de Ven is suspended for this one after picking up a red card against Crystal Palace last week. That blow has been exacerbated by Cristian Romero's expected absence, sidelined along with Joao Palhinha due to concussion protocols; the fiery pair accidentally clashed heads during the midweek defeat to Atletico Madrid.

These absentees only scratch the surface of a disastrous situation that's threatening to consume the club, with Yves Bissouma out with a muscular injury and Conor Gallagher unlikely to make the cut after coming down with a fever.

Dejan Kulusevski and James Maddison remain long-term inhabitants in the medical room.

Perhaps ENIC Group and sporting director Johan Lange are simply biding their time ahead of next week, with Sunday's tie considered an unrealistic one as far as returning to winning ways.

It doesn't seem likely that Tudor will see out the duration of his interim contract at N17, but on Sunday, he could help rekindle some of the dormant confidence that has formed the central crux of the club's imperilled position.

He could do this by handing a talented young defender their very first senior start.

Academy talent in line for first Spurs start

Tottenham need to rally over the final few months of the season, and the fanbase can at least take solace in the fact that Romero and Van de Ven will be free to reconnect in central defence after the forthcoming Premier League fixture.

However, in their absence, Tudor might want to hand 17-year-old defender Jun'ai Byfield his first professional start, with the academy talent having edged his way into first-team contention over the past few months and now ready to take the next step forward.

While this weekend feels like an inauspicious time for him to make his first start in the top division, it would be a significant show of faith in a player whose talent has already seen him make three senior appearances, including his Premier League debut in the draw to Manchester City last month.

Physical and slick on the ball, Byfield has all the attributes to become a top centre-back in the Premier League. His tenacity and will to win could bring the energy and enthusiasm that the club have been searching for over the course of the season, and in that, he might even be a better pick at Anfield than someone like Radu Dragusin, who has had a torrid time since returning from injury in late December.

The fact that Byfield has spoken of his desire to lead Tottenham's senior squad one day is a testament to his character and potential on the major stage, and with someone like Dragusin looking apt for a summer sale, maybe unleashing him in Liverpool could give him some confidence and raise the mood of the crowd.

Of course, we don't want a repeat of the Antonin Kinsky situation, but desperate times call for desperate measures, and Byfield has what it takes to stand out.

Tottenham Hotspur need to start winning matches in the Premier League, else the incessant chatter around relegation will only intensify before becoming a reality.

It's rather clear at this point that appointing Igor Tudor on an interim basis until the end of the season was a mistake, with Spurs somehow getting worse since Thomas Frank's dismissal last month.

Where do Tottenham go from here? The dream pick would be Mauricio Pochettino, but that's not going to happen, with the former Lilywhites boss in charge of the USMNT for the World Cup later this year.

But Tottenham need a manager now, else they really could tumble down into the Championship.

The latest on Spurs' managerial search

Tottenham have placed Pochettino and Roberto De Zerbi at the top of their managerial shortlist, but neither of the elite managers are realistic options until all has been said and done in 2025/26.

Therefore, ENIC Group might need to think outside the box, with rumours even linking Harry Redknapp with a sensational return to the dugout down N17.

In all honesty, appointing a retired 79-year-old to lead the fight against relegation, the most perilous position this club have ever been in as a Premier League side, might not be the most prudent move.

But Tudor does need to be dismissed, and if not Redknapp or De Zerbi or Pochettino, then who?

Well, according to TEAMtalk, Ferencvaros boss Robbie Keane is one of the leading contenders to take the job, and what's more, he would be particularly keen on the move now.

Keane, 45, would ideally want to take the role on a permanent long-term basis, whereas Spurs sporting director Johan Lange would want to offer him a contract running until the end of the season.

Why Keane could be the best Spurs manager since Poch

One of the greatest Tottenham forwards of modern times, a "legend", according to former teammate Terry Sheringham, Keane might be young and inexperienced but he knows the club and has enjoyed a strong start to his coaching career in Hungary, hitherto at the helm of Maccabi Tel Aviv and completing a string of assistant roles in the Championship.

For sure, the appointment would be a gamble, but Keane couldn't do any worse than Tudor's doing, four losses from four in the Premier League so far and with confidence in his ability to turn things round non-existent.

Moreover, Keane is tactically adaptable, fielding either a 4-3-3 or 3-5-2 flat formation. In that, he shares something with Pochettino, who employed a three-man backline during the sunny days of his tenure.

Pochettino is undoubtedly Tottenham's greatest modern manager. Ange Postecoglou won the Europa League last season, but the instability that reigned throughout his two-year stint suggests he doesn't quite compare with the man who turned the club into one of the Premier League's finest over a several-year spell.

Keane, therefore, could follow a similar route, with his front-footed tactical approach and understanding of the culture and style that Spurs hope to implement suggesting he could be perfect for the role.

When Pochettino arrived in Tottenham, few would have said he could outdrive, say, Harry Redknapp, or even Andre Villas-Boas. But the ex-Southampton coach became the project manager the club needed.

After all, there's a reason that Poch is considered so highly by the board now, and that he is at the top of the shortlist to take the reins after his duties at the World Cup have been fulfilled.

Keane has made a strong start to his own managerial career, and while he's young and inexperienced, the Irish legend could both emulate Pochettino while outstripping all the elite managers in the intervening years, becoming the perfect leader to establish a sustained period of success.