Football FanCast

Tottenham are believed to be closing in on their first summer sale, with a Man City-owned club poised to benefit.

Spurs braced for vital relegation decider against Everton

Tuesday night at Stamford Bridge was an opportunity for Tottenham to confirm their safety.

Instead, a 2-1 defeat to Chelsea has left Roberto De Zerbi's side heading into the final day of the Premier League season still looking over their shoulder.

Spurs remain 17th on 38 points, two above West Ham in 18th, but the gap feels smaller than it did a week ago.

Sunday's home fixture against Everton is now the most important game of Tottenham's season.

A point will be enough, thanks to a vastly superior goal difference over West Ham, who must beat Leeds at the London Stadium and hope De Zerbi's men lose.

The arithmetic favours Spurs, but after the way the past fortnight has gone, nothing can be taken for granted. The mood around the club is tense, the supporters are anxious, and the players know exactly what is at stake.

Behind the scenes, however, one piece of business that has been months in the making is finally approaching completion, and it offers a small but welcome boost to the balance sheet.

Tottenham expected to finalise Alejo Veliz sale to Bahia

According to La Capita, as cited by Sport Witness, Tottenham are set to finalise the permanent sale of striker Alejo Veliz to Esporte Clube Bahia, the Brazilian Serie A club under City Football Group's umbrella.

The deal, agreed in principle back in February at a fee of around £8m with nothing signed yet (Alasdair Gold), is expected to go through this summer once the 22-year-old's season-long loan at Rosario Central formally expires.

Veliz's time at Tottenham never got going.

The 'powerful' Argentine arrived from Rosario Central in August 2023 for around £13m, but managed just eight appearances and one goal in a Spurs shirt before being sent out on three consecutive loan spells — Sevilla, Espanyol and then back to his boyhood club.

None of the European loans produced the breakthrough the club had hoped for, and the decision to sell became inevitable.

His farewell in Argentina was emotional. Veliz scored in Rosario Central's 4-0 Copa Libertadores victory over Universidad Central de Venezuela on Tuesday night, and afterwards appeared visibly moved during a pitchside interview.

Teammate Marco Ruben, a club legend, interrupted to pay tribute: "He's saying goodbye to the Gigante for the second time. It certainly won't be the last, so we'll be waiting for him here again. I wish him the greatest success."

Veliz himself acknowledged the weight of wearing the number nine shirt at Rosario Central.

"I always tried to contribute to the group, to give everything for this jersey, to put everything aside for this jersey," he said.

"The day I return, I'll continue doing so."

For Spurs, the £8m fee represents a significant loss on their original investment, but it removes a player from the wage bill who was never going to feature in De Zerbi's plans.

Bahia, backed by CFG's resources and global network, will offer Veliz regular football in Brazil's top flight and a chance to rebuild a career that stalled in Europe before it ever truly started.

James Maddison labelled Tottenham Hotspur's relegation-threatened campaign an "embarressment" after defeat at Stamford Bridge, and who can blame him for venting his frustrations?

The England playmaker has only just returned from an injury that kept him from making a single competitive appearance under Thomas Frank or Igor Tudor, but he's enjoyed two substitute appearances in recent weeks and will hope to play a part against Everton on Sunday.

However, it's unlikely that the 29-year-old is fit to play a full 90 after such a serious ACL injury (two, technically), leaving Roberto De Zerbi with a tough choice on Sunday, the most critical match in Tottenham's modern history.

Why Maddison needs to start for Spurs on Sunday

Maddison is not at fault this season, having missed the lion's share due to his long-term injury. However, he is the difference-maker in this side, adding impetus and energy as Spurs were trailing against Chelsea on Tuesday evening.

He might not be able to play the full 90, but the creative midfielder has to see some action. During 2023/24, his first season under Ange Postecoglou, Maddison created 2.4 chances per game.

Only one year ago, the Tottenham persuasion would say that their Europa League final against Manchester United was the most important match in several decades, a chance to end 17 years of searching for silverware.

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

With the likes of Xavi Simons and Mohammed Kudus out injured, Tottenham's attacking options are thin, leading to so many appearances - six straight recent starts - for Randal Kolo Muani.

The French forward has been terrible this season, seemingly getting worse as the weight of responsibility builds upon his back. Could De Zerbi pull out a trump card on the final day of the season?

Spurs star should start over Maddison & Kolo Muani

Tottenham have fallen by the wayside this season - but they may yet pick themselves back up to beat Everton and avoid the maw of relegation into the Championship.

To help them achieve this, it's not Maddison but Archie Gray who could be in line to take Kolo Muani's starting berth on Sunday, even if that means De Zerbi is forced to unleash the 20-year-old in an unconventional role - after all, Gray has become accustomed to unconventional roles in the Premier League for Tottenham.

Big praise, but Gray has not started since De Zerbi's first game in charge, that 1-0 defeat against Sunderland on Wearside. But this is one of the biggest talents in the Premier League, projected as a "future £100m centre-midfielder" by analyst and Como scout Ben Mattinson.

Gray might not have the skillset to be a leading right winger, but he can do a job out wide, tenacious to a fault and with a commanding grasp of the technical side of the winger's game. In the Premier League this term, he has completed 33.3% of his crosses, putting him in the top quarter of Premier League players for that metric.

Conor Gallagher flattered to deceive against Chelsea, and Joao Palhinha was clumsy on the ball. However, both must start on Sunday, with De Zerbi' industrious central trio more likely to connect against a midfield such as Everton's.

That leaves Kolo Muani out on the right, right? Wrong. The Frenchman has been too poor of late, and starting him would be a risk. Maddison probably isn't fit enough, so why shouldn't Gray receive the nod. He's energetic and a natural-born leader, with plenty of experience in deeper wide positions for the Lilywhites.

It would be great if a fully-fit Maddison was in the right shape and form to start against Everton at the weekend, but that is not Tottenham's reality.

Against Chelsea, Kolo Muani put in a truly abysmal performance, and while Gray would be in an unnatural position, he surely has more in the locker than his struggling French teammate.

Tottenham Hotspur's Stamford Bridge hoodoo means that their relegation scrap will go down to the wire.

On the final day of the Premier League season, Spurs host Everton knowing that a point will be enough to preserve their top-flight status. However, they haven't tasted league victory down N17 since the start of December, when Brentford were dispatched under Thomas Frank.

That feels like a lifetime ago, but Roberto De Zerbi has instilled hope and direction since taking over during the March international break, and Tottenham now have the lead at the eleventh hour.

De Zerbi and his players are confident that they will avoid the unthinkable, but this mess cannot be allowed to happen again.

How Spurs have reached the brink of relegation

Here we are, at the end of this long and perilous road. Tottenham must feel they have done enough to keep ahead of West Ham, but for Spurs to stumble at the finish line would hardly be a surprise to the disconsolate fanbase.

Injuries have wrecked any hopes of building on last year's Europa League triumph, but the plain truth is that Tottenham haven't done anywhere near enough to escape from the hole into which they have sunk.

Defensively, they have been porous, less leaky only than the three outfits in the relegation zone. In attack, they have been ineffective and they have been toothless. This has been a disastrous season, with players of ostensibly greater quality than some of the biggest flops in recent memory still unable to prevent this landslide.

Tanguy Ndombele and Timo Werner stand out as particularly bad eggs for the London club. Ndombele cost £63m, a club record, when he joined from Lyon in 2019, but poor attitude and laziness precluded him from ever nearing the potential attributed to him during that earlier foray in France.

Werner, of course, was simply not good enough. At Chelsea, he had spells, flashes of pace and potency. He won the Champions League. But under Ange Postecoglou, across not one loan spell but two, the German forward was rubbish, scoring three goals across 41 matches in all competitions.

Tottenham may survive, but they need a summer clearout, and no mistake.

Spurs must get rid of the new Ndombele-Werner

If Tottenham survive this mess, they will need to work hard this summer to ensure the future is brighter. De Zerbi has the vision, but his methods will fall flat without a refocused transfer strategy.

Signing wingers like Randal Kolo Muani cannot happen again. In fairness, the France international was once considered among the most talented forwards in the world, but he fell by the wayside at Paris Saint-Germain, sinking deeper with Spurs.

His season in the Premier League has been a difficult one.

Tottenham's ridiculous injury misfortune has led to six straight starts for the on-loan forward, but he has failed to grasp that opportunity, invariably leaving something to be desired.

Last time out, he hit his lowest ebb, sloppily conceding the ball as Chelsea doubled their advantage. Tottenham were frustrated in that they played pretty well, unable to make their pressure count and leaving their fate to be determined on the final day of the campaign.

While supporters might hope to see him benched for the final game of the season, the reality is that De Zerbi's squad is threadbare, shorn of all its attacking depth. Mohammed Kudus cannot help his team out, neither can Dejan Kulusevski or Wilson Odobert or Xavi Simons.

Ergo, Spurs need to hope that Kolo Muani has left his best until last, but even if he put a hat-trick past Jordan Pickford on Sunday afternoon, the 27-year-old must be launched from north London as quickly as possible this summer, bringing the profligacy of Werner and the "lazy" attitude - as branded by journalist Kyle Freeguard - of Ndombele, two of Tottenham's biggest flops in recent memory.

Such players would offer little to this bruised Spurs side right now, and there's no question that there are many players out there who could make a bigger and better impact than Kolo Muani has over the past year. Maybe De Zerbi has a plan to drop him against the Toffees this weekend.

Let's hope so, because on the basis of the evidence provided over the past several months, it will not be Kolo Muani who saves this club from relegation.

Barcelona have now made contact regarding a summer deal for a Tottenham Hotspur star, with ENIC ready to sanction a move for £52m.

De Zerbi wants "important" role in Tottenham's summer recruitment

The summer transfer window may be one of the last things on Roberto De Zerbi's mind right now, given that Premier League safety is yet to be secured, with the relegation battle set to go down to the final day, after the 2-1 defeat against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

With one game remaining, Tottenham are two points clear of 18th-placed West Ham United, which means they are near-certain to avoid the drop if they pick up a draw against Everton at the weekend, given the disparity in the goal difference.

When the division Spurs will be playing in next season is confirmed, they will be able to start making plans for the summer, and De Zerbi has made it clear he wants a say in the recruitment.

The Italian said: "I think every coach wants to be important in the transfer market, to find the connection with the sporting director, with the board of the club, because everyone works for the good of the club, not for ourselves. But it’s not important now."

Since replacing Igor Tudor, De Zerbi has spoken highly of captain Cristian Romero, saying: "He is an amazing guy because he has been a great captain in my time even though he didn’t play. We are talking by phone and when he stay here, every morning he came in my office and he was inside of the season."

However, a summer departure is now on the cards, with ENIC ready to cash-in.

Barcelona make approach to sign Romero

According to a report from Spain (via Sport Witness), Tottenham are planning to let Romero leave in the upcoming window, regardless of whether they are able to stay in the Premier League.

Should Spurs manage to get over the line in the relegation battle, the Argentinian will have a price tag of €60m (£52m), but that figure will drop significantly if they go down to the second tier. Either way, his suitors believe the defender ‘will definitely leave’.

Barcelona have made contact to sign the defender, and they are still waiting for a response from his agent, but the La Liga heavyweights unwilling to pay the steep asking price so will 'only' offer a player-plus-cash bid.

It has been a dismal campaign for Tottenham, and their captain hasn't done them any favours at times, being sent off twice in the Premier League.

However, the Argentina international has been one of the best of a bad bunch, with an average FotMob match rating of 7.06 in the Premier League ranking him third in the squad.

Tottenham Hotspur are now plotting a summer move for an "absolutely phenomenal" player, with manager Roberto De Zerbi personally keen.

Tottenham eyeing summer signings after defeat at Chelsea

Just one point at Stamford Bridge would've effectively guaranteed Tottenham's safety, as a draw would've moved them three points clear of West Ham United, and they have a vastly superior goal difference to their London rivals.

However, Spurs came up short in a 2-1 defeat against Chelsea, on a night where Joao Palhinha received criticism from Jamie Carragher after fouling Josh Acheampong on the 31-minute mark.

The Sky Sports pundit said: “A man of his experience making a foul there is absolutely ridiculous. One of the most infuriating things in football, that, guy going absolutely nowhere and you give a foul away.”

Palhinha has been one of De Zerbi's key players, starting the last three Premier League games, but it is unclear whether the Portugal international will remain in north London beyond the end of the campaign, with it being revealed he is willing to take a wage cut to secure an exit.

Should the former Fulham man depart, De Zerbi will have to bring in a new option in the middle of the park this summer, and a Premier League star has now emerged as a target.

Tottenham enter race to sign "absolutely phenomenal" midfielder

According to a report from TEAMtalk, Tottenham are now eyeing a surprise move for Matt O’Riley, with De Zerbi considered a big fan of the Brighton midfielder, who is valued at around £35m, although there could be competition from Borussia Dortmund and Atletico Madrid.

Spurs have been discussing a move for the Irishman in recruitment meetings, and there are encouraging signs that a deal will be possible, with Brighton said to be open to a departure for the right price.

Celtic will benefit from a hefty sell-on clause if the deal goes through, with the Dane receiving major plaudits from former manager Brendan Rodgers near the end of the 2023-24 season.

“He has been absolutely phenomenal really in his consistency. I think if we lacked anything as a team, it was probably that.

“But from an individual perspective his goal return… I think someone said he had scored his first goal [of last season] in January of last year.

"So to look at his numbers now, it’s huge testament to himself because the work he puts in, the focus he puts in every single day at training to improve and be better, that’s clearly been rewarded by his team-mates and everyone else. It’s very well deserved."

The 25-year-old chipped in with 27 goals and 35 assists in 124 appearances for Celtic, but he hasn't been able to establish himself at Brighton, being sent out on loan to Marseille earlier this season, which raises doubts about whether Tottenham should pursue a move.

Tottenham Hotspur were beaten by Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, and this agonising relegation dogfight is going to go right down to the wire.

Trips to west London are seldom fruitful for Spurs, but Roberto De Zerbi's side could not afford to conform to the normal way of things on this evening, with wretched home form now in need of being overturned on this final day of the campaign to avoid a humiliating tumble into the Championship.

What a disaster of a loan spell.

Kolo Muani's latest horrorshow for Spurs

Kolo Muani's hospital pass led to Andrey Santos' second-half goal, widening Chelsea's advantage and proving too great for Tottenham to recover from.

A disaster indeed. How costly could that be at the weekend? Kolo Muani has suffered in Spurs' attack this season, unable to channel any of the form that lifted him into elite conversations in Germany and Italy and France.

He was unable to add to one lonely Premier League goal this term, and now, Kolo Muani surely needs to be benched for Tottenham's final Premier League game of the season - maybe, unthinkably, their last for at least 15 months.

Having joined the club from Paris Saint-Germain on a season-long loan last summer, the Les Bleus star hasn't been anywhere near the expected grade. Of course, he's only a part of the Londoners' wider malaise, but this was a particularly frustrating showing.

Kolo Muani misplaced all four of his attempted crosses, losing possession 15 times in total without creating a single chance.

He wasn't the only Spurs star who flattered to deceive at Stamford Bridge, though. Another permanent member of the outfit needs to go now, having yet again been well below the standard.

Spurs flop must be sold this summer

Through no fault of his own, Destiny Udogie has been hampered by injuries over the past few years at Tottenham, but this has dragged him away from the world-class potential that was touted upon his first foray into English football, under Ange Postecoglou's wing.

Once so promising, the 23-year-old may well be following Kolo Muani out the door this summer, a weak link once again against Chelsea. It's clear that De Zerbi needs to ring the changes this summer, with Udogie's shoddy injury record and consequent influency putting him in the firing line.

He was replaced by Djed Spence after 69 minutes, looking some what discomfited. Was he frustrated with his performance, or could the Italy international have fallen to more bad luck on the injury front?

In any case, something now needs to give. Not only did Udogie repeatedly squander possession, but he failed to complete a single dribble and didn't creat a single chance, also committing three fouls and stifling Spurs' build-up sequences, struggling to connect with Mathys Tel.

Tottenham signed Souza from Santos in January, the young left-back tipped for big things. Moreover, they are expected to explore a deal for Andy Robertson when his Liverpool contract expires this summer. Spence can also play on the left.

This is all to say that maybe it's time for Spurs to cut their losses on Udogie, who hasn't enjoyed himself for a sustained period in a Tottenham shirt for some time now, and Juventus were reported to have registered their interest back in February.

Stamford Bridge is never a happy battleground for the Lilywhites, but there was an air of frustration about the travelling supporters as they trudged off home.

Tottenham could have got something against the Blues, and while De Zerbi will be confident that his side can avoid relegation by securing a point against Everton, he has surely got a clearer picture about what he needs to tweak this summer, with Udogie out of chances to prove his worth for this team.

Everton are keen to see if they can force the transfer of a former Tottenham forward who is now in the form of his life, according to reports.

Everton plan for summer as European dream all but ends

Everton's first season under the Friedkin Group has been a positive one by most measures.

David Moyes' side have since slipped to 12th with one game to play after a dismal run of late-season form, but considering the bigger picture of 25/26, there is a lot of room for positivity considering they were staring into the abyss not so long ago.

European qualification remains mathematically possible but realistically out of reach, with the Toffees needing to overhaul four teams in the space of 90 minutes and batter Spurs on the final day to usurp Brentford's superior goal difference.

Still, what a summer for the Merseysiders it promises to be.

TFG have signalled their intent to back Moyes with serious investment, with reports suggesting that the owners are ready to fund a big-money striker signing.

John Stones is also reportedly a favourite to return to Everton on a free transfer, but the search for attacking reinforcements has been a constant theme in the background.

Another name has entered the conversation there, and his numbers this season demand attention.

Everton want to sign ex-Tottenham striker Troy Parrott

According to outlet SoccerNews in the Netherlands, Everton are among a group of clubs exploring the possibility of signing Troy Parrott from AZ Alkmaar, with Moyes' side "curious to see if they can force a transfer".

The 24-year-old Irish international has been one of the most prolific strikers in European football this season, scoring 31 goals and registering 12 assists in 48 appearances across all competitions for the Dutch club.

In the Eredivisie alone, he has hit 16 goals in 28 matches — a return made all the more impressive by the fact that a knee ligament injury in late August kept him out until October.

Since recovering, Parrott has been unstoppable.

A hat-trick and an assist in a 6-0 demolition of Ajax in the KNVB Cup in January was the standout moment, but the goals have been relentless throughout.

He scored his 30th of the season in the KNVB Cup final against NEC Nijmegen in April, helping AZ to a 5-1 victory and the first domestic trophy of his career.

His international form has been equally remarkable — a brace against Portugal and a hat-trick in Hungary, including a 96th-minute winner, fired Ireland into the World Cup playoffs last November.

Parrott joined AZ from Tottenham for around £7m in the summer of 2024 and has three years remaining on his contract.

Transfermarkt value him at around £18m, but AZ will not let him go that cheaply given his importance to the squad and the length of time left on his deal.

Everton are not the only club circling.

SoccerNews report that Tottenham are interested in re-signing the striker they sold two years ago, while Leeds and AC Milan have also been monitoring his situation.

Parrott himself told ESPN after AZ's final Eredivisie game — a 3-3 draw with NAC Breda — that he feels it is time for the next step: "It's important for me to take the next step in my career and to play at the highest level."

Whether Everton can win the race will depend on the financial package they put together and the competition they face.

However, a 24-year-old with 31 goals in a single season, Premier League pedigree through his Spurs upbringing, and a hunger to prove himself in England's top flight is exactly the kind of profile Moyes has been looking for.

Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernández recently requested the Blues to move for a Tottenham star, as he wants to see more elite players in west London.

Xabi Alonso appointed as new Chelsea boss with transfer plans mooted

Xabi Alonso has barely been in the job a day and the transfer noise at Stamford Bridge is already deafening.

The Spaniard was officially confirmed as Chelsea's new manager on Sunday, signing a four-year deal running until 2030, and his influence on the club's summer planning is expected to be immediate.

As Fabrizio Romano reported over the weekend, Alonso will be heavily involved in recruitment from the outset — a notable shift from the approach taken with previous coaches, who were often handed players rather than consulted on them.

The early signs suggest the forward line will be the priority.

Reliable Blues insider Simon Phillips has this week reported that Chelsea are weighing up moves for Brentford's Igor Thiago and Galatasaray's Victor Osimhen as they look to add a proven goalscorer, with Liam Delap and Marc Guiu expected to leave.

Joao Pedro is also a hot topic at Barcelona, so they may face a battle to keep the Brazilian given the lure of the Camp Nou.

As per Phillips again, Aston Villa's Ollie Watkins, Newcastle's Nick Woltemade, Sunderland's Brian Brobbey and Inter Milan's Pio Esposito have also been discussed internally as part of a wide-ranging striker search.

But it is not just the front line that needs attention.

According to the reliable journalist, one of Chelsea's own players has made his feelings known about what the club should be doing at the back.

Enzo Fernández tells Chelsea to sign Tottenham captain Cristian Romero

Phillips reports that Fernandez has recently held fresh conversations with Chelsea over a new contract, but nothing has been agreed.

In those discussions, the Argentine is said to have told the club to sign Cristian Romero from Tottenham and expressed a desire to see more top-level players brought in this summer.

It is a bold piece of dressing room diplomacy from a player whose own future has been one of the running subplots of Chelsea's season.

Fernandez has been in contract negotiations with the club since December, but talks apparently broke down over financial terms.

His agent, Javier Pastore, confirmed publicly in April that the two sides could not reach an agreement, at least for now.

Fernandez was also suspended for two games in March after hinting during the international break that he would be open to joining Real Madrid — a moment that caused real friction at Stamford Bridge and led to him being temporarily stripped of the captaincy under Liam Rosenior.

Since then, the temperature has cooled.

Fernandez has been back in the fold, captaining the side again under interim boss Calum McFarlane, and his performances have been among the few consistent positives in a difficult campaign — 13 goals and six assists in 49 appearances across all competitions.

Chelsea are rumoured to be preparing a new contract offer, and Alonso's arrival may prove one of the decisive factors in convincing him to commit.

The Romero suggestion is an interesting one.

The 28-year-old, Fernandez's international teammate, is Tottenham's captain and one of the best centre-backs in the Premier League, with four goals and one assist in 23 league appearances this season.

A serious knee injury — specifically a partial MCL tear suffered in a collision with goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky during the defeat at Sunderland in April — ended his campaign.

He has been back on the grass doing individual work but is unlikely to feature in Spurs' final two games. His contract runs until 2029, and Tottenham would demand a premium for a player of his stature.

The major concern about Romero is his disciplinary record, which has been a big point of criticism since his move to north London from Atalanta.

Whether Chelsea pursue it or not, the message from Fernandez is clear: he wants the club to match his ambition. And with Alonso now at the helm, the window to do that has never been wider.

Tottenham Hotspur have now set their sights on a move to re-sign Troy Parrott from AZ Alkmaar this summer, following the forward's excellent 31-goal campaign.

Tottenham eyeing Troy Parrott return

Tottenham have been searching for their next Harry Kane for the last three years and it turns out that their best choice may well have been the man they let go.

It's one of many transfer regrets that those in North London have endured over the years - regrets that they could still pay the ultimate price for this season - but there is still a way to make things right.

According to Soccer News in the Netherlands, Tottenham are now eyeing a move to sign Parrott from AZ Alkmaar in the coming months. The Republic of Ireland international left the club in 2024 and has since gone on to become a regular international goalscorer and star striker in the Eredivisie.

Troy Parrott has scored more goals than Solanke, Kolo Muani and Richarlison combined this season (31)

To say that Parrott would be an upgrade would be a major understatement. He has been clinical in the Netherlands this season and, according to Football London's Alasdair Gold, would jump at the chance to rejoin Tottenham.

Said to be "similar to Harry Kane" in the view of one prominent Premier League analyst, Parrott certainly has a decision to make this summer. At 24 years old, he's in the prime of his career and could finally come full circle to end some unfinished business in the Premier League.

Of course, a lot of that may depend on Tottenham's survival status, however. As things stand, they're on course to avoid shock relegation, but any summer moves will be put on hold until that has been confirmed.

De Zerbi urges Tottenham to "play with confidence"

The fate of Tottenham's season depends on a trip to Stamford Bridge yet again. Whether this battle ends in success is the big question, however. It will still seem like yesterday when Eden Hazard ended their title hopes.

These days, they're hoping for far less than title success, though. Instead, they're desperately hoping to survive courtesy of victory over their rivals. Roberto De Zerbi's arrival has certainly helped and he's urged his side to "play with confidence" even as his toughest test awaits.

The Italian told reporters: "We have to play with confidence because in the last four games, the last five games with me, because we didn't deserve to lose the game in Sunderland, but in the last four we made eight points. And if you analyse the performance, I think we could make more points than eight, and for that we have to be confident, be positive.

"Anyway, we can't forget one month ago what was the situation. We are not safe yet, it's tough in the Premier League.

"Making one point is tough because all teams fight on the pitch, all teams are very tough to beat, but we have the quality enough and we have to show the quality with the right mentality, the right spirit. I want to see courage on the pitch, try (to have) the condition to win the game, like in the last period.”

This is the big week for Tottenham Hotspur, whose future will be determined by a series of matches in the Premier League ahead of Sunday's denouement.

Which adjectives should be applied to Spurs' season? Abysmal? Terrible? Detrimental? Roberto De Zerbi may yet save the Lilywhites after replacing Igor Tudor during the March international break, but there's no question that relegation is on the cards, should Tottenham fail to win at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday.

A point would do it against Chelsea, in truth. West Ham United would be three points behind Tottenham heading into the final day, and with a vastly inferior goal difference. The swing would surely be too great.

The Lilywhites track record at Chelsea's stadium isn't the greatest, in all honesty, but De Zerbi and his side cannot conform to convention right now. They need to get points on the board and sharpish.

To achieve this, the Italian may need to make a bold call or two, perhaps dropping Randal Kolo Muani.

Why Spurs need to drop Kolo Muani

Kolo Muani has proved a fraudulent piece of business for Tottenham, who have only entertained his services on loan but who thought they would land a prolific and dynamic attacker with renown on the biggest stages.

After all, Paris Saint-Germain paid £76m to Eintracht Frankfurt in 2023, bringing him over after a terrific Bundesliga campaign. It hasn't worked out, with the France international only boasting one goal in the English top flight.

That he continues to start each week for De Zerbi is a by-product of severe injury problems that offer no alternative solution - or so it would seem.

Tottenham's home draw against Leeds United last time out was a real sickener, and Kolo Muani did not help - he lost 11 duels, too weak against Daniel Farke's robust outfit.

If Kolo Muani is to be dropped at the Bridge, De Zerbi does have a trump card he could play, and given the need for a more pragmatic and industrious approach against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, he may be inclined to unleash a budding Tottenham superstar in a new role.

De Zerbi could unleash Spurs star in new role

Tottenham's injury problems have been the crux of their collapse this season and last. However, Archie Gray has stood tall and done a job throughout, playing in midfield and across the backline.

The 20-year-old is naturally a centre-midfielder, but rarely has he been found in that berth. Now, with De Zerbi's industrious midfield cemented, he has been forced to the bench, but surely this hard-working livewire would offer more than the on-loan Kolo Muani, even out on the right wing.

Against Chelsea, it might just make sense. Spurs will not expect to have the ball, and Marc Cucurella will work overtime to snuff out any advances down his channel. Kolo Muani has not exactly shown that he has the confidence and sureness to bypass that wily left-back.

Gray might not have Kolo Muani's natural pace, but he's a fighter, and having completed 33.3% of his crosses in the Premier League this term, he's one of the most accurate playmakers in the division.

Moreover, he has proved that he can pop up with big moments. The dynamic and versatile prospect could make a big difference against Chelsea. It will be a dogfight, and he offers the kind of profile required.

De Zerbi's comments on Gray's capacity for captaincy have also been echoed by the one and only Harry Redknapp, who said that he has the ability to be a "future Tottenham captain". His tenacity and willingness to make an impact across any number of positions

Though De Zerbi feels that Gray will only go from strength to strength when he nails down a position to call home, that is something that can be prioritised next season, when safety has been secured.

For now, with so many options withering the manager's crop of options, he might want to drop Kolo Muani and unleash Gray in an unnatural role on the right flank. He is a technical distributor and a crisp crosser of the ball.

This could turn out to be a masterstroke in a hostile Chelsea environment which will swallow any stars who prove poor in the duel.