Football FanCast

In the build-up to Tottenham Hotspur's latest Premier League fixture, the fanbase turned up. As the team bus wound through the N17 streets, there was a festival atmosphere (albeit a slightly sombre one) as a huge showdown loomed.

But Spurs were abject against Nottingham Forest, who won 3-0 and leapfrogged ahead of their relegation rivals. West Ham United's defeat at Aston Villa has tempered the blow, but the fact remains that the pull of relegation is growing stronger and stronger.

When the full-time whistle screeched and the boos chorused around the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, it became clear that Igor Tudor's position had become untenable, though whether ENIC Group will make another change with just two months of the season left remains to be seen.

The latest on Tudor's Spurs future

Tudor was unable to partake in his post-match duties due to a family emergency, but it's clear that the Tottenham interim manager would have accepted that his outfit are in dire straits, had he spoken to the media.

He's only been in the job for little over a month, but the Croatian simply isn't getting the best out of these players, and surely a change is needed.

Mauricio Pochettino remains at the top of the wish list, with Spurs insider John Wenham even claiming that he's "“still come if we were in the Championship”.

However, with the USMNT boss preparing for the World Cup in north America this summer, it's incredibly unlikely that he would make a sensational return to north London for the remainder of the campaign.

Therefore, TEAMtalk have revealed that Ferencvaros boss Robbie Keane could be the saviour that Spurs are searching for, with Tudor unlikely to still be in charge when a trip to Sunderland is required after the international break.

Keane, ex-Spurs forward, has expressed a willingness to take the job and steer the N17 side to safety, and now that his Hungarian outfit have been knocked out of the Europa League, the pathway seems rather clear.

Talks were reportedly held a few weeks ago so there is allegedly already a direct line of communication between all parties.

Why Keane would be an upgrade on Tudor

Keane, 44, is right at the start of his managerial career, but he's already established himself as one of Europe's brightest young coaches after a stint with Maccabi Tel Aviv and now Ferencvaros.

His front-footed and high-energy tactical flavour would align with the way that Tottenham want to play, but the plain truth is that Spurs just need to find a manager who will scare off relegation.

Tudor's three-man backline and questionable training methods have proved a curious combination for this imperilled Spurs side, who, quite simply, have not responded to his methods, with the spirited draw against Liverpool now looking like a lonely outlier as far as performances are concerned.

Succintly, Tottenham have been shorn of coherence in attack and stripped of confidence in defence. There are too many problems to count, and someone who can restore some identity and culture about this Lilywhites side could prove the hero over the next several weeks.

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

Keane understands that To Dare Is To Do and the hope would be that he would galvanise the beleaguered players into action. After all, the former Republic of Ireland striker has been hailed as a "legend" by former teammate Teddy Sheringham.

We have sadly reached a point in which tactical analysis could almost be thrown out the window. An upswing in confidence would be more valuable than a reinforced coaching drill at this stage.

Keane, who is already earning his flowers as a tactician, understands Tottenham and would provide the boost that they so desperately need to escape from this nightmare which threatens to consume them.

It is difficult to put Tottenham Hotspur's slump into words, but what is clear is that this side are in grave danger of being relegated from the Premier League after being thrashed at home by Nottingham Forest.

'Six-pointer' is a term that gets too easily bandied about when two sides with similar objectives meet toward the business end of a campaign, but there's no denying that Igor Tudor's side were playing a game of immense importance.

There was hope that a corner had been turned last week, a deserved draw at Anfield curbing a five-game losing run in the Premier League. The following win over Atletico Madrid in the Champions League only reinforced the sense that the Londoners had finally found some confidence and coherence.

But Spurs' confidence is a brittle thing, and now the alarm bells are blaring.

How Spurs were defeated by Forest

Tottenham are in a bad way, but there is still time to stave off the ominous threat of relegation. After all, Spurs are still one point ahead of the dreaded dotted line, West Ham United having lost to Aston Villa on Sunday.

However, the forthcoming run of Premier League fixtures are rather daunting, and something needs to change.

Tudor has left a lot to be desired since replacing Thomas Frank in February, and while there is uncertainty regarding his future following a personal matter, ENIC Group are sure to be considering their options, having reached this critical and unsavoury juncture.

So many flattered to deceive. Tottenham supporters turned up in droves and in voice, but the players failed to respond to the seismic task in front of them.

Archie Gray was a shining light once again, but the 20-year-old can only do so much and he was let down by those around him, failing to match his energy and enthusiasm.

We've reached a desperate point, and so desperate measures must be taken. Tottenham need to make some changes, with one outfield player in particular failing to pull his weight. He has to be dropped.

Spurs star must never start again

It's staggering to see the decline of these Tottenham players, and Pedro Porro encapsulates the mess the north Londoners find themselves in, with podcaster Seb Martin saying he's "having a disaster of a season" for the Lilywhites.

This is one of the most experienced stars at the club, but he hasn't looked like it this year, embarrassed by his younger peer in Gray. Indeed, against Nottingham Forest, his creativity was lacking and his defending was wanting as usual, at fault for Morgan Gibbs White's strike to make it 2-0.

Having started the match as a wing-back before dropping into a standard right-back berth, Tudor, should he keep his job, should drop him and place his trust in Djed Spence over the next couple of months.

Porro did create three chances throughout the afternoon, but he lost possession 20 times and failed with eight of his 11 crosses. Moreover, the Spain international lost seven duels.

Spence isn't perfect, but he's more defensively sound than his Spanish teammate and is endowed with pace and athleticism. There's a case to be made that he should play in a wing-back role over the final weeks of the campaign, allowing Xavi Simons back into the starting line-up and Richarlison to attack the box with a bit more dynamism.

Injuries to Destiny Udogie throughout the campaign have meant Spence has had to perform out on the left with regularity, but Porro is proving himself to be a liability at this stage of the season, and Tottenham cannot afford any lapses as they fight tooth and nail to secure a precious Premier League win.

Who knows what the future holds, but it's clear there's going to be something of an exodus at Spurs this summer, no matter their final league position. The error-prone and unconvincing Porro must be among the senior stars cut loose.

There is so much on the line over the next two months, and Porro has done very little to show that he deserves to play a starring role. In fact, he has offered so little this term that he must be dropped. That illustrates the scale of the crisis that Tottenham have been unable to overcome throughout the campaign.

Tottenham Hotspur are set to have their biggest game in recent history this afternoon, when they host Nottingham Forest in the Premier League at 14:15.

Igor Tudor’s side come into the clash after a huge win in the Champions League on Wednesday, subsequently beating Atletico Madrid 3-2 in North London.

Whilst the side exited the competition, the victory over the Spanish giants will hand the fanbase a reason to be positive ahead of a crucial relegation clash.

The Lilywhites will be hosting a Forest side who sit just a point behind them and outside the relegation zone on goal difference - with both sides needing a result to bolster their chances of survival.

However, if Tudor is to secure his first league win since taking the reins, he desperately needs to drop one player who failed to deliver during the clash against Atletico in midweek.

Why Tudor needs to drop Sarr against Forest

In an attempt to return to winning ways in the Champions League, Spurs boss Tudor decided to stick with midfielder Pape Sarr at the heart of the side.

The Senegalese international is a player who is adored by fans in North London, but there’s no denying his showing in midweek against Simeone’s side was one to forget.

He featured for the entirety of the victory on home soil, but massively struggled to deliver with the ball at his feet - with the underlying stats highlighting his struggles.

Sarr was unable to complete any of the dribbles or long balls he attempted - subsequently gifting the ball back to the opposition on nine separate occasions.

He was also less than impressive without the ball, as he was dribbled past on two occasions, whilst also coming out on top in just 40% of the ground duels he entered.

Such numbers are way below the levels expected of the youngster in North London, with Tudor desperately needing to make a change ahead of today’s clash.

Spurs' new Modric could now replace Sarr

During today’s relegation clash, the battle of the midfield is set to be a key area, with Forest possessing a very impressive trio at the heart of their side.

Elliot Anderson has been one of the division’s most impressive talents this campaign, subsequently being linked with £100m moves to join Manchester United and Manchester City this summer.

Ibrahim Sangare is another player who’s impressed at the City Ground, with his composed nature in possession, handing Vitor Pereira’s side a base to play from.

As for Morgan Gibbs-White, the less said the better after his proposed move to join the Lilywhites last summer fell apart at the final hour…

Tudor desperately needs to nullify such a threat this afternoon, with Archie Gray a dead cert to start the game given his recent form when playing in midfield.

However, he should be joined by fellow youngster Lucas Bergvall today, with the Swedish international finally returning to senior action against Atletico in the Champions League.

The 20-year-old featured for 15 minutes off the bench on Wednesday night, which could put him in good stead ahead of the vital clash against the Reds later on today.

He’s not featured in a Premier League game since the 7th of January, as he, like many other players in the senior ranks, have massively struggled with fitness issues.

Bergvall has featured in 17 games already this term, producing numerous figures that could help the Lilywhites, whilst also being on the receiving end of huge praise.

The Swede has been hailed for having a first touch that's just “like Modric” by JJ Bull, with his stats before his injury only backing up The Athletic’s journalist’s claims about the youngster.

He’s completed 83% of the passes he’s attempted so far this term, whilst completing 1.6 successful dribbles per 90 - demonstrating his quality in possession.

Such numbers will be crucial against the Reds this season, with his quality able to draw the opposition out of position and potentially allow Tudor’s men to stroll through and create carnage.

Bergvall has also won 48% of the duels he’s contested, whilst also making 2.2 tackles per 90 - subsequently handing the Lilywhites a disruptive presence to Forest’s free-flowing football.

Other tallies, such as 3.8 ball recoveries made and 1.7 clearances made per 90, also reaffirm his excellent ball-winning capabilities - something that will be vital in an end-to-end contest.

Dropping Sarr may be a controversial call, but it’s one that desperately needs to be made by Tudor if the side are to pull clear of any looming relegation issues.

There’s no disputing that Bergvall is a more impactful player for Spurs at present, with his return to fines undoubtedly a huge boost for the fans and first team.

Tottenham have been told to sell one of two first-team mega stars so that Spurs can unleash a "huge" talent on Premier League rivals next season.

Before any of that can be addressed, there is Sunday to worry about.

Nottingham Forest at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, a direct six-pointer that carries enormous weight at the wrong end of the table.

Spurs are 16th and Forest are 17th, separated by a single point. Win and Tudor's side open up a four-point cushion that would give the whole club room to breathe. Lose, and the mini-revival built on a late Liverpool equaliser and a 3-2 Champions League win over Atletico counts for nothing in the league.

This is the one that matters.

But while the immediate crisis at Tottenham is entirely about Premier League survival, a longer-term question is quietly building in the background — and it centres on one of the most exciting young defenders in European football who has yet to kick a ball for the club.

Luka Vuskovic signed for Tottenham in 2025, two years after terms were initially agreed.

The 19-year-old has spent this season on loan at Hamburg in the Bundesliga, and what he has produced there has been nothing short of extraordinary for a centre-back still in his teens.

Five goals in 23 league appearances, nine chances created, has won almost 70 per cent of his ground duels and nearly 76 per cent of his aerial battles.

Bayern Munich and Barcelona are already said to be taking a close look at the 'huge talent', and it is not hard to see why.

Tottenham told to sell Romero or van de Ven to unleash Vuskovic

Now, Spurs expert John Wenham, speaking to Tottenham News, is clear on one thing: the club have nothing to fear on that front.

Vuskovic is contracted at Spurs until 2030, and Wenham points out that only Yves Bissouma and Ben Davies are genuinely free agents this summer. The power in this situation, he says, sits firmly with the club.

But his more striking argument is what Spurs should do with that power.

Wenham believes Vuskovic's talent is so exceptional that selling either Cristian Romero or Micky van de Ven this summer would actually be the right call — not as a loss, but as a statement of intent.

"He's so good, and the potential is so high that actually, you may consider selling one of Romero or van de Ven to accommodate a starting space for Vuskovic from next season," Wenham said.

"I think the time is right for one of them to move on, not both. I think that would weaken us drastically, but one might have to be sold in order to facilitate Vuskovic having this platform to play."

Crucially, Wenham frames it not just as a squad decision but as a message.

Selling one of the established first-team starters would demonstrate to Vuskovic and his camp that there is a genuine and immediate pathway at the club — something that would strengthen Spurs' hand considerably when it comes to fending off Barcelona and Bayern.

Both Romero and van de Ven have been solid this season despite Spurs' struggles.

Romero edges his Dutch partner on tackling output — 53 tackles to van de Ven's 32 — while van de Ven leads in clearances and recoveries.

Either would command a significant fee, and either departure would free up a starting berth that Vuskovic, based on current form, looks more than ready to fill.

The question of which one to sell will divide opinion fiercely among supporters.

Romero is apparently destined to leave Spurs this summer, according to reports in Argentina, while van de Ven is said to be attracting major Premier League rival interest.

Losing either one of them would be softened by Vuskovic's introduction to the first team, but that is a lot of pressure already on the youngster's shoulders.

As Tottenham Hotspur completed their pre-match preparations last week, Igor Tudor stared down the barrel of a gun, aware that his trip to Anfield would likely spell the end of his brief stint at the Spurs helm.

Tudor, drafted in to replace the defeated Thomas Frank, had lost four on the trot in the Premier League, but it was not so much a trot as a pitiful limp, with a calamitous defeat to Atletico Madrid in the first leg of their Champions League knockout tie adding insult to injury.

But Tottenham didn't lose to Liverpool. They drew, and they were good value for the point too. Then they won, at home against Diego Simeone's Atleti. It wasn't enough to advance to the quarter-finals, but something vital has been restored at N17.

It's confidence, and a belief that relegation from the Premier League can indeed be staved off. Tudor's in the dugout, but who's leading the charge? It's not Cristian Romero, nor is it Micky van de Ven, but Archie Gray, a 20-year-old prospect playing with the maturity of someone twice his age.

Why Archie Gray is Spurs' shining light

Gray has been put through the wringer over the past couple of years, but who can say that he hasn't developed a thick skin to shield him throughout his professional journey?

Joining from Leeds United in 2024 in a deal just south of £30m, the England U21 star has already played 77 times for the Lilywhites, most of which he has been a teenager thrown across any number of positions on the pitch.

This has been tough on the young midfielder, but it has also hardened him and established him as one of the brightest talents in the country. After the win over Atletico, Spanish reporter Pablo Montano marvelled at the "complete footballer" and commented on his "great future" ahead.

He was excellent, the outstanding Lilywhite. He's a proper leader, a "future Tottenham captain", as said by the one and only Harry Redknapp at the start of the season.

To be honest, it's a classic case of 'stats don't tell the full story'. Gray was immense against the Spaniards, his crowning moment a vicious interception and assist for Xavi Simons. It was intriguing to see him leave the pitch to applause from home and away fans, with Marcos Llorente even shaking his hand as he left the pitch, breathless, after 81 minutes.

Tottenham's Player of the Season? He'll be in contention, to be sure. Gray already has the makings of a leader, an example for his younger peers to follow.

Certainly, the likes of Yves Bissouma and new recruit Conor Gallagher could take a leaf from his book, with both flattering to deceive in recent months. It would be unfair to write Gallagher off just yet, but the Malian could be staring at the end of his Spurs journey, out of contract this summer.

There's a lot of young potential waiting to course onto the big pitch, after all, with one young midfielder in particular showing he can be the next Gray.

Tudor has found the new Archie Gray

It's both a plus and a negative that Gray is emerging as Tottenham's most mature and rousing player. The lack of leadership across the squad is stark, but if relegation can be avoided, the future is bright.

After all, Gray's not the only one making waves, with Callum Olusesi making a positive impression off the bench during the 1-1 draw against Liverpool. The teenager was on the pitch when Richarlison scored late on, and he was in among the celebrations.

Olusesi came on again for the final nine minutes of action against Atletico Madrid, and he stood his ground and defended well, completing all six of his attempted passes.

He actually made his bow last season, featuring against Hoffenheim in the Europa League. Thus, he landed himself a European trophy while in the first phase of a promising career.

Could the rise of Olusesi, who is sure to earn further appearances, spell the end for Bissouma? The emergence does suggest that Bissouma is no longer needed to the same capacity, and it's not like he's proven himself indispensable in recent years.

Hailed as being a part of a "special generation" at Tottenham's academy by talent scout Jacek Kulig, Olusesi is now establishing himself as something of a trailblazer, an example for his fellow academy hopefuls to follow.

In that, he differs from Gray, who arrived as a youngster but for a significant fee after breaking into Leeds' first team in the Championship.

In the end, he may well prove himself to be an even bigger talent than Gray, someone who can spearhead a successful new era down N17.

Igor Tudor has described Tottenham’s crunch relegation fixture with Nottingham Forest on Sunday as a “four-point game” but not a cup final.

Tudor looking forward to relegation challenge

Spurs have slipped into a Premier League survival battle after a disastrous campaign where they have won only two of their last 21 league fixtures.

Tottenham are winless in 12 league matches, but enter this fixture lifted by a 1-1 draw at Liverpool last Sunday and following Wednesday’s morale-boosting 3-2 victory over Atletico Madrid in the Champions League.

Even though Spurs exited Europe after a 7-5 aggregate defeat, a team missing 11 players were applauded off at full-time and previously disillusioned fans have put plans in place to ramp up the atmosphere ahead of the visit of 17th-placed Forest.

An initiative titled ‘Show Up, Sing Up, Stay Up’ created by several Tottenham fan groups will result in thousands of supporters welcoming the team bus into the ground, but whilst appreciative of those efforts, Tudor knows further battles are ahead.

Asked if he believed in six-pointers with Spurs languishing in 16th and only one point better off than Forest, Tudor said: “No. Because there are a lot of points to play for. Of course, it’s an important game because we are together there, so let’s say not six, but four?

“It’s not a final. Maybe not three points, a four-point game but still a lot of points (to go).

“Especially when we are so close, it’s important, but it will not decide who will (stay up).”

Tudor delivered a similar message after his maiden win as Spurs boss on Wednesday and it has been an extraordinary week so far.

“No one can be in a relegation fight and enjoy. We can change this word enjoyment into something different,” he smiled. “Mental sharpness rises and gets bigger, that was the key. We are sleeping less on the pitch. That’s the main thing.

“We react before, so for me this is crucial. Now we react earlier. On what happened on the pitch, we are not always, ‘what happened?’ And then we react after. Now we react before things happen.

“Not in the way how I would like but much better. This mental sharpness, awareness of dangerous situations, this is coming up and that’s why we are better.

“I saw good energy. I saw good numbers. They told me the last games in the top four or five of all season for high intensity runs and this stuff so I think we are progressing.”

Already juggling a hefty injury list, Tudor acknowledged it will be important no more players suffer problems during the upcoming international break.

Tudor added: “I am very happy for all the players going to the national teams. It’s means they are good. It is important they come back without injury. That’s what all the coaches of the teams want!”

Fabrizio Romano says "for sure" Tudor will not stay at Tottenham

Tudor has certainly earned his stripes in the last week, but Fabrizio Romano has confirmed in an update on his YouTube channel that there are still no plans to make his stay a permanent one.

"Tudor is not going to be the manager next season, for sure. But Tudor is still in charge after the recent good results.

"So the idea at the moment at Tottenham is to try to continue with Tudor until the end of the season, and then appoint a new manager."

Tottenham could be about to welcome back a key player very soon, in what would be a big boost for under-pressure boss Igor Tudor.

Tudor turns corner as Tottenham brace for vital Nottingham Forest clash

There have been flickers recently, moments that have given Tottenham supporters just enough reason to believe the worst might not happen.

A last-gasp Richarlison equaliser at Anfield. A Xavi Simons brace at home to Atlético Madrid, sending the Spurs fans into a frenzy even as the Champions League exit was being confirmed.

For two games, under Tudor, something appears to have stirred.

But let nobody be fooled into thinking the danger has passed. Spurs still sit 16th in the Premier League table, one place and one point above Sunday's opponents Forest.

They also remain the only top-flight club yet to win a league game in 2026 — five draws and seven defeats across 12 matches this calendar year.

Only three clubs in Premier League history have endured a longer winless start to a new year, and all three were relegated.

That is the context in which Sunday's clash at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium needs to be understood. This is not a game about momentum. This is a battle for survival.

Forest arrive in equally desperate shape. Vitor Pereira has overseen four draws and two defeats in the top flight since taking charge — no domestic wins yet from the Portuguese.

His side are winless in four league games under Pereira and have conceded the third most goals in the division overall.

They did beat Spurs 3-0 at the City Ground back in December, and they will not come to north London afraid. They put this fixture ahead of their Europa League campaign too, with Pereira resting nine players for Thursday's tie against Midtjylland.

That tells you everything about how much they need something from Sunday.

Speaking at his pre-match press conference on Friday, Tudor was measured but clearly buoyed by the mood around the club after the Atletico win.

He described a rare togetherness between players and fans and urged everyone to stay connected as they look to build on two improved performances, even if the Premier League points have not followed yet.

He also delivered some welcome team news.

Dominic Solanke missed training on Friday with a hip problem, but Tudor confirmed the striker is expected to rejoin the group on Saturday and should be available to start.

That will matter — Solanke's movement and physical presence are central to how Tudor wants to play.

He also said that James Maddison could return before the end of the season, which would come as an almighty uplift for the Lilywhites.

While Guglielmo Vicario is set for hernia surgery on Monday, the Italian is expected to start against Forest and then undergo the procedure, so Spurs won't be light in goal.

Tottenham star Mohammed Kudus poised to return after international break

As relayed by journalist Tom Barclay from Tudor's press conference, there is longer-term cause for optimism too.

Mohammed Kudus, who has been out with a quad injury, is said to be progressing very well and could potentially return to action after the international break.

Rodrigo Bentancur is also making progress with his recovery.

First, though, Sunday.

Win and Tudor's side would open up a four-point cushion over their opponents. Lose, and desperation sets in all over again.

Three weeks then pass before they play another league game. That is a long time to be sitting in the bottom three.

The mini-revival has to become something more, and it has to start now.

Tottenham Hotspur have been no stranger to raiding Premier League rivals West Ham United in recent times, with the likes of Michael Carrick and Mohammed Kudus trading east London for north London.

Is there a world in which they could have landed former Hammers hero and current Arsenal talisman Declan Rice, too?

Well, a direct move from the London Stadium to N17 never appeared a likely prospect, even with Teddy Sheringham suggesting back in 2022 that Rice was the type of signing needed to help keep the likes of Harry Kane and Heung-min Son on board.

“West Ham supporters wouldn’t like it but Declan Rice would be ideal for Tottenham.

“Tottenham have got to go to the next level to keep players like Son and Kane happy. You can’t be signing average players.

That said, The Athletic reported in the past that following the Englishman's release from Chelsea at the age of 14, Tottenham - alongside Fulham - had registered an interest in poaching the teenager.

Alas, Rice found solace with the Irons and the rest is history, with Spurs' midfield unit, meanwhile, remaining a long-standing issue.

Why midfield has been Spurs' biggest post-Pochettino issue

In their Mauricio Pochettino pomp, the Lilywhites were blessed with a powerhouse, if not somewhat underrated, midfield pairing of Mousa Dembele and Victor Wanyama, the two men proving a stable base to allow Spurs' attacking quartet to shine.

With Dembele, the man so often name-checked by former teammates as the club's real MVP in that era, having departed in January 2019, it's fair to say that the north London side have never truly filled that void.

It's not for the want of trying, of course, with the Premier League side going down every available route, notably persisting with academy graduates such as Harry Winks and Oliver Skipp, the latter of whom formed an unpopular, steady eddie partnership with Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg.

That has been contrasted with marquee signings like that of Tanguy Ndombele or Rodrigo Bentancur, while they've also gone down the path of landing Premier League-proven options, be it Hojbjerg or Yves Bissouma.

More recent times have seen the north Londoners also seek bargain deals for young up-and-comers like Pape Matar Sarr and Lucas Bergvall, albeit with neither man yet to really nail down a consistent role, the Swede notably hamstrung by injury.

There have been signs of life from the experienced pillar that is Joao Palhinha, although whether the Portuguese titan stays beyond his loan spell is up for debate.

With questions already being asked of £34m January arrival, Conor Gallagher too, this post-Pochettino curse seemingly remains. Or does it?

Spurs sensation is looking like a "young Declan Rice"

Considering Tottenham's predicament under Igor Tudor, there will be few getting carried away by the club's two positive results over the past week, with this side still very much at risk of relegation.

That said, it was difficult not to be heartened by the midweek display against Atletico Madrid, with everything seemingly coming together for the first time under the Tudor regime.

With Xavi Simons and Mathys Tel at their sparkling best, there was a real dynamism in attack, while defensively, the deployment of a fluid back three or back five largely helped to contain a previously rampant Atleti forward line.

The star attraction, however, arguably came in midfield, with Archie Gray putting in the type of performance that will have forced anyone to sit up and take notice.

Now, this was no great surprise considering the 20-year-old's impact in recent weeks and months, although considering the calibre of the opposition, it felt like a significant, breakthrough moment. Even Atleti's Marcos Llorente was left impressed.

The ex-Leeds United starlet notably pounced to set up Simons for the Dutchman's first of the night, having regained possession eight times in total, while registering two key passes in that 3-2 triumph.

In the view of The Athletic's Duncan Alexander, speaking on the Totally Football Show podcast, it was like watching a "young Declan Rice", with Gray having popped up all over the park, putting out fires while also boasting the ability to turn defence into attack with elegant strides forward.

That assist for Simons very much felt like the type of sight Arsenal supporters have become accustomed to at the Emirates, with regard to Rice, with the 27-year-old the driving force behind the Gunners' title charge.

Even at £105m, Rice has proven something of a bargain, and with Gray himself now looking like a "future £100m" midfielder, in the view of analyst Ben Mattinson, Spurs' £30m investment looks more and more like a coup.

The development of the pair already boasts real similarities, with Rice having honed his craft with the Hammers, initially emerging on the scene as a teenage centre-back, before slowly transitioning into the midfield monster that is now the centre-piece for both club and country.

In the case of Gray, it was at right-back where his chance came during the 2023/24 campaign under Daniel Farke at Leeds, with much of his work in a Spurs shirt also coming as a full-back, or an auxiliary centre-back.

Like with Rice's rise, however, it is in midfield where the youngster truly flourishes, with Spurs potentially boasting their own £100m plus talent to build around for the next decade or so.

It wasn't quite Gareth Bale against Inter Milan, although Archie Gray's midweek Champions League performance felt like the latest breakout display by a young Tottenham Hotspur talent.

The all-action midfielder was a joy to watch up against an experienced Atletico Madrid side, with his stellar showing acknowledged by a certain Marcos Llorente, who made a beeline for the 20-year-old amid his exit from the stage.

There's no greater praise than that of a rival, with Gray finally being allowed the chance to blossom in his favoured midfield role, after so long plugging gaps and holes defensively under both Thomas Frank and Ange Postecoglou.

Once the golden boy of Leeds United, the Englishman looks like the shining light in a struggling Spurs side. Hopefully, there's plenty more to come, both from Gray and from within Tottenham's academy structure.

The next young talents to look out for at Spurs

Wednesday night may have seen the likes of Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero welcomed back into the fold, although it was a night that belonged to Igor Tudor's youthful core, with Gray, Mathys Tel and Xavi Simons all coming to the party in that deserved 3-2 win.

The Lilywhites' continued list of absentees also allowed 19-year-old Callum Olesusi another opportunity off the bench, with the teenager putting in an assured display in that cameo.

The promising playmaker has been a regular fixture in the matchday squad in recent weeks, as too has James Rowswell, with the 19-year-old defender notably scoring three goals in ten U21 Premier League games this season.

Hopes are also high for January arrival, James Wilson, with the ex-Hearts striker having already scored eight goals in 45 senior games back in Edinburgh, while since making his way onto the bench under Tudor.

Heading into next season too, Spurs will be able to welcome back a raft of youngsters who are currently shining out on loan, with Luka Vuskovic and Mikey Moore the notable success stories of 2025/26, amid their stints at Hamburg and Rangers, respectively.

Plenty of reason for excitement then, although arguably Spurs' biggest talent is still waiting for his proper chance at senior level.

Spurs are brewing an even bigger talent than Archie Gray

The records tumbled in midweek, with Gray becoming the fourth-youngest Englishman to register an assist in a Champions League knockout game, while also edging Dele Alli by starting the most Champions League games by a Spurs player before the age of 21 (seven).

If anyone of the current Tottenham ranks is to better such statistics in the years to come, you'd certainly hang your hat on it being 17-year-old, Luca Williams-Barnett.

Now, the promising teenager - who is currently sidelined with injury - has actually only made a solitary first-team appearance to date, making a three-minute cameo in the Carabao Cup win over Doncaster Rovers.

A second opportunity hasn't followed since then, although the England youth star has been included in senior matchday squads this season, with another appearance surely in the reckoning.

Indeed, his record at youth level, be it from a left-wing berth or as a number ten, is seriously impressive, with Williams-Barnett netting 23 goals in 28 U18 Premier League games, as well as a further six in just ten Premier League 2 appearances.

Across all competitions in 2025/26 alone, the young diamond has scored 16 goals and contributed eight assists, rubberstamping why analyst and Como scout Ben Mattinson has described him as "one of England's best talents at youth level".

In the view of Mattinson too, there will be something of a north London battle in the future between Williams-Barnett and Arsenal's 16-year-old sensation, Max Dowman, a further indication of the type of talent Spurs have on their hands.

Dowman, a scorer against Everton last weekend, looks like England's next golden boy on current evidence, but the Tottenham starlet could enter the conversation soon enough, be it before the end of the season or next term.

Gray - alongside Tel and Simons - could be the driving force behind survival at N17 in the present, although the next permanent Spurs manager could soon be building his team around Williams-Barnett instead.

Of course, patience and a sense of realism is needed with any player aged just 17, but this is undoubtedly a talent worth getting exciting about. Watch this space.

Nottingham Forest boss Vitor Pereira says the Tricky Trees will be without an 'important' player for their relegation six-pointer against Tottenham.

Forest set for vital relegation showdown against Spurs

For Forest, Sunday is not just another Premier League game.

It is the kind of game that can define a season — and possibly a club's future in the top flight. Travel to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, beat the side directly above you in the table, and suddenly Forest are out of the bottom three on goal difference with eight games to play and real momentum behind them.

Lose, and the gap stretches to four points and the psychological damage could be considerable.

Pereira has made his priorities absolutely clear. When Forest travelled to Denmark to face FC Midtjylland in the Europa League second leg on Thursday — needing to overturn a 1-0 deficit — the Portuguese manager made nine changes to his starting lineup.

Not because he does not care about Europe. He clearly does, and the result — progression to the quarter-finals against FC Porto — showed his squad's depth.

But the message he sent to his players was unmistakable: Sunday is what matters most.

Forest go into the game with every reason to believe they can get a result.

They beat Spurs 3-0 at the City Ground in December, their third consecutive league win over their hosts, and Pereira's side have shown across the course of this season that they are capable of grinding out results when the stakes are highest.

Their 0-0 draw with Fulham last time out was not a performance to shout about, even if they were pretty unlucky, but it kept a clean sheet and kept them in touch.

One point below Spurs, one place below Spurs — this is as close to a cup final as the Premier League gets outside of an actual cup final.

Spurs, for their own part, carry different momentum.

The draw at Anfield and the 3-2 win over Atlético Madrid this week have lifted the mood considerably under Igor Tudor. They have not won a Premier League game since December 28, but the performances have improved and the belief appears to be returning.

Tudor could have Richarlison, Joao Palhinha and Dominic Solanke available again after various absences, while James Maddison could return before the end of the campaign.

However, Pereira has a problem of his own heading into the game.

Jair Cunha set to miss Tottenham clash with Nottingham Forest injury

Indeed, centre-back Jair Cunha will not be available.

The Forest manager confirmed this at his pre-match press conference — and the uncertainty around his return adds another layer of concern for a defence that needs to be at its most organised.

"No, Jair has an injury," Pereira said when asked about the defender's availability.

"I don't know exactly how long he will stay out, but he is recovering and doing treatment. We will see what will happen, because he is important for us."

The final sentence is the one that matters most.

Cunha has indeed become an important figure in Forest's backline for Pereira, and losing him for a game of this magnitude is far from ideal.

Nikola Milenkovic and Murillo are expected to fill the central defensive roles, but their organisational partnership will be tested by a Spurs attack that looked sharp and purposeful against Atlético.