Football FanCast

Tottenham are poised to lose a star player this summer regardless of whether they maintain their Premier League status, according to a fresh report.

Spurs set for season-defining Leeds clash as they ask for Arsenal favour

Monday night at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and Roberto De Zerbi's side are about to play the most important home game of their season.

Spurs sit 17th with 37 points, one point above West Ham in 18th, and face Leeds knowing that a win could open up a four-point cushion heading into the final two games — against Chelsea and Everton — which are considerably more manageable opponents than those that lie in West Ham's path.

The eyes of Spurs fans will, however, have been trained on a different stadium long before kick-off on Monday night.

Arsenal's trip to West Ham on Sunday represents a chance for the Hammers to close the gap on Spurs or even move above them, and the outcome of that fixture has shaped the backdrop of Monday's game.

De Zerbi goes into the game without Cristian Romero, Xavi Simons, Dominic Solanke, Ben Davies, Mohammed Kudus, Guglielmo Vicario and Dejan Kulusevski — a casualty list that has stripped the squad of much of its best quality at the worst possible time.

Antonín Kinsky continues in goal, with the back four of Pero Porro, Kevin Danso, Micky van de Ven and Destiny Udogie likely to remain intact, while Richarlison will lead the line in the absence of Solanke.

Leeds arrive unbeaten in their last six Premier League fixtures and free of any meaningful relegation anxiety, but Spurs have won five of the last six league meetings between the sides, which offers some encouragement.

Amid the frantic dash for survival, news has emerged from talkSPORT reporter Ben Jacobs that adds a painful layer of context to Tottenham's summer planning, regardless of how the coming weeks unfold.

Cristian Romero set to leave even if Tottenham stay up

Speaking to GiveMeSport, Jacobs delivered a sobering assessment of Romero's future at the club.

"My information on Cristian Romero is he will depart even if Tottenham stay in the Premier League, or at least there's a high likelihood of that," he said.

"It would be a begrudging exit for Tottenham."

The Argentine has been one of Tottenham's most important players since his arrival from Atalanta in 2021, becoming club captain and one of the first names on the teamsheet under a succession of managers.

Romero made 23 Premier League appearances before a knee injury in April brought his campaign to a premature end, and it would've been more if not for his suspensions.

His recovery has been progressing, but the indication from Jacobs is that the injury has not changed the direction of travel — a departure this summer appears increasingly probable regardless of Spurs' division next season.

The timing stings.

A club attempting to rebuild under De Zerbi, potentially having survived the drop, losing their captain and most influential defender in the same window is a significant setback.

Romero has been heavily linked with a move to Atletico Madrid since 2025, while some English rivals like Man United could look to take advantage of the World Cup winner's situation.

For now, though, survival has to come first.

Leeds, West Ham's result, and two games after that. Everything else waits.

Celtic have been tipped to make a 'fantastic' managerial appointment as Martin O'Neill's second interim stint, and third spell in the Parkhead dugout overall, slowly comes to an end.

Celtic cast one eye on future as Old Firm showdown lingers

Sunday's Old Firm clash at Celtic Park is one of the most consequential fixtures the Scottish Premiership has produced in years.

O'Neill's Celtic sit three points behind Hearts with three games remaining, and a win over Rangers on Sunday keeps their title dream alive, while anything less effectively hands the Edinburgh club their first championship since 1960.

For the visitors, the title is an outside prospect at best, but Rangers arrive knowing that a win could deal an almighty blow to Celtic's chances of defending yet another Scottish crown.

History, European money, and the small matter of bragging rights — everything is on the line this weekend.

Hearts, who beat Rangers 2-1 at Tynecastle earlier this week to extend their lead at the top, face Motherwell on Saturday before Celtic's chance to respond.

If Hearts win and Celtic drop points on Sunday, the title will be heading to Edinburgh.

O'Neill's side simply cannot afford to slip.

The manager himself is preparing to depart Glasgow, as Celtic attempt to identify O'Neill's long-term heir.

The 74-year-old took charge on an emergency basis following Brendan Rodgers' departure, and again when the Wilfried Nancy disasterclass happened, and has done a solid job.

However, his contract expires this summer and a permanent successor must be identified regardless of how the title race ends.

Among the many names attached to the vacancy, one continues to surface with growing credibility, and now one of Scottish football's most familiar pundit voices has added his endorsement to the cause.

Celtic backed to make "fantastic" Robbie Keane appointment after Tottenham snub

Don Hutchison, the former Scotland international who now covers European football for ESPN, has been watching Robbie Keane's work at Ferencvaros closely, and has come away impressed.

Crucially, Hutchison did not simply offer polite praise. He went further, urging Celtic to place Keane at the very top of the managerial shortlist.

"I've watched his team a lot," Hutchison told BestBettingSites, via The Daily Record.

"I commentate on the Europa League and Conference League, and Ferencvaros have done really well. He plays good football. I think one day he'll want to come back.

"He got linked with the Spurs job, didn't he? When Postecoglou was leaving, or just before, and I think Spurs were angling to give him a contract at the end of the season. He said no — and why would he?

"If he comes back, he's going to want years on his contract so he can put a project in and build.

"So I think if Martin O'Neill left, Robbie Keane would be a fantastic signing. I think he'd probably be the number one candidate, actually."

Keane, 45, has spoken openly about his ambition to manage at the highest possible level, describing himself as someone who will not be content to stand still, and his work in Budapest has been substantial.

He won the Hungarian title in his debut season and guided Ferencvaros to their first European knockout stage football in years, including a high-profile victory over Rangers earlier in the campaign.

Former Celtic captain Scott Brown visited Budapest recently to watch Ferencvaros in a Hungarian Cup semi-final, a trip that immediately set tongues wagging in Scottish football circles.

The Dermot Desmond connection adds a dimension no other candidate can match.

The Celtic major shareholder personally funded Keane's loan move to Parkhead back in 2010 — a relationship that has endured well beyond the six months the Irishman spent in Glasgow.

Hutchison's point about contract length is pertinent.

Keane has made clear he would only return to management at a bigger club on his own terms — years of security, genuine investment, and the freedom to build something.

Roberto De Zerbi wants Joao Palhinha to stay at Tottenham Hotspur beyond the 2025/26 campaign.

It's understandable, of course, with Palhinha among the Italian coach's best performers over the past several weeks, a commanding midfield enforcer who enables the creativity and expansiveness of those around him.

Palhinha is 30 years old, but he knows the Premier League like the back of his hand, and the youthful nature of Tottenham's relegation-threatened squad suggests that his experience could be imperative in steadying the ship next year, should Spurs avoid relegation.

It's not just experience that Tottenham need, but creativity too. Invention on the ball has been decidedly lacking throughout the season, and while De Zerbi has guided the Lilywhites back into the win column, Xavi Simons' ACL injury has complicated the battle against relegation.

What happens next re Xavi Simons

Simons has suffered throughout the season, but his goal against Brighton last month was evidence that this is a talented playmaker who may yet grow into a superstar in the Premier League.

However, his presence will be keenly felt over these next few weeks, even with balance restored. No Spurs player has created more big chances or assisted more goals this year than the Dutchman, who can play out wide or as a number ten.

Conor Gallagher was written off as a flop only weeks ago, but he is resurgent under new management, his all-action style shining now that he is buttressed by a robust deep-lying pair.

He's doing a job in his teammates absence, but Tottenham need a difference-maker, and De Zerbi may need to call upon the academy.

Spurs already have a Simons replacement

Tottenham are stabilising, but they still suffer from a distinct lack of sparkle and snap in attacking areas. De Zerbi's new-look midfield is industrious, but an ace card ahead of them could prove the difference in fighting away the pull relegation.

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

Simons will not play a part for some time, but given the sheer volume of absentees for the London club, maybe it's finally time to give Tynan Thompson a shot at the Premier League.

Hailed as a part of Tottenham's "special generation" of youth talent by scout Jack Kulig, Thompson has been touted for a role in Spurs' injury-hit squad over the past several months, though he is yet to make his bow for the first team.

Nonetheless, this is a prolific and fleet-footed winger who has the potential to rival the likes of Max Dowman and Rio Ngumoha; he has evidenced this by scoring seven goals and providing two assists across just seven matches in the UEFA Youth League this season.

The 16-year-old Dowman is the talk of the town this season, so impressive for title-challenging Arsenal, but Thompson just needs an opportunity to showcase his pace and directness to put his own name on the map.

Palhinha and Bentancur and Gallagher have synergised Tottenham, sparking new life into their build-up play, but Thompson could bring pace and directness out wide, especially now that Dominic Solanke is back in the medical room, drawing Richarlison to the front of the ship.

Thompson, who is only 18, was mooted by correspondent Alasdair Gold as a potential option for the Londoners for their match against Aston Villa, that emphatic win, and while he did not make the bench, PA Media's George Sessions has continued the narrative and suggested that Thompson is a shrewd option to replace Simons.

Youthful and inexperienced, yes. However, Thompson is the real deal, and while he would be something of a wildcard, maybe a touch of unpredictability and verve could help propel Tottenham higher up the table, toward safety.

This is the most important month in a long time for Tottenham Hotspur, whose make-or-break Premier League conundrum could see them pulled into the Championship.

Tottenham were last relegated in 1977, never in the modern era. However, Roberto De Zerbi has resurrected this outfit since replacing Igor Tudor during the March international break. Performances have improved, and back-to-back wins have been secured.

Too little too late? Perhaps not, Spurs have climbed out of the relegation zone and are ahead of West Ham United by two points. In a battle such as this one, that gap can make all the difference.

Tottenham are going to need to make sweeping changes this summer, even if their top talents save them from the drop. After all, many of the so-called superstars at Hotspur Way are angling for exits when the season draws to a close.

The Spurs superstars who want to leave

Losing someone of Micky van de Ven's quality this summer will be a bitter bill to swallow, and no mistake, but there's no question that the Dutch defender's sale would hand Tottenham a pretty penny, with interest from Liverpool telling of a £90m valuation.

It was also revealed by The Athletic's David Ornstein that during the January transfer window, offers from Aston Villa and Chelsea were rebuffed for Lucas Bergvall, that talented young midfielder who the potential to become a Premier League superstar.

There's a player who Spurs need to keep onto, but there's no guarantee that this will be the case, even if relegation is avoided.

And there's another player of far higher seniority who's bound to leave no matter Spurs' fate, and he's turning into the new Luka Modric.

Spurs' new Modric is now finished

Modric is fondly remembered at Tottenham, playing 160 times for the Lilywhites before going on to reap riches in Spain with Real Madrid, cementing his legacy as one of the greatest midfielders of his generation.

The Croatian, now 40 years old, did try and force his way out of Tottenham, though, handing in a transfer request in 2011 as he sought to join London rivals Chelsea.

Now, Cristian Romero is emerging as the club's new version, immensely talented and influential, yet desperate to leave the outfit this summer in spite of how Tottenham's relegation battle concludes.

In the words of Chris Waddle, speaking exclusively to Football FanCast, he "never really wanted to be at Tottenham".

Expected to depart this summer, the Argentina international has established himself as one of the Premier League's finest centre-backs over the past several years, but he's also erratic and hot-headed and unpredictable.

Romero's mercurial nature means that a clean break is probably best for all parties, even if Van de Ven is also sold this summer. In any case, it's a bitter pill to swallow - you don't want your skipper making his intention to depart known in the thick of a relegation dogfight.

Perhaps Romero will emulate Modric and go onto forge a world-class career in Spain. That is where he has been linked with landing ahead of the new campaign, after all.

But the truth is that these are the kind of players who need to move on. Romero cares - nobody is questioning that - but his wandering eye has landed elsewhere when Tottenham have needed him most, and red cards and injuries in 2026 have meant that he has not played an instrumental role.

There's no question that Romero will throw the kitchen sink at a new challenge next summer. Spurs will likely let their new Modric move on to pastures new, hopefully for a hefty sum.

Archie Gray has been backed as a future Tottenham captain by Roberto De Zerbi.

Gray has been one of the leading figures for Spurs in a sorry season where they have battled relegation from the Premier League and starred in the Champions League last-16 tie against Atletico Madrid last month.

Minutes have been harder to come by for Gray since De Zerbi took over and, ahead of Monday’s visit of former club Leeds, the 20-year-old has been praised but urged to nail down one position after stints in defence and midfield.

De Zerbi says Gray is 'the future'

“He is very young, (but) big potential as a player. I think he can become the future,” De Zerbi said.

The Leeds academy graduate is not yet one of Tottenham's top earners but has certainly earned his status as one of the most important members of the squad.

The manager continued: “I am sure he can become the future of this club and the captain of this club.

“He has to understand better what will be his position on the pitch. He can play in a lot of positions, but maybe I would like him to be more specific in one position.

“We are working on that, in individual meetings with individual clips.

“For me and any way he is (still) an important player. Joao Palhinha did not play the first three games and the fourth was one of the best players on the pitch.”

Palhinha is the perfect example for Gray after the Portuguese midfielder was initially overlooked, with Yves Bissouma preferred, before his late winner at Wolves was followed by a start in Sunday’s 2-1 win at Aston Villa.

Tottenham moved out of the bottom three with a second consecutive league victory at Villa Park, where one of several interesting tactical elements was Palhinha’s tendency to drop into a right centre-back position.

It allowed right-back Pedro Porro the freedom to regularly move into midfield and ensured Spurs dominated possession, but De Zerbi stressed a repeat was not guaranteed at home to Leeds.

He added: “It depends on the different games because the principles in football are very important.

“The mental part is crucial, but also the strategy can be very important. We will change something in the occupation of the spaces, for sure, but I wouldn’t like to give too many ideas, too many instructions, especially in this moment.

“I don’t want the players to lose energy thinking what is the plan. No, I want the players to play with freedom, play with confidence and following the plan.”

Tottenham vs Leeds team news

Tottenham remain without goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario, captain Cristian Romero, Ben Davies, Dejan Kulusevski, Xavi Simons, Mohammed Kudus, Wilson Odobert and potentially Dominic Solanke against Leeds, but the mood at the club has been transformed.

De Zerbi’s positivity and front-foot approach have revived Spurs after they spent three weeks in the relegation zone, but the Italian warned against underestimating 14th-placed Leeds.

“First of all, we’re going to play against one of the best teams in this moment,” he said.

“We have a big respect. We can’t think in a different way. We have to keep this mentality.

“We must remain humble. Nothing changes. We have to prepare an important game.”

Tottenham Hotspur are entering the end game, two points clear of 18th-place West Ham United in this unaccustomed relegation battle.

Had the Lilywhites decided to persist with Igor Tudor until the end of the season, it's unlikely that they would have enjoyed the sharp upswing in form that has been carried out under the management of Roberto De Zerbi over the past several weeks.

Long gone are the days of Harry Kane and Heung-min Son and Dele Alli and the rest of them, challenging for Champions League titles and drawing plaudits for their incredible football at the top end of the Premier League.

Tottenham need a new talisman to emerge, and while he's not yet kicked a ball for the club in a competitive match, Luka Vuskovic might just be the man for the job.

Vuskovic is Spurs' future superstar

Vuskovic is only 19, yet he's already establishing himself as one of the most talented defenders in the world. He's Tottenham's, but he's out on loan in Hamburg. Next year, he will be central to the outfit's plans.

This is one of the most exciting centre-backs in the world, a player who could rival the best in the business down the line. Tottenham cannot afford to fall into the Championship.

The obvious, wider reasons aside, Vuskovic would not brook a role in a second tier side after several seasons of development in Belgium and Germany.

Described as a "monster in the making" by talent scout Jacek Kulig, Vuskovic makes any number of clearances each game, and he is a surging spear in the air, but he also has a rare ability to score goals: with five from 26 Bundesliga appearances this term, he's the top scoring centre-back in any of Europe's top five leagues.

He's the real deal all right, but Vuskovic isn't the only budding superstar who could make a world of difference down N17 next year, with the new Kane also set to return from his loan spell.

Spurs must soon unleash the new Harry Kane

Forwards of Kane's ability only come around once in a blue moon, but in Mikey Moore, Tottenham might actually have their new version of the club legend on the books.

Moore, 18, is currently out on loan in the Scottish Premiership with Rangers, where he has gone from strength to strength across the course of the campaign.

Rangers have ebbed and flowed, and while the first few months were tough for the young talent, he is now making headway, a regular inclusion in the starting line-up and scorer of six goals since the turn of the calendar year.

A few days ago, he was crowned the PFA Scotland Men's Young Player of the Year, and as he prepares to return to north London, Moore could find himself emulating Kane before him, with the Three Lions captain completing a series of loan moves before going on to become a global superstar at the front of Mauricio Pochettino's system.

Likened by James Maddison for looking "like Neymar on the left wing", the prolific youth player is steadily making his way to the top. He featured under Ange last season, scoring in the Europa League and claiming a winners' medal. Now, he's benefited immensely from a more prominent role in Scotland.

The signs are there. On top of his direct outfit, Moore has created seven big chances across only 22 starts in the league this season, winning 3.2 duels and completing 1.5 tackles per game.

While Vuskovic has more hype around his name, his teenage peer may yet develop into a "superstar in the future", according to former Spurs star Gary Mabbutt.

Could he mimic Kane in growing into a star member of De Zerbi's Spurs side? Perhaps so. The fact that talents like Vuskovic and Moore are waiting in the wings emphasises that the future is bright down N17.

It's been a long old season for Tottenham Hotspur, but Roberto De Zerbi has taught the Londoners to believe again, enjoying an emphatic impact in the dugout over the past several weeks.

De Zerbi was appointed during the March international break, with Igor Tudor dismissed after an abject stint in place of Thomas Frank, dismissed in February with Spurs in a tailspin.

A difficult year, but the new gaffer was given only seven games to pull Tottenham out of the Premier League relegation zone, and following back-to-back away wins in the Midlands, against Wolves and Aston Villa, Spurs are sitting two points ahead of 18th-place West Ham United.

This is progress, but the north Londoners are far from safe, and if they are going to survive the final few weeks of the season, De Zerbi needs his starting stars to keep shining as they have over the past several weeks.

How Spurs can avoid from relegation

While his long-term future at Tottenham is uncertain, there's no question that Micky van de Ven is one of De Zerbi's most valuable lieutenants, and he could be the difference-maker over the final few weeks.

Tottenham have been porous all year, and they are one of the leakiest teams in the Premier League. However, they have improved under De Zerbi's management. The coach has shored them up, conceding only 1.02 xGA across their two recent wins.

Expected goals against (xGA) is the number of goals a team is expected to have conceded based on the quality and quantity of shots they face.

Captain Cristian Romero was reduced to tears when forced off injured on De Zerbi's bow against Sunderland. The Argentine's high-grade muscular tear will keep him out for the rest of the term, effectively ending his Spurs career as he targets a summer exit.

But with the midfield now revitalised following Rodrigo Bentancur's return from injury, there's a feeling around north London that Tottenham could add another win to their growing collection at the weekend, when Leeds United travel to N17.

Bentancur has formed a formidable partnership with Conor Gallagher and the tough-tackling Joao Palhinha over the past several weeks, and Tottenham's midfield is set in stone.

Now that he has hit a winning formula, De Zerbi must keep his main ensemble together for the final few weeks of the season, though that does come at the expense of the club's new version of Luka Modric.

Why De Zerbi has dropped Spurs' new Modric

Tottenham have been stuck in purgatory this season, but if De Zerbi manages to pull off an escape act, the Lilywhites will have fresh confidence in their ability to make headway and challenge for Europe and for silverware once again.

At the heart of this will be Lucas Bergvall, who has been thrown into the deep end since Tottenham hijacked Barcelona's bid and brought the Swedish talent to the club in January 2024, under Ange Postecoglou.

A progressive and feisty midfielder, Bergvall has completed 60.9% of his dribbles in the Premier League, putting him in the top bracket for that one. Moreover, he has won many tackles and has played a crucial role in keeping Spurs from drowning both this season and last year in the Premier League.

Bergvall's standout attribute is his skillful technicality, his way of collecting the ball so deftly and gliding forward with balletic grace. There is a tenacity to his play, though, and for that, he has been hailed by The Athletic's JJ Bull for having "a first touch like Luka Modric".

This season, the 20-year-old has featured prominently in the Premier League, but he's still so young, and has not started since the defeat against Sunderland in De Zerbi's first game in charge, hooked just after the hour mark after losing all 12 of his contested duels.

Could Bergvall go on to rival someone of Modric's stature on the global stage? It's a tricky platform to reach, for the Croatian is one of the greatest midfielders of his generation, the 2018 Ballon d'Or winner.

Even so, he has a lot of potential, though that doesn't mean he should be starting matches at the moment.

Tottenham have identified one Newcastle United star as a summer transfer target if they avoid relegation from the Premier League, according to reports.

Spurs moving to secure deals ahead of summer window

Something is finally stirring at Tottenham.

Two wins in a row, consecutive league victories for the first time since August, and a performance at Villa Park on Sunday that prompted genuine praise from observers who have spent much of this season lamenting the club's decline.

Roberto De Zerbi's side moved out of the relegation zone for the first time in almost a month with a 2-1 win at Aston Villa, lifting them one point above West Ham in 18th with three games remaining.

The way Spurs pressed and won the ball back in advanced areas bore the hallmark of De Zerbi's best Brighton teams, giving every indication that something tangible has shifted tactically since his arrival.

Conor Gallagher, who has been heavily criticised since his arrival from Atlético Madrid, was outstanding throughout, scoring to give Spurs the lead before Richarlison's header sealed what was arguably the best result of Spurs' entire campaign.

De Zerbi was characteristically measured in his response.

"It's not finished yet," he said.

"We have to play another three games, very tough games, starting Monday night with Leeds."

West Ham's 3-0 defeat at Brentford on Saturday had opened the door, and Spurs walked through it — but the performance was more than opportunistic.

The cohesion, the energy, the clarity of intent all pointed to a team that has found a way of playing under a manager who appears to have genuinely got through to the dressing room in a short space of time.

West Ham's fate is now no longer in their own hands, while Nottingham Forest's safety has basically been confirmed.

Spurs' remaining fixtures — Leeds at home on Monday, followed by two more demanding tests — still represent a significant challenge, but the mood around the club has shifted considerably.

De Zerbi himself has said he believes Spurs can win all their remaining matches, a view that would have seemed fanciful a fortnight ago and now sits on considerably firmer ground.

With survival edging closer, the summer planning that has been quietly building behind the scenes is beginning to take on more tangible shape.

Two key deals are already in place in principle.

Andy Robertson will join from Liverpool on a free transfer when his contract expires, and Bournemouth's Marcos Senesi has an agreement with the club over a permanent move.

However, both are conditional on Spurs remaining in the Premier League, which only adds to the incentive of the run-in.

Tottenham eyeing move for exit-bound Newcastle star Tino Livramento

Now, according to Italian outlet Calciomercato.it, a third target has emerged.

Tino Livramento is now on Tottenham's radar this summer, with the report identifying the Newcastle right-back as a player whose potential availability could shape the market for several English clubs simultaneously.

The 23-year-old is said to be "on his way out" of St James' Park, amid links to Arsenal and Man City, with Spurs now named as a third English club monitoring the situation closely.

Livramento picked up a groin injury against Bournemouth and is likely to have already played his final game for Newcastle this season, with the club open to selling at a fee in excess of £70 million given his reluctance to sign a new deal and their need to balance the books this summer.

His versatility — comfortable on both flanks — and his quality when fit make him an attractive option at right-back, a position Spurs need to address regardless of who else arrives.

Livramento, who has been called 'very underrated defensively', is also a candidate to make Thomas Tuchel's World Cup squad if he is fit enough by then.

The former Southampton star's season has been largely curtailed by injury throughout 2025/2026, but when fit and available, he's a nailed-on starter for Eddie Howe's side.

While survival comes first, the rebuild can then truly begin, and the Lilywhites would secure a statement signing with Livramento if they can beat off the fierce competition.

Premier League clubs are ready to pounce if Tottenham decide to let young forward Will Lankshear leave this summer.

Lankshear returns to Tottenham as clubs circle

Lankshear, 21, finished off a superb loan spell at relegated Oxford with a 47th appearance for the Championship side in Saturday’s 2-0 loss at Millwall.

While Lankshear was unable to keep Oxford up, the England Under-21 striker scored 12 goals and provided four assists during a successful season-long loan to catch the eye of numerous clubs in England and abroad.

Former Arsenal youngster Lankshear is due to return to Hotspur Way at some point over the next week for end-of-season testing before a well-earned rest.

Any decision on Lankshear’s long-term future at Tottenham will not take place until there is clarity over which division the club will be in for the 2026-27 campaign, but there is optimism about his prospects under Roberto De Zerbi.

Spurs boss De Zerbi handed debuts to numerous young players at Brighton, including Evan Ferguson.

Ferguson scored 11 goals in De Zerbi’s first season at the Seagulls as a teenager and is a similar profile to Lankshear, who has developed physically in the Championship and broken his top speed on multiple occasions.

Antonio Conte was the first Tottenham head coach to work with Lankshear after his arrival from Sheffield United in 2022 and gave him a debut in a friendly fixture with Nice after the winter World Cup.

However, Ange Postecoglou presented Lankshear with his breakthrough during the 2024-25 campaign and the all-action forward scored on an eventful night against Galatasaray in the Europa League where he silenced the Rams Park crowd before he earned an unfortunate second yellow card.

Lankshear then scored the first goal of the ill-fated Thomas Frank era at Spurs last July in a friendly at Reading before he was sent on loan to Oxford despite other Championship options.

De Zerbi demands Palhinha signing

With questions surrounding the futures of several players, De Zerbi issued a public rallying cry to sign Joao Palhinha on a permanent basis during his pre-Leeds press conference.

Spurs have a €25m (£21.5m) option to sign the Portgual international this summer following the end of his loan spell.

"100 per cent. We have to start from this type of people," the manager said (via Alasdair Gold).

"More than players, we need reliable people and players and Palhinha is one of the best, as a player for sure but as a guy.

"I want to see players have the same personality, attitude and spirit and we're lucky to have him."

Palhinha has played 30 times in the Premier League this season, scoring four times, including a dramatic winner at Wolves.

Labelled "one of the best off the ball" by Tom Cairney during their time together at Fulham, the 30 year-old's 3.3 tackles per game are the most in the top flight this season.

Tottenham Hotspur have been knocked down numerous times throughout the campaign, but they picked themselves up from the canvas with Roberto De Zerbi now in their corner.

Three games. Leeds (H), Chelsea (A), Everton (H). That's all that stands between Spurs and survival - or a slide into the second tier.

Injuries have formed the crux of this unfortunate decline, but Tottenham have ultimately left too much to be desired in regard to their recruitment over the past several years.

Injuries aren't everything, though. Spurs rose to the occasion against Aston Villa, proving their spirit and their resourcefulness against the odds.

How Spurs defeated Aston Villa

Tottenham played a weakened Aston Villa team, with Unai Emery resting players ahead of his side's Europa League semi-final tie, but the controlled pressure they applied on the hosts still beggared belief, all things considered.

The forwards worked hard and caused mischief in the final third, while the midfield trio stamped down their authority on the likes of Youri Tielemans and Ross Barkley.

This is the formation that must persist over the final few weeks of the season.

The De Zerbi effect has already taken hold, but there is still a long and interminable distance to travel until we reach the end of the season, when Tottenham can call themselves a stable Premier League outfit.

Going forward, the recruitment needs to improve. That's without question.

Sure, the likes of Tanguy Ndombele and Steven Bergwijn flattered to deceive at the start of the decade, but Tottenham have plumbed darker depths since then, with so many of the current crop at risk of being sold this summer after dismal individual campaigns.

Spurs must get rid of the new Ndombele

Tottenham are going to say goodbye to a number of first-team stars this summer, and rightly so. The north Londoners need to press the reset button, and the exodus simply has to contain Yves Bissouma, who is only one month away from the end of his contract.

Bissouma hasn't played that much this season, injured and then absent due to AFCON, he's returned recently, but a poor performance against Brighton has seen De Zerbi drop him ahead of back-to-back victories.

The Mali international, 29, didn't join on quite as gargantuan a figure as Ndombele back in 2019, a club-record £63m signing from Lyon, but he still arrived with a weight of expectation that has ebbed away over the years.

Disciplinary issues has seen the tough-tackling star pick up 31 bookings and two dismissals for Tottenham, and off-the-field issues have further muddied his promising career at the club.

The same problems were evident throughout Ndombele's career in England, never able to channel and sustain his boundless natural potential.

Tottenham's engine room has looked exceptional over the past few weeks, so powerful and committed and intuitive. It's not perfect - how can it be, with so many injuries ?- but De Zerbi has struck on a sustainable formula that could stave off the threat of relegation.

If an exciting talent like Gray cannot worm his way into the starting line-up, how can Bissouma expect to? Gray, after all, has been projected to be a "future Tottenham captain" by former Lilywhites manager Harry Redknapp.

Bissouma, conversely, continues to do his own skillset a disservice when called into the fray. His lack of success in the duel against Brighton is evidence of that, and there will surely be no time for sentiment as De Zerbi maintains his new trio over the final weeks of the season.

Bissouma was once considered one of the most talented midfielders in the Premier League. Certainly, his aptitude in close combat and crisp distribution made him a formidable opponent for any Premier League team looking to progress the ball forward. Like Ndombele, he has enjoyed moments of success, but it looks like he will depart on a similarly sombre note.

Sadly, though, the highs have been few and far between at Spurs, and if ENIC Group were to extend the Malian's time at the club, it would be evidence that the myriad of mistakes over recent years have not been learned from.