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Tottenham Hotspur have only generated £258.3million in player sales over the last six full seasons.

Among a host of problems in terms of how Tottenham have been ran off the pitch in recent times, player recruitment has been one of the biggest.

Exemplified by Spurs’ current Premier League table predicament, consistently filling the playing squad with top talent and replacing star players has proven a real challenge.

It’s not that money hasn’t been invested regarding transfers, rather, how it’s been spent has been the issue.

So, with Tottenham in a worrying financial position which will only become even more so if relegation happens, this summer has to be a turning point for the Lilywhites’ recruitment strategy.

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How much is Tottenham’s transfer spend over last six seasons?

Tottenham’s transfer mistakes have really been evident this season, with sporting director Johan Lange in particular receiving a significant amount of criticism for his role in player recruitment.

This season’s winter transfer window saw Lange and other recruitment chiefs fail to cover themselves in glory, as precious little of what the team was crying out for was added.

Nothing was done to address the misfiring forward line, Conor Gallagher hasn’t been a hit in midfield, whilst the arrival of teenage left-back Souza was never going to provide an instant aid in defence, respectfully.

That’s been a short-term mistake for Spurs this term, but as detailed in a report by The Athletic, there has been a much longer and wider problem in N17 when it comes to generating revenue via transfers.

Indeed, the smartest and most well-run football clubs are routinely able to turn profits on players, or at the very least recoup the transfer fees they paid for them.

However, as evidenced in the aforementioned report from The Athletic, that’s not what Tottenham have been doing, in fact, they haven’t even come close to operating in this way.

It’s stated in that report that over the last six full seasons (2019-20 to 2024-25), Tottenham have spent an eye-watering £979.7m on signing new players.

However, over that same period, Spurs have only been able to bring in £258.3m through player sales, including the £100m deal that sent Harry Kane to Bayern Munich in the summer of 2023.

That means that Tottenham have a £721.4m difference between transfer fees spent and sales made over the last six full seasons, which is not a sustainable business model at all.

Tottenham have got worse with transfer management

It doesn’t stop there for Tottenham either, as the report also highlights just how much worse Spurs have become in this vital component to the running a successful football club.

The Athletic’s report also reveals that in the six full seasons to the end of the 2018-19 campaign, Spurs splashed out £412.3m on new signings.

However, they were also able to generate significant income through the sales of players such as Gareth Bale and Kyle Walker respectively.

As a result, their net spend over that time period was just £68.4m, which is a number that 23 English sides exceeded.

So, if these figures aren’t the wake-up call to those in positions of power inside Tottenham that they have to find a new transfer philosophy from this summer onwards, then perhaps Spurs will never learn.

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Tottenham ahead of Arsenal as FIFA consider new rule that could change everything in North London

Tottenham Hotspur are faring better than most Premier League sides when it comes to playing young English talent in the Premier League this season.

As per The Athletic, FIFA is considering a proposal that would mandate all clubs to have at least one homegrown player from the under-20 or under-21 category on the pitch at all times.

A consultation process for the proposed obligation is gaining support and is set to be submitted to the FIFA Council in the next year.

Currently, the Premier League’s rules say a club’s squad must have no more than 17 players who are not homegrown in their maximum 25-player roster. That leaves up to eight slots available for those that fit that criteria.

As Tottenham try to stay in the Premier League, figures show they are one of the best in the division for giving young English talent a go.

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Archie Gray leading the way for Tottenham

According to The Athletic, Newcastle United are top of the pile for handing out first-team minutes to English under-21 players, with Manchester City and Manchester United rounding off the top three.

Tottenham, who sit 18th in the Premier League and are two points from safety, sit sixth in this English talent table, comfortably ahead of London rivals Chelsea, West Ham, and Arsenal. Much of that is down to Archie Gray, mind.

The former Leeds United man makes up the vast majority of Tottenham’s Premier League game time, but after him, nobody seems close to making a first-team breakthrough.

That is likely to change if Tottenham fail to stave off relegation to the Championship, with Spurs expected to rely on youth if that comes to pass.

So, if FIFA implemented this change, Tottenham would be fine. However, the likes of Leeds United and Aston Villa would likely have to blood an English academy talent.

The former also have another Gray in their pipeline with 17-year-old striker Harry Gray.

Ultimately, though, while Tottenham are in the top six for this niche area, they are in the bottom three in the Premier League.

Tottenham look to experience over youth

Gray is one of the few Tottenham players to come out of this season with any credit but currently, the 20-year-old is struggling for game time under Roberto De Zerbi.

The utility player was trusted heavily by Thomas Frank and Igor Tudor.

But the Italian has opted to play the likes of Yves Bissouma and Rodrigo Bentancur of late as they try to stave off relegation to the Championship.

Indeed, Gray was an unused substitute against Wolves in their 1-0 win at Molineux. The youngster will hope to play against Aston Villa on Sunday but it remains to be seen if that will happen.

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Mathys Tel could be given one final chance at Tottenham Hotspur following the heartbreaking news of Xavi Simons’ season-ending injury.

Roberto De Zerbi brought Tel on for the second half against Wolves, as the winger replaced his French compatriot Randal Kolo Muani, helping Spurs earn their first win of 2026.

Tel has split opinions of the Lilywhites’ fanbase, but one thing everybody agrees on is his potential.

Another player who could reach unfathomable heights at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium is Simons, but his season is now over, as the Dutchman will have to watch his teammates’ fight to keep the club in the Premier League.

However, with Simons now out, De Zerbi may turn to Tel for the run-in, and there would be no better time for the winger to show his true potential.

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These stats show there is hope with Mathys Tel

It’s already been suggested that Tottenham can’t wait around for Tel to develop, especially this season, meaning they shouldn’t force him to play.

But De Zerbi looks like he will be left without a choice following an injury to Simons, as Dominic Solanke may now also be sidelined for Spurs.

As seen in the table above, Tel had a 6.5 FotMob rating for his 45-minute appearance against Wolves, and had a 33 per cent dribble success.

He attempted nine dribbles in total, completing three, but looked to be the only player in a Tottenham shirt willing to create chances.

He has played 27 times in the league this season, and has an overall pass success of 76.4 per cent, with three goals to his name.

The problem Tel has, among others, is his off-the-ball work, and he has only won 42 per cent of his duels, which needs to be improved in these final few games.

Failing to do so may result in him being sold this summer, regardless of what division Spurs are in.

What position could Tel play?

Tottenham’s next game is Aston Villa on the road, and it provides a huge chance for Tel to stake his claim in the starting eleven and even become an unexpected hero.

De Zerbi will be given a new challenge without Solanke and Simons, as rumours of Kolo Muani being injured have been dismissed this week.

The Tottenham boss can either stick with his current 4-2-3-1 formation, or change to something with two number nine’s.

Tel has the ability to play as a striker, but ideally, he should be played on the left flank, his natural position.

It would be no surprise to see Kolo Muani start on the right with Tel on the left and Richarlison in the middle.

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Mason Melia has been trusted with training with Tottenham Hotspur‘s first team amid their injury woes in the Premier League.

Tottenham finally ended their barren run of 15 Premier League games without a win when they squeaked out a 1-0 victory over Wolves on Saturday.

However, it may have been a pyrrhic victory as they lost Xavi Simons and Dominic Solanke to injury, as Roberto De Zerbi‘s list of options grows thin.

The Italian has been known to trust academy players and other youngsters in past managerial roles, particularly at Brighton between 2022 and 2024.

Now, he may call upon Tottenham’s youth ahead of their trip to Aston Villa on Sunday, with 18-year-old Melia being involved in the first-team setup again.

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Mason Melia gets chance to shine

The Republic of Ireland youngster joined Tottenham in January from Irish side St Patrick’s Athletic, but he is yet to make his senior debut.

After arriving for a record transfer for the League of Ireland, at £1.6million, his progress was waylaid by a back injury, which has limited him to just a handful of appearances for Spurs’ under-21s.

Melia, who has also struggled with a chest infection, scored within three minutes of coming off the bench for Tottenham against West Ham on his Premier League 2 debut.

The teenager is said to be considered one of Ireland’s most promising up-and-comers, with Tottenham tying him down to a deal until 2031 despite interest from sides in the Premier League and across Europe.

After training with De Zerbi’s first team earlier in April, Football London’s Alasdair Gold says Melia is being put through his paces alongside the club’s biggest stars.

He adds that Melia has taken part in training due to Tottenham being low on attacking numbers, with the likes of him, James Wilson, and Luca Williams-Barnett hoping to be involved in the matchday squad for Villa.

Bad news keeps coming for Tottenham

Since De Zerbi’s arrival, Tottenham have lost captain Cristian Romero and winger Mohammed Kudus for the rest of the season due to injury.

The Italian is without the likes of James Maddison, Dejan Kulusevski, Destiny Udogie and more as Tottenham try and save their season.

They still sit in 18th in the Premier League, two points adrift of West Ham with four games to go. Now to have lost Simons and Solanke as well will be very hard to take for De Zerbi.

Staying up is a hard enough challenge without having nearly 10 players out injured. Spurs face a mountain to climb to survive as they aim to stave off relegation for the first time since 1977.

It says it all that Melia could be an option off the bench, but it also gives him the chance to become a hero overnight in North London.

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Djed Spence has not solidified himself among Roberto De Zerbi’s squad at Tottenham Hotspur in the early stages of the Italian’s reign.

Spence has found himself on the bench twice in the first three games of De Zerbi’s tenure, with one of those as an unused substitute.

He has become a bit of an outcast based on his previous appearances this season, starting just 33 per cent of games compared to an overall seasonal total of 65 per cent.

The 25-year-old has been behind Destiny Udogie in the pecking order, but recent injuries have given him a chance to return. Udogie is set to come back soon, which could threaten his position once more.

However, when Spence lined up for Tottenham against Wolves, there were some signs that he could adapt and become what Spurs need.

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Djed Spence showed small signs of life against Wolves

This season, Spence has had a bigger hand in goals conceded for Tottenham than he has in helping create them up the pitch.

The defender has yet to register a goal or an assist in all competitions, and with Spurs needing wins, that is a total that De Zerbi will take notice of.

Despite operating in the final third often for Spurs, Spence has created just four big chances this season for Tottenham and averages 0.4 key passes per game.

They are statistics of an inefficient attacking fullback, and Spence is unlikely to grab De Zerbi’s attention much due to those qualities.

Spence was handed a chance to show De Zerbi something different against Wolves, and while he was not at his best, he lived up to that tag.

At Molineux, Spence outperformed his average dribbles per match by quite a distance. Over the season, he averaged 1.2 successful dribbles, but against Wolves, he completed four out of six attempts as per Sofascore.

Of course, it was against the worst team in the Premier League, but nonetheless it was a promising sign that he can show bravery and carry the ball up the pitch.

Additionally, no player progressed the ball up the pitch through carries more than Spence with 96.2 metres.

Overall, these are qualities that Tottenham have been crying out for, but with Destiny Udogie poised to return, it will signal whether it was enough to impress De Zerbi based on his team selection.

Djed Spence could be key to unlocking Aston Villa

Aston Villa concede plenty of chances on their left side, and Spence could be a key member in continuing that trend.

As it stands, Lucas Bergvall or Mathys Tel are primed for that position, and no matter who starts, if Spence can build an understanding, Spurs could punish Emery’s side.

Timing of overlaps, the left-winger moving inside to create space and simple passing combos could unlock the Aston Villa defence.

Tottenham need to find answers quickly in the relegation battle, and Spence could be the unlikely hero.

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Roberto De Zerbi will know that every game for Tottenham Hotspur at the moment is a cup final and that begins with Aston Villa.

Spurs are in a precarious position, sitting two points behind West Ham, who are in 17th place. Relegation is a reality that is facing the Lilywhites.

The margin for error has simply disappeared, and the N17 outfit cannot afford to let any more points slip away.

De Zerbi will be drilling that into his side’s head, but fight and character have not been common themes this season.

However, De Zerbi’s record against Aston Villa also does not provide much hope, and he will have to overcome his woes to keep Tottenham in the Premier League.

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What is Roberto De Zerbi’s record vs Aston Villa?

On Sunday night, Tottenham will have plenty of pressure on them as they could have the chance to go above, go level or keep up with West Ham.

Spurs’ late kick-off comes after the Hammers have already played, and the players will know what is expected of them to keep their survival chances alive.

De Zerbi has faced Aston Villa on four occasions, and the Italian has only managed one win. In the other three fixtures, he has lost.

Additionally, in that period, the Tottenham boss has been on the end of a 6-1 defeat to Unai Emery.

All in all, it is not a great omen for Spurs as they prepare to try and keep themselves in the Premier League this season.

De Zerbi will have to come up with a solution he has not often been able to find, and he must do so with an injury-stricken squad.

While Aston Villa’s European exploits could have handed Tottenham a boost, Emery has not often rotated this season, and it seems that is unlikely to change.

Where can Tottenham punish Aston Villa?

Tottenham will have to put plenty of focus down Aston Villa’s left-hand side, with that wide area being a common point of weakness.

While 68 per cent of shots conceded by Aston Villa come down the middle of the pitch, the Birmingham club is placed third for being open on the left side, according to Whoscored.

So ultimately, it may come down to how well Mathys Tel can perform, with the young Frenchman the obvious candidate to play.

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Roberto De Zerbi is likely to take a pay cut should Tottenham suffer relegation from the Premier League.

The Italian was appointed as Tottenham’s third manager of the season earlier this month, following the failed tenures of Thomas Frank and Igor Tudor.

De Zerbi signed a five-year deal to the surprise of many, which is reported to make him the third-highest paid manager in the division.

But there is real uncertainty over what will happen next should Tottenham drop into the Championship for next season.

A new update has now emerged on the managerial situation at Spurs.

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Roberto De Zerbi plan in place should Tottenham go down

De Zerbi is thought to be on a salary of £50million at Tottenham across the duration of the five years, which is a huge sum.

It is also a sum Spurs simply cannot afford to pay if they are in the second tier, even if only for a season, due to the massive drop in external income.

However, according to Alex Crook via talkSPORT, there is a plan in place for the 46-year-old to take a cut to his salary should the worse-case scenario come true.

“I think there would be a pay cut coming his way if they don’t stay up, but he said he was committed for the long haul and he signed a five-year contract,” Crook said.

“I think if they do go down, it won’t be De Zerbi’s fault or even Igor Tudor, it will be on the hierarchy for sticking with Thomas Frank for too long.”

Crook is correct in saying De Zerbi won’t be at fault if Spurs go down, but at the same time this is a risky game that is being played.

As good a coach as De Zerbi is, would he necessarily be the right man to oversee an extremely gruelling Championship campaign?

The hope is that this will not matter, of course, as Tottenham still have four games to save themselves from the drop.

How does De Zerbi’s record compare to Tottenham predecessors?

De Zerbi has so far overseen a 1-0 defeat at Sunderland, a 2-2 draw with Brighton and then a 1-0 win at Wolves last weekend.

That was Spurs’ first victory since December and quite simply has to act as a springboard to push on, with Aston Villa to come on Sunday.

De Zerbi’s win rate, albeit over an extremely small scale so far, is 33.3 per cent. For context, Tudor had a 14.3 per cent win rate across his seven-game tenure.

Frank, meanwhile, departed with a 34.2 per cent win rate. That is similar to De Zerbi’s return, but you would hope the Italian’s record will only get better over time.

As well as facing Aston Villa, Spurs also take on Leeds United, Chelsea and Everton over the next few weeks.

Two wins from those four matches could well be enough to finish above West Ham, which would ensure it is job done for De Zerbi.

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Lucas Bergvall could see his position shifted for Tottenham Hotspur‘s all-important Premier League showdown with Aston Villa on Sunday.

The Swedish international is typically a central midfielder, but he has shown an ability to play in more advanced areas, or further back, so far in North London.

Roberto De Zerbi may have to come up with an interesting solution, with Xavi Simons out for the season and Dominic Solanke expected to be absent against Unai Emery’s side.

Spurs need to win, as they are two points behind West Ham, and sit 18th in the Premier League table with only four games left to play.

Bergvall could come back into the Tottenham team in a new role when they travel to Villa Park on 3 May.

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What new role could Bergvall have in Aston Villa vs Tottenham?

John Wenham has backed Bergvall to switch to the left wing or number 10 role for Tottenham in the contest.

Speaking exclusively to Tottenham News, the Spurs expert said: “That front three for Aston Villa, I’d imagine, of Randal Kolo Muani off the right, Richarlison through the middle and Mathys Tel off the left.

“The other option could be that Lucas Bergvall could play off the left, or in the number 10 role.

“He has grit and determination to drive forward, and I think he could have some joy doing so from there.”

Could Bergvall succeed on the left or in the 10?

The numbers suggest that the 20-year-old could succeed in the proposed new role for De Zerbi’s side.

According to data from Sofascore, he completes 61 per cent of his dribbles, which would be handy from the flanks.

Bergvall averages 0.5 shots per game and 6.6 passes in the opposition half, which could suit him well if he were on the wing for the clash.

One area where he would have to improve is crossing, as he completes just 16 per cent of his attempts to find a teammate in those situations.

He loses possession 6.1 times per game, which would also have to be better if he were in the 10 role or on the left.

However, he could well thrive there, as he has shown that he can adapt before, and he could add another string to his bow against the Villans.

Either way, it’s crunch time for Tottenham, who must keep picking up positive results.

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Mathys Tel is yet to start for Tottenham Hotspur since the appointment of Roberto De Zerbi.

If Spurs are to somehow escape relegation from the Premier League, De Zerbi needs to pick his best players and ensure that they are being utilised in the right way.

With Xavi Simons now out for the season, that has become increasingly more difficult, though the Lilywhites still have options to make a difference in the final third.

Tel and Richarlison are two of them, with the latter still Tottenham’s top scorer across all competitions this season.

However, De Zerbi is risking Tottenham’s Premier League status with the decisions made in the last three games.

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Tottenham duo top crucial Premier League metric

Not to turn into our old friend Michael Owen, but goals win games, and Tottenham quite frankly have not scored anywhere near enough of them this season.

Much of that is down to a lack of quality and injuries, but plenty of it can also be pinned on the decisions made by whoever was in charge, with De Zerbi the man to point the finger at currently.

Not only does Richarlison lead the way for the number of goals this season, but he also tops the xG per 90 table, with 0.36 per game

Second in the list is Tel, with 0.18, and third is Wilson Odobert with 0.17.

What they all have in common, aside from Odobert being injured, is that they have been snubbed by De Zerbi since he joined Tottenham, with Richarlison the only one of the three to have started a game, and that was against Sunderland when he was forced to play wide.

If De Zerbi is to get his side free-flowing in the final thirds, then he needs to utilise Tel and Richarlison, and in their preferred positions.

Richarlison must lead the line for Tottenham

Dominic Solanke has value, but only when his confidence is high.

Having not scored for Tottenham since 10 March, he is lacking that right now, and it is telling in his performances.

Richarlison is Tottenham’s biggest goal threat, and if Spurs are to win the games needed to stay in the Premier League, he needs to be the one to lead the line.

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Just like most of Tottenham Hotspur‘s squad, Rodrigo Bentancur is a bit of a mystery. It can be hard to put a finger on what he brings to the team.

But what is certain is that Spurs missed him – badly – during his lengthy injury lay-off. The midfielder underwent surgery on a hamstring issue sustained during the 3-2 defeat by Bournemouth on January 7, after initial assessments determined it was significant.

Before that setback, he had played regularly under Thomas Frank, starting 25 of the first 30 matches of the campaign. That was despite his stock not being particularly high, with the 28-year-old often criticised for Spurs’ lack of adventure and guile in deeper positions.

This season has been defined by a series of awkward ifs, buts and maybes, and there are just as many question marks over Bentancur: does he offer enough in midfield? Are Spurs better with or without him? All that is abundantly clear is that De Zerbi trusts him.

Now back fit and firing, Bentancur has started two of the Italian’s opening three matches in charge, hinting that he could hold a crucial role long into the future.

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Rodrigo Bentancur impresses Roberto De Zerbi

De Zerbi inherited a real mess after being parachuted in to rescue Spurs’ season.

Under Frank and Igor Tudor, Tottenham had defended sloppily, while they also lacked a cutting edge and control in midfield. This seemed to emanate through the entire starting XI, culminating in too many jittery performances and individual lapses.

Confidence, therefore, was at an all-time low.

It was obvious that the Italian would need to carry out major surgery in the centre of the pitch. He set about simplifying tactics, realising he did not have enough time to reinvent the wheel. Numerous midfielders have also been tried out in the pivot.

In his first match against Sunderland, Archie Gray and Conor Gallagher were placed in tandem, while Lucas Bergvall played as the No 10. They lacked any semblance of control, though, and succumbed to a 1-0 defeat after allowing Granit Xhaka to boss the department.

While outstanding talents, neither Gray nor Bergvall can grip games by the scruff of the neck. De Zerbi appeared to realise this and instead turned to Bentancur and Yves Bissouma for the 2-2 draw with Brighton. All of a sudden, Spurs were more composed where it mattered.

That would have come as no surprise to supporters.

After all, they had been the duo who more often than not got the nod under Ange Postecoglou in the No 6 spots, albeit not usually alongside each other. Still, they started the Europa League final triumph over Manchester United, as well as both semi-finals.

Bentancur and Bissouma were crucial in helping Tottenham to settle into a rhythm in front of an expectant – and jittery – home crowd. In doing so, the former also provided a welcome reminder of his qualities, which perhaps make him Spurs’ most intelligent central midfielder.

He may not be their most dynamic option, but his reading of the game and ability to control the tempo will be crucial in helping Spurs to stave off relegation during the run-in. That was proven again when he put in another composed performance in the 1-0 victory at Wolves.

Bentancur took a total of 79 touches across the 90 minutes, while his heat map showed he popped up everywhere in the middle third of the pitch, including both channels. Crucially, he also completed 54 of his 61 passes, boasting an impressive 89 per cent success rate.

He more than played his part in a rare shutout, too, registering three tackles, three clearances, three interceptions and six recoveries at Molineux. Imposing in duels, he won four of seven on the ground (67 per cent) and all three in the air (100 per cent).

Is Bentancur really better than other midfield options?

At least on paper, Bentancur complements Spurs’ more dynamic central midfielders. While Bissouma and Gallagher are at their best harrying after opponents, tackling and progressing with the ball, the Uruguayan is more comfortable using his intelligence to keep possession.

Frequently, this has been mistaken for passivity. He is, admittedly, not the Premier League’s most accomplished metronome, but his ability to keep a cool head when under the cosh is invaluable to Spurs and De Zerbi. That much was evident against Brighton.

With the finish line in sight, De Zerbi has correctly prioritised safety and stability over risk. He has also called upon Spurs’ more experienced players to guide the squad home, explaining why Bentancur has been thrust immediately into the XI.

Whether it will work remains to be seen.

But the overall effects are already obvious. Tottenham are winning the ball back more effectively and showing more teeth across the pitch. Bentancur has certainly helped to inject this nasty streak. However, there are still those who aren’t fully convinced by him.

It should not be forgotten that he had been part of the problem before his injury. Under Frank, Bentancur did not show enough for the ball, which affected how Spurs built up. He was not progressive enough in possession, while he was also found wanting defensively.

Undoubtedly a clever player with good technique, Bentancur is a good squad option at the very least. But supporters seemingly still can’t shake the feeling that he will tumble back down the pecking order once Spurs, as expected, splash the cash on a new midfielder.

For now, De Zerbi must get the most out of the resources available to him. He has, after all, had less than a month with the squad, no time at all to enact a revolution. That has allowed Spurs’ most experienced players, such as Bentancur, to take on a brand new lease of life.

Decisions over transfers will have to wait until the summer. First, he must lead Tottenham to safety with just four games remaining. Stability has been the main objective since his arrival, and that all starts from how the tempo is controlled at the heart of his midfield.

On that front, against all the odds, Bentancur is impressing.

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