Sports Mole

Gary Neville has described the situation at Tottenham Hotspur as a "car crash" following Igor Tudor's controversial decision-making in Madrid.

Spurs' season has descended into further chaos following a humiliating 5-2 defeat to Atletico Madrid in the Champions League on Tuesday night.

Apart from needing a roaring turnaround in North London next week, the Lilywhites are currently enduring a historic slump that has seen them plummet toward the Premier League relegation zone after five consecutive losses in the league and six in all competitions.

Interim head coach Igor Tudor has suffered defeat in all four matches managed since replacing Thomas Frank, leading to intense scrutiny over his suitability for the role.

With the club winless in 11 league matches, the hierarchy are facing significant pressure to act before their top-flight status is compromised beyond repair.

Neville brands Tudor's brief Spurs tenure a "shambles"

Neville has commented on the situation at the club, criticising the interim head coach's decisions and inability to change the mood at the capital club.

Tudor handed 22-year-old goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky his Champions League debut in place of Guglielmo Vicario, only to haul him off after 17 minutes with the side 3-0 down.

“I thought the whole thing of the last few weeks and then that, the whole thing is just a car crash, a shambles," said Neville on The Overlap’s Stick to Football podcast.

“The problem I had was Tudor’s interview. I think he’s got to come in there and say, ‘Look, I got this wrong, I should have left (Guglielmo) Vicario in net’, but he didn’t, he doubled down.”

The retired Man Utd right-back believes the club must make another managerial change immediately to have any hope of avoiding a shock drop to the Championship.

Igor Tudor future: Relegation fears mount for Spurs amid defensive disarray

Whether the North London club will sanction a second interim appointment this season is unclear as the threat of relegation becomes a genuine reality.

Spurs are currently languishing in 16th place in the Premier League table, just one point above the bottom three and have one of the poorest defensive records in the division over the last month.

The reported unhappiness within the dressing room regarding Tudor's abrasive methods suggests that the belief required for a survival scrap is currently absent.

If the board decides to move the Croatian on, they may turn to experienced heads like Harry Redknapp or Sean Dyche to provide the tactical stability needed for the final nine games.

Hoping to find respite after a difficult Champions League outing, Premier League champions Liverpool will welcome relegation-threatened Tottenham Hotspur to Anfield on Sunday.

Arne Slot's Reds were downed 1-0 by Galatasaray on Tuesday, starting strongly before conceding an early goal from former Wolverhampton Wanderers midfielder Mario Lemina.

More positively, Florian Wirtz returned to the starting lineup in that defeat after recovering from a back injury, though Alisson Becker missed the game due to a minor issue he developed in training.

Read on as Sports Mole rounds up Liverpool's latest injury and suspension news ahead of their Premier League clash with Tottenham on Sunday.

GIOVANNI LEONI

Status: Out

Type of injury: ACL

Possible return date: Unknown

Liverpool had high hopes for Giovanni Leoni when they signed the centre-back from Parma in the summer, but he was unfortunate enough to suffer a season-ending anterior cruciate ligament injury on his debut in September.

However, the 19-year-old will be raring to go in 2026-27, hoping to make his mark at Anfield alongside fellow young defender Jeremy Jacquet.

WATARU ENDO

Status: Out

Type of injury: Ankle / Foot

Possible return date: Unknown

Versatile defensive midfielder Wataru Endo was given a rare start against Sunderland on February 11, but he was stretchered off in the second half after a serious ankle and foot injury.

The Japan captain is unlikely to feature for the Reds again in 2025-26, though Slot has mentioned that "The plan is for him to be ready in time for the World Cup."

ALEXANDER ISAK

Status: Out

Type of injury: Lower leg

Possible return date: April 11 (vs. Fulham)

Liverpool have been without £125m striker Alexander Isak for significant amounts of his debut season at Anfield due to a variety of fitness woes, and his latest setback will likely see him out until April at the earliest.

Isak suffered a complex lower leg injury against Tottenham in December, and he recently stepped up his recovery by running on grass for the first time after successful surgery repaired the issue.

FEDERICO CHIESA

Status: Major doubt

Type of injury: Illness

Possible return date: March 15 (vs. Tottenham)

Federico Chiesa has seen limited minutes under Slot, and he missed the Reds' midweek showdown in Istanbul through illness.

The forward could make the squad this weekend, though it would not be a surprise to see him sit out once again.

ALISSON BECKER

Status: Major doubt

Type of injury: Unknown

Possible return date: March 15 (vs. Tottenham)

Alisson felt a minor issue in training before the clash with Galatasaray and sat out as a result, though he could return to action on Sunday.

Speaking on the shot-stopper's hopes of playing this weekend, Slot said "There's definitely a chance, yeah, because we don't expect it to be a big thing."

CONOR BRADLEY

Status: Out

Type of injury: Knee

Possible return date: Unknown

Right-back Conor Bradley suffered a major knee injury against Arsenal on January 8, and underwent surgery on the issue in the days after.

The 22-year-old will be out for the remainder of the campaign, and it is possible that he could even be sidelined for the early weeks of the 2026-27 season.

LIVERPOOL SUSPENSION LIST

Liverpool have no players suspended for this game.

Tottenham Hotspur already appear to be considering their summer recruitment plans as the club prepares for what could be a pivotal transfer window.

Despite their difficult campaign on the pitch, Spurs still want to strengthen their attacking options, particularly with creative depth viewed as an area that could be improved.

One player who has long been admired in north London could therefore re-emerge as a serious target, although any move may hinge on one crucial factor.

Tottenham could revive interest in Lee Kang-In this summer

According to TEAMtalk, Tottenham are expected to return for Paris Saint-Germain winger Lee Kang-In this summer after previously attempting to sign the attacking midfielder in January.

The PSG star has now attracted attention from several Premier League clubs after uncertainty emerged surrounding his contract situation in France. Lee currently has just over two years remaining on his deal, but talks over an extension are reportedly progressing slowly.

While the Ligue 1 giants are keen to tie the 25-year-old down to a new agreement, the South Korea international is understood to be considering his options, a situation that has alerted clubs across England.

Premier League survival could boost Tottenham move for Lee Kang-In

Tottenham’s interest remains strong, but any serious move is likely to depend on their Premier League status.

The club’s current struggles mean financial commitments in the transfer market may be limited if relegation becomes a reality. For that reason, Spurs are expected to revisit the situation only if they successfully secure survival.

Competition could also be fierce, with arch-rivals Arsenal and Chelsea among the sides known to admire Lee. Aston Villa and Newcastle United have also been monitoring developments, per the report.

It is thought that the South Korean international could cost in excess of £40m.

Lee Kang-In would improve Spurs’ attacking options next season

If Tottenham were able to secure his signature, Lee could add creativity and versatility to their forward line. He is capable of playing right across attacking midfield, out wide and just behind the striker. He offers technical quality and sharp decision-making in tight spaces.

Sky Sports football analyst Dougie Critchley has previously praised the South Korean’s skillset, saying: “I love watching Lee Kang-in. His eye for a pass, the angles, the execution, the ability to speed up a game... He’s a real technician.”

For Spurs, adding a player with that kind of vision could be an important step toward rebuilding their attacking threat next season.

Fresh from their embarrassing Champions League loss in midweek, Tottenham Hotspur travel to Anfield for a tricky Premier League clash against Liverpool on Sunday afternoon.

Spurs were beaten 5-2 away against Atletico Madrid in the first leg of their last-16 tie in Europe’s premier club competition on Tuesday night – Igor Tudor's fourth defeat in as many games since taking the reins on an interim basis.

The North Londoners will now resume their quest to climb away from the relegation picture in the Premier League and will attempt to claim their first top-flight win of 2026 when they butt heads with Champions League-chasing Liverpool.

Spurs are still having to cope without a number of first-team players, though, and here, Sports Mole rounds up their latest injury and suspension news ahead of the contest against Arne Slot’s side.

Cristian Romero

Status: Minor doubt

Type of injury: Head

Possible return date: March 15 (vs. Liverpool)

Cristian Romero was forced off in the closing stages of the defeat to Atletico following a clash of heads with teammate Joao Palhinha and it remains to be seen whether the defender will be fit to play or forced to sit out of Sunday’s contest due to concussion protocols.

Joao Palhinha

Status: Minor doubt

Type of injury: Head

Possible return date: March 15 (vs. Liverpool)

Joao Palhinha was taken off towards the end of the defeat to Atletico following a clash of heads with teammate Cristian Romero and it remains to be seen whether the midfielder will be fit to play or forced to sit out of Sunday’s game due to concussion protocols.

Destiny Udogie

Status: Major doubt

Type of injury: Hamstring

Possible return date: March 15 (vs. Liverpool)

Destiny Udogie sustained a hamstring injury in Spurs' loss to Man United at Old Trafford on February 7 and was ruled out for up to five weeks at the time. The left-back could therefore be close to a return.

Ben Davies

Status: Out

Type of injury: Ankle/Foot

Possible return date: April 11 (vs. Sunderland)

Ben Davies was stretchered off with a severe ankle injury against West Ham United in January, and he still needs time to recover from surgery.

Lucas Bergvall

Status: Out

Type of injury: Ankle

Possible return date: April 11 (vs. Sunderland)

Lucas Bergvall is nursing a serious ankle problem and is not scheduled to return for several weeks.

Mohammed Kudus

Status: Out

Type of injury: Thigh

Possible return date: April 11 (vs. Sunderland)

Mohammed Kudus was forced off in the 1-1 draw with Sunderland on January 4 with a thigh injury and the attacker is not expected to return until Easter.

Rodrigo Bentancur

Status: Out

Type of injury: Hamstring

Possible return date: May 2 (vs. Aston Villa)

Rodrigo Bentancur suffered a severe hamstring injury at the beginning of the year and the Uruguay international midfielder will not return to action for another couple of months at least.

Wilson Odobert

Status: Out

Type of injury: Knee

Possible return date: Unknown

Wilson Odobert ruptured his ACL in the defeat to Newcastle on February 10 and the winger has been ruled out for the rest of the season.

James Maddison

Status: Out

Type of injury: ACL

Possible return date: Unknown

James Maddison has been sidelined since sustaining an ACL injury in August and the playmaker is targeting a return to action during pre-season ahead of the next campaign.

Dejan Kulusevski

Status: Out

Type of injury: Knee

Possible return date: Unknown

Dejan Kulusevski is still recovering from a long-term knee injury that he picked up towards the end of last season and a return date for the attacker is unclear at this stage.

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR’S SUSPENSION LIST

Micky van de Ven

Return date: March 18 (vs. Atletico Madrid)

Micky van de Ven will serve a one-match ban following his red card in the 3-1 home defeat to Crystal Palace in the Premier League just over a week ago, but Tottenham have no other players suspended for this match.

Former Tottenham Hotspur head coach Ange Postecoglou believes the current squad is suffering from a catastrophic lack of confidence rather than a lack of quality.

Spurs' season reached a new nadir on Tuesday night as a devastating 5-2 Champions League defeat to Atletico Madrid marked a sixth consecutive loss across all competitions.

Interim head coach Igor Tudor has failed to record a single point since taking charge, and reports suggest a growing rift between the Croatian manager and a squad reportedly increasingly unhappy with his confrontational attitude and methods.

The crisis deepened in Madrid, where the visitors conceded four goals in a disastrous opening 22 minutes, leading to the humiliating early withdrawal of goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky.

Postecoglou sends pointed message to Spurs board amid historic slide

© Imago / Sportimage

According to comments made on TNT Sports, via The Standard, Postecoglou the team's collapse is an upshot of their confidence going down the drain.

"It's hard for me to comment from the outside," said Postecoglou."But for me it's just about instilling some belief into [them].

Show them the kind of players that they are. Not that they can be, that they are. They've already shown [it]."

Postecoglou suggested that the heavy-handed approach currently being employed has only served to increase the pressure on a group that is clearly underperforming.

The Australian then noted that the club have seemingly lost sight of their long-term direction and recruitment strategy.

"The football club, I said it a couple of weeks ago, wasn’t behaving to me like a big football club in terms of the kind of players it was attracting," said ex-Spurs boss Postecoglou.

"But it is a big football club, we saw that last year, there was a couple of hundred thousand people in London going nuts there and I felt it, how big a club it is."

Relegation fears intensify as Tudor's future hangs by a thread

© Iconsport / PA Images

While the club remain on the favourable side of the Champions League draw, they are already at risk of exiting Europe and their domestic form has plummeted to a 50-year low, matching a winless league run not seen since 1975.

If Tudor is moved on before the end of the campaign, the board are reportedly considering a variety of profiles, including ex-player Ryan Mason, veteran Harry Redknapp and former Everton boss Sean Dyche, while erstwhile boss Glenn Hoddle has thrown his name into the mix.

Spurs are currently 16th in the Premier League table, positioned one point above the relegation zone, and they are at risk of slipping into the bottom three this weekend if they lose more points against Liverpool at Anfield.

Postecoglou remains adamant that the supporters' frustrations can only be healed by a return to the proactive identity the club displayed last term, but warned that the club's situation in the Premier League leaves no room for further errors.

"In the Premier League, it’s a slippery slope once you take your eye off the ball with certain things," the Australian stated.

"But all that is not important right now. What’s important now is where they are in the league, they need to maintain their Premier League status which is obviously paramount to what they want to build."

Tottenham Hotspur will undoubtedly face a major squad shake-up this summer as uncertainty continues to surround several key stars amid their ongoing struggles.

A difficult campaign has raised questions about the long-term futures of some of the club’s biggest names, particularly with interest growing from across Europe.

Now, one of Spurs’ most important defenders is reportedly attracting serious attention ahead of the next transfer window.

What has Fabrizio Romano said about Cristian Romero leaving Spurs?

Renowned transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has now revealed that Cristian Romero has “serious chances” of leaving the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium this summer.

The Italian journalist reports that several top clubs have already begun making calls to explore the situation, with an exit now viewed as a genuine possibility. That development comes despite the Argentine defender signing a new contract with Spurs only last summer.

According to Romano, the 27-year-old himself could also be open to a sale if the right opportunity emerges.

Given his reputation as one of the Premier League’s most aggressive and dominant centre-backs, it is no surprise that Europe’s elite are closely monitoring his situation.

Tottenham have already set Cristian Romero asking price

Tottenham have been aware of the growing interest over the last 12-18 months, and have already placed a price tag on their star defender.

Reports suggest the north London outfit would be willing to consider offers in the region of £60 million.

Spanish giants Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid have both been linked with Romero in recent months as they look to strengthen their defensive options.

With multiple clubs circling, Spurs may find it difficult to keep hold of the Argentina international if a substantial offer arrives.

Cristian Romero leaving Spurs is merely a matter of time

Even with a long-term contract in place, Romero’s chances of staying at Spurs feels incredibly unlikely. Their current struggles have only heightened speculation that some of their biggest stars could look for new challenges.

Whether Spurs remain in the Premier League or face the shock of relegation, Romero is the type of player who will always attract interest from Europe's biggest clubs, so if the right bid lands on Tottenham’s desk this summer, his departure may ultimately prove inevitable.

Tottenham Hotspur's Champions League defeat against Atletico Madrid on Tuesday saw the club lose a sixth consecutive match for the first time in their history.

Spurs might have hoped for relief from a nightmare Premier League season on Tuesday, but they instead suffered a 5-2 defeat in the Champions League against Atletico Madrid.

Qualification to the quarter-final now looks highly unlikely, unless the club can stage a miraculous comeback next week at home.

More pressing for boss Igor Tudor will be arresting the team's poor form given they have been beaten in each of their last six games in all competitions.

Spurs had previously never lost six consecutive fixtures, but defeats against Manchester United, Newcastle United, Arsenal, Fulham, Crystal Palace and Atletico have created unwanted history.

Will Tottenham sack Igor Tudor after Atletico Madrid loss?

Interim boss Tudor replaced Thomas Frank in the dugout in February, but he has overseen four defeats in his first four games in charge.

While a loss against rivals Arsenal was somewhat understandable given the Gunners lead the way at the top of the Premier League table, the team have conceded 14 goals during his time in charge.

Tudor's front-footed approach has exposed Spurs' backline, and playing so naively is likely to cost them their status in the top flight considering they are 16th, just one point above the relegation zone.

Tottenham will face Liverpool on Sunday in their next league game, but after Tuesday's loss, the chances of Tudor being in charge of the squad at Anfield appear slim.

Can Champions League exit be seen positively by Spurs?

Spurs' exit from the Champions League looks certain, but given the club are at real risk of relegation from the Premier League, perhaps elimination from Europe would allow them to focus more on survival.

Tottenham face 17th-placed Nottingham Forest on March 22, four days after the second leg against Atletico Madrid at home.

While a team as well supported and as wealthy as Spurs should be strong enough to compete domestically and on the continent, it may be in the club's interest to rest as many key stars as possible against their Spanish opponents.

Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly prepared to sell captain Cristian Romero during the summer transfer window.

The 27-year-old has not featured for Spurs in over a month after picking up a four-game suspension following a red card against Manchester United on February 7.

Romero is set to return to action for the Lilywhites this week, when they travel to Atletico Madrid in the Champions League.

The 2022 World Cup winner was in favour of departing North London last summer but eventually stayed and signed a new deal.

Romero and Spurs alike have endured a disaster of a campaign to date, staring relegation to the Championship in the face.

Spurs to sell Romero in squad overhaul?

According to The Telegraph, Tottenham are planning a major rebuild of their first-team ranks over the summer break.

The report claims that Spurs are willing to offload captain Romero regardless of whether they find themselves in the Premier League or the Championship.

Tuesday night's opponents Atletico Madrid are supposedly potential suitors for the 27-year-old ahead of the summer trading point.

It is believed that Diego Simeone is a massive admirer of Romero's hard-hitting style of defensive work.

It is claimed that the Lilywhites are also preparing to entertain offers for Guglielmo Vicario and Pedro Porro.

Premier League priority

After a positive League Phase campaign, Spurs are into the last 16 of the Champions League, rubbing shoulders with Europe's elite.

However, Igor Tudor's troops have to keep the majority of their powder dry for a relegation battle in the Premier League.

The Croatian head coach has admitted that retaining the club's top-flight status is more important than progression in the Champions League.

Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly interested in bringing Ryan Mason back to the club if Igor Tudor is sacked.

The Croatian head coach is under major pressure already in North London following a poor start to his interim reign.

Tudor has lost three straight Premier League matches to Arsenal, Fulham and Crystal Palace, worsening his side's survival chances.

The relegation-fighting Spurs back currently just a single point above 18th-placed West Ham United with nine games remaining.

The Lilywhites take a break from domestic struggles this week as they visit Atletico Madrid in the Champions League.

Spurs eyeing Mason as Tudor replacement?

According to Football Insider, Tottenham are already eyeing a change in the dugout just three matches into Tudor's stint.

The report states that the former Juventus head coach is under immense pressure to turn things around quickly in North London.

If not, Tudor is believed to be at serious risk of dismissal, with Spurs looking at a familiar face to potentially steer the ship.

It is understood that the Lilywhites could bring former player and interim boss Mason back to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

The 43-year-old has taken charge of Spurs on two separate occasions in 2021 and 2023, firstly following the sacking of Jose Mourinho in April 2021.

Mason's managerial experience

Since stepping down as Spurs interim boss in 2023, Mason has since completed a stint as a permanent first-team manager for the first time in his budding career.

The 43-year-old was given the West Bromwich Albion job at the beginning of the 2025-26 Championship campaign.

After struggling to get the Baggies competing near the playoffs, Mason was relieved of his duties in December.

Tottenham Hotspur will be looking to achieve a first-time clean sheet feat when they travel to the Riyadh Air Metropolitano for the first leg of their Champions League last-16 clash against Atletico Madrid on Tuesday night.

The North Londoners are down in the dumps as they have failed to win any of their 11 Premier League matches in 2026 and are hovering just one point above the relegation zone heading into the final few months of the campaign.

In stark contrast, Spurs secured fourth place in the 36-team League Phase table in the Champions League after accumulating 17 points from eight games (W5 D2 L1).

Prior to the sacking of Thomas Frank, Tottenham won their final three League Phase fixtures against Slavia Prague (3-0), Borussia Dortmund (2-0) and Eintracht Frankfurt (2-0), most recently beating the latter at the end of January.

Spurs head into Tuesday’s clash with Atletico having never previously won four successive games in the European Cup/Champions League, nor have they kept four straight clean sheets before.

Can Spurs achieve clean sheet first in UCL battle with Atletico?

Tottenham will be buoyed by the fact that they have only lost one of their last five Champions League meetings with Spanish opponents (W2 D2), a 4-2 home defeat to Barcelona in the 2018-19 group stage.

However, it is worth noting that Atletico have never lost a Champions League knockout stage match under head coach Diego Simeone at either their former home, the Vicente Calderon (W7 D4), or their current stadium, the Riyadh Air Metropolitano (W6 D2).

The La Liga giants have also advanced from two of their three previous UCL last-16 ties against English teams, beating Liverpool in 2019-20 and Manchester United in 2021-22, losing the other to Chelsea in 2020-21.

Igor Tudor is preparing for his first Champions League game as interim head coach of Spurs and his first match in the competition since losing 1-0 at Real Madrid as Juventus boss in October 2025.

The 47-year-old will be able to use captain Cristian Romero for the first time since his arrival, with the centre-back available to start on Tuesday after serving a four-match domestic suspension.

"He missed a lot. He was also not feeling good to not be able to help the team. Now he's back,” Tudor told reporters at a pre-match press conference on Monday.

Spurs receive Romero, Spence defensive boost before Atletico clash

“He was working these two, three weeks a lot, even with the fitness coach, he did separate running sessions to be in better shape now that he's back. We are happy. I'm sure that tomorrow he'll be a leader like he's always been."

Spurs have also been boosted by the return to fitness of full-back Djed Spence, but January recruit Souza and midfielder Yves Bissouma are both ineligible after being left out of the club’s updated Champions League squad.

“We are happy that Romero is back, Djed is back, Bissouma and Souza are not because of the rules of the Champions League, so the players are coming back, that's important,” said Tudor.

"It's the first time since I'm here and we'll have, let's say, available the players to play in defence, the players who usually play. So, in all three games, we missed the players on their positions, and we missed the players who are usually playing.

“Beautiful game to play tomorrow, a totally different competition than the Premier League. There is a good experience from this season, past games. So, let's see what happens tomorrow."