Sports Mole

Linked to Tottenham Hotspur, is Thiago Motta a coherent bet or yet another risk amid the chaos?

The Italian-Brazilian manager's name has emerged as a potential replacement for Igor Tudor, but his playing style raises questions about how quickly he could fit in at Spurs.

Motta's name has been circulating with growing insistence behind the scenes at Tottenham amid the turbulent start to Igor Tudor's tenure. The Croatian manager has lost all three of his matches in charge — all derbies, against Arsenal, Fulham and Crystal Palace — and his future is already being called into question as Spurs battle against relegation in the Premier League, sitting just one point above the drop zone.

While a dismissal is not considered imminent, the British press has already begun identifying potential replacements. Motta features on a list that also includes Sean Dyche, Ryan Mason, Robbie Keane and Roberto De Zerbi.

What makes the situation particularly curious is that last year Tudor took over the very role that Motta had vacated at Juventus — and now the reverse move could materialise in London. Italian outlets including Corriere dello Sport and SportMediaset have also confirmed that the Italian-Brazilian manager is on the English club's radar.

Does Thiago Motta make sense at Tottenham?

Should Tottenham pursue Motta, Juventus would also have reason to view such a development favourably. The manager is still being paid under his contract with the Italian club until June 2027 and continues to weigh on the Old Lady's finances despite his departure.

The cost amounts to around £4.7m gross per season, a figure that rises to approximately £11.5m when the entire backroom staff is taken into account. An agreement with another club would significantly reduce that financial burden.

Motta's potential arrival raises a genuine debate about whether his ideas suit Tottenham's current predicament. The manager rose to prominence primarily through the modern, distinctive work he produced at Bologna — a style built on possession control, constant movement and rational occupation of space. His approach prioritises build-up play from defence, compact lines and versatile players capable of rotating positions during attacking phases.

That kind of philosophy, however, typically demands time — a luxury that is rarely available to clubs battling against the drop.

At a Tottenham side that is living week to week under immense pressure and urgently needs points, implementing a sophisticated footballing model could encounter natural obstacles. Unlike managers known for delivering immediate, pragmatic results, Motta has never built a reputation as a firefighter.

On the other hand, his ability to organise a team and establish a clear tactical identity could represent a genuine break from the instability that has plagued Spurs in recent years.

Tottenham's 2025-26 season so far

In short, any potential marriage between Motta and Tottenham would depend less on the manager's quality — which is well-recognised across European football — and more on context.

Rather than seeking only a short-term fix, the club's board could view Motta as an opportunity for deeper reconstruction — even if the timing, in the midst of a relegation battle, appears risky.

If the club is looking for someone capable of extinguishing fires immediately, his profile may not be the ideal fit. But if the idea is to begin reorganising a sporting project that has lost its way in recent years, the Italian-Brazilian could represent a coherent long-term bet.

If the Premier League campaign gives serious cause for concern, the broader picture of Tottenham's season offers little comfort either. The North London club sit 16th in the table, flirting with the relegation zone as the threat of the drop grows with each passing round. Only one point separates Spurs from the bottom three.

In the domestic cup competitions, the club have also fallen short of expectations. In the FA Cup, Tottenham were eliminated as early as the third round by Aston Villa. In the Carabao Cup, the story was similar — knocked out in the last 16 by Newcastle, ending another opportunity for silverware prematurely.

Curiously, the one bright spot in Tottenham's season has been their European campaign. In the Champions League, the London side accumulated 17 points from eight matches, winning five, drawing two and losing just one, finishing the league phase in fourth place. That performance secured a direct berth in the last 16, where they will face Atletico Madrid.

Tottenham Hotspur interim boss Igor Tudor has admitted the club's Premier League survival fight takes priority over the Champions League.

Spurs have been drawn into a relegation battle, having failed to win any of their last 11 Premier League games since beating Crystal Palace in December.

The team's poor form cost Thomas Frank his job in February, leading to Tudor's appointment on a deal until the end of the season.

Tudor was brought in to spark an immediate upturn in fortunes, which has ultimately failed to materialise.

The former Juventus boss has lost each of his first three matches and has already seen his position come under scrutiny.

Tudor prioritising Premier League relegation battle

Spurs will temporarily put their survival bid on hold to focus on Tuesday's Champions League last-16 clash against Atletico Madrid.

However, Tottenham may have one eye on Sunday's Premier League clash with Liverpool, with Tudor conceding that the club's relegation battle takes priority over the last-16 tie with Atleti.

"Our first aim is Premier League and this needs to be said publicly," Tudor said ahead of Tuesday's first leg at the Metropolitano.

"That doesn't mean we don't want to go to the next round. Every game is important.

"We have to grow so it can be an opportunity. A totally different competition against a team with Champions League history, experience and quality."

Why UCL can help Spurs' survival fight

Spurs fans enjoyed last season's Europa League triumph, and in normal circumstances, they would love to make a deep run in the Champions League.

However, these are far from normal circumstances, with the north London club languishing in 16th place and just a point above the Premier League relegation zone.

As a result, they need to focus on securing a 49th consecutive season in the top flight, but that does not mean the Champions League is a complete distraction.

Spurs have done their best work this season in UEFA's elite club competiton and a win on Tuesday would represent their first competitive victory since beating Eintracht Frankfurt at the end of the journey.

Tottenham Hotspur head coach Igor Tudor has confirmed that Richarlison will return to the starting lineup for Tuesday's Champions League last-16 first leg with Atletico Madrid.

No player in the Spurs squad has scored more goals than the Brazil international in the 2025-26 campaign - nine across all competitions and eight in the Premier League alone.

Richarlison missed a good chunk of football over the winter with a hamstring injury, but he has taken part in each of Spurs' last three Premier League games, scoring a consolation goal in a 2-1 loss to Fulham.

Despite his contribution at Craven Cottage, Richarlison was overlooked for a start in Thursday's 3-1 defeat to Crystal Palace, as Dominic Solanke, Randal Kolo Muani and Mathys Tel led the line instead.

However, Tudor confirmed at his pre-game press conference that the former Watford and Everton man will make his first start in two months - since January's FA Cup loss to Aston Villa - on Tuesday, simply saying: "He will start tomorrow."

Which Tottenham player should drop out for Richarlison?

Tudor's confirmation that Richarlison will start gives the Croatian a particularly intriguing attacking dilemma after siding with Tel, Kolo Muani and Solanke to spearhead the charge in midweek.

Solanke drew first blood against Palace before Tottenham's implosion, while Tel has been heralded by supporters as one of the few Spurs players showing any fight amid the relegation battle.

As such, Kolo Muani is the standout candidate to be dropped in favour of Richarlison, although Tudor will then also be left with a Xavi Simons-sized dilemma.

Spurs' marquee summer signing was also benched during last week's defeat to Oliver Glasner's side, and Tudor will ostensibly have to also sacrifice either Tel or Solanke if he is to fit Simons and Richarlison in the XI.

The latter is one of 10 players at risk of missing the second leg through suspension, though - fellow striker Kolo Muani is also on that double-figure list.

Tottenham injury doubt shrouded in mystery before Atletico Madrid battle

Tudor also confirmed a double defensive boost for the trip to the Wanda Metropolitano, one of which - Cristian Romero's return from suspension - was already known.

Full-back Djed Spence is also fit and raring to go again following a calf concern, while Radu Dragusin was seen in training on Monday morning at Hotspur Way following a knock.

However, Tudor did not name-check the Romanian when giving his pre-game team news update, so it is still uncertain whether Dragusin will be fit to take part in the first leg.

James Maddison, Destiny Udogie, Dejan Kulusevski, Rodrigo Bentancur, Mohammed Kudus, Wilson Odobert, Lucas Bergvall and Ben Davies remain out, while Souza and Yves Bissouma are ineligible.

Tottenham Hotspur will travel to the Riyadh Air Metropolitano for the first leg of their UEFA Champions League round-of-16 tie against Atletico Madrid, with their season hanging by a thread.

Currently sitting 16th in the Premier League table and perilously close to the relegation zone, their European campaign represents their final beacon of hope to salvage something from an otherwise disastrous 2025-26 season.

The team has suffered five consecutive defeats and gone 11 Premier League games without a win, so Spurs must dig deep to muster any semblance of belief if they are to overcome Atletico in this crucial first leg.

Their problems have been compounded by a mounting injury list, but ahead of the match, Igor Tudor has received a timely double fitness boost, which comes as a huge relief.

Tottenham injury news: Duo set to return?

© Iconsport / SUSA

According to a report from The Standard, Djed Spence has returned to training after missing the last two matches against Fulham and Crystal Palace with a calf injury.

Spurs centre-back Radu Dragusin was also pictured in training at Hotspur Way on Monday morning, and he could be available for selection as well.

Tudor will be delighted to have both Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven back for the Champions League clash, with both defenders having trained ahead of the game.

Romero missed Tottenham’s previous four matches due to suspension, while Van de Ven will sit out the upcoming clash against Liverpool this weekend after being sent off against Crystal Palace.

Both centre-backs, however, remain eligible to play in Europe, while their availability represents a major boost for Tudor as he looks to secure his first victory since taking charge.

Tottenham's poor record against Spanish teams

© Imago / DeFodi Images

The north London club are winless in their last six UEFA away matches against Spanish opposition, while Tuesday night’s clash is unlikely to prove any easier.

Although the Rojiblancos have lost ground in the La Liga title race and could be without as many as seven players for this match, Diego Simeone’s side remain a formidable opponent on home soil.

Spurs, however, have kept five clean sheets in their last six matches in the competition, and with several key defenders returning, the spotlight will be on Tudor to see whether he can organise his side for a defensive tactical masterclass.

Tottenham Hotspur will be at risk of suffering a new triple selection blow when they face Atletico Madrid in Tuesday's Champions League last-16 first leg.

Igor Tudor's men take a welcome break from their Premier League relegation dogfight to square up to Diego Simeone's side at the Wanda Metropolitano, having defied their domestic difficulties to finish in fourth place in the league phase.

Spurs strode to 2-0 victories over Borussia Dortmund and Eintracht Frankfurt to advance straight to the last 16 of the competition, but the Europa League holders enter the first leg on a dire run of form.

Thursday's 3-1 defeat to Crystal Palace marked the Lilywhites' fifth loss on the spin in all competitions, and third in a row under Tudor, whose future is already being called into question after just a few weeks.

The Croatian will nevertheless take charge of Tuesday's first leg at least, but he will continue to work without a surfeit of players in James Maddison, Dejan Kulusevski, Lucas Bergvall, Ben Davies, Wilson Odobert, Mohammed Kudus, Rodrigo Bentancur and Destiny Udogie.

Tudor will be boosted by the return of Cristian Romero from suspension, while Djed Spence and Radu Dragusin trained on Monday following knocks, but Spurs could suffer a new triple blow in the Spanish capital.

Tottenham trio walking disciplinary tightrope for Atletico Madrid clash

All of Joao Palhinha, Richarlison and Randal Kolo Muani have already been booked twice in the Champions League, and the trio will miss the second leg at home on March 18 if they are cautioned again on Tuesday.

Three bookings is enough to incur a one-match ban in European competition, and yellow cards not resulting in a suspension are not wiped until completion of the quarter-finals.

Should Richarlison and Kolo Muani be ruled out of the second leg, Tottenham at least have Mathys Tel and Dominic Solanke available as cover, while Conor Gallagher and Pape Sarr are all alternatives to Palhinha.

However, only one member of the at-risk trio has been predicted to start the first leg, where no fewer than seven Atletico players will be walking a disciplinary tightrope.

Seven Atletico Madrid players could miss Tottenham second leg

Simeone's side have always had a reputation for playing on the edge, and the hosts have seven players on two yellow cards ahead of the visit of Tottenham.

Thiago Almada, Pablo Barrios, Robin Le Normand, Marc Pubill, Giuliano Simeone, Marcos Llorente and former Tottenham defender Clement Lenglet will all sit out the return fixture if they enter the book on home soil.

In addition, head coach Simeone is at risk of suspension himself having also received two yellow cards in the league phase, during which he was sent off in Atletico's first fixture against Liverpool.

On the playing side alone, a total of 10 players across both teams could miss the second leg due to suspension, although Atletico are certainly at risk of coming off much worse in that regard.

Atletico Madrid will welcome Tottenham Hotspur to the Spanish capital on Tuesday night for the first leg of their last-16 Champions League tie.

The second leg of the European tie will then take place in North London on March 18.

Here, Sports Mole provides details of how to tune into the contest.

What time does Atletico vs. Tottenham kick off?

The Champions League fixture will kick off at 8pm UK time on Tuesday night.

Where is Atletico vs. Tottenham being played?

Atletico will welcome Tottenham to their home ground, Metropolitano Stadium.

The only previous meeting between the two sides came in the final of the 1962-63 Cup Winners' Cup, with Spurs recording a 5-1 win over the Spanish outfit.

How to watch Atletico vs. Tottenham in the UK

TV channels

The Champions League clash will be broadcast live in the UK on TNT Sports 1 and TNT Sports 3.

Streaming

Fans can stream this clash live via Discovery+ if they have purchased the TNT Sports package on the platform.

Discovery+ with TNT Sports is also available through the Amazon Prime Video app.

Highlights

Any goals/major incidents will be posted on the FootballOnTNT X account, while highlights will be uploaded to the TNT Sports Football YouTube channel after the match.

Atletico vs. Tottenham: What's the story?

As mentioned, these two sides have only met on one previous occasion, and it will be their first-ever contest in the Champions League on Tuesday night.

Tottenham incredibly finished fourth in the Champions League league stage, but it has been a different story in the Premier League, with the North London club fighting relegation.

Spurs, now under the leadership of Igor Tudor, will enter this match off the back of five straight defeats, and they will be tackling an Atletico side that have won four of their last five matches in all competitions.

Atletico were 3-2 winners over Real Sociedad in La Liga on Saturday, but Tottenham had a free weekend due to their elimination from the FA Cup.

Spurs will know the importance of picking up a positive first-leg result on Tuesday if they are to stand a chance of progressing to the quarter-finals of the Champions League.

Tottenham Hotspur’s first-choice goalkeeper, Guglielmo Vicario, is reportedly considering a return to Italy in the upcoming summer transfer window.

Spurs currently sit 16th in the Premier League table with 29 points from 29 matches, just one point above the relegation zone, and could be dragged into the bottom three unless their results improve dramatically.

If the unthinkable happens and Tottenham suffer relegation, the club could face a mass player exodus, with Vicario potentially among the names expected to depart.

Even if the north London club manage to preserve their top-flight status, the Italian goalkeeper is still believed to be heading towards the exit door.

Broken relationship: Vicario heading for exit?

Vicario has made 113 appearances for Spurs since joining from Empoli and has started all 29 Premier League matches for the club so far this season.

The former Venezia goalkeeper has endured a turbulent campaign in north London and, according to Fabrizio Romano (via Juve FC), his relationship with Tottenham has completely broken down.

Inter Milan are reportedly showing concrete interest in signing the 29-year-old as they search for a replacement for Yann Sommer, whose contract expires at the end of the season.

The Nerazzurri could face strong competition from Serie A rivals Juventus, who are also exploring options to bring in a new goalkeeper this summer.

It has been suggested that Tottenham would be willing to accept a fee between £21.8m and £26.2m for Vicario as they appear resigned to losing him at the end of the season.

Who can replace Guglielmo Vicario at Tottenham?

If Tottenham are relegated, they are likely to rely on internal options, with Antonin Kinsky and Brandon Austin potentially being promoted for regular opportunities.

However, if Spurs manage to avoid relegation, they may look to bring in an experienced Premier League goalkeeper, with Manchester City’s James Trafford emerging as an interesting option.

Tottenham Hotspur striker Dominic Solanke is reportedly emerging as a potential transfer target for Newcastle United ahead of the summer transfer window.

The former Liverpool striker joined Spurs in the summer of 2024 and has since made 59 appearances across all competitions, scoring 21 goals.

Solanke has struggled with fitness this season and has made just 14 appearances, scoring five goals, all of which have come since January.

Tottenham currently sit 16th in the Premier League table, just one point above 18th-placed West Ham, and could be dragged into a relegation battle if results do not improve.

Should relegation occur, Spurs could lose several key players, with Solanke potentially being offered an escape route to remain in the Premier League.

Newcastle eye move for Solanke?

According to a report from the Daily Mail, Solanke could be reunited with Eddie Howe, who knows him well from their time working together at Bournemouth.

Newcastle have underperformed this season and could adopt a fresh approach in the summer transfer window with a significant squad overhaul.

Strengthening the attacking department is expected to be a priority for the Magpies, with Will Osula reportedly attracting interest from several clubs, including Crystal Palace and Aston Villa.

Similarly, summer signing Nick Woltemade is also drawing attention from a number of clubs, but regardless of his situation, Newcastle are keen to add another proven striker to their squad.

Will Solanke leave Tottenham?

The futures of several Tottenham players, including Solanke, may depend heavily on where the club finishes at the end of the season.

Having paid £55m to sign the former Chelsea striker, Spurs are reportedly reluctant to sanction Solanke's departure even if they suffer relegation.

However, while Solanke has proven to be an effective goalscorer, his persistent injury issues could encourage Tottenham to consider cashing in should they be relegated to the Championship next season.

Bayern Munich midfielder Leon Goretzka has hinted at a possible move to the Premier League amid reported interest from Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur.

The German midfielder has made 297 appearances for the Bavarian club since joining from Schalke in the summer of 2018.

Goretzka has made 17 starts in the Bundesliga this season while adding five appearances from the bench, registering two goals and one assist.

However, the midfielder's time at the Allianz Arena appears to be coming to an end after confirming that he will leave Bayern at the end of the season when his contract expires.

Arsenal and Tottenham have both been linked with a move for the German international, while Serie A giants Inter Milan are also reportedly interested in signing him.

Leon Goretzka hints at Premier League move?

Reports have previously suggested that Goretzka is keen on a move to the Premier League as he believes his playing style would suit English football.

The 31-year-old has admitted that he wants to experience competitive football outside Germany, which could encourage clubs such as Arsenal and Tottenham.

“I already said it when I announced my decision, that I felt the time was right,” Goretzka said to Sky Germany.

“Maybe it’s my last chance to go abroad. I really want to play competitive football again. We’ll see what opportunities arise. I’m completely relaxed about it. I’m just going to let things unfold.

“Who doesn’t like sunshine, right? But I’m certainly not going to base my next move on the weather. We’ll find something nice.”

Arsenal or Tottenham - who have better chance to sign Goretzka?

The Gunners reportedly failed to sign Goretzka in the January window, and they could be in the race to land him for free in the summer.

Bild journalist Christian Falk has suggested that Arsenal are leading the race to sign him, and they could be his dream destination should an offer be on the table.

Goretzka is a highly experienced midfielder who has enjoyed a trophy-laden spell at Bayern, winning six Bundesliga titles and the Champions League, and he could form a strong midfield partnership alongside Declan Rice.

Tottenham signed Joao Palhinha on loan from Bayern last summer, but it remains unclear whether they will pursue a permanent deal after a disappointing Premier League campaign.

Although Spurs could attempt to lure Goretzka to north London, the midfielder may be reluctant to join them if they are unable to offer Champions League football.

Few would have predicted that Tottenham Hotspur could find themselves dragged into a Premier League survival scrap, yet that is the reality now facing the North London club.

A turbulent campaign has left Spurs alarmingly close to the relegation zone, with pressure mounting both on the pitch and in the stands. For a club that lifted the Europa League just last season and boasts one of the most impressive stadiums in world football, the idea of dropping into the Championship once seemed unthinkable.

Yet the numbers paint a worrying picture. Tottenham remain the only Premier League side without a league victory in 2026, and their 11-match winless run is their worst since 1975. The club's last longer streak was in 1935, when they went 16 matches without a victory.

Thursday night’s defeat to Crystal Palace left Spurs just one point above the bottom three with nine games remaining, deepening the unease around a team that has not faced a genuine relegation battle since the late 1990s.

Their season has been defined by frustration, inconsistency and moments of chaos. But how did a club of Tottenham’s stature fall into such peril - and could they really be dragged into the drop?

Here, Sports Mole delves into Tottenham’s worrying slide and the growing threat of a relegation scrap.

Tottenham: Injuries, departures and recruitment misfires

Tottenham’s struggles cannot be attributed to a single factor. Instead, a combination of injuries, transfer missteps and dugout instability has created the perfect storm.

Thomas Frank arrived at the start of the season with hopes of building on Spurs’ Europa League triumph, but his tenure quickly unravelled. His shortcomings were exposed during an ill-fated eight-month spell before his eventual dismissal.

Spurs have spent most of the campaign without two of their most creative players. Dejan Kulusevski has yet to feature after undergoing surgery on a patella injury sustained last season, while James Maddison suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury during a pre-season friendly against Newcastle United.

The problems did not end there; Dominic Solanke, their main recognised striker, was also sidelined for months with an ankle injury, though he has since returned to action.

There were also significant departures; long-time talisman Son Heung-min left the club in the summer to join Los Angeles FC, leaving a leadership and attacking void that has proven difficult to fill. Meanwhile, Brennan Johnson was sold to Crystal Palace, further thinning Spurs’ attacking options.

Recruitment has done little to offset those losses. Spurs missed out on major targets such as Eberechi Eze, whose £60m move was hijacked by Arsenal, and Morgan Gibbs-White, who opted to sign a new contract at Nottingham Forest rather than move to North London.

Even the club’s marquee signings - Xavi Simons and Mohammed Kudus - have failed to deliver consistently due to injuries and patchy form.

Following Frank’s dismissal, Spurs turned to Igor Tudor as an interim “impact coach”, hoping the Croatian could spark a late-season revival.

Instead, his start has only deepened the sense of crisis, as Tudor has lost his first three matches in charge, and questions are already being raised about whether he can reverse the team’s alarming slide.

For a team that finished 17th in the league last season but escaped disaster by winning the Europa League, the warning signs were already present, and this season’s collapse may be the moment when those unresolved issues finally caught up with them.

Tottenham: Why relegation battles are so unforgiving

Relegation battles in the Premier League are among the most brutal scenarios in modern football, largely due to the enormous financial and psychological stakes involved.

Dropping out of the top flight can slash a club’s revenue by 50-70% almost overnight. In some cases, teams lose nearly £100m in immediate income due to reduced broadcasting deals, sponsorships, and matchday revenue.

Most modern Premier League contracts also include relegation clauses that reduce players’ wages by up to 50%, often triggering a wave of departures and further destabilising the squad.

Beyond the financial damage, the psychological pressure can be equally destructive. Teams battling relegation must cope with negative momentum, fan frustration and the growing fear of long-term consequences for the club.

Tottenham’s situation clearly illustrates the pressure. They have not won a league match since December and have amassed just four points from 11 league fixtures in 2026.

Over their last 20 league matches - a run stretching back more than five months - Spurs have managed only 12 points. More concerning than the results themselves is the visible collapse in belief among the players, who appear uncertain and lacking confidence in their approach.

For teams battling relegation, mentality can be as important as quality, and right now, Spurs look like a side struggling to rediscover both.

How promoted teams have defied expectations in Premier League

While Tottenham struggle, some of the season’s promoted teams have shown impressive resilience in their fight for survival.

Sunderland’s return to the Premier League has been one of the stories of the season. Few expected Regis Le Bris’s side to survive comfortably after their dramatic promotion via the playoffs, but they stunned the league with an excellent start.

At one stage, they even beat Chelsea to move within two points of leaders Arsenal, a remarkable achievement for a team that finished well outside the automatic promotion places in the Championship.

Now sitting 11th with 40 points, Sunderland appear to have already done enough to secure survival. Their ambitious recruitment drive - spending £161m on 15 players has paid dividends, with former Arsenal captain Granit Xhaka proving particularly influential.

Leeds United have also shown signs that they will avoid an immediate return to the Championship. With over 30 points on the board, they remain above the relegation line and, while not completely safe, are unlikely to fall into serious danger.

Burnley, however, appear destined to drop back down. Despite moments of promise, Scott Parker’s side have struggled to turn performances into points and sit deep in the relegation zone with just four wins all season.

Could Tottenham realistically be dragged into the drop?

Despite the stature of the club, Tottenham’s current situation means relegation can no longer be dismissed as impossible.

Realistically, around six teams remain involved in the survival battle: West Ham United, Nottingham Forest, Leeds United, Tottenham Hotspur, and the bottom two clubs, Burnley and Wolves.

While Wolves and Burnley look increasingly likely to occupy the bottom places, West Ham have shown signs of improvement, while other teams around Spurs are picking up valuable points.

Tottenham’s injury crisis continues to limit their options, and there is little indication that the situation will improve dramatically in the final weeks of the campaign.

Even Tudor has admitted that the team is struggling in several areas of the pitch, including attacking quality, midfield energy, and defensive resilience.

With nine games remaining and Spurs sitting just one point above West Ham in 18th place, their current form offers little reassurance about where the necessary points will come from.

The enormous consequences of relegation for Tottenham

If Tottenham were to suffer relegation, it would rank among the most shocking moments in Premier League history.

Financially, the consequences would be enormous. According to UEFA’s European club finance and investment report, Spurs generated around £690m in revenue last year - the ninth-highest total in Europe.

Dropping to the Championship could slash that figure by as much as £261m.

Matchday revenue would take a particularly heavy hit. Tottenham earned roughly £130m from ticket sales last season, thanks in large part to their state-of-the-art stadium and premium hospitality offerings. That model would be difficult to sustain outside the Premier League.

Although wage-reduction clauses could cut the club’s £276m wage bill roughly in half, the broader financial shock would still be severe.

While some argue that relegation could force a necessary reset at the board level, the scale of the economic and sporting damage means few would welcome such a scenario.

Are Tottenham doomed, or can they still survive the drop?

With nine matches remaining in the season, Tottenham’s fate is still in their own hands - but the margin for error has all but disappeared.

Historically, around 36 points have been enough to secure Premier League survival. Spurs currently sit on 29, meaning they likely need several victories in the final stretch to avoid disaster.

Their upcoming fixture against Liverpool, and especially Nottingham Forest, could prove decisive. A victory would restore some belief and momentum, but anything less would leave Tottenham in an increasingly desperate position.

Tottenham’s current maximum possible total is 56 points, but realistically, they will not need anything close to that. What they do need is an immediate improvement in both performance, organisation and mentality.

Defensive discipline, tactical clarity and renewed confidence will be essential if Tottenham are to claw their way out of danger.

Modern football was not built for a club of Tottenham’s size to collapse in this way. Yet unless results improve quickly, Spurs could be heading toward a relegation that would rival some of the most shocking in English football history.