Joao Palhinha’s goal and Antonín Kinsky’s stoppage-time heroics saved Tottenham from relegation. The relief was real. But so is the reality that follows: at the very least, a few players have played their final game for Tottenham Hotspur.
Roberto De Zerbi said after the last game of the season that there are 10 to 12 players good enough to stay. That means the rest must go. Here is who and why.
Cristian Romero does not want to be at Tottenham anymore
His regular injuries, constant suspensions, and lack of discipline have cost Tottenham far too much. Barcelona are interested in signing Cristian Romero, among other clubs, and Spurs look like they will take the money. Replacing a player of his experience will be difficult, but it has to be done.
Guglielmo Vicario has clearly run out of time at Tottenham
His performances have been poor, and he makes far too many mistakes. With Kinsky’s strong revival, he emerges as the better long-term option, and let’s not forget he kept us in the Premier League. There is a strong interest from Italian clubs for Vicario, and Spurs must seize that opportunity and reinvest the money in the summer.
Richarlison came in for big money but never delivered
He was never good enough, not consistently, not when it mattered. The injuries did not help, but even when fit, he was sub-optimal at best. With one year left on his contract, the club must accept any fee they can get before he walks for nothing. Nobody at Tottenham will mourn this one.
Radu Dragusin: Never fit the Premier League
Dragușin came in as a huge prospect. He chose Spurs over Bayern Munich. Sadly, he never met the standard of a first-team Premier League centre-back. He was given several chances, and he failed to take them. Transfer-listed and willing to leave. Spurs must take the money and reinvest in better players.
Randal Kolo Muani and Joao Palhinha loans
Randal Kolo Muani must return to PSG as his loan expires. Self-explanatory. Not a soul at Tottenham wants to see him in a Spurs shirt again. Although De Zerbi clearly wanted to sign Palhinha permanently, it looks like he might choose Sporting Lisbon over Spurs.
The free agents this summer
Ben Davies leaves as his contract expires. The longest-serving player in the squad, he outlasted seven managers and never once made a fuss. He deserves more than a mention in an article, but players like Davies are rarely given the farewell they deserve.
Yves Bissouma could also depart on a free transfer if Tottenham decide against extending his deal by an extra year. Frozen out of the Champions League squad at the start of the season, invisible ever since. Came in with a lot of potential, but other than the opening ten games under Postecoglou, we never saw the player who played for Brighton.
Loan players who may not return to Tottenham
We already know that Alejo Veliz is set to join Bahia in Brazil this summer, but which other loan stars might not return to Spurs? Alfie Devine is rumoured to be on the verge of joining Preston North End, while Manor Solomon could also depart if Fiorentina trigger their option to buy. You wonder whether the time has come for Dane Scarlett to get a permanent move away after a series of underwhelming loans, too.
That could make for 12 exits this summer, at least, This is not a transfer window of fine-tuning. It is a demolition and a rebuild, and De Zerbi has made it clear he has the stomach for it. Whether Vinai and Lange, or whoever is in charge, give him the wallet to match is the only question that matters now.
Nobody should mistake this summer for the finish line. It is the starting point. Spurs will need two, maybe three windows of aggressive buying and selling before they are anywhere near the level this club should be operating at.