Tottenham were handed a golden chance to put an end to their nightmarish season and secure Premier League survival. Their result at Stamford Bridge means that Spurs had left it late again, and there’s a genuine chance it all ends in disaster.
If one thing is certain, it’s that nothing comes easy in the world of Tottenham Hotspur.
Their 2-1 loss to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge to the backdrop of Arsenal winning their first league title in 22 years, shows a club in the most dire of straits. While Spurs did leave themselves that narrow route that avoids the absolute catastrophe that would be Premier League relegation, they truly left themselves no space to breathe.
Spurs had an opportunity to put to bed what will be remembered as their worst domestic season in the club’s modern history, regardless of what happens on Championship Sunday.
Now, we’re left to pick through the wreckage of their performance at the Bridge. Here are our winners and our losers from the Chelsea clash, as Spurs went gentle into that good night.
James Maddison again shows how much Tottenham missed a player of his quality
Despite being denied a hero’s return for a second game in a row, the impact that James Maddison makes off the bench couldn’t be more apparent. When so much of the game for Spurs was decided by cheap mistakes in-possession and an inability to keep the ball under pressure, James Maddison’s appearance off the bench introduced a dose of composure and structure to Spurs’ on-the-ball plans.
In the end, Maddison wasn’t able to be the difference maker. He had a late shot blocked by Jorrel Hato and blasted a free kick from a dangerous position way over the bar. But even when clearly unfit, he was still central to any dangerous chance that Spurs created since he came on. Roberto De Zerbi admitted that in his current state of fitness, Maddison can only play about 25 minutes, but with everything on the line against Everton, one has to ask the question if risking James Maddison is their only remaining play.
Rodrigo Bentancur calmed things down when Spurs were at their worst
Bentancur continues to impress since his return, being the only player in the Spurs starting midfield with any composure and confidence. Working as a central pivot, he was able to give work as a bit of a metronome, picking up the ball from the backline. Bentancur’s creativity was never his strong suit, but in a midfield of Palhinha and Gallagher, he looked like the only one with an idea as to what to do with a ball at his feet.
But what about the four losers?
Randal Kolo Muani rivals the worst loan signings in Tottenham Hotspur history
One probably cannot underestimate the lack of impact that Randal Kolo Muani had this season. Due to Tottenham’s injury-stricken frontline, Muani was given more chances than his performances ever deserved, and he failed to capitalise on any of them.
Kolo Muani was unable to impose himself on the game in any way, shape, or form and was an attacking non-presence. He was also directly responsible for the second goal Spurs conceded, providing a pass to Cole Palmer that split the Spurs defence in half and would have been considered brilliant if he were on the other team.
It might be in the best interest of all parties that Randal Kolo Muani never wears a Tottenham Hotspur shirt again.
Joao Palhinha could be a good player in the wrong team, but he doesn’t look like a good player now
In the buildup to the Chelsea game, Joao Palhinha seemed like the perfect profile to be a nuisance for the Chelsea midfield, breaking up their buildup and structure by being his usual tackling self. But Joao Palhinha couldn’t even offset how much of a burden in possession he is because his tackles couldn’t get near Cole Palmer and Enzo Fernandez. At times this season, Palhinha was a valuable player and an option off the bench, but with the technical floor at Spurs being as low as it is, they can’t afford to field a player who negatively impacts their quality on the ball to that extent.
Antonin Kinsky gives De Zerbi trouble he doesn’t need
With Vicario supposedly back in first-team training, Roberto De Zerbi backed Antonin Kinsky as his first-choice goalkeeper by giving him a start against Chelsea. But the young Czech didn’t necessarily cover himself in glory, conceding from a well-placed but relatively tame long-range effort from Enzo Fernandez. The keeper didn’t make any more horrible mistakes, was relatively good on corners and free kicks, and certainly wasn’t helped by his backline, who were arguably more at fault for the Fernandez goal.
But uncertainty around their goalkeeper situation is the last thing Tottenham need ahead of their all-or-nothing game against Everton, and Kinsky gave De Zerbi a reason to doubt him.
Roberto De Zerbi did everything he could?
It’s again difficult to describe De Zerbi as a loser after the Chelsea defeat. The Italian manager is squeezing everything he possibly can out of the meagre group of players available for selection at Tottenham Hotspur.
But his continued and frankly unjustified selection of Randal Kolo Muani, as well as a habit of making changes just a bit too late, can be a reason for discontent.
For better or for worse, De Zerbi is the manager left with the task of saving Spurs from relegation, and with one game to go, Roberto De Zerbi might need to be faultless if he is to succeed.
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