Tottenham’s final-day escape from relegation brought immediate joy to the fans and players, but the celebration will be short-lived. The club's attention now turns to a crucial rebuild.
Roberto De Zerbi is set to ruthlessly evaluate his squad, determining who to keep and who to ship out of North London as he looks to mold the team in his own image.
We look at the three players set to leave and 3 players staying after much speculation in the last few months.
James Maddison: Staying
The English midfielder may have missed most of the season after suffering a pre-season injury, with many believing the campaign could have unfolded very differently had both he and Kulusevski stayed fit.
The passion Maddison has shown since returning, both in his performances and his post-match words, underlines his commitment to Tottenham Hotspur and suggests his story with the club is far from over.
If De Zerbi can build a formidable attacking system around Maddison, it could provide the spark needed to turn things around at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Cristian Romero: Leaving
You could argue that handing Romero the captain’s armband was Thomas Frank’s biggest mistake of the season. His behaviour, both on and off the pitch, has only deepened Tottenham’s problems. Speculation that he was more interested in being in Argentina to celebrate Belgrano’s title challenge than focusing on Spurs says plenty about where his priorities appear to lie.
The backlash may have forced him back to North London, but by then the damage had already been done. With growing rumours linking him to clubs in Spain and Italy, the noise surrounding his future is becoming impossible to ignore, and Tottenham may now be open to listening to offers.
Antonín Kinský: Staying
The fallout from the Atlético Madrid mistake ultimately proved to be a blessing in disguise for the Czech goalkeeper, who returned under De Zerbi looking like a player reborn and quickly established himself as the club’s in-form shot-stopper.
His outstanding saves against Leeds and Everton may well have preserved Tottenham’s Premier League status, while also restoring his reputation at a crucial moment. If the rumoured move for James Trafford fails to materialise, many Spurs fans would have no issue with him remaining between the sticks next season.
Guilermo Vicario: Leaving
The Italian goalkeeper was among the first to embrace his compatriot after Palhinha’s goal was confirmed, a moment that perfectly highlighted the unity and belief De Zerbi has brought to the squad since arriving at the club.
Rumours linking him with a move to Inter Milan have cooled in recent weeks, which could complicate any decision to sell him given Tottenham’s limited alternatives in goal. However, if he does leave, a return to Italy still appears the most likely outcome.
The tension surrounding his performances, coupled with growing criticism from sections of the fanbase, may already have paved the way for a move back to his homeland.
Staying: Micky van de Ven
The Dutch defender has given perhaps the clearest indication yet that he intends to stay at Tottenham under the new manager, certainly more so than he ever did under the previous two coaches.
His post-match comments, in which he vowed to do everything possible to turn the club’s fortunes around, spoke volumes about both his commitment and belief in the project.
Even so, he is likely to be one of the most sought-after defenders on the market this summer, especially if he impresses at the World Cup, which would only increase his appeal to Europe’s elite clubs.
Leaving: Richarlison
The Brazilian forward’s overall return simply has not been good enough and, coupled with his persistent injury problems, it feels like the right time for Tottenham’s hierarchy to prioritise reinforcements in attack and invest in a more reliable option.
A move to another Premier League club cannot be ruled out, although a return to Brazil may also appeal at this stage of his career. Despite moments of quality, a record of 12 goals in 42 appearances is unlikely to justify keeping him as a leading figure in Spurs’ frontline.
Add us as a preferred source on Google