The unthinkable is creeping closer to a reality: Tottenham are staring relegation in the face. As anger and frustration continue to boil over, and supporters and staff question how it came to this, the club faces the prospect of a mass exodus this summer.
A reset has to be pressed to prevent any repeat failure and fundamental to that will be an overhaul of the playing squad.
A mass exodus would not be desired by the club though it is clear several key figures don’t want to stay.
The majority of the squad have relegation clauses in their contracts, meaning up to 50 per cent reductions in some salaries ranging up to £140,000 a week. But some of their highest earners do not have such a clause.
Tottenham want to be competitive, but a doomsday scenario would see their negotiating position undermined.
Here Daily Mail Sport assesses who could stay and who could go this summer if Spurs are relegated for the first time in 49 years…
Goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario could be one of a number of Tottenham first-teamers leaving in the summer – with a return to Italy expected
Micky van de Ven – who received a costly red card in Spurs’ midweek defeat by Crystal Palace – has been linked with Manchester United and Liverpool
Guglielmo Vicario
Part of the club’s leadership group but his form has failed to inspire. Has interest from Inter Milan and Juventus while Roma are also watching developments. Was booed by some fans on Thursday. A return to Italy is expected this summer regardless of Spurs’ Premier League status.
VERDICT: Goes
Pedro Porro
Porro smashed everything except his opponent against Crystal Palace on Thursday as frustration got the better of him. Has captained the side in a nod to his passion but has spoken out about the lack of recruitment and not likely to want to stay if Spurs go down. Has interest from Spain and the Premier League.
VERDICT: Goes
Micky van de Ven
Rumours have been building that he will look to leave this summer as Manchester United and Liverpool have been alerted. Undoubted talent but has shown signs of frailty with his decision making. Talks over a new contract are on hold as reality kicks in. Tottenham would demand a huge fee but the Netherlands centre back is set for the exit.
VERDICT: Goes
Cristian Romero
Another member of the leadership group who has hardly led by example. Atletico Madrid have long-held interest in the Argentine and he is ready to go. On his day, an uncompromising defender but has been critical of the club and proved unreliable after missing six games through suspension.
VERDICT: Goes
Archie Gray
The future of the club. Young, versatile and reliable, his first two seasons at Spurs will prove a great education. Will be in demand from rival Premier League clubs, but Spurs should resist offers.
VERDICT: Stays
Kevin Danso
With Radu Dragusin likely to go back to Italy, Danso could become a key figure. His physical attributes, extra experience and popularity would be vital if they go down.
VERDICT: Stays
Conor Gallagher only signed for Spurs in January – but his high salary means they would likely look to sell him should they go down
Young midfielder Lucas Bergvall attracted interest from Chelsea and Aston Villa in January
Pape Matar Sarr
Despite his potential, he has been inconsistent – like so many of his team-mates, has interest from Fenerbahce and Galatasaray but may end up staying.
VERDICT: Stays
Conor Gallagher
Does not have a relegation clause and is on a high salary after joining in January from Atletico Madrid. Tottenham can make a quick flip and get their money back from Premier League suitors.
VERDICT: Goes
Lucas Bergvall
Chelsea and Aston Villa both enquired for the 20-year-old in January. More enquiries will follow. Tottenham want the Swede for the long term and will battle to keep him.
VERDICT: Stays
Djed Spence
Versatile England full back will have Premier League interest. Tottenham would hope relationship with agents keeps him in the building.
VERDICT: Stays
Xavi Simons
Turned down Chelsea for Spurs. Has shown flashes of what he can do and there are clubs abroad who would take him but maybe not at the price Spurs would hope.
VERDICT: Goes
Dominic Solanke
Talked of frank conversations following the Palace defeat and Tottenham would want to keep him. A proven striker is invaluable to any revival but would have plenty of suitors this summer.
VERDICT: Stays
Dominic Solanke (left) will have plenty of suitors in the summer, while Xavi Simons (right) could return to a club on the continent
Richarlison (right) left Everton after they flirted with relegation… could he do the same at Tottenham?
Richarlison
Left Everton after flirting with relegation too often and will do the same should Spurs go down. Has interest back in Brazil, Saudi Arabia and the Premier League.
VERDICT: Goes
Mathys Tel
Has failed to excite since joining from Bayern, was desperate to leave in January to claim a World Cup place with France and will look to leave.
VERDICT: Goes
Joao Palhinha, Randal Kolo Muani & Yves Bissouma
The loans of Palhinha and Kolo Muani, from Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain, will end this season. Palhinha has interest from Premier League sides including former club Fulham while Juventus want Kolo Muani. Bissouma is out of contract.
VERDICT: Go
Mohammed Kudus
His ambition to play at a higher level drove him to leave West Ham, he won’t want to play in the Championship, and a sale could offset lost funds.
VERDICT: Goes
Joao Palhinha, only on loan from Bayern Munich and already on the radar of Premier League rivals, is very unlikely to be at Spurs next season
Rodrigo Bentancur
Signed a new contract in October but has interest from the likes of AC Milan. Difficult to see the Uruguayan playing in the Championship.
VERDICT: Goes
Destiny Udogie
The Italian’s injuries have prompted Spurs to explore a deal for Liverpool’s Andy Robertson which will be looked at again in June. They also signed Souza from Santos as Udogie’s future looks more likely to be back in Italy.
VERDICT: Goes
Dejan Kulusevski
The Swede has been a huge miss since injuring his knee last summer. Could make a return in May to play a vital contribution and is one player Spurs will be desperate to keep. His time out may deter suitors for this summer.
VERDICT: Stays
Ben Davies
Is out of contract in the summer and injury has come at a cruel stage with a potential World Cup place at stake. His experience would be vital in the Championship and could be tempted to stay if the worst happened.
VERDICT: Stays
Attacking midfielder James Maddison has been a massive miss for Spurs this season – he will want to make up for lost time next year
James Maddison
His absence through injury has been sorely felt and he will want to make up for lost time. Would be hugely influential if he remained with the club.
VERDICT: Stays
Luka Vuskovic
Has been on loan at Hamburg and impressed so much that even Barcelona have discussed signing him. Tottenham want him to stay and form part of a new-look defence.
VERDICT: Stays
Mikey Moore
Likewise has benefited from his experience at Rangers and could be a key performer in the Championship.
VERDICT: Stays
Who would you keep – and sell – if you were calling the shots at Tottenham this summer? Have your say in the comments…
