What caused this?
This past summer, Tottenham entered the transfer window with big ambitions. A series of notable signings, including Mohammed Kudus, Xavi Simons, Kevin Danso, Joao Palhinha, Mathys Tel, and Morgan Gibbs-White, arrived at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium for a total transfer value of approximately £200 million.
Following their UEFA Europa League victory last season, many believed it would be a springboard for the North London club to reach new heights, at least to compete fairly for a top-four spot. However, the reality turned out to be quite the opposite.
In the Premier League, Tottenham are facing the risk of being drawn into a relegation battle. Meanwhile, in the UEFA Champions League, they just endured a forgettable night at the Metropolitano Stadium, losing 2-5 to Atlético Madrid. Remarkably, their defense, featuring two top-class central defenders Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero, still conceded four goals in the first 22 minutes.
That defeat exposed a host of problems for Tottenham this season, particularly the controversial personnel decisions from manager Igor Tudor. In the match in Madrid, the Croatian strategist surprisingly gave the starting spot to young goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky, who had only made two appearances since the start of the season, instead of using Guglielmo Vicario.
As a result, after just 17 minutes of play, Kinsky made a serious mistake and was substituted before the first half ended. The image of the 22-year-old goalkeeper silently leaving the field, while coach Tudor showed almost no sign of encouragement, became a highly controversial moment.
Given the unique nature of a goalkeeper's position, where even a single mistake can turn a hero into a villain, Tudor's decision not only affected the match but could also impact the young player's psychology and long-term career.
It's safe to say that the defeat in Madrid encapsulated all of Tottenham's problems this season: poor personnel choices, declining form from key players, and widespread instability both in the dressing room and on the pitch.
In the eye of the storm
However, what disappointed fans the most was the image of a Tottenham team lacking vitality and character during this difficult period. Not only were they experiencing a crisis of form, but the London team also faced an unprecedented wave of injuries.
According to statistics, Tottenham have recorded nearly 30 injuries since the start of the season, becoming the team with the heaviest squad losses in the league. Before Tudor took over, his predecessor, Thomas Frank, also had to constantly scramble to maintain a playing squad throughout his eight months in charge.
Midfielder James Maddison has been absent since the start of the season. In addition, there are numerous other injuries to Dejan Kulusevski, Lucas Bergvall, Destiny Udogie, and Joao Palhinha. The situation is so serious that coach Tudor has been forced to move Palhinha to center back, alongside Radu Drăgușin, a makeshift solution as the team is almost out of options in defense.
In that context, many believe that if Tottenham had their strongest squad, especially with the presence of Maddison and Kulusevski, the course of the season could have been different.
Injuries and instability are dragging Tottenham down towards the bottom of the table. However, the opportunity is not entirely closed. The Spurs still have control over their own destiny to avoid relegation to the EFL Championship – a path Leicester City experienced after a disappointing season.
For a team once considered a symbol of ambition and attacking play in the Premier League, the question now is no longer how strong Tottenham are, but whether they can recover before it's too late.
Source: https://nhandan.vn/tottenham-vi-dau-nen-noi-post949509.html
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