When the sixth goal went in, you can bet there was a sixth sense in Daniel Levy’s head that a culling is needed at Tottenham.
It has started with caretaker Cristian Stellini, the Italian handed his P45 on Monday evening. The real question is, where should it stop?
The 6-1 demolition at Newcastle on Sunday afternoon would have been the biggest eye-opener for anyone with a board seat at Spurs and, with Champions League football looking nigh-on impossible, everyone associated with the club will have to be at their action stations to get the club in fighting form again.
There was at least some fight in Thursday night’s comeback from two goals down to draw with Manchester United – a result that just about kept their Champions League ambitions alive with Ryan Mason now in charge – but it shouldn’t obscure the bigger picture.
This summer presents the chance to tear up the book and start again. Clear out the deadwood. Hire a new manager and give him time with a scattering of smart signings in the team’s weakest areas. His to-do list will likely run a few pages long ahead of a crucial pre-season.
With no manager in charge and a number of players facing uncertain futures, Levy will have some big decisions to make, including what to do with Harry Kane – whose contract is up in a year – and a group of defenders who look all over the place.
After the players were exposed in brutal fashion at St James’ Park, Mail Sport has assessed every senior player in Tottenham’s squad and made a judgment on whether they should stay, go – or if the jury’s still out.
Tottenham are facing a huge summer rebuild after being ripped apart 6-1 by Newcastle United
Spurs chairman Daniel Levy has some huge decisions to make this club as he bids to bring success back to the team
GOALKEEPERS
Hugo Lloris – SELL
The Frenchman has been a great and loyal servant to Spurs over the last 11 years and deserves a special place in the club’s history of honourable players, but it’s time to move on.
The 37-year-old cannot perform at the level expected of him anymore and Spurs fans have seen him beaten far too easily and make high-profile mistakes. He’s made four errors leading to goals this season – the most of any player in the league.
Was he really pulled off at half time last weekend because he was injured? It seems coincidental when the team were 5-0 down.
His contract is up in 2024 but it would be better to let the club captain go now to allow the club to find a keeper who…