Before coronavirus stopped play, Tottenham Hotspur’s had gone six games without a win. Jose Mourinho has previously ruled out a summer overhaul citing the club’s lack of resources, which Covid-19 has only depleted further, but claims he is in need of a more balanced squad next season. We take a look at five players who could join the already departed Victor Wanyama through the exit door as Mourinho plans his revolution.
Jan Vertonghen- 33-year-old Jan Vertonghen has been a good servant to the North London club but with his contract up in the summer the Belgians time in the capital appears to be coming to an end. Once one of the most highly regarded centre-backs in the Premier League, the former Ajax man has fallen down the pecking order under Mourinho and has seen academy graduate Japhet Tanganga take his place in the starting XI.
Erik Lamela- The last remaining survivor from the seven summer purchases in 2013 after Gareth Bale’s mega-move to Madrid could be in his final season with Spurs. The Argentine wasn’t a regular starter after Mourinho’s arrival before the season was halted despite the injuries to Son Heung-Min and Harry Kane, with the former Manchester United boss preferring Dele Alli, Lucas Moura and Steven Bergwijn in the attacking roles.
Danny Rose- Danny Rose has already been shipped out to Newcastle on loan and with his open desire to move back up north, it seems inevitable that a permanent switch away from Tottenham will happen in the summer. Ryan Sessegnon’s season has been blighted with injuries but he’s highly regarded in North London and along with Welsh international Ben Davies, Spurs are well stocked at left-back.
Paulo Gazzaniga- Despite being a regular in Mourinho’s side when he was first appointed, the return of club captain Hugo Lloris from injury saw the 28-year-old shot-stopper immediately relegated back to the bench. Mourinho was clearly unimpressed with the former Southampton keeper and surprisingly picked veteran Michel Vorm over the Argentinian in Tottenham’s FA Cup defeat to Norwich back in March. Spurs have since been linked with Watford goalkeeper Ben Foster who is out of contract at the end of the season in order to provide stronger competition for Lloris.
Tanguy Ndombele- Spurs’ club-record £54 million summer signing has yet to find his best form in England. He became the latest player to be publicly criticised by Jose Mourinho after the team’s disappointing draw to Burnley where the Frenchman was dragged off at half-time. Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher later called the midfielder’s performance a disgrace. With the enforced break allowing Moussa Sissoko time to recover from injury and the January addition of the highly-rated Gedson Fernandes, Ndombele’s Spurs career could already be on borrowed time.
