After five defeats in six Premier League games, the pressure is now on Tottenham manager Jose Mourinho.
There is even speculation he could be replaced by RB Leipzig boss Julian Nagelsmann this summer.
It’s believed Spurs’ next four Premier League matches, against Burnley, Fulham, Crystal Palace and Arsenal, will determine whether he’s still going to be employed in north London next season.
It’s a real fall from grace having had his side top of the Premier League table after 11 games of the campaign.
As always, though, it’s a marathon and not a sprint – and Tottenham are seriously lagging behind their foes in the race for the top four.
They’re nine points behind rivals West Ham in fourth, but Spurs do have a game in hand against Aston Villa.
If they do flop in the next set of matches and Nagelsmann does take charge, changes will need to be made.
Once referred to by former colleague Tim Wiese as ‘Mini-Mourinho’, he has been compared with Pep Guardiola for his tactical nous and his analytical mind.
And while you wouldn’t put it past the German to get a tune out of this Spurs side, he will make alterations, and make new signings, particularly in defence.
So how will this look? Find out below.
Outgoings
It’s time to get ruthless in N17, and while a bloated squad has helped Spurs in certain areas this season, next year it could well be an issue.
Unless he hits some stratospheric form, it appears unlikely Gareth Bale will remain with the club and extend his return.
Harry Winks and Moussa Sissoko are both players who might be sold in the summer, with the former currently on the fringes and the latter very much a jack of all trades but master of none, while Oliver Skipp is set to return from a successful season with Norwich.
We may also see Matt Doherty outgoing with Japhet Tanganga seemingly set to be converted into a right-back, and permanent backup to Serge Aurier, while Ben Davies is another who could see his future determined by a wonderkid as Ryan Sessegnon returns from a loan spell with Hoffenheim.
Meanwhile, the financial implications of the coronavirus pandemic should ensure Spurs hold onto their star men like Harry Kane and Heung-Min Son.
Attacking midfielder Erik Lamela’s days at Spurs may finally come to an end after eight seasons too.
Incomings
Marcel Sabitzer (RB Leipzig)
The versatile Austrian has been linked with a switch to Spurs for more than 12 months so it would be no surprise to see him join up again with Nagelsmann in N17.
He’s able to play across midfield in a number of roles and has even played as a winger or a wing-back under the German.
Running into the final year of his contract, Sabitzer will be available for far cheaper than he’s worth, and will significantly upgrade a central midfield needing improvements.
This season, especially in recent weeks, the technical flaws of Sissoko have shown up, and Sabitzer should be the man to replace him.
Sven Botman (Lille)
A defensive upgrade is also a huge priority for Tottenham and the Dutch youngster, currently impressing in France, appears to be one the club are watching.
Since Jan Vertonghen left the club last summer, Spurs have lacked a left-footed centre-back, with Eric Dier the man most often picked in the role, with his long range passing helping him in the position, but he’s also been caught out too.
Botman is progressive passer and also good at carrying the ball out from the back, like Vertonghen, so will help Spurs finally replace the Belgian hero.
The fact he already has two caps for the Netherlands shows his impressive potential and Spurs would be wise to snap him up as soon as possible if he is the man they have chosen to target.
Ibrahima Konate (RB Leipzig)
The Frenchman hasn’t had too much game time in the last two seasons under Nagelsmann with injuries sometimes halting his progress but when he has played in central defence, he’s not done badly.
Upamecano will leave in the summer, so his club are unlikely to want to sell but the 21-year-old, who Liverpool and Manchester United have also watched, reportedly has a release clause of around £26.5million.
That will be music to the ears of Daniel Levy, while his aerial prowess, and his ability on the ball will no doubt be part of the reason Konate could join up with Nagelsmann again.
How Tottenham could look under Julian Nagelsmann
4-2-3-1
The additions of defenders Konate and Botman will strengthen Spurs, and balance the team too, while it can also see them change formations fluidly throughout the game and utilise the strengths of key players.
Attacking full-backs Sergio Reguilon and Serge Aurirer could be offered more freedoms in the knowledge they will have a superior midfield to protect the improved backline.
Sabitzer replaces Moussa Sissoko as the multi-faceted midfielder in the squad, giving a big upgrade, capable of playing roles ranging from a defensive midfielder, to a No.10, and a box-to-box hustler in between.
He can anchor with Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg but also progress the ball forward both passing and carrying the ball, while allowing Ndombele to use his skills in tight areas to create chances higher up the pitch.
Reguilon’s rampaging, akin to Angelino at RB Leipzig, will allow Son the freedom to move inside and act as a second striker, as well as a left forward.
Meanwhile, we might see Giovani Lo Celso return to a role he sometimes occupied at Real Betis, as playmaking winger, able to cut inside when his full-back is overlapping.
3-4-3
Nagelsmann also has a predilection for a 3-4-3 allowing his wing-backs to create havoc, but also giving defensive solidity.
It’s been a while now, but Spurs fans will have fond memories of the 3-4-3 sometimes utilised under Mauricio Pochettino with Mousa Dembele and Victor Wanyama imposing in central midfield, with Dele Alli and Christian Eriksen creating mischief behind Harry Kane.
It would look a touch different under the German boss, with Son acting as Timo Werner did for RB Leipzig, running off Harry Kane, while Ndombele isn’t quite a playmaker in the sense of Eriksen.
Botman and Konate would provide Spurs with excellent ball-players in the backline and give them a confidence moving forward it’s hard to see in the likes of Davinson Sanchez.
