£40.5m wasted: Levy must ensure “shocking” Spurs dud leaves the club over the summer

Injuries have severely hindered Ange Postecoglou’s progress at Tottenham Hotspur during the 2024/25 season, exposing significant vulnerabilities within the squad.

Spurs find themselves languishing in the bottom half of the Premier League table, far below the expectations set after a substantial summer spending spree authorized by chairman Daniel Levy.

The injury crisis has underscored the pressing need for reinforcements to prevent similar situations from recurring in the future.

The center-back position has been the most affected, forcing players to adapt to unfamiliar roles. Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero’s absences have left a gaping hole in the defense, leading to unconventional solutions.

New signing Archie Gray, originally a central midfielder, has frequently been deployed in defense, performing admirably despite his young age. However, relying on such adjustments reflects the extent of the crisis rather than a sustainable long-term strategy.

At one point, Tottenham faced an alarming situation where 11 first-team players were unavailable due to injuries. While some players have begun returning to training, the sheer scale of the absences has been a massive challenge for Postecoglou.

The Australian manager has openly expressed his frustration, emphasizing the difficulty of maintaining consistency under such circumstances.

Despite these setbacks, Spurs have managed to progress in the Europa League, entering the knockout stages and keeping alive a faint hope of ending their trophy drought. However, success in Europe alone cannot mask the underlying issues within the squad.

To enable Postecoglou to fully implement his vision, Levy must invest in the summer transfer window to strengthen the squad’s depth.

The lack of reliable options has exposed Tottenham’s vulnerabilities, and failing to address these shortcomings could lead to further struggles. Equally important is clearing out players who have failed to meet expectations, as their departures could help fund the necessary new signings.

One such player is left-back Sergio Reguilon, whose time at Tottenham has been underwhelming. Signed for £32 million in 2020, the Spaniard initially showed promise but quickly fell out of favor, spending time on loan at Manchester United and Brentford.

Injuries within the squad provided Reguilon with a chance to reestablish himself this season, yet his performances have done little to suggest he has a future at the club. He has made just five appearances in the 2024/25 campaign, with only one start coming against non-league Tamworth in the FA Cup.

Reguilon’s lack of impact highlights the club’s need to move on from him. His contributions since joining have been minimal, and the financial burden he represents is substantial.

Over the course of his time at Spurs, Reguilon has cost the club £40.5 million, factoring in both his transfer fee and wages. This breaks down to a staggering £562,500 per appearance, £20.25 million per goal, and £5.1 million per assist.

For a player who earns £53,000 per week, totaling £2.8 million annually, the return on investment has been far from satisfactory.

Journalist Daniel Lucker previously labeled Reguilon as “shocking,” and his performances this season have done little to dispel that assessment. His lack of consistency and failure to live up to his price tag make him a prime candidate for departure.

Offloading Reguilon would not only free up wages but also generate funds that could be reinvested in areas where the squad desperately needs reinforcement.

As Tottenham aim to recover from their current predicament, making the right moves in the transfer market becomes crucial. Strengthening the squad with quality signings will provide Postecoglou with the tools necessary to reverse the team’s poor form and compete at a higher level.

However, equally vital is the removal of players who no longer contribute to the club’s ambitions. Reguilon should be the first to exit as Spurs begin a much-needed overhaul.

Tottenham’s injury crisis has laid bare the squad’s fragility, but it has also presented an opportunity to rebuild with purpose. By addressing both incoming and outgoing transfers wisely, Levy can equip Postecoglou to transform the team’s fortunes.

With the right strategy, Spurs can move past this challenging period and reestablish themselves as contenders in the Premier League and beyond.