The halls of the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium are currently filled with a palpable sense of dread that extends far beyond the disappointing scorelines on the pitch. While fans are understandably worried about the club’s league position, the senior officials behind the scenes are reportedly in a full-blown “state of panic.”
The cause of this alarm is the looming threat of a mass exodus of the club’s most valuable assets. According to recent reports, the hierarchy fears that as many as seven top-tier stars are ready to jump ship if the club’s current trajectory leads them into the Championship.
The reality of Tottenham’s situation is increasingly grim. As we move through the early months of 2026, the club has yet to record a single Premier League victory this calendar year.
With a dismal record of just two wins in their last eighteen top-flight matches, the prospect of finishing in the bottom three is no longer a distant nightmare—it is a statistically significant possibility. For a squad built on high wages and international ambitions, a shock demotion would essentially act as a starting pistol for agents looking to secure moves back to Europe’s elite competitions.
The board’s primary concern is that a relegated Tottenham would be viewed as easy prey by Europe’s biggest clubs. Rather than having the leverage to demand record-breaking fees, Spurs would likely find themselves forced into a “fire sale” to balance the books and satisfy players who have no intention of playing on a wet Tuesday night in the second tier.
At the heart of this potential exodus is the defensive duo that was once seen as the foundation of the club’s future. Micky van de Ven is widely expected to seek a departure this summer, regardless of whether the club manages to claw its way to safety.
The Dutchman is hungry for regular Champions League football, and after a debut season under interim manager Igor Tudor that has been characterized by friction and poor results, his exit seems almost inevitable.
His partner at the back, Cristian Romero, is in a similar position. As the club captain and a World Cup winner, Romero’s stock remains high despite Tottenham’s collective struggles.
Reports from Argentina have consistently suggested that he is certain to leave at the end of the current campaign. The idea of a player of his caliber competing in the Championship is simply non-negotiable for his representatives.
Adding to the defensive concerns is Destiny Udogie, who has already been heavily linked with a return to Serie A. The Italian left-back is another high-value asset that Spurs would struggle to retain without the prestige of Premier League football.
However, the most significant damage could occur in the attacking third. The creative engine room of the team is at risk of being completely dismantled. James Maddison, who has endured a heartbreaking season on the sidelines due to injury, would likely be the first to seek an immediate exit.
Despite his lack of minutes this term, his reputation as a premier playmaker remains intact, and several top-flight rivals would jump at the chance to secure his signature.
| Player | Current Status | Rumored Destination | Impact of Loss |
| Micky van de Ven | Leading Defender | European Elite | High – Loss of pace and recovery |
| Cristian Romero | Club Captain | La Liga / Serie A | Critical – Loss of leadership and grit |
| James Maddison | Primary Creator | Premier League Top 6 | Critical – Loss of creative heartbeat |
| Dominic Solanke | Record Signing | Premier League | High – Loss of primary goal threat |
| Xavi Simons | Star Signing | Bundesliga / Ligue 1 | Medium – Loss of technical potential |
The situation is equally precarious for Dejan Kulusevski and the summer 2025 signing, Xavi Simons. Both players are at stages in their careers where playing in the second tier would be seen as a massive step backward. Simons, in particular, was signed with the expectation of competing for major honors, not fighting against relegation.
Finally, there are massive doubts over whether Dominic Solanke would stay. As the club’s record signing, Solanke was brought in to lead the line for a team with European aspirations. If those aspirations are replaced by the grind of the Championship, the financial pressure to move him on would be immense.
When assessing who would be the biggest individual loss, the consensus often points back to James Maddison. Even with his recent injury woes, he remains the creative heartbeat of the squad.
His ability to change a game through a single pass or a set-piece is a rare commodity. Losing him wouldn’t just be a blow to the starting lineup; it would be a symbolic admission that the “big club” era at Tottenham has been put on hold.
Igor Tudor, the man tasked with preventing this catastrophe, currently sits in the middle of a perfect storm. He is attempting to instill a new philosophy while managing a group of players who may already have one eye on the exit door.
The “state of panic” within the hierarchy is a reflection of the stakes involved. If Spurs fail to secure their Premier League status over the coming weeks, they won’t just be losing their place in the division—they could be losing the very identity they have spent the last decade building.
