The current atmosphere surrounding the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium is one of genuine emergency. As the club prepares for a daunting trip to Anfield to face Liverpool this Sunday, the narrative has shifted from a simple bad run of form to what many are calling a historical collapse.
For interim manager Igor Tudor, the challenge of implementing a tactical vision is being completely undermined by a medical room that is overflowing. While four matches is rarely enough time for any coach to make their mark, the ticking clock of the Premier League season means that Spurs do not have the luxury of patience.
Star defender Micky van de Ven recently described the current situation as a “Doomsday scenario,” and looking at the state of the squad, it is difficult to argue with that assessment.
The club is currently operating with what can only be described as a skeleton crew. The sheer volume of injuries and absences has left the team threadbare, stripping away the core of the starting eleven just as they enter the most critical phase of the fight against relegation.
While Liverpool has not been at their vintage best this season, the scale of Tottenham’s crisis has effectively extinguished the hope of many travelling fans. There is a sense within the boardroom that this “fitness storm” simply has to be endured, which is perhaps why Tudor remains in his post despite a string of poor results.
The club seems to have accepted that the current month is about survival in the most literal sense, rather than tactical perfection.
| Tottenham’s Remaining Premier League Fixtures | Opponent | Previous Result |
| 15/03/26 | Liverpool (A) | 2-1 Loss |
| 22/03/26 | Nottingham Forest (H) | 3-0 Loss |
| 12/04/26 | Sunderland (A) | 1-1 Draw |
| 18/04/26 | Brighton (H) | 2-2 Draw |
| 25/04/26 | Wolves (A) | 1-1 Draw |
| 02/05/26 | Aston Villa (A) | 2-1 Loss |
| 09/05/26 | Leeds (H) | 2-1 Win |
| 17/05/26 | Chelsea (A) | 1-0 Loss |
| 24/05/26 | Everton (H) | 3-0 Win |
The defensive line has taken the hardest hit. Micky van de Ven, arguably the team’s most consistent performer this year, is unavailable after a reckless red card against Crystal Palace.
His absence is compounded by the loss of Cristian Romero and Joao Palhinha. Both players are currently following strict concussion protocols after a frightening clash of heads during the midweek European defeat to Atletico Madrid.
When you add the fact that Yves Bissouma is sidelined with a muscular injury and Conor Gallagher is battling a high fever, the midfield has essentially vanished. With up to thirteen first-team players potentially missing the trip to Merseyside, Tudor is forced to look for unconventional solutions.
One such solution involves a tactical gamble on a player who has struggled to find his feet since a high-profile move last summer. Xavi Simons arrived in North London from RB Leipzig for a significant fee of £51 million, carrying the reputation of being one of Europe’s most exciting young playmakers.
While he was initially compared to club legend Christian Eriksen for his vision and technical ability, his debut season in England has been difficult. Critics have suggested that the physical nature of the Premier League has “swallowed” the 22-year-old, leaving him appearing uncertain and lacking the creative spark that made him a superstar in the Bundesliga.
However, the context of Tottenham’s overall decline cannot be ignored. It is unfair to place the burden of a failing system solely on the shoulders of a young arrival. Even in his quieter games, Simons has shown glimpses of the quality that makes him a “potential superstar.”
Interestingly, his defensive statistics suggest he is much more resilient than he is often given credit for. He wins a respectable number of duels and isn’t afraid to track back, which opens the door for a potential shift in position. In this hour of desperation, Tudor might consider moving Simons into a deeper, box-to-box role rather than leaving him isolated in the final third.
| Xavi Simons: Premier League Campaign Data | Statistics |
| Matches Played (Starts) | 23 (17) |
| Goals | 1 |
| Assists | 4 |
| Big Chances Created | 6 |
| Key Passes (Per Game) | 1.3 |
| Successful Dribbles (Per Game) | 1.0 |
| Ball Recoveries (Per Game) | 3.6 |
| Duels Won (Per Game) | 4.4 (47%) |
By dropping Simons into the heart of the midfield, Tudor could remodel a depleted area of the pitch while retaining a level of creativity that has been sorely missing. While the Dutchman does not possess the pure defensive steel of someone like Palhinha, his ability to transition the ball quickly and his deft footwork could catch a Liverpool midfield off guard.
Liverpool’s own middle three have been inconsistent this year, often leaving gaps that a player with Simons’ intelligence could exploit. This move wouldn’t just be about filling a gap for ninety minutes; it could be the catalyst that allows Simons to reclaim his confidence and prove his worth to the supporters.
The upcoming match at Anfield is undeniably a mountain to climb, but it also represents an opportunity for a fresh start. If Tudor can find a way to get a tune out of his struggling playmakers in these new roles, he might just plant the seeds for a recovery that carries the club through the final months of the season.
Desperate measures are required when a club is facing a “Doomsday scenario,” and unleashing Xavi Simons as a deep-lying creator might be the only way to spark the dormant talent within this squad. For Tottenham, the time for caution has passed; the time for bold, creative risks has arrived.
