The pressure within the Tottenham Hotspur boardroom has reached a boiling point, and interim manager Igor Tudor appears ready to take drastic measures to save a season that is spiraling toward disaster.
As Spurs prepare to host Crystal Palace this Thursday, the message from the dugout is clear: reputation no longer guarantees a spot in the starting eleven. The most high-profile casualty of this new, ruthless approach is expected to be Randal Kolo Muani.
The French international, who arrived with much fanfare on a season-long loan from Paris Saint-Germain, has become the face of a toothless attack that has failed to record a single Premier League victory in 2026.
Tottenham currently finds itself in a precarious 16th place, sitting a mere four points above the dreaded relegation zone. The math is simple but terrifying: with only ten games remaining, the club cannot afford another slip-up at home, where they have managed only two league wins all season.
Tudor was visibly fuming after the 2-1 loss to Fulham, and he is widely expected to make at least four changes to his lineup in a desperate bid to spark some life into his demoralized squad. By dropping Kolo Muani, Tudor is sending a signal that underperformance will no longer be tolerated, regardless of the player’s pedigree or price tag.
Kolo Muani’s struggle to adapt to the rigors of English football has been a major storyline in North London. While he showed glimpses of his world-class talent in the Champions League earlier in the season, his domestic form has been nothing short of a nightmare.
In 20 appearances, the striker has managed to find the back of the net only once. For a player expected to lead the line for a “Big Six” club, those numbers are catastrophic.
| Stat Category | Randal Kolo Muani (2025-26 PL) |
| Appearances | 20 |
| Starts | 14 |
| Goals | 1 |
| Assists | 0 |
| Shot Accuracy | 34% |
In his place, the 20-year-old Mathys Tel is expected to get the nod. The young Frenchman has been a breath of fresh air during his substitute cameos, offering the kind of trickery and directness that Kolo Muani has lacked. Tel’s fearlessness in one-on-one situations is exactly what a stuttering Spurs attack needs to unlock a disciplined Crystal Palace defense.
The overhaul isn’t limited to the frontline. In the heart of the pitch, Yves Bissouma’s inconsistent form may see him relegated to the bench. Pape Matar Sarr, who has consistently been one of the few bright spots in a dark season, is expected to take his place.
Sarr’s energy and ability to cover ground are vital for a team that has looked physically second-best in recent weeks. Furthermore, the search for goals might see Dominic Solanke make way for Richarlison.
The Brazilian forward was a genuine threat after coming on as a substitute at Craven Cottage, and his combativeness could be the key to unsettling the Palace backline.
Perhaps the most significant change, however, occurs in the defensive unit. Radu Dragusin has endured a torrid few weeks, looking particularly shaky and error-prone against Fulham. With club captain Cristian Romero still serving a suspension, the burden of leadership at the back has fallen on Micky van de Ven.
Fortunately for Tudor, the medical staff has provided a timely boost with the return to fitness of Kevin Danso. The Austrian defender is expected to step straight back into the starting lineup, a move that provides both athleticism and a unique tactical weapon.
Danso’s return is more than just a personnel swap; it adds a new dimension to Tottenham’s offensive play. His ability to launch long, accurate throw-ins was a staple of the team’s success under Thomas Frank, and Tudor is likely to utilize this “set-piece” advantage to create chaos in the Palace penalty area.
When paired with the lightning-fast Van de Ven, Spurs will finally have a center-back duo capable of matching the raw speed of Palace attackers like Ismaila Sarr and Evann Guessand.
| Tottenham Predicted XI vs. Crystal Palace | Position |
| Guglielmo Vicario | Goalkeeper |
| Pedro Porro | Right Back |
| Kevin Danso | Center Back |
| Micky van de Ven | Center Back |
| Destiny Udogie | Left Back |
| Pape Matar Sarr | Central Midfield |
| Rodrigo Bentancur | Central Midfield |
| James Maddison | Attacking Midfield |
| Mathys Tel | Right Wing |
| Richarlison | Left Wing |
| Heung-min Son | Striker |
This Thursday night is about more than just three points; it is about the very survival of the club’s identity. A victory could lift Spurs to 15th and provide a much-needed shield against the rising tide of discontent in the stands.
If Tudor’s gamble on youth and energy pays off, he might just buy himself enough time to navigate the final nine games of the season. If it fails, the “relegation concern” will transform into a full-blown emergency. The players taking the field in N17 know exactly what is at stake. The era of the “big name” is over; the era of the “soldier” has begun.
