Tottenham Hotspur are staring into the abyss.
Two points from safety and mired on a 14-game winless run, their chances of beating the drop are slim, to none. Roberto De Zerbi’s appointment offered a glimmer of hope. The hopes were again extinguished in a 1-0 loss at Sunderland last week.
While there is still time to consolidate a top-flight spot, the manner with which Spurs have struggled in recent months suggests they might not have what it takes to pip the likes of West Ham United, Nottingham Forest and Leeds United to survival.
With that, Tottenham need to begin planning for a potential year in the Championship. A host of big names are expected to depart this summer, be it on loan, or otherwise. Fortunately for Spurs, they have a talented pool of young players to call upon.
In this article, we’ll assess the following players:
Luka Vuskovic
One of the more obvious contenders. Luka Vuskovic has drawn widespread praise for his performances for Hamburg this season. At just 19 years of age, the centre-back has a huge future ahead of him.
Supporters are hoping they’ll see the towering Croat feature competitively for Tottenham. With both Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven expected to depart this summer, Vuskovic would have the perfect chance to consolidate a starting spot in north London.
The issue, though, is that his Hamburg performances have caught the eye of some of Europe’s powerhouse sides. Bayern Munich and Barcelona have shown an interest in Vuskovic, and it’s for good reason.
The teenager has scored five times this season. He ranks second for clearances (228) and aerial wins (138) in the Bundesliga this season. If Tottenham can convince him to remain at the club beyond the summer, it’s a huge boost, regardless of relegation.
Mikey Moore
Having initially struggled in the opening weeks of his loan spell with Rangers, Mikey Moore has become a driving force behind their title pursuit. The Gers saw out the regular Scottish Premiership season with a resounding 6-3 win over Falkirk last weekend.
They head into the split just one point off league leaders Hearts. And Moore has been a vital performer for the Glasgow side, scoring six times and laying on two assists. Two completed take ons per 90 minutes is second for Danny Rohl’s side.
His 1.7 chances created per 90 is also not to be scoffed at. Moore is living up to expectations in Scotland’s top tier. The experience at the top level will serve the 18-year-old well.
And for a Tottenham side in desperate need of wide options, Moore is looking a readymade solution. A return, and a regular spot in the team, isn’t out of the question.
Jamie Donley
Jamie Donley was excellent for Leyton Orient in the 2024-25 campaign. And having shone in League One, the 21-year-old was expected to garner regular game time in the Championship this season.
A summer switch to Stoke proved a disaster as Donley only managed 77 minutes of league action. Ultimately, he swapped the Potters for Oxford at the turn of the year, and he’s featured prominently for the U’s.
While he hasn’t pulled up many trees in Buckinghamshire, Donley is still creating a modest one chance per 90. The experience at this level is one that will serve him well.
Will Lankshear
Remaining with Oxford, Will Lankshear has spent the season on loan with the relegation-threatened U’s. Lankshear made a handful of top-flight outings for Tottenham being joining West Bromwich Albion on loan last season.
Last summer, though, Spurs saw fit to send the 20-year-old to Oxford. As the U’s battle to retain their Championship status, Lankshear is doing all he can to keep the club in the second tier.
The on-loan forward is their top scorer with nine league goals to his name, and has come in clutch, too. A goal at relegation rivals Portsmouth and the winner against West Brom this year are standout moments.
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Yang Min-hyeok
Tottenham took the decision to loan Yang Min-hyeok to Portsmouth last summer. And having initially struggled, the South Korean began to really hit his stride in the final weeks of his spell on the south coast.
Yang may have only netted three goals during his brief stint at Fratton Park, but he bagged winners against Middlesbrough and Charlton. Spurs then made the — shock — ill-advised decision to send the 20-year-old to Coventry on loan earlier this year.
In the months since, Yang has failed to break into the Sky Blues first team. Indeed, he’s managed just three sub outings under Frank Lampard. It was a disastrous move by the north London side. However, the Pompey showings serve to highlight how effective a wide option he could be should Tottenham drop down a division.
Luca Williams-Barnett
Luca Williams-Barnett claimed Tottenham Legacy Number 900 back in September. The teenager came off the bench in the Carabao Cup win over Doncaster, though he hasn’t made a first team appearance since.
Even so, the 17-year-old is one of the most talented players on the club’s books. Even at his age, Williams-Barnett is tearing it up for the U21s with six goals and five assists in Premier League 2 this season.
While competition for his position is rife at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Williams-Barnett is one tipped for the very top. Already shining in age groups way above his current level, Spurs’ relegation could prove a blessing if it provides the teenager with the foundation to thrive in senior football.
Mason Melia
It took Mason Melia just three minutes to score his first U21 goal for Tottenham. The striker had to wait until 4th April before making his debut due to injury but shone off the bench as Spurs beat West Ham 3-2 earlier this month.
The 18-year-old joined from St. Patrick’s Athletic at the turn of the year for a reported €2million up front. While a drop in the ocean for a club of Spurs’ stature, it represented a record transfer fee for a League of Ireland player.
“Tottenham have made a good signing,” former Manchester United goal machine Ole Gunnar Solskjaer enthused back in August. Besiktas, then under the watchful eye of the Norwegian, were gearing up to face St Patrick’s Athletic.
While youth strikers have come and gone in north London, Melia seems the real deal. Already a regular for the Republic of Ireland U21s, the teenager could go on to become Spurs’ next club-trained hero.
Jun’ai Byfield
The attacking options on the Tottenham books are highly thought of. So, too, are the ones at the back. As the north London side endured an injury crisis at the midway stage of the season, Jun’ai Byfield was a squad regular.
Admittedly, he hasn’t consolidated a starting spot, but he gave a good account of himself in the 2-0 Champions League win over Borussia Dortmund having replaced Lucas Bergvall for the final half hour.
An imposing defender who is comfortable on the ball, Byfield has been compared to club legend Ledley King. The 17-year-old has been on the club’s books since the age of eight. He could go on to become a mainstay for the Tottenham side.
Alfie Devine
Following a bright start to the season, Preston now sit mid-table in the Championship. One consistent has been the performances of midfielder Alfie Devine.
Devine joined Preston last summer with a £4.5m option to buy. However, there is no guarantee he’ll remain at Deepdale beyond the end of the season. The 21-year-old’s performances certainly haven’t gone unnoticed.
The midfielder has struck eight goals and laid on four assists, and looks right at home at this level. With Joao Palhinha unlikely to remain at Spurs, and the likes of Lucas Bergvall, Rodrigo Bentancur and Pape Sarr tipped to depart should the club succumb to relegation, Devine could be one to return and subsequently shine for Tottenham.
