Gary Lineker expresses concern over Tottenham’s relegation risk
Gary Lineker has revealed his real worries about Tottenham’s chances of staying in the Premier League after their 4-1 defeat to Arsenal on Sunday. He described the team as lacking confidence, quality, and the necessary depth to avoid falling into danger.
The former Spurs player, speaking on The Rest Is Football, did not hold back in his criticism of a performance that left Tottenham just four points above the relegation zone with 11 games left to play. He stated (h/t Football London):
“As a former Spurs man, I’m a little bit worried. I look at Tottenham, and I see a team that has a lot of injuries and is lacking confidence. In the North London derby, they tried, but considering they had players like Kulusevski, Son, and Maddison, they seem lost at the moment. I worry, I worry.”
The statistics from Sunday highlighted how one-sided the match was. Arsenal had 14 more shots than Tottenham, created six big chances compared to none for Spurs, and dominated possession. Lineker pointed out that the final score actually flattered the home side.
Lineker’s analysis went beyond just one match. He questioned whether Tottenham’s spending shows real ambition or just a desire for mid-table stability, and whether the club is managed more like a business than a football team. He added:
“Tottenham is a very well-run business, but is it a well-run football club? Typically, your position should match your spending, and Tottenham’s spending suggests they should be mid-table. Therefore, they are underachieving and are at risk. Could Tottenham go down? They are four points behind West Ham, so it’s possible.”
Possible lessons from Manchester United
He also defended the players, comparing Tottenham’s situation to Manchester United’s recent improvement, emphasizing how confidence and environment can impact performance.
“It drains your quality and energy, leading to nervous performances.”
Micah Richards offered a more positive view, believing Tottenham has enough talent to stay up, especially with injured players returning. However, Lineker’s concerns are valid, and after Sunday’s events, it’s hard to disagree with his outlook.