Relegation-threatened Tottenham Hotspur have come under heavy criticism from former defender Toby Alderweireld, who believes the current squad simply lacks the required quality.
Speaking to ESPN NL, Alderweireld did not hold back, insisting the team has consistently failed to deliver throughout the season. He pointed to a lack of decisive performances in key moments, arguing that players signed for large fees have not lived up to expectations over the course of the campaign.
The Belgian, who formed a strong defensive partnership with Jan Vertonghen under Mauricio Pochettino, was part of a Spurs side that regularly competed at the top level, including title challenges in 2015–16 and 2016–17 and a run to the UEFA Champions League Final. Since then, the club has declined significantly following the departures of key figures such as Dele Alli, Harry Kane and Son Heung-min.
Tottenham now sit 18th in the Premier League table with six games remaining, two points behind safety, and are still searching for their first league win of 2026.
Alderweireld singled out captain Cristian Romero and defensive partner Micky van de Ven, stating that both have fallen well below their expected standards across the entire season. He also criticised Romero’s decision-making, noting that frequent red cards have cost the team at crucial times.
Despite the club’s attempts to halt their slide by changing managers—bringing in Roberto De Zerbi after spells under Thomas Frank and Igor Tudor—Alderweireld insists the core issue lies with the players, not the coaching staff. According to him, the squad has repeatedly failed to meet expectations regardless of who is in charge.
He also pointed to deeper structural problems within the club, suggesting that poor recruitment decisions over several years have contributed to the current situation. While acknowledging the club’s strong business operations, Alderweireld argued that success on the pitch ultimately defines a football club—and Tottenham are falling well short in that regard.
