Tottenham is in a terrible situation going into the last Premier League matchday. Spurs are currently in 17th place in the standings and are in danger of being relegated, something that only a few years ago seemed unthinkable for one of the biggest teams in England. The margin for error vanished after losing to Chelsea, and a thrilling matchup with Everton will now decide everything.
It is evident that Roberto De Zerbi’s team is in charge of its own Premier League fate. If West Ham defeats Leeds United, a loss might send them straight to the Championship, but a draw or a win will be sufficient to guarantee safety.
Due to goal difference, a draw would almost certainly ensure safety. Tottenham has a 13-goal lead over West Ham, which would be very challenging to overcome in one game. But losing at home would lead to one of the greatest sporting disasters in the team’s recent history. Their first relegation since the 1976–77 campaign would occur.
Premier League relegation to Championship possibility
The graphic below shows how much cost-cutting Spurs could have to do if they were demoted. Their wage expenditure this season is more than three times that of Leicester City, the Championship team with the highest salary, which has since been demoted.
Roberto De Zerbi’s contract does not have a relegation release clause. The specifics of player contracts and how relegation would affect them are still unclear. Another significant distinction between Spurs’ current situation and potential future direction is the transfer market. In the two transfer windows this season, they spent nearly as much as the Championship as a whole.
The amount Spurs have spent on transfers over the last five seasons is equal to 67% of the total transfer fees paid by the three teams that have been demoted or are presently in the relegation zone. To survive, you must either win or draw. However, one of the greatest teams in English history will enter the Championship if they lose and West Ham wins. On the last day of the Premier League season, there will be nothing but drama.
