Credit: Imago

Scott Mason

Tue 21 April 2026 18:10, UK

Tottenham Hotspur are staring down the barrel of relegation, and Roberto De Zerbi’s job of keeping them up could prove harder than expected.

It is a position that is ultimately unacceptable for a team that are on the back of winning a European trophy, and blame should lie with the board at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

The issues lie deeper than just what is happening on the pitch.

Not only have managerial decisions backfired on multiple occasions this season, but the ambition in the market and methodology with squad-building may succumb Spurs to the Championship.

Ahead of Tottenham’s relegation battle, the squad make-up in N17 may define where Spurs play their football next season.

How experienced is Tottenham’s squad?

According to Gradient Sports, who have conducted a review of each Premier League squad, Tottenham have handed the third lowest minutes to “experienced players”.

In their review, this includes those within the age range of 29.1 to 34. Additionally, those minutes would have gone to Guglielmo Vicario and Joao Palhinha this season.

Overall, Tottenham also have the third youngest average squad based on minutes, with an average age of 25.37.

While chasing a young squad is ideally the goal for future success, this may end up backfiring in the relegation battle this season.

The lack of experience may ultimately be why Spurs have failed to get results over the line. This season, the North London outfit has taken the lead in fixtures on 14 occasions and has won just 50 per cent of those games, with four draws and three losses.

When fighting for Premier League survival, having that experience is a difference maker, and the makeup of the Lilywhites’ squad lacks talent with that in their locker.

However, that is not to say they do not have any experienced options. The age of the squad is not the only issue ENIC faces in Tottenham’s squad building.

Roberto De Zerbi must used those with experience beyond their years

There are players in Tottenham’s squad that have experienced the highs and lows in football regardless of their age.

Richarlison, for example, while falling outside of the “experienced” threshold at 28 years old, has been part of relegation battles before with Everton.

De Zerbi can turn to players such as the Brazilian and utilise his time in Merseyside as a way to motivate Spurs for the final five games of the season.

The N17 outfit is just two points behind West Ham, and there is plenty of time for the tables to turn at the bottom of the league.