De Zerbi to Drop Kolo Muani for Spurs Future Captain Gray – North London 2026

Key Points

• Tottenham Hotspur sit 18th in the Premier League with five games remaining, two points behind West Ham United.
• The club faces Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux today, April 25, 2026, a must-win against already-relegated Wolves to boost survival hopes.
• Roberto De Zerbi, appointed Tottenham manager on March 31, 2026, saw an improved performance in a recent 2-2 draw against Brighton, but results remain winless in 2026.
• Forwards, including loan striker Randal Kolo Muani from Paris Saint-Germain, continue to misfire amid the relegation battle.
• Calls grow to drop Kolo Muani, signed last summer, with suggestions to reposition versatile young talent Archie Gray, tipped as Spurs’ “future captain,” in a new attacking role.
• Nottingham Forest’s 5-0 win over Sunderland has removed them from the relegation fight, narrowing it to Tottenham and West Ham.

Tottenham Hotspur (North London News) April 25, 2026 – Tottenham Hotspur manager Roberto De Zerbi faces mounting pressure to overhaul his forward line ahead of a crucial Premier League clash with relegated Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux, as the club battles to avoid relegation with just five matches left.

Why Is Tottenham Hotspur in Relegation Danger?

Tottenham languish in 18th place, two points adrift of West Ham United, after a 2-2 draw with Brighton left them without a league win in 2026. De Zerbi, who took over on March 31, 2026, on a five-year deal following Igor Tudor’s brief interim stint, described the Brighton performance as an improvement but lamented the failure to secure three points. As reported by Peter Smith of Sky Sports, Georginio Rutter’s 95th-minute equaliser for Brighton crushed Spurs’ hopes, with Xavi Simons’ 77th-minute curler briefly sparking wild celebrations before Kevin Danso lost possession late on.

The Seagulls’ Kaoru Mitoma volleyed home to level after Pedro Porro’s opener, highlighting Tottenham’s defensive vulnerabilities despite attacking promise. De Zerbi’s side spurned chances, including Simons hitting the post and Porro’s follow-up saved by Bart Verbruggen. This result keeps Spurs in the bottom three, one point above safety at times earlier, but now firmly entrenched with a tough run-in.

What Happened in Recent Matches for the Spurs?

Nottingham Forest’s emphatic 5-0 thrashing of Sunderland has effectively ended their involvement in the relegation scrap, leaving Tottenham and West Ham as the primary contenders. Forest’s nine goals in their last 1.5 games propelled them to the brink of safety. Meanwhile, West Ham could widen the gap if they defeat Everton at home today.

Under previous manager Thomas Frank, Tottenham signed Randal Kolo Muani on loan from Paris Saint-Germain last summer (August 31, 2025), aiming to bolster the frontline. Frank praised Kolo Muani’s full debut against Everton in October 2025, noting his effort despite limited chances. Later, in a Champions League match, Frank said of Kolo Muani’s brace against PSG: “I think today we saw what hopefully we can expect,” after the loanee scored twice and assisted in a 5-3 loss.

Kolo Muani, who joined PSG for €90m in 2023 after strong spells at Eintracht Frankfurt, has struggled for consistency at Spurs, with reports now linking him to a summer exit and interest from Liverpool as Mohamed Salah’s successor.

Why Drop Kolo Muani from the Starting XI?

Kolo Muani’s dynamic profile was meant to add danger, but Tottenham’s forwards have misfired all season. Analysis from Premier League official site notes Spurs’ paltry through-balls – just four away, 39 behind leaders Arsenal – with calls for greater movement from attackers, including Kolo Muani, Richarlison, Mathys Tel, Mohammed Kudus, Brennan Johnson, and Wilson Odobert. Midfielders Joao Palhinha, Rodrigo Bentancur, and Pape Matar Sarr have also played safe, as shown in pass maps from recent home games.

De Zerbi deployed Kolo Muani on the right wing against Sunderland recently, but his versatility as a striker or wide player has not yielded results amid relegation concerns. Football FanCast reports suggest De Zerbi could “bin” Kolo Muani by starting a £30m “Mbappe 2.0” alternative on the right, pointing to the position as Spurs’ biggest issue. Kolo Muani’s loan ends this summer, with a return to PSG likely.

Who Is Spurs’ “Future Captain” for a New Role?

Archie Gray emerges as a candidate to replace Kolo Muani in a repurposed role, with former Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp labelling the 19-year-old midfielder a “future Tottenham captain.” Redknapp, writing in The Sun, urged reliance on Gray and Lucas Bergvall amid senior stars’ failures, praising Gray’s versatility at right-back, centre-back, or midfield. Gray was Tottenham’s player of the year last season under Frank and has led calls for teammates to step up.

Spurs-Web notes De Zerbi could turn to Gray as captain for the final games, especially with Cristian Romero out injured – Romero was named captain by Frank in 2025. Gray has captained youth sides and impressed in first-team duties, with Dominic Solanke highlighting his leadership. Hotspur HQ adds that Gray has “future captain written all over him,” attracting interest from Bayern Munich and Real Madrid.

In the Brighton draw, players like Jan Paul van Hecke shone for opponents, but Spurs’ youth like Gray offer hope.

How Does the Upcoming Wolves Game Fit In?

Today’s match at Molineux pits Spurs against relegated Wolves, unbeaten in their last six against Tottenham (four wins, two draws), including three straight home victories. Kick-off is at 15:00 BST, with Goal.com previously warning of Tottenham’s “nightmarish schedule” including Wolves, Aston Villa, Chelsea, and Everton. A loss, coupled with a West Ham win, would spell near-certain doom for De Zerbi’s survival bid.

De Zerbi’s tactics emphasise possession and movement, potentially suiting Gray’s multi-positional skills over Kolo Muani’s current form.

Background of the Development

Tottenham’s woes trace to a turbulent 2025-26 season, with multiple managerial changes: Thomas Frank was sacked in February 2026, followed by Igor Tudor briefly, then De Zerbi. The club, last relegated in 1977, signed Kolo Muani post-Son Heung-min’s MLS exit and Romero’s captaincy appointment. Gray’s rise from Leeds United underscores youth investment amid a squad blending loans like Kolo Muani (€90m PSG background) and prospects. Relegation talk intensified after August 2015, with no 2026 league wins.

Prediction: Impact on Tottenham Fans and Supporters

This tactical shift could stabilise midfield and attack, aiding survival if Gray injects leadership and versatility against Wolves and beyond. Success might rally supporters, boosting morale for young talents like Gray, but failure risks confirmed relegation, affecting fan attendance, revenue, and loyalty in north London. For the particular audience of Tottenham fans, it offers hope via homegrown leadership amid forward struggles, potentially shaping long-term squad identity if Premier League status holds.