AliousTottenham Hotspur are in serious trouble, and Sunday’s heavy home defeat to Nottingham Forest has left even the most hopeful fans fearing relegation from the Premier League.
Supporters are craving signs of fight from Igor Tudor’s side, but the squad looks exhausted and far removed from the quality they’re known to possess. Worryingly, parts of their display against Forest were actually an improvement on recent outings—yet they still suffered a 3-0 loss to a team that began the day below them. Only West Ham United’s defeat to Aston Villa kept Spurs out of the relegation zone.
While criticism could be aimed at almost any player, Pedro Porro’s regression has been particularly striking. Once regarded as one of the most talented players in North London, the Spanish right-back has endured a difficult season.
Porro’s worrying drop in form
It remains unclear whether Tottenham will stick with Tudor, but the responsibility increasingly lies with the players to rediscover belief and consistency. Porro, who built a reputation as one of Europe’s most inventive full-backs after arriving from Sporting CP, has slipped well below his usual standards.
Against Forest, the 26-year-old offered little attacking threat and lost possession 20 times. His effort and commitment are evident—he’s often looked visibly frustrated—but that intensity isn’t translating into effective performances. Given his recent struggles, there’s a strong argument that he should be dropped for the remainder of the season, especially with Djed Spence providing a more balanced and energetic alternative.
Porro isn’t alone in underperforming. Guglielmo Vicario has also struggled, appearing uncertain in goal despite battling through injury before undergoing hernia surgery this week.
Another player who may need to be left out
Despite several poor displays, Destiny Udogie endured a particularly difficult outing in the defeat to Forest. Introduced at half-time for Micky van de Ven, the left-back—making his first appearance since early February—looked off the pace and error-prone.
In just one half, Udogie lost six duels, committed two fouls, and failed in a rash tackle, struggling badly against Omari Hutchinson and Ola Aina. Notably, Spurs’ attacking rhythm from the first half disappeared after his introduction.
Signed from Udinese for £15 million during Ange Postecoglou’s tenure, Udogie arrived with high expectations. However, his form this season has fallen short, arguably leaving him in a worse position than Porro or Vicario.
Reports from Italy suggest Juventus are considering a move for the defender this summer, and a fresh start may suit both player and club. While his potential remains clear, a return to top form in the final weeks of the campaign looks unlikely. As a result, he should not be reinstated in the starting lineup.
Unless there’s a dramatic turnaround, it may well be that Spurs fans have already seen the last of Udogie at his dynamic best in a Tottenham shirt.
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