Spurs can drop Kolo Muani by starting their “future captain” in new position

This is the big week for Tottenham Hotspur, whose future will be determined by a series of matches in the Premier League ahead of Sunday’s denouement.

Which adjectives should be applied to Spurs’ season? Abysmal? Terrible? Detrimental? Roberto De Zerbi may yet save the Lilywhites after replacing Igor Tudor during the March international break, but there’s no question that relegation is on the cards, should Tottenham fail to win at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday.

A point would do it against Chelsea, in truth. West Ham United would be three points behind Tottenham heading into the final day, and with a vastly inferior goal difference. The swing would surely be too great.

The Lilywhites track record at Chelsea’s stadium isn’t the greatest, in all honesty, but De Zerbi and his side cannot conform to convention right now. They need to get points on the board and sharpish.

To achieve this, the Italian may need to make a bold call or two, perhaps dropping Randal Kolo Muani.

Why Spurs need to drop Kolo Muani

Kolo Muani has proved a fraudulent piece of business for Tottenham, who have only entertained his services on loan but who thought they would land a prolific and dynamic attacker with renown on the biggest stages.

After all, Paris Saint-Germain paid £76m to Eintracht Frankfurt in 2023, bringing him over after a terrific Bundesliga campaign. It hasn’t worked out, with the France international only boasting one goal in the English top flight.

That he continues to start each week for De Zerbi is a by-product of severe injury problems that offer no alternative solution – or so it would seem.

Tottenham’s home draw against Leeds United last time out was a real sickener, and Kolo Muani did not help – he lost 11 duels, too weak against Daniel Farke’s robust outfit.

If Kolo Muani is to be dropped at the Bridge, De Zerbi does have a trump card he could play, and given the need for a more pragmatic and industrious approach against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, he may be inclined to unleash a budding Tottenham superstar in a new role.

De Zerbi could unleash Spurs star in new role

Tottenham’s injury problems have been the crux of their collapse this season and last. However, Archie Gray has stood tall and done a job throughout, playing in midfield and across the backline.

The 20-year-old is naturally a centre-midfielder, but rarely has he been found in that berth. Now, with De Zerbi’s industrious midfield cemented, he has been forced to the bench, but surely this hard-working livewire would offer more than the on-loan Kolo Muani, even out on the right wing.

Against Chelsea, it might just make sense. Spurs will not expect to have the ball, and Marc Cucurella will work overtime to snuff out any advances down his channel. Kolo Muani has not exactly shown that he has the confidence and sureness to bypass that wily left-back.

Gray might not have Kolo Muani’s natural pace, but he’s a fighter, and having completed 33.3% of his crosses in the Premier League this term, he’s one of the most accurate playmakers in the division.

Moreover, he has proved that he can pop up with big moments. The dynamic and versatile prospect could make a big difference against Chelsea. It will be a dogfight, and he offers the kind of profile required.

De Zerbi’s comments on Gray’s capacity for captaincy have also been echoed by the one and only Harry Redknapp, who said that he has the ability to be a “future Tottenham captain“. His tenacity and willingness to make an impact across any number of positions

Though De Zerbi feels that Gray will only go from strength to strength when he nails down a position to call home, that is something that can be prioritised next season, when safety has been secured.

For now, with so many options withering the manager’s crop of options, he might want to drop Kolo Muani and unleash Gray in an unnatural role on the right flank. He is a technical distributor and a crisp crosser of the ball.

This could turn out to be a masterstroke in a hostile Chelsea environment which will swallow any stars who prove poor in the duel.