Tottenham squad helped end 17-year trophy drought but none of them will ever be remembered as legends

Apr 16, 2026 - 16:15
Tottenham squad helped end 17-year trophy drought but none of them will ever be remembered as legends

The Tottenham squad that collectively won the Europa League have been called many things.

Drought-breakers. Champions. Heroes.

Tottenham players celebrate winning the Europa League
Tottenham’s Europa League triumph feels like a world away amid their current malaise
Getty

But there’s one word Tottenham broadcaster Abbi Summers believes will never be associated with the Europa League-winning crew: Legends.

Even though the vast majority of Tottenham’s current playing contingent helped end their 17-year trophy drought by winning the Europa League last May, they have had an equally important role in the club’s misfortune on the domestic front.

As it stands, Spurs are going down given they sit 18th with 30 points, two behind 17th-place West Ham.

The implications of relegation for Tottenham are seismic, both sporting and financially, although they can still yet rescue themselves from the unthinkable given there are six games remaining.

Yet Summers believed the dire situation Tottenham find themselves could have been entirely avoided had they boasted a squad of players who understand what it means to wear the shirt.

Where’s the passion?

Speaking on the latest episode of Inside Spurs, Summers declared she has ‘no connection’ to the Tottenham players and only has a special place in her heart reserved for Archie Gray and Lucas Bergvall, largely because she sees ‘fight in them’.

It is a stark contrast to years gone by, when Summers and other Tottenham fans could tell the players would run themselves into the ground for the club.

One former star Summers name-dropped was Dele Alli, who returned to the club for the north London derby in February.

Speaking to Tottenham fans at the ground, Alli said the club would ‘always be my family’ and later posted on social media that it was ‘good to be home’.

“Can you imagine any of these players coming back in ten years’ time and saying that? No, not at all,” Summers said.

Dele Alli at Tottenham vs Arsenal
Alli made nearly 270 appearances for Tottenham across six-and-a-half seasons
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“When you see Toby (Alderweireld) or Jan (Vertonghen) come back and you think, ‘Yeah, these are our legends.’

“I know they might not have got over the line and won something, but they knew what this club meant.”

Summers did concede that out of the current Tottenham squad, James Maddison would be the one who, in the future, may come back and speak of his affection for the club and its fan base.

Maddison has not featured for Spurs this term having sustained an ACL injury in pre-season, although he has returned to training and could appear in the final fixtures.

No happy homecomings

“But everyone else, I massively question,” Summers continued.

“It’s a job to them.

Tottenham players look dejected after their defeat to Arsenal
Relegation for Spurs would be a massive embarrassment and lead to catastrophic financial losses
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“I’m telling you, in 20, 30 years’ time, when I’m taking my grand-kids or kids, you will never see any of these players from this team. Ever.

“They’ll leave the club and you will never think about and never see them again in terms of Spurs.”

Although the current squad haven’t exactly enshrined themselves in glory this season, Tottenham’s players can still avoid the infamy of being the team that plunged them into the Championship.

Roberto De Zerbi’s men can secure their first win in 15 league fixtures on Saturday when they host Brighton, with kick-off scheduled for 5:30pm.

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