The new Modric appears to have been completed at Tottenham.

This is Tottenham Hotspur’s most important month in years, with a Premier League tie that could decide their place in the Championship.

Tottenham were last relegated in 1977, which has never happened in modern times. However, the team was revived during the March international break with Roberto de Zerbi replacing Igor Tudor. Their performance improved and they secured a consecutive victory.

Is it too little too late? Probably not, but Spurs are out of the relegation zone and two points ahead of West Ham United. In a fight like this one, that gap can make a big difference.

Tottenham will need to make fundamental changes this summer, even if top talent can save them from their slump. After all, many of Hotspur Way’s so-called superstars are looking to leave as the season draws to a close.

Spurs superstars who want to leave

Losing a player of Micky van de Ven’s quality this summer is a tough bill to swallow, and there’s no denying that, but there’s no doubt that selling the Dutch defender would be of considerable benefit to Tottenham, with interest from Liverpool said to be at a valuation of £90m.

The Athletic’s David Ornstein also revealed that offers from Aston Villa and Chelsea were rejected during the January transfer window for Lukas Bergvall, a talented young midfielder with the potential to become a Premier League superstar.

Spurs have players who need to stay, but even if relegation is avoided there is no guarantee that will be the case.

And there is another much older player who is bound to leave regardless of Spurs’ fate, and he is turning into the new Luka Modric.

Spurs’ new Modric completed

Modric is fondly remembered at Tottenham, making 160 appearances for the Lilywhites before making his fortune in Spain with Real Madrid, cementing his legacy as one of the greatest midfielders of his generation.

The Croatian, now 40, still tried to force his way out of Tottenham and submitted a transfer request in 2011 with a view to joining London rivals Chelsea.

Cristian Romero is currently emerging as a new version of the club, extremely talented and influential, but he is desperate to leave Tottenham this summer, no matter how their relegation battle is resolved.

In the words of Chris Waddle, speaking exclusively to Football FanCast, he “never wanted to be at Tottenham”.

The Argentina international, who is expected to leave the club this summer, has established himself as one of the Premier League’s best centre-backs over the past few years, but he can also be volatile, short-tempered and unpredictable.

Romero’s mercurial nature means that taking a clean break is probably best for all parties, even if Van de Ven is also sold this summer. Either way, this is a bitter pill to swallow. In the midst of a demotion battle, it is undesirable for the captain to find out about your intention to retire.

Perhaps Romero will follow Modric’s example and go on to have a world-class career in Spain. After all, that’s where he’s linked to landing ahead of the new campaign.

But the truth is these are the players we need moving forward. Romero is concerned about that – no one is questioning it – but his wandering eyes were elsewhere when Tottenham needed him most, and red cards and injuries have kept him from playing a significant role in 2026.

There is no doubt that Romero will take on a new challenge next summer. Spurs will likely move new signing Modric to pastures new, but will be hoping for a big fee.