Tottenham Hotspur have a lot of potential. They have some of the best players in the world, a talented manager and a great squad depth. However, they are yet to win a major trophy since 2008. As a club, they have come very close to winning many times, but something has always held them back. According to Cristian Stellini, a former Spurs scout, the mentality of the players and the club needs to change if they are ever going to lift a trophy again.
Stellini looks back at the famous 2015 League Cup final against Chelsea which Spurs lost 2-0. In that game, they were completely outplayed, and many fans felt that the players didn’t give enough. Stellini says, “I remember being in the dressing room after the game, and seeing some players crying. But, they were crying because they had lost, not because they had let the fans down. There was a sense of acceptance that losing was just part of what Spurs did.”
Spurs have come close under current manager Mauricio Pochettino, finishing as runners-up in Premier League and Champions League in 2018/19 season, and reaching two League Cup finals in 2014 and 2015. However, they failed to win any of them. The mentality of the players, according to Stellini, needs to change. “The players need to feel that losing is not acceptable. They need to feel that winning trophies is what they are here for. Until that mindset changes, Spurs will not win anything.”
Stellini acknowledges that the club as a whole needs to change its mentality as well. “The players can only do so much. There needs to be a culture around the club that winning trophies is what is expected. There needs to be a hunger to win, and a belief that it can be done.”
The mentality of the club and players is not the only factor. Tottenham have been criticised in the past for not spending enough money on players. This has led to a lack of squad depth, and leaves them vulnerable to injuries in key positions. The club has spent big in recent times on the likes of Tanguy Ndombele and Giovani Lo Celso, but they still need more quality in their team if they are to compete with the likes of Manchester City, Liverpool and even their north London rivals Arsenal.
Stellini recognises that Spurs have a lot of potential, and he is confident that they can win trophies if they change their mentality. “Tottenham have some of the best players in the world. Harry Kane, Son Heung-min, Dele Alli, Christian Eriksen, Jan Vertonghen, Hugo Lloris. These are world-class players that any team would love to have. But, they need to believe that they can win. They need to believe that losing is not an option.”
Stellini also highlights the importance of winning a trophy for the fans. “Spurs’ fans are some of the most passionate in the world. They deserve to see their team win something. They have been waiting for too long. It’s time for the players to step up, and deliver for the fans.”
In conclusion, Cristian Stellini is of the opinion that Spurs’ mentality needs to change if they are to end their trophy drought. The players need to feel that losing is not acceptable, and that winning trophies is what they are here for. The club as a whole also needs to change its mentality, and there needs to be a culture around the club that winning trophies is what is expected. With the quality of players they have in their squad, Tottenham have the potential to win trophies, but they need to believe that anything is possible. Only then will they end their trophy drought and bring happiness to their long-suffering fans.