Successive Premier League defeats to Burnley and Chelsea have left Tottenham Hotspur in danger of dropping out of the top four.
Matthew Etherington has admitted that he fears Tottenham Hotspur will miss out on a place in the Champions League next season, while speaking to the BBC 5Live Football Daily podcast (28 February).
Spurs looked like potential Premier League winners a month or so ago but now appear to be looking nervously over their shoulder after a worrying blip that has ended any hopes of a title tilt.
Mauricio Pochettino’s side lost 2-1 at Burnley last weekend before going down 2-0 at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday, a dismal performance summed up by Kieran Trippier’s clownish own goal which gifted Chelsea the three points.
As a result, Tottenham are now just five points above fifth place with a resurgent Arsenal and Manchester United on their tail. The gap could drop to two points if they lose the North London derby this weekend.
And former Spurs winger Etherington is concerned.
“Wouldn’t it be an absolute travesty moving into a new stadium if they’re not in the Champions League next season? After all the promise of this season and what he’s shown so far of going for the title,” said the former winger.
“Now that’s gone, I think it’s plain for everyone to see that that is gone now. They’ve got the massive midweek game in Dortmund as well in the Champions League, so it’s a huge few days now for Mauricio Pochettino and his team.”
Some of Spurs’ most important players have been well below their best in recent weeks. Christian Eriksen was slammed by supporters after that limp loss at Chelsea, some accusing him of angling for a move to Real Madrid, while Harry Kane has lacked match sharpness after recovering from yet another ankle injury.
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