Tottenham need major changes but who should be shown the Spurs exit door?

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Dan Kilpatrick @Dan_KP7 October 2019

It looks increasingly clear that drastic changes are needed at Tottenham after an abject 3-0 defeat at Brighton followed the 7-2 thrashing by Bayern Munich and, as long as Mauricio Pochettino wants to stay, they should not be in the dugout.

Spurs' malaise is an inevitable consequence of spending £1.2billion on a new stadium, as well as an element of conservatism in the transfer market, and miracle-worker Pochettino deserves the chance to rebuild the squad after spending the last two summers calling for an overhaul, which has never truly come.

Standard Sport assesses the current Spurs' squad by position and decides who should stay and who should go in the next 12 months…

The next two months will make clear whether Paulo Gazzaniga has what it takes to be Tottenham's No.1 after Hugo Lloris suffered a sickening dislocated elbow on Saturday . The Frenchman is in slow decline, further highlighted by mistakes against Southampton and Brighton, and the emergence of Gazzaniga, who is better with his feet, would offer a long-term solution.

Tottenham release injury update on captain Hugo Lloris Photo: Getty Images
Getty Images

Lloris, however, is still an asset and, provided Pochettino remains as boss, he will likely stay another season after this one before seeking a move to MLS.

Clearly the biggest area in need of an overhaul is Spurs’ once-solid defence, which is now the squad's biggest disaster area. Jan Vertonghen and Toby Alderweireld were made to look every one of their advancing years by Brighton teenager Aaron Connolly, as Spurs made it 10 goals conceded in five days with the pair at centre-half.

Tottenham's once resolute defence has shipped 10 goals in their last two matches Photo: Gareth Fuller/PA Wire
Gareth Fuller/PA Wire

A revamp is sorely needed and, with both Belgians out of contract in June, it is surely coming in January or next summer. At left-back Danny Rose, 29, is also not the force he once was and would benefit from a change of scene, allowing Ryan Sessegnon to stake a claim to left-back.

Injury has prevented summer signing Sessegnon from making his debut for the club Photo: Tottenham Hotspur FC via Getty Images
Tottenham Hotspur FC via Getty Images

Right-back has been this season's problem position and Pochettino should give-up on Serge Aurier and allow either Kyle Walker-Peters or Juan Foyth the chance to nail down the position. The manager seems to think neither youngster is ready, however.

Moussa Sissoko's new contract until 2022 was surprising given he has turned 30 but it offers long-term stability in the centre of the park, along with Tanguy Ndombele, 22, Harry Winks, 23, and teenager Oliver Skipp.

Spurs have desperately missed a true holding midfielder, however, and Eric Dier will need to prove himself again after struggling with illness and injury over the past 12 months.

Dier has made just 15 appearances for Tottenham this year Photo: Action Images via Reuters
Action Images via Reuters

Victor Wanyama no longer appears capable at this level and should be moved on, having rejected a transfer to Belgian side Club Brugge in August.

Christian Eriksen increasingly feels like a negative presence in the squad and it would be in everyone's interests if Spurs can find a cut-price buyer for the contract-rebel in January. Summer signing Giovani Lo Celso should be up to speed by then and Heung-min Son, Lucas Moura and Erik Lamela are good squad options for now.

Eriksen revealed three days after Spurs' Champions League final defeat that he wanted a new challenge Photo: Getty Images
Getty Images

Dele Alli, however, needs to regain form and confidence to avoid being the most high-profile and unexpected casualty of a rebuild.

Pochettino: We need to help Dele get back to his best Photo: REUTERS/David Klein
REUTERS/David Klein

Admittedly, the 23-year-old has struggled with injuries since before the World Cup and Pochettino has promised he will get back to his best.

There is no doubting Harry Kane and in 17-year-old Troy Parrott, who debuted in the defeat at Colchester, Spurs may have found another gem in their academy, even if the Irishman needs time.

Spurs are heavily reliant on Harry Kane, with 17-year-old Troy Parrott their only other recognised striker Photo: Tottenham Hotspur FC via Getty Images
Tottenham Hotspur FC via Getty Images

A stop-gap centre forward, like Fernando Llorente, could be beneficial until Parrott is ready but Spurs' biggest priority in this area will be to keep trophy-hungry Kane fully committed during the painful rebuilding process.

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