Tottenham icon Chris Waddle warns of "relegation calamity" as £35m Conor Gallagher signing is slammed following January move

Tottenham legend Chris Waddle slams the club's £35m signing of Conor Gallagher and warns that the squad lacks the "bottle" to avoid Premier League relegation.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 31, 2026, 12:44 PM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Football365

A Club on the Brink of the Championship

Tottenham Hotspur find themselves in a state of unprecedented crisis, sitting a precarious one point above the Premier League relegation zone with only seven matches remaining. Following the departure of interim boss Igor Tudor by mutual consent, the North London club is reportedly on the verge of appointing Roberto De Zerbi to steady the ship. However, club legend Chris Waddle remains unconvinced that a managerial change can rectify what he describes as a fundamentally flawed squad. Waddle warned that the "rot" within the team has made them favorites for the final relegation spot, a staggering fall for a club with world-class facilities.

The Critique of the Conor Gallagher Acquisition

A central point of Waddle's frustration is the club’s January recruitment, specifically the £35 million signing of former Chelsea and Atletico Madrid midfielder Conor Gallagher. While Gallagher was also being tracked by Manchester United, Waddle suggested that Tottenham’s decision to move for him should have been met with skepticism. He noted that if a club of Atletico’s stature was comfortable letting the England international leave after just a season and a half, "alarm bells should be ringing" regarding his suitability for a top-tier Premier League side. Waddle argued that the board has consistently failed to invest in "players for the now," favoring future prospects over immediate quality.

Questioning the Squad's "Bottle" for Survival

As Spurs prepare for the final stretch of the season, Waddle questioned whether the current group of players possesses the mental fortitude required for a survival scrap. He expressed doubt that the returning injured players would provide enough of a boost to pull the club "out of the hole it’s in." In his assessment, the squad appears "miles off the pace" and lacks the individuals capable of rolling up their sleeves when the pressure is highest. This perceived lack of "bottle" has left supporters and former players alike fearing that the club’s state-of-the-art stadium could be hosting Championship football next year.