Tottenham are facing a pivotal period in their Champions League and Premier League season, starting with the first leg of their Champions League semi-final against Ajax at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Mauricio Pochettino was left deflated by Spurs’ setback on Saturday, when West Ham ended his side’s run of four straight opening wins in their new home and defied the Premier League table to earn a surprise 1-0 win through a second-half Michail Antonio strike.
Spurs are looking to bounce back against Champions League dark horses Ajax, pitting Jan Vertonghen, Christian Eriksen, Toby Alderweireld and Davinson Sanchez against their old club.
Tottenham news – Who is out of contract?
One of Tottenham’s Champions League heroes, Fernando Llorente, is the most high profile Spurs player who will be out of contract at the end of the 2018/19 season.
Llorente netted the crucial third away goal for Spurs in their Champions League quarter-final second leg against Manchester City, scoring late at the City of Manchester Stadium to send the Premier League leaders crashing out after a dramatic knockout encounter.
The Spanish striker is not considering his future at the moment, instead urging Spurs to raise their game against their dangerous Dutch opposition.
Llorente said: ”I will always try to do my best and be ready for every moment when the gaffer needs me.
“I’ve had unbelievable moments like winning the World Cup, Euros and a league title in Italy, but to reach the semi final with an unbelievable team like Tottenham, with these team-mates, is crazy.
“I believe in them and I think we can make history.”
Now 34, Llorente joined Spurs for £12.1m in 2017, debuting when he replaced Harry Kane in a 3-1 Champions League win over familiar foes Borussia Dortmund.
He has been far from prolific since then, scoring just twice – but that goal against Man City will live long in the memory.
Tottenham news – Who could leave for nothing?
Goalkeeper Michel Vorm will be on familiar ground when Tottenham travel to Ajax in the second leg of their Champions League semi final.
With 15 appearances for Holland, Vorm has performed at the Johan Cruyff Arena before – but he is unlikely to feature for Spurs.
Like Llorente, Vorm joined Spurs from Swansea and has been used sparingly, playing 13 times since signing in 2014.
Vorm is out of contract at the end of the 2018/19 season and it is unclear whether he will be extending his spell as one of regular number 1 Hugo Lloris’s understudies.
35-year-old Vorm began his career by spending six years at FC Utrecht, commanding a transfer fee of £1.5m when he moved to Swansea in 2011, before joining Tottenham for £3.5m.