West Ham’s chances of relegating Tottenham could have been dealt a significant blow with the latest reports.
One of the two London rivals are highly likely to go down to the Championship alongside Wolves and Burnley this season.
The Hammers are in much better form than Spurs, but that could soon change after Roberto De Zerbi’s arrival.
Former West Ham striker Carlton Cole’s reaction to De Zerbi’s imminent appointment says it all.
How worried should we be about De Zerbi joining Tottenham? 😟
Roberto De Zerbi, Manager of Brighton & Hove Albion, acknowledges the fans following a Premier Leeague match
Photo by Charlie Crowhurst/Getty Images
Carlton Cole suggests Roberto De Zerbi is bad news for West Ham
West Ham have been in good form under Nuno Espirito Santo lately, closing the gap to Spurs to just one point.
And given Tottenham have not won a single Premier League game in 2026, many Hammers fans have been feeling confident.
They lost four of five league games under interim manager Igor Tudor, as relegation seemed inevitable.
MORE WEST HAM STORIES
Is this the WORST prediction of the season? 😂
Rob Earnshaw predicts West Ham to get just 3 more points…
However, the Tottenham board have since rolled the dice by offering a lucrative long-term contract to former Brighton boss De Zerbi.
Cole is now concerned that the Italian head coach will oversee an improvement at Spurs, which would spell bad news for West Ham.
“De Zerbi deserves his chance at a team like Spurs,” he said on talkSPORT. “It’s the right time for Spurs to have a manager like that.
“I’m actually disappointed that Igor [Tudor] is going because I thought we’d have a great chance of making sure that you go down… It’s a great signing.”
Cole believes West Ham must now catch another of their relegation rivals, Nottingham Forest, if they want to stay in the division.
But the good news for Hammers fans is that Cole still maintains some confidence in his old team to survive, even if it is wishful thinking.
“My heart is for Spurs to go down,” he added. “I think my head is saying Nottingham Forest.”
Join Our Newsletter
Receive a digest of our best West Ham content each week direct to your mailbox