Chris Waddle Backs Tottenham For Europe Despite Winless League Start

Chris Waddle believes Tottenham can still qualify for the Europa League despite a poor Premier League start that has left Roberto De Zerbi’s side needing an early recovery.

The former Spurs winger has backed the squad's quality to produce a turnaround. Waddle told Standard Sport, via talkSPORT BET sports betting. “They’ve got too much quality not to (turn things around), so I wouldn’t be surprised if Tottenham qualify for a Europa League place.”

Spurs have taken two points from their first five league matches and remain winless with a difficult trip to Manchester United on Saturday Night to come.

Waddle also identified the home fixtures against Coventry City and Crystal Palace as important opportunities to start getting results and to build Tottenham Hotspur Stadium into a difficult place to come and play.

Tottenham travel to Manchester United on 10 October before welcoming Coventry on 19 October. Those fixtures offer a chance to shift their season in the right direction following a frustrating start for the Italian Head Coach.

Waddle who made 173 competitive appearances for Spurs, said “I don't see any reason why they can't put a string of results together and get up the league. Everybody's beating each other, apart from basically the top two or three.”

Spurs can create problems for opponents, even in defeat. Against Aston Villa, Tottenham created chances before falling behind and eventually scored twice through Conor Gallagher and Jan Paul van Hecke. However, those goals came after Villa had established a three-goal lead.

Expectations were obviously high following a big summer of spending from Tottenham, with the club securing Premier League experience in a big rebuild; however, the lack of goals and ultimately wins have rightfully added some pressure to Roberto De Zerbi from the outside. It’s thought that internally Spurs are calm, and there was some expectation that things might not be free-flowing following such a summer or change.

Chris Waddle joined Tottenham Hotspur from Newcastle United in July 1985, scoring 42 goals in 173 competitive appearances over four seasons.

The skilful winger struck twice on his debut against Watford and developed a strong partnership with Glenn Hoddle, helping supply Clive Allen during his remarkable 49-goal campaign in 1986/87.

Waddle became a favourite at White Hart Lane before joining Marseille for £4.5 million in 1989, then the third-highest transfer fee in world football, behind Diego Maradona and Ruud Gullit, respectively.

Tottenham and Manchester United first met in the FA Cup in 1899, when United were called Newton Heath. United have historically dominated the fixture, including a 5-3 comeback win after trailing 3-0 in 2001 and a 2009 League Cup final win on penalties.

Spurs recorded their biggest victory over United with a 6-1 triumph at Old Trafford in 2020. In May 2025, Brennan Johnson’s goal secured Tottenham’s 1-0 Europa League final victory in Bilbao, ending their 17-year wait for silverware.