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They came within touching distance of glory and gave fans one of the greatest seasons in modern Tottenham history, but where is the infamous Mauricio Pochettino squad now?
Since the start of 2026, the theme of nostalgia has dominated social media. Football fans have been revisiting old 2016 line-ups, iconic goals and players viewed through a nostalgic lens.
For Tottenham supporters, that means looking back at the Mauricio Pochettino era. The 2016/17 season represented the peak of Spurs’ modern resurgence, finishing second in the Premier League and going unbeaten at White Hart Lane in its final campaign.
Nearly a decade on, that squad has dispersed. Here’s where they are now.
Mauricio Pochettino’s Best Tottenham Hotspur XI:
Hugo Lloris was Tottenham captain
On his day, Lloris was one of the best keepers in the world. The World Cup-winning captain left in 2024 after more than a decade in North London.
He has since begun a new chapter in MLS with LAFC, winning the US Open Cup in September 2024.
Kyle Walker swapped Spurs for Man City
Walker departed for Manchester City in the summer of 2017, becoming the world’s most expensive defender at the time.
He became one of the most decorated right-backs in Premier League history, winning multiple league titles and a historic Treble. After a loan spell at AC Milan, he later returned to England with Burnley.
Toby Alderweireld – The singing centre-back
Alderweireld left Tottenham in 2021, moving first to Al-Duhail in Qatar, before returning home to captain Royal Antwerp to its first league title in 66 years.
He is now enjoying retirement and recently appeared on Belgium’s version of The Masked Singer, where he performed the Killers’ “Mr Brightside”.
Jan Vertonghen visited Tottenham recently
Vertonghen ended his eight-year spell at Spurs in 2020, when he joined Benfica on a free transfer.
He later returned to Belgium with Anderlecht, before retiring in 2025. He was warmly welcomed back by Spurs fans in N17 on a recent visit.
Is Danny Rose Tottenham’s greatest modern left-back?
Rose left Spurs permanently in 2021, after nearly 14 years with the club. Alongside Walker, he formed one of the most explosive full-back partnerships in the Premier League.
Following a brief stint at Watford, he stepped away from top-level football and has since spoken candidly about the mental health challenges he faced during his career.
Victor Wanyama was Tottenham’s midfield enforcer
Wanyama anchored Spurs’ midfield in 2016/17, providing the platform that allowed forwards to flourish.
In 2020, he joined CF Montreal in MLS, and later spent a brief spell at Dunfermline Athletic in Scotland. While not officially retired, he has not played since leaving Dunfermline in the Summer of 2025.
Mr underrated Moussa Dembele
Often described by teammates as the most gifted player they have played with, Dembele’s ability to glide past opponents made him central to Pochettino’s system.
He moved to Guangzhou R&F in China in 2019, before retiring from professional football in 2022.
Tottenham would love Christian Eriksen these days
Eriksen departed in January 2020 to join Inter Milan, winning the Serie A title under Antonio Conte.
After his cardiac arrest at Euro 2020, he made a remarkable return with Brentford before joining Manchester United. The 34-year-old now plays in the Bundesliga with Wolfsburg.
Dele Alli only cost five mil
Still only 29, Dele was one of Europe’s most exciting talents at his peak, scoring 18 league goals in 2016/17. He left Spurs for Everton in 2022, and later had brief spells with Besiktas and Como, where he was sent off in his only appearance.
Now a free agent, injuries and off-field struggles have significantly stalled a once meteoric rise. Dele returned to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium for an emotional interview on Sunday.
Heung-min Son is a Tottenham legend
Few players in Tottenham’s modern history are as universally loved as Son.
He won the Premier League Golden Boot in 2021/22 and later captained Spurs to Europa League glory, ending the club’s 17-year wait for silverware. Son left in the summer, joining Hugo Lloris at LAFC.
Tottenham haven’t replaced Harry Kane
Kane was ruthless in 2016/17, scoring 29 goals despite injury and claiming his second Golden Boot in three seasons
He surpassed Jimmy Greaves as Tottenham’s all-time leading goalscorer in 2023 before joining Bayern Munich later that year. He has scored 125 goals in 135 appearances for Bayern at the time of writing.
Key Tottenham squad players under Pochettino
Eric Dier
A trusted figure under Pochettino, Dier featured across defence and midfield during Spurs’ peak years.
He joined Bayern Munich in 2024, before heading over to Monaco, where he scored a dramatic late equaliser against Manchester City in the Champions League.
Ben Davies
The only player on this list still at Tottenham, Davies played an important rotational role during Pochettino’s peak years.
While a move away from North London looks likely this Summer, he remains a dependable figure in the Spurs squad.
Kieran Trippier
Initially a back-up to Kyle Walker, Trippier became first-choice following Walker’s exit.
Trippier left Spurs to join Atletico Madrid in 2019 and later returned to the Premier League with Newcastle United, playing a key role in their resurgence.
Erik Lamela
Lamela spent eight seasons at Tottenham in 2013, tasked with the near-impossible task of replacing Gareth Bale. Injuries disrupted his time at Spurs, but his flair, work rate and moments of brilliance made him a fan favourite.
The Argentine joined Sevilla in 2021, where he won the Europa League and has since continued his career in Greece with AEK Athens.
Moussa Sissoko
Despite struggling when he first arrived in North London, Sissoko became a regular feature in Pochettino’s squad.
After leaving Spurs for Watford in 2021, he later spent two seasons with Nantes in France, returned to Watford in 2024, and in 2026 made the move to Greek side Panathinaikos.
A defining generation
Almost a decade on, the 2016/17 side remains one of the most admired teams in Tottenham’s history. It was a squad built on youth and intensity that felt destined to win silverware.
While their careers have taken different directions, the legacy of Pochettino’s peak Spurs team resonates strongly among supporters.
Judging by the current wave of nostalgia for 2016 online, it’s a team that supporters won’t stop talking about any time soon. But will Pochettino return this summer for a second bite at the cherry?
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