From Harry Kane to Luka Modric, Fulltime Herald takes a look at the best Tottenham players of the 21st century who never won silverware at the club
Tottenham Hotspur have fielded some truly remarkable footballers over the last two decades – players signed from successful clubs outside England, and players who moved to other successful sides; some who commanded hefty fees, and others who were developed by the club.
Yet, for a lot of the talent that passed through North London, including those who went on to amass honours elsewhere, their time at the club proved to be a barren period in terms of silverware.
This 11 is a tribute to those Spurs legends who, despite their brilliance, never lifted a trophy while at the club. They form a team that could rival any in Europe on their day.
Here’s their story, and where they went next.
1. Hugo Lloris (GK)
Hugo Lloris arrived from Lyon in 2012 and quickly established himself as Tottenham’s last line of defence for over a decade. A captain in every sense, Lloris combined excellent shot-stopping with team leadership.
His reflexes saved Spurs countless times, and he was often vocal behind the backline. Despite helping the club to multiple top-four finishes and a Champions League final in 2019, silverware eluded him.
Internationally, however, Lloris thrived. He won the World Cup with France in 2018 and reached another final in 2022. He eventually left Spurs in 2023 and moved to Los Angeles FC.
2. Kyle Walker (RB)
Walker was an explosive presence on the right flank for Spurs, blending pace, physicality and stamina like few others in his position. From his debut in 2009 to his departure in 2017, he developed into one of Europe’s best and most powerful full-backs.
Under Pochettino, his overlapping runs and recovery speed supported Tottenham’s high-intensity system. But despite reaching a cup final in 2015 and qualifying for the Champions League, trophies never came.
In 2017, Walker joined Manchester City and his fortunes turned almost instantly. He won the 2018 EFL Cup final with Guardiola’s side just seven months after leaving Spurs. Walker soon became a serial winner, collecting Premier League title after Premier League title, EFL and FA cups, and the long-coveted Champions League in 2023.
3. Jan Vertonghen (CB)
Joining from Ajax in 2012 where he had won two Eredivisie titles, Vertonghen spent eight years anchoring Tottenham’s defence and forming a formidable partnership with compatriot Toby Alderweireld.
The Belgian brought grace, intelligence and composure to the Spurs backline. He was remarkable for his elegant distribution and tactical awareness, and quickly became a fan favourite.
Vertonghen never won a trophy again after Ajax. He played in the 2015 EFL Cup final against Chelsea which Spurs lost 2-0. There were other near misses both in England and the Champions League, with the player ultimately leaving for Benfica in 2020. He didn’t find much success either in Portugal before winding down an understated career.
4. Toby Alderweireld (CB)
Arriving in 2015 from Atletico Madrid, Alderweireld immediately added steel to Tottenham’s defence. He soon formed a solid partnership with Vertonghen. At his peak, he was among the Premier League’s most reliable defenders, strong in the air and quick on the ground.
Alderweireld had won the Eredivisie with Ajax and La Liga with Atletico Madrid in 2014, but his trophy haul dried up at Spurs. The Belgian was pivotal in Spurs’ European run in the 2018/19 season, along with consistent top-four finishes.
He eventually moved to Qatar in 2021, before returning home to Royal Antwerp where he helped delivered the club’s first title in 66 years.
5. Danny Rose (LB)
Danny Rose burst into the spotlight with a debut goal against Arsenal in 2010, and his career took off from there. With speed, tenacity and attacking instinct, the Englishman became a key figure under Pochettino, linking brilliantly with Spurs’ forward line.
At his best, Rose was among Europe’s most dynamic left-backs, constantly making dangerous runs down the wing. Injuries and outspoken interviews later affected his career trajectory, but his contributions during Spurs’ peak years were undeniable.
Despite reaching finals and finishing second in the Premier League, however, Rose never lifted a trophy with the club. He left Spurs in 2021, playing briefly for Watford before retiring in 2023.
6. Mousa Dembele (CM)
Few players are spoken of with such reverence by teammates and opponents alike as Mousa Dembele. He was press resistant and made Spurs a difficult team to play against.
Arriving from Fulham in 2012, he settled into the Spurs midfield, quietly controlling games with his technical skill and strength on the ball. Dembele was never flashy, but his presence dictated Tottenham’s rhythm and style, especially during their golden period in 2015–2018.
Chronic hip issues later affected the Belgian’s game and he moved to China in 2019. Dembele had won the Eredivisie with AZ Alkmaar in 2009 before his move to Fulham. That was the only major silverware he would win before retiring in 2022.
7. Rafael van der Vaart (AM)
Van der Vaart arrived at Tottenham from Real Madrid in 2010. At Madrid he had won the Supercopa de España in 2008, and before that he had won the Eredivisie twice at Ajax.
His time at Spurs was brief but brilliant. He brought flair and creativity to the side, as well as a knack for scoring in big games. His left foot was a magic wand and he quickly became a cult hero among fans. Playing just two seasons in North London, he scored 28 goals in all competitions and delivered countless memorable moments.
Despite his contributions for Spurs, however, the team could not turn their potential into silverware. Van der Vaart left the club for Hamburg in 2012 and later played again in Spain, then Denmark where he won the Danish Superliga with Midtjylland.
8. Luka Modric (CM)
Modric was signed in 2008 from Dinamo Zagreb, where he had won the league title three times with the club, as well as the league cup and the Croatian super cup.
At Tottenham he initially struggled with the physicality of the Premier League but soon adapted and began to display his intelligence, close control, and ability to dictate the tempo of the game. Modric was Spurs’ metronome, quietly pulling the strings from midfield and raising the technical level of the squad.
He left the club after four years without silverware, moving to Real Madrid where he became one of the best midfielders of all time, winning four La Liga titles, five Champions League trophies, and an array of other honours.
He would ultimately be crowned with the highest individual honour in football, the Ballon d’Or, in 2018. His success elsewhere in Spain only amplified the regret of what might have been at Tottenham.
9. Christian Eriksen (AM)
Christian Eriksen was the heartbeat of Spurs’ creative play for over six years. Signed from Ajax – where he had won the Eredivisie three times – in 2013, he became Tottenham’s chief playmaker, orchestrating attacks with his vision and deadly precision in passing.
Eriksen racked up 62 goals and over 80 assists in all competitions for the club, thriving under Pochettino’s attacking system. Despite his influence, however, major trophies remained elusive.
In 2020, he moved to Inter Milan, where he won the Serie A before suffering a life-threatening cardiac arrest at Euro 2020. Remarkably, he returned to elite football with Brentford and later Manchester United, where he has won the EFL Cup and FA Cup.
10. Jermain Defoe (ST)
Jermain Defoe almost missed this list, but his interesting story has kept him on it. Defoe was the quintessential poacher, sharp, instinctive and always ready to score. Across two spells at Spurs, he netted 143 goals, placing him among the club’s all-time top scorers. His quick feet and lethal finishing made him a constant threat, whether starting or coming off the bench.
Defoe played under several managers for Tottenham from 2004 to 2014. He played in the EFL Cup in the 2007/08 season, but remarkably went out on loan in January 2008, missing the rest of the competition, including the club’s famous final against Chelsea. After that, he returned to the club in 2009, (in)conveniently missing the club’s major trophy win.
Defoe would eventually be given a medal, but only ten years later in 2018!
He later joined Scottish Premiership side Rangers in 2019, winning the Scottish Premiership in the 2020/21 season.
11. Harry Kane (ST)
Few players have embodied Tottenham like Harry Kane. A local kid who broke through in 2011, he rose to become the club’s all-time top scorer.
Kane’s lethal finishing has led many to consider him the best striker of his generation. His intelligence, positioning, passing and work rate add further dimensions to his game.
He won the Premier League Golden Boot multiple times and led England to a World Cup semi-final, but despite dragging Spurs to multiple finals, including the 2019 Champions League final, a trophy never came.
In 2023, Kane joined Bayern Munich in search of silverware, but it eluded him in his first season. In his second season, he finally won something: the German Bundesliga title. Interestingly, this was the same year that his old club Tottenham finally broke their duck after 17 years, winning the Europa League trophy.
One comment
Tottenham have been largely unlucky, they’ve had proper players come through their ranks