Ex Tottenham star embarrassed on Sky Sports after outlandish relegation claim
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Spurs are relegation candidates and one former Premier League star believes the football world would be gutted to see the club relegated.
Ex Tottenham Hotspur star David Bentley found himself struggling for words after a bold claim about his former side was questioned.
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The 41-year-old is a regular pundit on Sky Sports FC and appeared on the show on Thursday to give his latest take on the club's predicament and appointment of Roberto de Zerbi.
Spurs sit precariously in 17th place in the Premier League, just one point above the drop zone after a torrid run under interim boss Igor Tudor. De Zerbi has now arrived to steady the ship with an extra week to prepare with no fixture this weekend.
Relegation to the Championship is a real threat for the North London side and Bentley said: "They could be the biggest club in the world, and to think of that potential, being relegated and sitting in the Championship - not only financially, but emotionally...
"I don't think there's anyone in football who wants to see Tottenham go down and not be in the Premier League. I think everybody loves watching Tottenham. Even if you're a neutral."
Bentley was then stopped in his tracks and told that Sky Sports FC regularly received calls from fans saying the opposite. The former midfielder, who even played for Arsenal and West Ham, overlooked some of those London rivalries.
Stuttering, he replied: "Don't say that! Is it? No chance. Everybody loves Tottenham. Flamboyant Tottenham? Oh yeah, the Arsenal."
David Bentley backs ‘strong’ Roberto De Zerbi
Bentley came through the Gunners academy but made a name for himself at Blackburn Rovers and Tottenham between 2006 and 2013,
The player was named Rovers Player of the Year in 2007 and went on to finish as a League Cup runner up in 2009.
Bentley remains positive that Spurs can avoid the drop and backed De Zerbi to make an impression, even if it is the biggest job of his managerial career so far.
The pundit said: "I think he's a strong character. Marseille is a difficult club to manage, the fans and the hostility. He's got good credentials, did well at Brighton but it's a difficult job at Tottenham. It's probably the biggest job he's got.
"He's saying all the right things and has good character. Hopefully he can come in and inspire this group of players who have not been performing, conceding too many easy chances and hopefully he can stop the goals coming in."
In other news, Aston Villa set to open bidding war for 'colossus' Tottenham target.