Tottenham vs. Fulham: 5 Main Characters Who Might Leave After Season Finale

This Sunday marks the 38th and final episode of the 2011-2012 Premier League season.

And, just like in many a TV series, some main characters might have to be written out of next season—although presumably not via a violent death.

So while the main plot is Tottenham’s continued chase for third place against Fulham at White Hart Lane on Sunday, the subplot involves key Tottenham and Fulham players who might be making their last appearances for their respective clubs.

Here are five such players who, if they do leave this summer, will be greatly missed.

Let’s first start with the visitors.

While his scoring record hasn’t been nearly as impressive as his fellow attackers, Moussa Dembele has showed his abilities on a regular basis this season.

Whether it’s his eye for a pass, dribbling, pace or speed of thought, Dembele has proven to be a top-class Premier League attacking midfielder.

So it really shouldn’t come as a surprise that a host of bigger names are allegedly chasing his signature (as reported here by the Daily Mail).

As a key creative inspiration in a workmanlike Fulham side, Dembele’s departure would be a huge miss.

As impressive as Dembele has been, however, the undoubted star of Fulham’s season has to be Clint Dempsey.

With 17 goals and six assists, he has flown the American flag in the Premier League, improving year on year and establishing himself as a versatile and powerful forward.

Having also been linked with a transfer to a bigger club (Arsenal in this Guardian report), 29-year-old Dempsey may finally decide to make one last major move in his career.

If so, he will leave Fulham, where he has helped forge so many unforgettable memories, with the best wishes of Craven Cottage, and return a beloved spectator.

At the top of both the Tottenham scoring and assist charts is Manchester City loanee Emmanuel Adebayor.

Needless to say, he has enjoyed a phenomenal season at White Hart Lane, and Harry Redknapp would love to sign him on a permanent basis.

But given Tottenham’s wage structure and the alleged level of interest in Adebayor, Redknapp might face a real fight keeping his star striker.

Which means Adebayor looks likely to be wearing the Tottenham shirt for the last time this Sunday, leaving a huge striking hole for Redknapp to fill.

After an endless public flirtation with Chelsea last summer, Luka Modric ended up staying at White Hart Lane for another season.

And he deserves full credit for the professionalism he has displayed throughout the season. He has given his all for the Tottenham cause yet again, and is a big reason for their continued place in the top four.

But now, perhaps the time has come to leave Tottenham.

Just under a year after the exhausting transfer saga last season, Chelsea are at it again (or so say the Guardian).

For more details on Modric’s summer destination, let’s look forward to the way he waves at his supporters during Tottenham’s lap of honor after playing Fulham.

But the biggest possible departure of them all has to be Gareth Bale, who has once again enjoyed a blistering season on Tottenham’s left flank—and, has once again been linked with a move to Barcelona (via the Guardian).

Manchester City’s Roberto Mancini might be denying a possible move for Bale, but that, of course, has only intensified the rumors.

But Bale might very well be flying down that touchline at White Hart Lane for the very last time on Sunday.

Considering the number of players on both teams being linked with moves away, he wouldn’t be the only one.

If you liked this article, you might also be interested in 10 Key Players on EPL Survival Sunday. Please also check out my writer’s profile, where you can find more of my work, and my blog, The Red Armchair, for Liverpool match reactions and opinions.