One win at home to Newcastle would best that haul.
2019/20 Rivals - Spurs | Bergwijn out for the remainder of the season
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In the latest episode of the United Hour Podcast, Nik and Imran hold a long overdue conversation about United's awful league form with 1 win in 7. They discuss a disappointing draw at Bournemouth, a not so disappointing draw against Liverpool and a crushing defeat at Chelsea - Is time nearly over for Erik Ten Hag?
Then in a special second half of the pod, Nik welcomes Natalie ( https://twitter.com/natalie_17) to discuss the fortunes of Manchester United Women as they booked a place in the FA Cup Final after a historic first ever win vs. Chelsea.
Is there any truth to the rumours I've heard about Eriksen having been shipped around for £30m with no takers? It sounds really odd that nobody would pay £30m for him but it has been said a couple of times now on the Spurs subreddit.
Kane's my favourite player and the idea of him finishing his career without a single non-individual trophy is profoundly disappointing. I had hoped that Spurs would become good enough for him as a permanent home (developed a soft spot for them over the years) but I'm starting to think he should consider getting out. I think it's clear that the Poch era has an expiry date and has already peaked.
Kane is somewhat tied down at Spurs since Levy has a habit of offering new, improved five-year contracts every 2 or 3 years to his very best players, but Kane hasn't signed one for a while so he'd be in as good of a position as he could ever be under Levy to jump ship next summer.
I predicted about 18 months ago that the Spurs players were starting to realise that the jig was up, and now I'm sure they are. There's no doubt in my mind that the CL final will have compounded this recognition. Poch's own strange comments about potentially leaving the club if they won will've only further fed the feeling of it being an end of chapter marker.
The final felt very much like the climax of the Poch era even from the outside -- and it would've been a fantastic conclusion had they won. As it is, they'll now feel like they've got a mountain to climb all over again without it getting any easier to navigate.
What will come next after a continued decline will be a grim period of rebuilding - probably outside of Europe entirely - unless Levy and his current/future staff manage to play an absolute blinder -- the nature of what that might look like is so unclear that I can't even take a stab at predicting it. The players will intuit the same basic idea.
Spurs' problem is that they simply don't have the finances to pull a United and keep the club within touching distance of the top four through brute force (i.e. spending indefinitely and almost indiscriminately until something sticks and a new prosperous era begins -- which, as United have also demonstrated, can take a decade and counting).
If Spurs lose what's left of the world class backbone of the peak Poch squad, they're not going to be able to replace them in the current fiscal climate. And from there, it's a short drop back down to mid-table obscurity while they wait for the right confluence of factors - a world-beating academy striker, phenomenal discount purchases and a great youth-focused manager - to occur again through sheer dumb luck (though this process can be accelerated via shrewd management, it can only be forced with lots of money).
The regression seems inexorable to me. Spurs don't have the cash to compete on economic grounds and they can't freeze time to halt the inevitable age-related decline of the key players of the last 5 seasons. Some are theoretically in their prime right now anyway, but enough of them are either at the beginning of the downward slope or simply no longer as emotionally invested in this squad as they used to be that it won't matter (evidenced by already declining performances). The current squad won't hold its previous level, let alone continue to improve as they were for years.
I just can't see where the future of Spurs is supposed to come from. I guess, to some extent, most people understood that this could easily be a time-limited boom, though fans will have been praying otherwise. Perhaps if Spurs had won more, they could've more effectively capitalised on the dream team to set in motion a virtuous cycle of attracting more and better players. Sadly, it seems too late to really exploit that option now that the loss of momentum at Spurs is plain to see. And the small matter of finance has turned football from a rich man's game into a stupidly rich man's game in just a few decades, exacerbated far more rapidly and extremely in recent years to exclude Spurs who, only ten years ago, would've seemed financial tyrants.
The existence of a "top six" as we've come to know it over the past half-decade or so is resting on a knife edge. Its future is bleak. And as someone who wants the PL in general to do well, I think it's a bad thing. Ignoring the very recent hegemony of City and Liverpool, this relatively recent construct of a league with SIX great teams that could all theoretically win it - and even then no guarantees that it would be one of the big six (e.g. Leicester) - was utterly world class marketing. Incredible for league popularity, perceived quality, continued global dominance, and bringing money into the PL (and, by extension, Britain). And the quality was real and it stacked up: we blasted Europe last season with a ridiculous national coefficient. The PL has been widely regarded as the strongest in the world again.
Some people - especially supporters of smaller teams but even big team supporters wanting less competition - would probably welcome a smaller set at the top but I'd argue that, until the last season or two, the PL had never been more exciting. The race for top four, in particular, finally had some real oomph.
The reality - and this is particularly important from a smaller club's perspective - is that there's always going to be a tiny cabal that will win (almost) every time (proof: every major league in Europe). Bearing in mind that your bottom-half club is never going to win regardless, the only effect of having the leading group be as big as possible is making the league more exciting.
Ultimately, what's the point in watching football if you know every outcome in advance and can't experience highs AND lows? Imagine being a City supporter and the most exciting part of your season is losing to Norwich.
Anyway, all of that is broadly beside the point, which is that the future for Spurs looks bleak -- and that it's not really a good thing for anyone (except maybe Arsenal supporters, but on a less kneejerk-y level, surely even they can understand that the Spurs of this decade gone has injected new life and excitement into a once-stale rivalry).
(Apologies for the long and largely unrelated response to your quoted post but what you said happened to dovetail nicely with what I wanted to talk about already)
Is he thinking of selling him?
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Spurs and Arsenal have a better squad than us atm. Chelsea are depending on youth until the ban is lifted then they will buy big and will challenge again.
Absolutely not.
If Pochettino goes to Real Madrid, I can see Kane following. Not sure for that price. Kane won’t win anything at Spurs unless Pochettino get backed like a top manager does. It is inevitable and happens all the time in football where a manager leaves and bring one of their players from their past club with them.
I think Madrid are focused on Operation Mbappe™. PSG could then go for Kane as i can't see Levy allowing him to go to a Manchester club.
If Pochettino comes to Real Madrid, I have no doubt he will take a player from Spurs with him. Kane seems the obvious choice because Poch and Kane have a fantastic relationship. Only stumbling block is Levy. But, I believe Kane ambition will be more prevalent than his loyalty to Spurs.
I'd take 250 mill for Kane.
That's a rebuild right there. Love the bloke, but if the club could SENSIBLY re-invest that (i.e not like the fecking bale money) I'd accept it.
Then again, top strikers are almost impossible to find. It's not an easy one for sure, and I'd miss him like hell. But .. 250 million? Shiiiiit. Can't see anyone actually paying that though.
That's a rebuild right there. Love the bloke, but if the club could SENSIBLY re-invest that (i.e not like the fecking bale money) I'd accept it.
Then again, top strikers are almost impossible to find. It's not an easy one for sure, and I'd miss him like hell. But .. 250 million? Shiiiiit. Can't see anyone actually paying that though.
The previous contract was worth about £120,000 a week, with the potential to rise to about £150,000. The deal announced yesterday guarantees him £150,000 and will rise to £200,000 over the six years.
If those figures are real isn't that a pretty shitty deal for Kane ? Stuck until 2024 on "good" money. He could be demanding more than that right now at a big club. If he thinks about leaving in a year or two he will rue the day he signed this.
If those figures are real isn't that a pretty shitty deal for Kane ? Stuck until 2024 on "good" money. He could be demanding more than that right now at a big club. If he thinks about leaving in a year or two he will rue the day he signed this.
He's not 'stuck' till 2024. The likelihood is that in the next year or so he'll be offered a bumper deal to update his contract, probably up to over 200,000.
Why would he rue the day? He's obviously happy if he signs the contracts. He's probably not hugely money obsessed (and hardly going to be struggling on that money) and lives a fairly quiet life with his childhood sweetheart.
He'll regret more the fact that he might not have won much when he retires, I think. He's always got the chance when he enters his thirties to go elsewhere for a last big contract or two where he can make millions.
I meant stuck in the sense that if he does want to experience something else, 4 years running on a contract is a hard starting point to negotiate an exit. Of course if he intends to only play for Spurs his whole career, then he'll go from bumper deal to bumper deal. He should be careful not to do a Zaha and finds himself tied down somewhere he no longer wants to be. Granted Spurs are far from being Palace but you get what i mean.
Levy really does back himself into a corner valuing players so highly but also refusing to pay them what (he believes) they're worth, to his credit he's managed to keep the situation in check quite well for longer than you would expect but it seems to be coming home to roost a bit now.
Don't really know what to make to him if I'm honest, in some ways I think he's done fantastic but in other ways I think he can be quite ridiculous, like haggling over transfers until deadline day or very late giving the playing squad a disadvantage Vs rivals who got business done early.
Don't really know what to make to him if I'm honest, in some ways I think he's done fantastic but in other ways I think he can be quite ridiculous, like haggling over transfers until deadline day or very late giving the playing squad a disadvantage Vs rivals who got business done early.
Levy's tactics in football business work for smaller clubs, I think this style will not translate well for a team that wants to stay at the top of the PL though.
Either he changes his approach, or Spurs just go back where they were before Poch.
Either he changes his approach, or Spurs just go back where they were before Poch.
I dont think they'll fall to the middle of the table. They still have more money than most teams, and the draw of living in London. I think they'll just fall back to what they were during the late 2000s and early 2010s-finishing in the top 6 or so consistently, but usually missing out on Champions League.
The situations with Rose, Alderweireld, and Eriksen have made it pretty clear that Levy is more than willing to keep unhappy players stick around on relatively cheap contracts. Maybe he would sell Kane for a reasonable fee if he wants out, but there's no reason to expect it.
I agree. I think he missed his window by not investing a lot after 2017. It would've been a bit of a financial risk, but he should've done his best to tie up guys like Eriksen and Alderweireld to long term deals and bring in a few big names to boost the team. Maybe they just don't have the money for it. If so, then we should drop with the charade of calling them a big club.
I agree. Players who steps up to new levels hardly get their ambition matched there. And levy offers little choice there but to leave for abroad even then only to maybe barca, real or psg price brackets and never anywhere domestic during their prime. Works when you are hiring and unlocking hidden talents. But top top players might consider a few times before going there. Maybe thats why they struggling to get really good players in.
Worked for few years now, but will it continue? Lets see..
Why do you just make shit up? Please explain to me the situations with Toby, Rose and Eriksen..... please enlighten me.
He did and we don't, and we aren't as big a club as yourselves or United. I don't know what charade you talking about.
Nah all those contracts offers made just didn't happen.
Poor Eriksen and Toby only being offered 200k+ deals, we should have handed them both 400k p/w because that is totally sustainable for a club with our income.
I concur.
I think we need to start a gofundme for underpaid footballers.
In this thread so far Kane, Toby and Eriksen are apparently being exploited. How much further does this go? Will we find a player on *gasp* under 70 thousand a week?
Can't believe the focus for so long has been on underpaying nurses, teachers etc .. clearly the priorities have been wrong.
No ones going to buy Kane for 250million. I can see him leave for 150million tops, if he wants to. Doubt that Tottenham can deny him a move to a bigger club, after all that he's done for the club.
Its a bullshit article, how the hell would anyone know what Levy values Kane at. Kane doesn't even want to leave, click bate article.
He may eventually go, he is Spurs through and through though so not sure how likely he is to move on.
I could see 150mil, you are looking at one of, if not the best CF in the game atm.
I could see 150mil, you are looking at one of, if not the best CF in the game atm.
Alderweireld and Eriksen are leaving for free in 8 months. Both are on salaries that are far below what they could be elsewhere. They're only still at spurs because they're under contract and levy wouldn't sell them. What do you disagree with? What am I making up?
They have been offered improved contracts, its their choice that they are still on the salary they are. They are still at Spurs because no other club has even made a bid for them, please tell me who Levy has refused to sell them to? They are choosing to leave on a free for a massive contract. So I disagree with everything you are saying as you clearly have no clue what you are talking about.
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Need to get Verts situation sorted.
Don't they always start the season off quite slow?
I think they will struggle over the next years or so. Obviously going to lose big/quality players without a transfer fee. Eriksen in form is a £80m+ player, Toby has been one of the best CBs in the Prem over the last 5 years or so, be very hard to replace. Vertonghen even more so.
Lloris has already started declining and will need replacing in the next few years. Rose is still a decent player but has showed signs of slowing down and again will probably need replacing. Unless Aurier sorts himself out then they will need a RB, as KWP isn't good enough.
I think they will struggle over the next years or so. Obviously going to lose big/quality players without a transfer fee. Eriksen in form is a £80m+ player, Toby has been one of the best CBs in the Prem over the last 5 years or so, be very hard to replace. Vertonghen even more so.
Lloris has already started declining and will need replacing in the next few years. Rose is still a decent player but has showed signs of slowing down and again will probably need replacing. Unless Aurier sorts himself out then they will need a RB, as KWP isn't good enough.
Agreed. 150m seems entirely realistic. The 250m price tag is Levy's way of taking him off the market, made especially obvious by offering the information unprovoked.
It seems to be a sign of more turbulent times ahead for Spurs: a sign of things getting sufficiently bad that even Kane may decide he needs to leave. Clearly Poch and Levy recognise that the apparently necessary rebuild will need to be based around Kane if they're to stand any chance in the current market (Spurs couldn't buy and pay the wages of a superior replacement, if one even exists, for any amount of money -- their only player you could say that about).
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Don't shoot the messenger but I heard a rumour that all their problems stem from Vertonghen supposedly sleeping with Eriksen's wife and it's sent the dressing room into disarray. Apparently Poch can't solve it. This is why Vertonghen hasn't been offered a new deal. Unsure if it's true but would explain a hell of a let.
More nonsense
Could beMore nonsense
What the feck? As if they'd still be playing in the same starting XI if this was even remotely true.
It's not that hard a situation to explain. Eriksen wants to go on a free so he can make mad stacks (and wants a Madrid move) so is going to do that. Vertonghen hasn't been offered one probably because a) he's getting on a bit and b) maybe he's also doing the same thing as Toby and Eriksen.
There's no need for weird rumours.
Just thought I would share, no harm done. Personally I don't believe it either, a Spurs mate sent it me.
I'm pretty sure it all just stems from some bloke on twitter. Nothing in it.
Don't even think it would remotely make sense, if someone shagged your wife you wouldn't be playing them together
.I'm pretty sure it all just stems from some bloke on twitter. Nothing in it.
Don't even think it would remotely make sense, if someone shagged your wife you wouldn't be playing them together
This sounds like one of those 'my mates mates friends gf's sister works for a real estate agent in x city and x player was looking at houses'.