Players like Harry Kane: Do you respect them for going down with the ship, or are they wasting their careers?

FujiVice

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I think Kane will turn out to be like Van Persie. He trusted Arsenal to the point where it got ridiculous and moved on. Kane making waves about leaving are a worry for Spurs.
 

RashyForPM

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How can it be our progress when we arent any better off points wise than the general median of the managers who came before?

13/14 season after 30 games = 48 pts
14/15 season after 30 games = 59 pts
15/16 season after 30 games = 50 pts
16/17 season after 30 games = 55 pts
17/18 season after 30 games = 65 pts
18/19 season after 30 games = 58 pts
19/20 season after 30 games = 46 pts
20/21 season after 30 games = 60 pts

Where is this "progress" you speak of? If you mean Ole didnt go 7 wins in 27 games over this season and last, then yes. That is progress I suppose.

Now lets look at Spuds

13/14 season after 30 games = 53 pts
14/15 season after 30 games = 53 pts
15/16 season after 30 games = 58 pts
16/17 season after 30 games = 65 pts
17/18 season after 30 games = 61 pts
18/19 season after 30 games = 61 pts
19/20 season after 30 games = 42 pts
20/21 season after 30 games = 46 pts

Jose might be having a mare, but generally they are not that far away from our totals over the years. So, yeah. Im not seeing where you and others are getting that we are great improvement over spuds?

Seriously, enough with the excuses. You can support the team without ignoring the facts. We are not a very good team right now. We have our moments, but thats it. The glory days are gone and they wont be coming back any time soon if we all delude ourselves that everything is fine. As you can see from the above points totals, we arent in 2nd because we got better. Everyone else got worse. And thats only a positive if they stay worse over the coming seasons.
Who cares about 30 games, points tallies since 2013-14 and the fact that you conveniently only included the seasons after Fergie’s retirement? Might as well go back to the 1990s.

Bottom line, we’re about to finish above Spurs for the second season in a row and we have a better squad. I’ve already said that we are second favourites to City to sign him, and you said Spurs are his boyhood club, so why would he stay in London and go to a rival if he was to leave?

Why would his chances of winning a trophy be enhanced if he came? Well, because Spurs had their best team ever under Poch from 2015-19, and somehow still didn’t win a single thing, while we are improving and even in our awful seasons, still won 3 trophies.
 

RashyForPM

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Kane has been there, done that as far as the bolded is concerned and it didn't end well for him.

I highly doubt he'd be interested in another "project", especially not at a club he has no personal affiliation with.
Going by all the reports from Sky and The Athletic, the past few years have made him reevaluate. Key seems to be that he has to play in the CL. If City goes for someone else, why not us? He clearly wants to break Shearer’s record too.
 

DizeeGorilla20

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Dani Alves pretty much summed up my thoughts when he said "You have to be selfish because the clubs don't think of you once you don't produce results, as I am an example of. "

As fans we only expect loyalty in one direction and that is towards us, from the players we deem good enough to play for the club but as soon as a player becomes surplus to requirements, clubs will not hesitate to ship them off as soon an acceptable offer comes.

Someone like Phil Jones has been with the club for about 10 years now but if United decided to terminate his contract tomorrow, I'm pretty sure the reaction from most fans would be, "It's about time" yet when it's a player in their prime (eg. Pogba) looking at their club and thinking, "you know what, I can do better than this" then the narrative changes to, "He's a snake, mercenary, no loyalty, greedy etc."

Players like Rio, Vidic, Evra, Cleverly, Welbeck, Rafael, Valencia, Evans etc. who all either gave their best years to the club or grew up with the club were all quickly dismissed when the (mostly new) managers decided that they wanted nothing to do with them. Where was the loyalty for them?

If Kane was a 5-10 goal a season striker as opposed to a 30 goal a season one, would Spurs still move mountains to keep him, academy player or not? I don't think so. Hell, Real Madrid sold Cristiano Ronaldo as soon as it didn't make sense to keep him on the books.

So no, I don't think players owe clubs any loyalty and objectively, I think it's foolish to give it to them. As an outside observer, I would say go to where your talents get you the most money and give you the highest chance of winning trophies because football clubs will always put their interests first and players should rightfully be able to do the same.

All I ask, as a fan, is that whilst you do play for my club, you remain professional and always give your best.
 
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DizeeGorilla20

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Yeah, if I were a professional player, I would take a whole career at my club over playing for another team to win trophies. Only exception would possibly be at 30+ going aboard to try a new environment.
Let's pretend the club you support is not Manchester United but rather a Wigan Athletic or MK Dons but your talents were good enough to have you in the first team of a Bayern Munich or Real Madrid. Would this still ring true? (also taking into account that your salary would massively under the market rate)
 

van Persie

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I have no idea honestly as with Alan Shearer I've been thinking he "wasted" his career in a way previously but with Kane I sort of appreciate his loyalty to Spuds. I think that's because it's more hard to find these days and I was younger back when Shearer was playing.

Both could easily have requested a move and won more titles, while making more money elsewhere but would it outweigh the love and loyalty in trying to win something with the club you truly want to play for? It hardly did much for Bale in terms of legacy. I don't think the story about Harry Kane would be any better had he gone to say Real Madrid and won the league and a Champions League.
 

Red Comet

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It's up to the players isn't it? Some players value trophies and achievements while others value the connection with their club and staying will make them legends even if they win nothing. I have lots of respects for people like Matt Le Tissier and Gabriel Bautistua.
 

Champagne Football

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I'm sure Kane would be open to leaving but when Levy says 'no problem as long as someone greases my palms with 150 million quid'.....then that usually ends that conversation. Then of course Kane will more than likely not run down his contract at Spurs due to his love for the club.

Everything points to Kane not really having an option but to stay unless Man City can offer some top players like Liam Delap and Bernardo Silva in exchange plus a rake of cash.
 

duffer

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I have no idea honestly as with Alan Shearer I've been thinking he "wasted" his career in a way previously but with Kane I sort of appreciate his loyalty to Spuds. I think that's because it's more hard to find these days and I was younger back when Shearer was playing.

Both could easily have requested a move and won more titles, while making more money elsewhere but would it outweigh the love and loyalty in trying to win something with the club you truly want to play for? It hardly did much for Bale in terms of legacy. I don't think the story about Harry Kane would be any better had he gone to say Real Madrid and won the league and a Champions League.
I'm never sure why Shearer gets used in these sort of conversations about loyalty.

He started his career by moving the length of the country to join Southampton, then moved to sugar daddy club Blackburn and then, when they got a bit shit, moved to Newcastle.

Picking Newcastle over Man United was a move based on sentiment but he certainly didn't stick with any club out of loyalty.
 

thepolice123

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I'm never sure why Shearer gets used in these sort of conversations about loyalty.

He started his career by moving the length of the country to join Southampton, then moved to sugar daddy club Blackburn and then, when they got a bit shit, moved to Newcastle.

Picking Newcastle over Man United was a move based on sentiment but he certainly didn't stick with any club out of loyalty.
Tbf he did spend 4 years of his prime at Newcastle when they consistently finished at the bottom half of the table.
 

Zen86

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I like a bit of loyalty in football, it’s hard to find. That said, I’m sure Levy would have no qualms in flogging him off if the monetary gain started to outweigh the benefit of keeping him.
 

NinjaZombie

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Talking about loyalty, does anyone believe that Spurs wouldn't have replaced him with some big money signing if he didn't make a big impact in his debut years?

There's a balance to made. You can't have completely blind loyalty. I don't think anyone will accuse Kane of disloyalty if he leaves Spurs at this point.
 

kingwaynerooney

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Well I respect players who go down with the ship but harry kane is not one of them. Seems like the kind of player who is just scared of the bigger stages
 
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How can it be our progress when we arent any better off points wise than the general median of the managers who came before?

13/14 season after 30 games = 48 pts
14/15 season after 30 games = 59 pts
15/16 season after 30 games = 50 pts
16/17 season after 30 games = 55 pts
17/18 season after 30 games = 65 pts
18/19 season after 30 games = 58 pts
19/20 season after 30 games = 46 pts
20/21 season after 30 games = 60 pts

Where is this "progress" you speak of? If you mean Ole didnt go 7 wins in 27 games over this season and last, then yes. That is progress I suppose.
Bit daft timing this @Norman Brownbutter, it's currently our second best season by some distance since SAF retired, and we have a great chance to win the EL.

Only Mourinho's second season beats it in the league and we ended up trophyless that season and we're about to outscore that season, yes it's an "if", but if we finish on our predicted 76 points (hell, there's every chance we nudge 80), in 2nd place, outscore the 2017-2018 team and win a European title, it'll be clearly the best season by far since Fergie.

What is certain is that Spurs have been on a massive downward spiral since a few months before that CL final, both Poch and Mourinho have been helpless to stop it and I don't see Levy giving anyone a 200m quid Summer to fix it like United do with every new gaffer. Kane has a huge decision to make.
 
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Dave Smith

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Let's pretend the club you support is not Manchester United but rather a Wigan Athletic or MK Dons but your talents were good enough to have you in the first team of a Bayern Munich or Real Madrid. Would this still ring true? (also taking into account that your salary would massively under the market rate)
Ok, if it was a club like that, then yes, I would probably reverse it. Big club then to my club at an older age. However, if the club were say a Norwich type yo, yo club, I would probably still play for them.

Obviously, it is easy for me to say this not being a professional footballer and in the position to make such a decision.
 

ForeverRed1

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If your as good as him and you never win a trophy that’s what you will always be remembered for. you’ll always be that great player who never won anything.
 

Oldyella

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Dani Alves pretty much summed up my thoughts when he said "You have to be selfish because the clubs don't think of you once you don't produce results, as I am an example of. "

As fans we only expect loyalty in one direction and that is towards us, from the players we deem good enough to play for the club but as soon as a player becomes surplus to requirements, clubs will not hesitate to ship them off as soon an acceptable offer comes.

Someone like Phil Jones has been with the club for about 10 years now but if United decided to terminate his contract tomorrow, I'm pretty sure the reaction from most fans would be, "It's about time" yet when it's a player in their prime (eg. Pogba) looking at their club and thinking, "you know what, I can do better than this" then the narrative changes to, "He's a snake, mercenary, no loyalty, greedy etc."

Players like Rio, Vidic, Evra, Cleverly, Welbeck, Rafael, Valencia, Evans etc. who all either gave their best years to the club or grew up with the club were all quickly dismissed when the (mostly new) managers decided that they wanted nothing to do with them. Where was the loyalty for them?

If Kane was a 5-10 goal a season striker as opposed to a 30 goal a season one, would Spurs still move mountains to keep him, academy player or not? I don't think so. Hell, Real Madrid sold Cristiano Ronaldo as soon as it didn't make sense to keep him on the books.

So no, I don't think players owe clubs any loyalty and objectively, I think it's foolish to give it to them. As an outside observer, I would say go to where your talents get you the most money and give you the highest chance of winning trophies because football clubs will always put their interests first and players should rightfully be able to do the same.

All I ask, as a fan, is that whilst you do play for my club, you remain professional and always give your best.
Totally agree.
 

Norman Brownbutter

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Bit daft timing this @Norman Brownbutter, it's currently our second best season by some distance since SAF retired, and we have a great chance to win the EL.

Only Mourinho's second season beats it in the league and we ended up trophyless that season and we're about to outscore that season, yes it's an "if", but if we finish on our predicted 76 points (hell, there's every chance we nudge 80), in 2nd place, outscore the 2017-2018 team and win a European title, it'll be clearly the best season by far since Fergie.

What is certain is that Spurs have been on a massive downward spiral since a few months before that CL final, both Poch and Mourinho have been helpless to stop it and I don't see Levy giving anyone a 200m quid Summer to fix it like United do with every new gaffer. Kane has a huge decision to make.
Not at all, the numbers are there to be seen. Theres been no dramatic improvement in any part of the season compared to others. Even the drift from first place to a distance second was the sameish points tally of others. We have not improved. Everyone else just got worse. Liverpool alone dropped off a cliff and have seemingly hit terminal velocity. If its a positive youre looking for, you can say its something that we didnt get worse because of covid. Although, the football itself is still mostly boring to watch. Which is an issue for me.
 

OutlawGER

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Respect.

It's much harder to achieve great goals with a lesser team, but it is also much more worth if you actually do it with your team instead with a team which wins trophys anyways.
 

Offside!

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I respect players whatever they decide.

They may be wealthy footballers but just like all of us they are complex human beings who do not deserve to be disrespected over a decision to join another club or not.

Harry Kane is a fantastic footballer who will be remembered as such by me whether he wins trophies or not, stay at Spurs or not.
 

Halftrack

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Not at all, the numbers are there to be seen. Theres been no dramatic improvement in any part of the season compared to others. Even the drift from first place to a distance second was the sameish points tally of others. We have not improved. Everyone else just got worse. Liverpool alone dropped off a cliff and have seemingly hit terminal velocity. If its a positive youre looking for, you can say its something that we didnt get worse because of covid. Although, the football itself is still mostly boring to watch. Which is an issue for me.
You're a right miserable (and wrong) git.
 

Adisa

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I don't respect for the 'loyalty' angle. Football is a profession. It should be the aim of every professional in any line of work to reach the height of what they can be. If you support and can play for a club that offers the opportunity to make money, win trophies etc, then good for you. But if you have the talent to be among the best but decide to stay at a small club that offers none of those things, to me smacks of a player that likes being comfortable and not willing to test himself.
 

Abraxas

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Definitely respect, because it's a rare condition for a player to want to stay at a club where it is meaningful to him but he knows he has to sacrifice. Most players do not appear to be connected to a club in this way. It's more of a business transaction and then the connection may or may not come later.

Maybe to a player like Kane or Totti cups are secondary to playing for a club you love. How can that be called a waste? If he goes and wins the PL at City maybe that wouldn't mean that much to him and therefore it's a hard decision to leave Tottenham. Is it actually that impressive for a top class striker to go to City just for a medal, why is that worthy of adoration or applause from a fan? So the question is one of whether it is meaningful to the player, and in a few select players the answer may be no - I would say they are more of a free thinker than most.

Obviously there are limitations to this, they still want to have a good career and play for a good club, I don't think Kane would have stayed at Shrewsbury if that was his boyhood club, getting paid 1k a week. But he's at a very good football club.
 

UNITED ACADEMY

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Shearer & Totti won the league though. So those two probably never have the situation to choose between no trophy or winning at least one major trophy. Kane's situation is different, he's already in his prime age and hasn't win the league or even small cup trophy.

End of the day, it's just professional job. In job, you have two choices, be in your comfort zone and happy with your salary as it's good enough to feed your family or try new challenge and aim higher. I don't think I can disrespect and respect people like that, some people have their own preference.
 

Lennon7

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Has there been a comparable example? Matt Le Tiss maybe? Kane’s the worst for this in recent memory, he’d clean up at a bigger club.

I mean, Spurs are quite a big club but Kane’s one of the best in the world. Clubs like Spurs usually don’t keep those players - even we can’t sometimes!
 

jeff gurr

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He is a London boy with a young children & has his friends & family around him. I'm sure he would need to think long and hard about moving his family or living in a hotel and commuting.
His career is successful but how bad does he want some silver?
His options are very limited with only a handful of clubs who can afford him & it really doesn't look like Spurs are going to win anything in the near future.
 

Foxbatt

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Yeah it's surprising that there aren't more players who do this. Why not play in Mexico like Gignac, or Iniesta and Podolski in Japan and Turkey. Players moving to China are often accused of just doing it for the money, but why wouldn't you take that opportunity and experience life there? Not many people get the chance to do that while earning lots of money.
Because many people don't understand that there is life outside of Europe. The players who do are open to explore life and see the joys of life and culture in different places.
 

André Dominguez

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Yeah it's surprising that there aren't more players who do this. Why not play in Mexico like Gignac, or Iniesta and Podolski in Japan and Turkey. Players moving to China are often accused of just doing it for the money, but why wouldn't you take that opportunity and experience life there? Not many people get the chance to do that while earning lots of money.
Yeah, I'm pretty sure people who complain about players moving to China would totally refuse a job offer that would pay you 10 times your current wage.
 

adexkola

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I don't respect for the 'loyalty' angle. Football is a profession. It should be the aim of every professional in any line of work to reach the height of what they can be. If you support and can play for a club that offers the opportunity to make money, win trophies etc, then good for you. But if you have the talent to be among the best but decide to stay at a small club that offers none of those things, to me smacks of a player that likes being comfortable and not willing to test himself.
Eh? No it's not.

It's ok to weigh many factors in determining the best place for you to stay. That doesn't make you any lesser of a professional as long as you do your job.

I mean, how many of us are pushing in our lines of work to be #1 in the world?
 

Adisa

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Eh? No it's not.

It's ok to weigh many factors in determining the best place for you to stay. That doesn't make you any lesser of a professional as long as you do your job.

I mean, how many of us are pushing in our lines of work to be #1 in the world?
I am not saying best in the world. But if you're talented enough to do what you do on a bigger stage, staying where you are out of loyalty does not do for me.
Of course you can have other reasons for staying put, family etc but it shouldn't be out of loyalty to your employer/club. I think every top professional should have the natural desire to test themselves.
 

JSArsenal

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I think Kane will turn out to be like Van Persie. He trusted Arsenal to the point where it got ridiculous and moved on. Kane making waves about leaving are a worry for Spurs.
Come again? This is laughable. Van Persie couldn't stay fit for five minutes for years. He trusted Arsenal? Wenger should have shipped off old glass legs years ago. He was here for 8 seasons and only managed to stay fit for an entire campaign once. He didn't play more than 30 premier league games for the club in as ingle season until he was 28 and he joined when he was 18/19.

Trusted Arsenal....