Following an impressive third-place finish in the Premier League in the 2015/16 season – having challenged Leicester City for the title for the majority of the campaign – it certainly felt as though Tottenham were approaching an exciting new era under Mauricio Pochettino.
From the start of the 2016 campaign to Christmas that year, the north London outfit tied no fewer than nine players – Harry Kane, Dele Alli, Kyle Walker, Jan Vertonghen, Christian Eriksen, Eric Dier, Hugo Lloris, Danny Rose and Michel Vorm – down to new long-term deals.
It was certainly a statement of intent that Spurs could hold on to all of their key players for a number of years to ensure that not only do they continue to compete in the Premier League, but they can also start to make waves in the Champions League on a consistent basis as well.
The 2016/17 campaign proved to be their best ever in the Premier League as they finished second and picked up 86 points – they were unfortunate that they came up against a Chelsea team that sailed away with a record-breaking 13-gam run.
Tottenham also finished above Arsenal in the Premier League for the first time since Arsene Wenger was appointed as Gunners manager in 1996, and it was a symbol that Spurs are not only a force to be reckoned with in north London, but also in general at the top of the English top flight.
Saying goodbye to the 36,284-seater White Hart Lane stadium for their new 61,559-capacity home – via a year’s residence at Wembley – it is clear to see that they are moving forward to try and establish themselves as a club that is consistently always challenging for titles and trophies.
With that ‘success’ last season comes a new pressure though, as the ego and demands of some of the Tottenham players begins to show.
Danny Rose is a prime example, and less than a year after he signed a new five-year contract with the club, he conducted an exclusive interview with The Sun in which he expressed his determination to earn a lucrative new deal – whether that be with Spurs or another club.
Hearsay was probably one of the main reasons for the 27-year-old’s outburst – players can find out what some of their teammates and international colleagues earn via the press for example – and, perhaps understandably in some cases, they feel that they deserve the same or more money.
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The Sun says that Rose currently earns around £65,000-per-week, and there is no doubt that should he join another Premier League club like Manchester United or Chelsea he would earn at least double that.
Similarly, fellow defender Toby Alderweireld is said to be demanding around £110,000-per-week – according to the Daily Mail in May – which is more than double his current £50,000-per-week wages.
The same report says that the club and chairman Daniel Levy is unwilling to break the £100,000-per-week ceiling for any new contracts, but he could face a real conundrum in the future if Tottenham start to challenge consistently, because the players will expect more and more.
The Sun reported last month that Alli is keen to become the club’s highest-paid player with a new £160,000-per-week deal, after scoring a remarkable 39 goals in 109 appearances in all competitions from an attacking midfield role.
It leaves Levy with a decision to make, and while breaking the barriers to try and push the club on may be tempting, Tottenham are known for being a well-run club. They shouldn’t turn their back on their principles for a select number of players – the likes of Kane, Lloris and Vertonghen appear to have signed on with little fuss.
In the case of Rose, Spurs have Ben Davies who has proven to be a more than capable replacement, and they would have funds to replace the 27-year-old anyhow.
Finding successors to Alderweireld and Alli may be a little more difficult, but Davinson Sanchez is already looking like a top-class defensive addition and seeing as Alli was plucked from League One, Tottenham would be confident that they could unearth another gem either in the Football League or from abroad.
Sometimes you have to be ruthless and show the players who is boss even when you are in a good situation, and if they aren’t willing to adhere to the club’s boundaries then Spurs should show them the door.
Tottenham have a model that works when it comes to player recruitment and moving others on, and now is the time to prove it.
