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Tottenham and the missing £40M

3 min read
by The Fighting Cock
You’re probably expecting this article to a be a lengthy breakdown about the amount of TV revenue, sponsorship, merchandise and prize money lost from being unceremoniously dumped out of our well earned Champions League place? It’s not. That breakdown can be found in great detail elsewhere. There is another way to generate that amount of […]

You’re probably expecting this article to a be a lengthy breakdown about the amount of TV revenue, sponsorship, merchandise and prize money lost from being unceremoniously dumped out of our well earned Champions League place? It’s not. That breakdown can be found in great detail elsewhere. There is another way to generate that amount of money, and Levy has been trying to generate it for the last few seasons – cut the deadwood.

Now before anyone says a thing, this is obviously easier said than done. There are players that we have been trying to shift for 2 or 3 successive transfer windows (I’m looking at you Dos Santos and Bentley). Daniel Levy has quite rightly always tried to recoup as much as possible from the original transfer fees, and in the case of Dos Santos, he is seemingly trying to employ a ‘double or quits’ tactic. However, we can sell as many as 6, 7 or even 8 players, without significantly damaging our squad. It could be time for Levy to have a 30% sale at White Hart Lane, and generate some income that could be used for transfer, or more importantly, to increase our wage cap to nearer £100k p/w

Jenas, Bentley, Dos Santos, Bassong, Corulka, Kranjcar- Six players right there that are still on our books and picking up a pay cheque signed by Daniel Levy. Ok, Corulka and Bassong went out on loan, so we weren’t paying their wages, but surely all of the above players are likely to, finally, leave White Hart Lane this summer? Even at a knock down price of £4M each there is £28M worth of footballer on that list, probably more like £35M knowing how Levy conducts his business. That’s some of your Champions league loss right there.

[typography font=”PT Sans” size=”20″ size_format=”px” color=”#222222[/linequote]If we can ship these players out there is money coming in to make up some of the lost Champions League money. Chances are only some of this will ever be reinvested in the squad, the rest will be put away for a rainy day, when the new stadium needs a sliding roof.[/typography]

Factor in the wages and bonuses of some of these players and it becomes even more money. If each of these players is on £35k p/w that is another £10.9M, most likely it may actually be nearer £13M.

Sell this little lot and potentially there is £28M in the kitty and £210k p/w in wages. That goes a long way towards meeting the increased wage demands on our key players, such as Bale, and possibly Modric, with virtually no impact in terms of affecting our squad.

Oh, and let’s not forget Pienaar. Another £4M at least and a he is rumoured to be on around £60k p/w. Nelsen isn’t likely to be here next season, and depending on signings Saha will most likely be off. Cudiccini, Gomes? Little money in terms of transfer income, but potentially another £70k p/w saved on wages. Gallas will probably stay another season, but he is also rumoured to be on £70k p/w.

If we can ship these players out there is money coming in to make up some of the lost Champions League money. Chances are only some of this will ever be reinvested in the squad, the rest will be put away for a rainy day, when the new stadium needs a sliding roof. However, with Dawson and Huddlestone returning, plus Caulker, and possibly Naughton, likely to be on the fringes of the first team, we have good cover in all but a few positions.

Plus the signing of Jan Vertonghen looks likely, and at between £9-12M it seems like great value for the Ajax captain and Dutch player of the year. He steps in to replace Nelsen and Bassong.

Obviously forwards are the guys who will command hefty transfer fees and wages, and as per usual we have been linked with every striker under the sun. The sticking point has always been wages, with most fans believing that we have the potential to spend £25M IF the right striker is available.

Getting rid of the players rotting away on our bench and in our reserves will free up wages to reward our current squad, as well as giving us much needed transfer funds to keep competing at the top of the table.

I think this could be the window where Levy finally cuts his losses and lets some of these players go at less than he would have previously wanted.

[author name=”Sibs” avatar=”https://twimg0-a.akamaihd.net/profile_images/1991260449/image.jpg” twitter=”SibsTHFC” tag=”Sibs[/linequote]

All views and opinions expressed in this article are the views and opinions of the writer and do not necessarily represent the views of The Fighting Cock. We offer a platform for fans to commit their views to text and voice their thoughts. Football is a passionate game and as long as the views stay within the parameters of what is acceptable, we encourage people to write, get involved and share their thoughts on the mighty Tottenham Hotspur.

26 Comments

  1. Eughine Dunnion
    30/05/2012 @ 8:04 pm

    Basically, its exactly what I was talking about in my new blog yesterday: http://supersubfootball.blogspot.co.uk/

  2. steve bonham
    30/05/2012 @ 8:09 pm

    SIBS. TOTALLY AGREE WIV U, WE NEED TO GET RID OFF THE RUBBISH AND LIKE U SAID USE THE FUNDS TO REINVEST NEW TALENT TO TAKE US TO THE NXT LEVEL. . BUT WILL DANIEL LEVY AV THE FORSIGHT TO DO THIS B4 ITS TO LATE, WE MUST MOVE ON AND UPWARDS. ITS WOT WE SPURS FANS DESERVE. THERE,S NO BETTER FAN BASE IN LONDON THAN OURS. BUT WE NEED TO DO THIS ASAP. AND NOT STAND STILL. WERE NOT THAT FAR OF. LETS RCOGNISE WHO WE NEED STOP PUSSY FOOTIN AROUND AND DO THE DEALS… C O Y S!

  3. oldgaz
    30/05/2012 @ 8:18 pm

    Fully agree and getting rid of these passengers frees up space for kids like Carroll and Caulker to get their chance. Levy seems happy to pay these deadlegs fortunes to effectively contribute nothing but at the same time seems honour bound to haggle for weeks with other clubs for silly amounts. What a man! My hero.

  4. alf
    30/05/2012 @ 8:46 pm

    What do we get for the millions of pounds we pay the deadwood players?
    Money down the drain. Then we complain we cannot afford to pay top wages.
    No wonder when we dole out cash to Bentley, Gio, and Jenas to do nothing each week.
    £5million a year just on wages for those three. What a waste of money.
    Free transfers for all of them shrinks the wage bill instantly.

  5. richie
    30/05/2012 @ 8:48 pm

    It is easier said than done. The players are all on very good contracts. None of them are prepared to accept less. None of the clubs that might be willing to buy them are prepared to match what they are on, so they just refuse deals and stay picking up wages to do nothing.

  6. Steve
    30/05/2012 @ 8:49 pm

    What a downer that Rodgers is going to be the manager of Liverpool. I was so hoping that Spurs would get him. It is the worst news all season. What chance have Spurs got now with a manager who is disinterested in developing the young Spurs players and a chairman who is disinterested in buying new players. I think that is the end of the road for this current squad. I cannot see Spurs getting higher than sixth next season with Redknapp and Levy in charge.

  7. ChiSpur
    30/05/2012 @ 9:21 pm

    Pretty sure we were lining up aguero a little while ago for £32m before city waffed the folding under his nose – where has this gone? Yes get rid of the dead wood, but remember we need some crap players for the Europa League! I think sessegnon should be a definite purchase if we lose modric, hoilett even if Bale stays. More starts for Defoe (second highest goal scorer at the club, and mostly only playing 20mins a pop). I think the clock is ticking on Arry. So disappointed he didn’t get the England job – he would have made a pigs ear of it, but at least we would have got rid and made a few nuggets in the process. Would love to see what Martinez could do with a budget…

  8. sibs
    30/05/2012 @ 9:25 pm

    Khumalo!

    Forgot about him!

    Add another £200k and £15k p/w on to those numbers!

    Also don’t forget to sign up for the forum and join the debate on who should stay or go, here

    http://www.thefightingcock.co.uk/forum/

  9. richie
    30/05/2012 @ 9:46 pm

    Khumalo looked fantastic at the world cup. Shame we couldn’t have got him a loan to a side that would actually play him. I don’t see how he can look great on the world stage but fail to get games in the Championship. I’m not in favour of selling a player when he hasn’t even had a chance. He is unlikely to be on much of a wage either considering where he came from.

  10. Ken
    30/05/2012 @ 10:01 pm

    you need a doctor if you think you can get an average of £4m for piss-poor players like – Jenas, Bentley, Dos Santos, Bassong, Corulka, Kranjcar. Jenas/Bentley/Corluka/Bassong are all under £2m. All are on too big wages for ‘smaller’ clubs to buy. Bottom line – one or two will leave, the rest we’re stuck with. Classic Shit Redknapp buys! Champions League? We’re ‘avin a laff!

  11. GoonerDave
    30/05/2012 @ 11:33 pm

    Let me get this straight.
    Selling 7 of your players earns you the CL revenue? Thats absolutely ridiculous. You could and possibly should sell those players whether you qualify or not! You are deluded if you truly believe that it equates to earning the CL money.
    Modric will likely leave, Bale and VdV may also leave. Sell those 7 players on top, and you may not have a first 11 to put out.
    How can anybody with a brain possibly come up with this?
    Be realistic. Try to keep your best players. Dont sell too many, as your squad is quite thin and the best 11 is already over-used to the point of exhaustion. You have too many old defenders, and no striker as yet.
    What an utterly ridiculous article, credit your readers with a bit more intelligence.

  12. ColinSC
    31/05/2012 @ 12:50 am

    sad to say it but I have to agree with a gooner on this. We need tokeep at least partially useful contributers to the team anyone that just wont be played has to go (if possible). We need to keep JD as replacing him would be too expensive. We need to expand the squad and rotate it to keep the players fresh.

  13. sibs
    31/05/2012 @ 12:54 am

    I didn’t say that it earn you CL revenue… I said that it would generate around the same amount as CL revenue… at least in the short term.

    No way Modric Bale and VDV will leave. Now who is being ridiculous. Modric yes… we’ve all accepted that.

    “Be realistic. Try to keep your best players”

    That’s the point, they aren’t our best players, a couple of them barely made a first team appearance.

    If we get Vertonghen and Caulker comes back then our ageing back line is sorted… Caulker, Vertonghen, Dawson, with the ageing King and Gallas. 5 CBs… will probably do.

    Striker? Yep, we’re fucked if we don’t get anyone. So logic would suggest that we shift some players so that we can spend a little more and get a couple of quality players in.

    As for £2M? really? nice trolling. Point is that even if they ALL go for FREE we are freeing up probably around £12M in wages for players who hardly played last season.

    • Matt
      31/05/2012 @ 9:45 am

      Forgetting Kaboul when talking about defenders, so that’t 6 CBs (all of a good quality, even if some are a little old), even if we let Nelson and Khumalo go and that’s before you even start thinking of youth…

  14. sibs
    31/05/2012 @ 1:10 am

    Player – Appearances

    Gomes – 3 (1 LC, 2 EL)
    Dos Santos – 13 (7 in PL – nearly always as sub – from memory)
    Bassong – 12 (5 in PL)
    Kranjcar – 16 (12 in PL)
    Cudicini – 11 (0 in PL)
    Jenas – 0
    Bentley – 0
    Corluka – 8 (3 PL)
    Pienaar – 10 (2 in PL)

    Bassong will be replaced with Vertonghen
    We are meant to be looking for Friedel’s long term replacement so one of Cudicini/Gomes can go

    Kranjcar, Jenas, Dos Santos – prob wont all go. No room in the squad for all three really. Keep one or sell them all and find a decent winger as a replacement

    Bentley – would love him to be the player he could have been, but think that boat has sailed. we do need cover for RW though.

    Corluka – Hearts not in it. Let him go. Naughton can act as cover for RB… and LB

  15. sibs
    31/05/2012 @ 1:17 am

    9 players – 27 PL appearances between them.

  16. brian
    31/05/2012 @ 4:21 am

    While I appreciate that mr.Levy has to be prudent,with Tottenham’s finances.The Vertoghen saga,seems to be drawN out,like many of Mr.Levy’s negoiations.The player has stated he prefers us ,to our french neighbours.And yet the deal,is stil not completed.We will,probably miss out yet again.Sell some of our star palyers,and then be left floundering to get players in a couple of weeks prior to the season opening.In other words,we have not learned a thing,from prevous seasons.I just sincerely hope,that Im am proved wrong.

  17. Gooders
    31/05/2012 @ 9:04 am

    Excellent article and something we needed to do last season.
    Out- Gomes,Corluka, Corluka,Kranjcar,Dos Santos, Pienaar,Bentley,King(ouch hurts but true), Jenas, Bassong.
    There is 10 players maybe 8 of which we will get fees for, as for Cudicini and King a big save on wages, but get Ledley coaching- love him but why do we keep hoping he can string more than 3 games a month together?
    Buy Butland, Vertonghan, Damaio and Adebayor!!!! Come on the Spurs…..

    • richie
      31/05/2012 @ 3:04 pm

      You ingrate. King will be handed a new deal. He has been a loyal servant to this club and will be treated as such not dis guarded with the surplus. He played 23 times last season and apart from one or two bad performances was his usual excellent self not only playing well but making those around him play better. It is close to blasphemous that you put him in a list with deadwood.

      • Tefo
        03/06/2012 @ 9:34 am

        Spot on mate!!! Here I was thinking that i was the only one of that opinion. King had a bad run of games toward the end of the season, but during the first half of the season he was class as usual!! I hate how people are giving him sh*t for a couple of games and are quick to say his time is up. The lad was playing through injury for the club he loves, and quite frankly that is the greatest loyalty a player can show. The man may have no knees, but show some fecken loyalty to the man who has bailed us out countless times with sublime performances. COYFS

  18. jayco
    31/05/2012 @ 11:03 am

    Great article and more or less spot on.
    All of those fringe players can be offloaded for circa £25m which, along with their combined wages, gives the club £35m or so to invest in new players and topping up wages for our top stars.
    What does need to happen now and for a number of reasons, is to secure the signings of the likes of Vertonghan, Adebyor and Remy or Damaio (if poss) to show Bale, VDV etc, but more importantly to show us, the fans, that we mean business. If we need to pay a percentage more to get it done then just pay it.
    Added to that the club needs to grow some balls and go for it by throwing some more money down and buy 2-3 other top players if they really want Champions League football again in the near future. I’d start with buying Butland; (we need a decent young keeper to support, and soon replace Friedel and Cudicini). I d go for Adam Johnson who’s surplus to requirements at City, a proven Prem performer, and would offer an alternative to just Bale and Lennon but fit into Harry’s ‘system’.
    Most importantly, if Modric goes, which seems likely, we need to replace him with a similar type, and if we can get £35-£40m for him we would have plenty of money to do so.
    I’d keep Defoe and Saha as the 3rd + 4th strikers as they are both capable and would save any further spending.
    This is the transfer window where we need to make the bold moves in order to take us up to the highest level. If not, more years of frustration awaits

  19. hoddle
    31/05/2012 @ 12:56 pm

    I would say 28 mil is a bit over inflated maybe 20mil to us factoring in some of the clauses and fee’s.
    All in all 2 world class players selling 6 or 7 would be of more benefit to the team as long as harry is in charge.
    We need to get the J.V done in a week or so otherwise the scum will have him and it may signal the start of the exodus.
    Nice article — C.O.Y.S

  20. Gus
    31/05/2012 @ 1:23 pm

    With reported interest in Defoe, bounce him too. If HR stays Defoe will be buried on the bench (he even lost his place on the pecking order to Saha FFS!). Corluka, Gomes, Dos Santos, Pienaar (why can’t he play for us the way he did for the Toffees?), Bentley, Jenas, Bassong, all offers considered, at a reasonable price to good homes. If we can bring one or two of the juniors through to make contributions like Livermore and Walker have then things are looking up. If Ade isn’t coming then pick up Ba, splash out for JV and Damiao, perhaps even do a sneaky grab for Hoilett (he isn’t going to get much playing time at Arse) to share time with Lennon. We need to spend a bit to try to keep our best players happy and the time is now to clear the decks

  21. amf00769
    31/05/2012 @ 3:24 pm

    In principle I agree in theory with you and the players named save 1 exception Kranjcar who I believe we should keep especially if Modric goes. I would add Pienaar as I don’t think that we will ever get him to play for us as he does for Everton as he suffers from the big fish in the little pond syndrome.
    Other premiership managers know that we want a clearout and therefore aren’t rushing in as they want to leave it as late as possible to try and quite rightly get the best deal for themselves.
    Levy needs to speculate now and without going mad start signing now!

  22. akshayaalase
    31/05/2012 @ 4:19 pm

    Tottenham hotspure letest transfer target and budget allociation some replaces sell 1.corulka-6million 2.rose 3.5 million 3.bassong-4million 4.kranjar 7million 5.bentlay 5.5 6.jenas 5million =31miilion i think 4 milllion to hazard buy

  23. Dave
    01/06/2012 @ 6:43 pm

    We wouldn’t be left with much if we sold all these. I think continuity is important to us now. Almost every Spurs fan is forgetting we just equalled our best ever Premiership finish

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