Waddle was a different type of player. Never a CM for a start. But that’s not to say he was not superb in 88/89 - was utterly sublime at times, his goal v Villa is one that sticks in my head.I'd take Waddle over Gazza anyday. He was utterly obscenly good in his last season at Spurs. Worst decision to sell a player ever. In the days before Bosmsn and player power too so we didn't have to. I only saw Hoddle at the tail of his Spurs career but I think most would put him above Gazza too.
Venables did not want to sell Waddle and I believe that they were offered 2 million so Venables said to go back and ask for 4 million (at the time it was huge money) and they ended up at 4.5 million. Venables, thinking all the money would come his way for team building, said yes. Sell him and thus Waddle went.
Turned out that Venables got about £800k for players and the board trousered the rest to prop up the failing commercial arms of Spurs.
Such a mess back then.