Levynomics

The price of success? Not too much, hopefully. That’s the message from Spurs chairman Daniel Levy.

Some rather predictable take-homes from a recent meeting between the Spurs board and club members, in which the Tottenham chairman hinted that the side’s overperformance in the league this season, wouldn’t necessarily generate more cash for players’ wages.

The news couldn’t have been better timed. Toby Alderweireld is already thought to be dithering on a new contract and he’ll be delighted to learn that his earnings could be glass-ceilinged.

Reportedly, he’s asking for a pay increase that would see him bumped to the same wage bracket as Harry Kane, Hugo Lloris and countryman, Jan Vertonghen.

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Not an unreasonable request, you’d think, considering the Belgian is widely acknowledged to be among the finest defenders in the division. Currently he earns less than Moussa Sissoko.

Hard cheese, according to Levy. ‘They wouldn’t have had a reduction if things had gone badly,’ the Spurs chairman reasoned, presumably whilst fondling the *electrocute* button under his chair for anyone daring to question his steel trap logic.

Show me the money

Here we go again.

Daniel Levy has done plenty of fine work for Tottenham. There’s a whopping great lump of stadium-shaped concrete and steel appearing on the North London skyline, that wouldn’t be there if not for Levy’s prudent economics.

During his 16-year stewardship, Spurs have grown from a midtable club who wins nothing but for the odd League cup, to genuine title challengers.

Who, interestingly, win nothing but for the odd League Cup.

Look, the point is, Spurs are at least heading in the right direction. If they want to take that next step, however, restrictive wage barriers just won’t wash. It will neither attract the very best names or keep star performers from jumping ship.

Projects are great, but not great enough to trick Christian Eriksen and Dele Alli into thinking their salaries couldn’t be doubled elsewhere. Once you throw in the fact that Spurs don’t win anything: what other incentive is there?

It’s not like the players who’ve left Spurs for big money haven’t gone on to land every domestic and European title going. Gareth Bale and Luka Modric don’t exactly look to be hating life in Madrid right now.

It’s a frustrating cycle that Spurs need to break out of if they’re to continue their steady ascent. Pay them what they want, Daniel. Make them feel wanted. Or someone else will.