Jump directly to the content
Exclusive
thierry henry

If Tottenham want to be a big club, then they have to start acting like a big club

Arsenal legend warns Spurs of the dangers of counting the pennies while building a new stadium - and he should know

TO DANIEL LEVY, as we say in French, chapeau bas! Hats off. Well done.

The Tottenham I knew before and the Tottenham I know now — the change is outstanding.

 Danny Rose hit out at Tottenham's lack of transfers in a SunSport exclusive
8
Danny Rose hit out at Tottenham's lack of transfers in a SunSport exclusiveCredit: PA:Press Association
 Spurs full-back Rose apologised for his comments
8
Spurs full-back Rose apologised for his commentsCredit: Richard Pelham - The Sun

But they are dancing with the big boys now. And if you want to be a big club, you have to act like a big club.

I know from my own experience it is so hard to compete financially when you are building a new stadium.

But what happened at Arsenal? Everybody left!

Now Kyle Walker is already gone. Danny Rose has talked about it to The Sun. Eric Dier never denied anything about Manchester United.

At some point, if you don’t match the wages on offer at other clubs, and don’t bring titles, it’s going to be difficult to keep Rose, Dier, Harry Kane and Dele Alli.

Tottenham have an amazing starting 11 — but do they have an amazing squad?

 Spurs do not pay Harry Kane his market value
8
Spurs do not pay Harry Kane his market valueCredit: Getty
 Davinson Sanchez is Tottenham's only signing of the summer
8
Davinson Sanchez is Tottenham's only signing of the summerCredit: AFP

Signing Davinson Sanchez from Ajax is a start, but only a start. He’s a defender and Spurs have the best defence anyway. There are other areas that need improving.

If those guys don’t win stuff and  are still on way less wages — although don’t get me wrong, it’s still massive money for everyone else —  they are going to start  looking at other options.

They’re not my rules. They are just THE rules.

You might have one season where you surprise people but, if you want to be among the big clubs, then you have to act like one. That is why this season is so important for Tottenham.

I know moving to the new stadium is part of a plan to build long-lasting success. But spending a season at Wembley brings its own problems.

What Spurs experienced last year in the Champions League at Wembley is like what happened when Arsenal did the same.

Rival teams raise their game at such a famous stadium and the atmosphere is different.

 Daniel Levy has only opened the chequebook for one player this summer
8
Daniel Levy has only opened the chequebook for one player this summerCredit: EPA
 Thierry Henry thinks Spurs need to change the way they are run
8
Thierry Henry thinks Spurs need to change the way they are runCredit: AFP
 Eric Dier did not speak about Manchester Uniteds interest
8
Eric Dier did not speak about Manchester Uniteds interestCredit: Getty

The pitch is also bigger than at the Lane. For a team like Spurs, you’d think it would be easier to open up teams.

But don’t underestimate knowing your surroundings. It’s key in football.

When teams move to a new stadium, they struggle.  Arsenal did not have a great record when we first went to the Emirates.

At least Spurs will be playing every home game at Wembley. They will get used to it — the question is, how quickly?

Chelsea will try to take advantage of that today. Second game or not, it doesn’t matter.

It’s Tottenham v Chelsea. They don’t really like each other, no matter what.

 England star Kyle Walker was allowed to join Manchester City
8
England star Kyle Walker was allowed to join Manchester CityCredit: Getty

Don’t forget, Chelsea have stopped Spurs winning the title two years in a row now.

I don’t think it’s a crisis at Chelsea.   If it had stayed 10 v 11 against Burnley last week, I think they would have come back.

And what better way to rectify that than at Wembley against Tottenham?

But if I’m Tottenham, I’m like, ‘Hey, there’s trouble over there. Let’s put them six points behind us — and  put a stamp on that Wembley thing’.

So there’s a lot at stake and I expect a big game.



Keep up to date with all the latest news, gossip, rumours and done deals in SunSport's live transfer blog

Topics