Keeping Poch is even bigger than stadium
WHEN Tottenham opened their training ground back in 2012, it lifted the club to a higher level across Europe. Players who would come to sign for them couldn’t help but be impressed. The only thing that was missing was the fact that they were still playing at White Hart Lane.
Don’t get me wrong. White Hart Lane was beautiful, had an extraordinary sense of history and an amazing atmosphere at times. But it was a stadium that spoke of past greatness, of Bill Nicholson, Jimmy Greaves and Glenn Hoddle.
On Wednesday, when the new stadium finally opens, the seven months of delays will be quickly forgotten. They have just elevated themselves into an elite band of clubs in the world. The combination of this move with the fact that Mauricio Pochettino will be staying as manager means that on and off the pitch it’s becoming increasingly difficult to dispute Tottenham’s status in that group. Any prospective signing would immediately feel that this club belong in the Champions League and the European elite.
In the short term, it ought to provide the team with a lift when they need it most. They really need to go into that stadium as a Champions League club. I feared they wouldn’t, that their form would see the chasing pack overtake them. But Chelsea’s wobble, the defeat of Manchester United at Arsenal and the strangely long break Tottenham have had brings fresh hope when they need it most.
By all accounts the acoustics at the new stadium mean the noise is unlike
anywhere else. The 17,000 capacity South Stand looks set to become an iconic feature. Imagine if Spurs were to score an early goal against Manchester City in their Champions League tie next week. The place will take off.
Yet amid all the excitement, it’s important to remember Tottenham aren’t suddenly going to change. They won’t be spending £200million this summer. Their model is to buy younger players, develop them and maybe sell them. I could envisage some players leaving in the summer, with Christian Eriksen being the major departure. Remember that although gate receipts will pretty much double from £50m a season to £100m, much of that will be taken up in repayments for the stadium.
Pochettino remains the single most important man at the club. He is the biggest reason why Tottenham will be in a position to deal with Eriksen’s departure. There has never been a manager more suited to Daniel Levy’s vision for the club. Mauricio is someone who wants to work with youth and who can bring through and improve younger players. But he has earned the right to spend, too. And Tottenham have everything in place to attract the best young players. You would have to be a fairly old supporter to remember a more exciting time at the club.