After pipping bitter rivals Arsenal to fourth place last season, then enjoyed a relatively encouraging transfer window, Spurs fans could be forgiven for thinking that 2022/23 might be the year they actually challenged for honors. However, cruel reality set in once again and the season is petering out in pitiful fashion, with the club limping out of Europe and both domestic cups, as well as seeing their top four hopes fade rapidly.
Given the chronic underachievement of the squad, it’s inevitable that rumours will swirl over the future of talisman and star striker Harry Kane once more. Although chairman Daniel Levy has staunchly resisted the advances of other clubs in the past, this summer could finally see Kane depart N17 at long last. But could that be a good thing for all involved? Here are a handful of reasons why a transfer might make sense.
Kane’s career
The first reason is also the most obvious: a transfer is quite probably the best outcome for Kane himself. The England captain is far too good a player to never lay a hand on a domestic trophy throughout his career and, despite Tottenham’s best efforts to buy success in the shape of the “serial winner” management appointments of Jose Mourinho and Antonio Conte, they haven’t come close since the days of Mauricio Pochettino. Therefore, Kane’s best chance of silverware probably lies elsewhere.
Freshening up the squad
From a fan’s perspective, there is also an argument to be made that moving on veterans of the squad such as Kane, Eric Dier and Hugo Lloris could have a beneficial impact in the long run. Of course, Kane is undoubtedly Spurs’ best player and has bailed them out of trouble on too many occasions to enumerate, but the club has been crying out for a “painful rebuild” for several years now. Allowing Kane to leave for a reasonable fee could free up funds for much-needed acquisitions, as well as allowing other attackers (such as Richarlison, Bryan Gil and possibly Arnaut Danjuma) the chance to shine.
Cash in while you can
Kane is now 29 years old and his contract is set to expire next summer. Therefore, if he doesn’t pen a new deal soon, he’ll be able to leave the club for free in a little over 12 months’ time. With most Premier League bookmakers fancying Man Utd as his likeliest next destination – and the Red Devils one of the few teams with enough money to cough up somewhere in the region of £100 million for an older player – it may make sense for the Tottenham hierarchy to cash in their chips while they can.
Reducing player power
There have been complaints from some sections of the fanbase that there is something rotten in the state of Tottenham – namely the outsized power wielded by certain members of the squad. For too long, Levy has tried to find a quick fix by replacing the manager instead of overhauling the players at their disposal. Again, Kane has repeatedly proven himself to be a consistent and dedicated performer, but removing the team’s most authoritative figure may see the dressing room influence of the players themselves diminish, thus allowing a new coach to impose his methods more easily.
Style of play
Speaking of which, a Spurs team minus Kane might actually be better placed to deploy the front-foot, high-pressing style which so many fans crave. Kane is an outstanding footballer and he excels at many things, but pressing from the front is not one of them. Richarlison, on the other hand, is; were Spurs to bring in a manager who prioritises that type of Gegenpress approach, they might find it easier to dominate opponents with the Brazilian up top instead of the Englishman.
Of course, Spurs would certainly like to keep Kane on their books if it’s possible. But if he doesn’t want to stay and a respectable offer comes in, there are reasons to believe that his departure could eventually be a blessing in disguise.
