Danny Rose interview a massive concern for Tottenham

Danny Rose threw Tottenham Hotspur under the bus in a brutal interview. The worry is that others in the Spurs squad share Rose’s opinions.

Heading into the first full week of August, Tottenham Hotspur had enjoyed a relatively quiet summer. The biggest loss Spurs suffered was the sale of right back Kyle Walker to Manchester City, a move just about anybody who follows the club expected weeks ahead of the completion of the transaction. Granted, Tottenham haven’t yet signed a signal noteworthy player, but there’s something to be said for continuity and the idea a healthy Spurs lineup has the goods to win the league.

Then, almost as if he was a double agent serving for a rival club such as Manchester United, Manchester City or Chelsea, left back Danny Rose went to Dave Kidd of the Sun to throw Spurs and Tottenham supporters underneath the figurative bus for a piece that was published less than a week before his current team opens the Premier League campaign away to Newcastle United.

Odds are you have probably caught the highlights, or lowlights depending on your point of view, of the interview ahead of the posting of this piece. For those who have been enjoying a preseason vacation or living in denial and wanting to ignore Rose’s words, the 27-year-old who hasn’t played since January and who is currently recovering from knee surgery explained he would welcome a move away from Tottenham, that he wants to win a trophy or a medal before he retires and that he feels he is underpaid.

The responses from Tottenham supporters have been about what you’d expect. Fans are outraged Rose would turn heel on the club and do so at this point of the calendar when the majority of the squad should, theoretically, be settled. They’ve been quick to point out the supposed hypocrisy of a player who hasn’t been able to contribute to Spurs for over half a year suggesting he’s worth more than he is paid. A plethora of individuals seem more than happy to open the door for Rose’s immediate exit:

Such reactions from fans who devote time and money to Tottenham are, of course, understandable. Sports produce such strong emotions. We wouldn’t care as we do if that wasn’t the case. In an ideal world, players would be as dedicated to teams as those who show up to arenas, stadiums and venues to cheer for hours at a time. That world, simply put, doesn’t exist.

The timing of Rose’s verbal betrayal couldn’t be much worse, but neither the timing nor Rose wanting to win and get paid, whether or not he does so with Spurs, are not the major talking points as it pertains to the club’s future. The biggest problem manager Mauricio Pochettino and chairman Daniel Levy face before September rolls around is that others in the squad share Rose’s attitudes and opinions.

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Success and failure, in every sport, is based on results, and it’s undeniable Spurs have won nothing for nearly a decade. Players obviously want to earn as much money as they can before they hang their boots up for good, but they also yearn to hoist trophies and take part in celebratory parades. Going through the motions every May must feel frustrating, particularly for footballers who have repeatedly done so for the majorities of their stints with a club.

Rose’s comments about his pay offered yet another painful reminder to supporters that Premier League football is a business. Does any knowledgeable individual honestly believe Deli Alli and Alli’s representatives don’t know what he is worth on the open market? Is it untrue Christian Eriksen would make more money and have greater opportunities to win titles at Barcelona rather than with Spurs? Has Levy given any real indication Tottenham are no longer a selling club?

Tottenham have been European mainstays throughout the current decade. Spurs have a working agreement with the National Football League that should be rather profitable for both entities. Roughly one year from now, Tottenham will play home games in England’s best stadium, one unlike any other venue in the world. Nobody can blame any Spurs player for no longer wanting to be paid as if they feature for a middle-of-the-table side.

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Rose going public with his concerns and frustrations was an unprofessional move and a clear step toward leaving Tottenham either this summer or in 2018. While his lack of class and maturity shouldn’t be excused, it also cannot be ignored Tottenham must work harder to keep their own happy if Spurs are to do more than merely chase trophies and the top clubs in Europe.