The highest paid player at Tottenham Hotspur- Player Wages and more
As the old adage goes, money makes the world go round, and that saying is very relevant in the mega-money world of modern-day football. Everyone from fans to analysts to the players themselves are fascinated by exactly how much today’s top players are making, and it’s a well-known fact that a wage structure can make or break a club.
One of the most interesting wage structures in the Premier League in particular is at Tottenham Hotspur. Despite being genuine title contenders and Champions League regulars since the 2015/16 season, the wage bill at Spurs is markedly smaller than the bill at the majority of their rival clubs. Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy is known as a highly shrewd negotiator, and that appears to shine through when you see the details of his player’s wages.
That’s not to say the Spurs system is a bad thing; obviously the lower wages mean that the club can keep its finances under control, and while the argument against it would be that rival clubs could entice their best players away with fatter contracts, it’s been reported that Tottenham pay their players hefty performance-related bonuses in order to keep them onside.
Since Spurs also have one of the world’s most well-renowned coaches in Mauricio Pochettino – as well as a reputation for giving opportunities to younger players and having more patience with players than other clubs might – it’s obvious why some players would be willing to take a little less money for the chance to play at White Hart Lane – or Wembley, as things currently stand.
Here’s a look at the wages paid at Spurs – from the lowest to the highest earners – and how that might mean things will play out at the club in the future.
Lowest Earners: The kids
It’ll come as no surprise to learn that the lowest earners at Tottenham are their youngest players; usually academy prospects who haven’t quite broken into the first team just yet. Youngsters Tom Glover, Shayon Harrison and TJ Eyoma – who have made one first team appearance between them – are currently paid £2000 per week.
And young strikers Shilow Tracey – who signed a new deal at the club last summer – and Kazaiah Sterling are on slightly more at £2499 and £2999 per week respectively.
Luke Amos and Tashan Oakley-Boothe are another rung higher than their fellow youngsters, probably because of their apparently high potential; Amos was expected to break into the first team this season prior to an ACL injury, while Oakley-Boothe is a highly rated midfielder who was part of the World Cup winning England u-17 squad in 2017. Both players are reportedly on £5000 per week.
There’s quite a jump between them and the next lowest earner at Tottenham – fellow academy graduate Kyle Walker-Peters – showing exactly what could be in store for younger talent if they can make it into the first team. Right-back Walker-Peters – who has made 5 appearances in all competitions this season – is currently paid £19,999 per week.
Mid-level Earners: The fringe players
Making more money than the club’s young talent – but nowhere near as much as the real superstars – are a group of 5 fringe players. Surprisingly, the lowest earner of these 5 is goalkeeper Paulo Gazzaniga. The Argentine goalkeeper – who has impressed hugely during his 8 appearances this season – is on £20,000 per week. If he could dislodge Hugo Lloris as the club’s #1 keeper, then he could be in for a major raise at some point.
Next on the list is young defender Juan Foyth, who’s reportedly on £21,600 per week. Foyth has broken firmly into the first team this season, and given Tottenham’s penchant for attempting to have their players sign long-term deals long before their current contract ends, I’d expect Foyth to pen a new deal any time soon with wages that represent his rise. His current deal expires in the summer of 2022.
Striker Vincent Janssen and winger Georges-Kevin N’Koudou are up next, on £34,000 and £35,000 per week respectively. Neither man has been able to establish themselves as part of Spurs’ first team line-up, and so despite their relatively low wages I wouldn’t be surprised to see the club attempt to offload them soon. Janssen in particular could go for a small fee given his contract expires in the summer of 2020.
Finally goalkeeper Michel Vorm is currently on £40,000 per week, but his contract expires this June. The likelihood of Tottenham offering him a new deal – particularly at the current terms – seems very low given his position as #2 keeper has been usurped by Paulo Gazzaniga and at 35, he’s the oldest player on Spurs’ books.