Ekotto considering future

[Spursh]

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/s...-considering-tottenham-hotspur-future?cc=5739

Benoit Assou-Ekotto may seek to leave Tottenham Hotspur at the end of the season.

Assou-Ekotto, 28, signed for Spurs from Lens in 2006 and is a key part of the first-team, but he has revealed he has spoken to chairman Daniel Levy about a potential transfer and is eager to move on to bigger things.

"Everything is possible," he told France Football. "When I met the chairman last January he told me that, if a club bigger than Tottenham came in for me, he wouldn't necessarily be against my departure.

"If there is a change at Tottenham - some more money is made available - I wouldn't be against the idea of staying, but otherwise I'll try to move forwards, as I did when I left Lens."

Asked if he would be looking to join a club that regularly participates in the Champions League, he said: "Yes. All players want to play in this competition.

"A few months ago, I said I never wanted to play in the Europa League because that competition is useless.

"I have a gentleman's agreement with the chairman. As he is a man of his word, I hope that will make things easier if a great club comes in."

I'm a big fan of Benny's, but a bit disappointment in the comments above

Obviously wants a pay rise, but a bit of a shitty way of going about it.

He says he's different to the majority of footballers around, obviously not. I know he is supposedly only interested in money and not bothered about football in a whole, but he also wants to go to a 'greater' club, and wants Champions League football. Erm...?

He'll either get a pay rise, or he'll be off to PSG as I can see Levy wanting to cash in on him as he is getting closer to 30.


Peanut on COYS regarding the article above...

The guy got 2 pay rises in the last 2 years.

Greedy little sod

 

[srups34]

How much would we be looking at if we were to sell Benny?

 

[LeSoupeKitchen]

Wow- really wouldn't expect this from Benny. Gutted

 

[felmani26]

I'm one of these that isn't caught up in the BAE love-fest round here and certainly don't think he is as good as some here make out him to be.

Wouldn't want him to go necessarily and interesting to see what valuation we deem acceptable but playing devil's advocate, if we replaced BAE with Baines then i'd be more than happy.

 

[mil1lion]

Ha, is that the same gentlemans agreement that Modric has? Good luck with that one Benny.

I admire him for speaking his mind but we must keep hold of him. I worry that we already need several new signings as it is without replacing first team players. We have to keep our top players and not overhaul the squad too much.

 

[Hoddle_Ledge]

LOL

 

[DanNolan]

I don't think he said that in the context its been written. I think this is just his way of saying he wants to play in the CL regularly

 

[spursontheloose]

is this a piss-take or something?

 

[theShiznit]

can't remember a better left back at the club since i've supported Spurs...

(Justin Edinburgh need not apply)

 

[Kingstheman]

Ha, is that the same gentlemans agreement that Modric has? Good luck with that one Benny.

I admire him for speaking his mind but we must keep hold of him. I worry that we already need several new signings as it is without replacing first team players. We have to keep our top players and not overhaul the squad too much.

is this a piss-take or something?

The whole gentleman's agreement thing smells a bit 'rear-end-of-the-bovine' to me.

 

[sloth]

BAE has always been honest about the way he sees the game. He's not a badge kisser. He loves playing football, but he know's he's the hired hand. This seems to be simply in the context of that.

What I would say is that gentleman's agreements are somewhat invalidated when their existence is broadcast in the media. It's one thing having an agreement that if a bigger club should come in and make an acceptable offer it would be considered, and it's quite another to start canvassing for the bigger club. I think BAE may be in for a surprise on that score.

 

[Bus-Conductor]

I'm one of these that isn't caught up in the BAE love-fest round here and certainly don't think he is as good as some here make out him to be.

Wouldn't want him to go necessarily and interesting to see what valuation we deem acceptable but playing devil's advocate, if we replaced BAE with Baines then i'd be more than happy.

I think this is hilarious. Half of SC seems to think he's a cross between Che Guevara and Jean Paul Satre.

I'd be delighted to swap him for a left back that can defend and attack as well as dwell around the middle of the pitch.

If it's more money he's after we should part ex him for Kolorov and a few quid.

 

[Bus-Conductor]

can't remember a better left back at the club since i've supported Spurs...

(Justin Edinburgh need not apply)

YP Lee was much better. Treated shabbily by Jol then Ramos.

 

[Hitch]

I wouldn't mind if we could get in Baines to replace him, but otherwise it's difficult to think of potentially available left backs out there who would qualify as anything other than a downgrade. We have to hold onto BAE. Stability must be maintained.

Very annoyed about this tbh.

 

[saintlyspur]

ADIOS AMIGO!

 

[Spursh]

I think this is hilarious. Half of SC seems to think he's a cross between Che Guevara and Jean Paul Satre.

I'd be delighted to swap him for a left back that can defend and attack as well as dwell around the middle of the pitch.

If it's more money he's after we should part ex him for Kolorov and a few quid.

He'll go to PSG if he does leave. But I agree that Kolorov could be a good option

Suspect defensively, but excellent going forward, and has one of the best crosses in the League. Won't get much of a look in at City either next year, especially with the way Clichy is performing

 

[dontcallme]

Not disappointed or surprised by this.

BAE isn't a typical footballer. He's intelligent, articulate and speaks his mind. He gets involved in the community and was one fo the first to speak up when the riots were happening.

He is also very honest. His background isn't English and he didn't grow up in Tottenham. He doesn't have lifelong ties with our club. If a big club came in for him and he got a chance to play at the highest level regularly then I'd be surprised if he didn't take that opportunity.

Wish he hadn't spoken to the media about it but not overly bothered. The few clubs above us in the Prem won't be interested in him anyway.

 

[Spurrific]

Swansea's left back is good. How old is Figueroa? Can't think of many other options

 

[ryantegan]

Adds weight to the rumour that he wanted off in January (Arsenal were the bidders) HOW WOULD WE FEEL ABOUT THAT?

 

[punky]

I've always said he's a mercenary little so and so. If he wants to go to Chelsea and watch Cole play LB from the bench so be it. Rose and Naughton are the future in that position.