Home » Arsenal legend says chairman Daniel Levy treats Spurs players like ‘pieces of meat’

Arsenal legend says chairman Daniel Levy treats Spurs players like ‘pieces of meat’

By Eddie Razo -

The January transfer window is open for a few more hours, and Tottenham Hotspur has yet to make a move to improve the squad, and if they fail, chairman Daniel Levy will be target no. 1 for most if not all supporters. 

However, Levy has critics from all over the football world as Arsenal legend Martin Keown accuses the Tottenham chairman of treating his players like ‘pieces of meat.’

During an appearance on “White and Jordan,” Keown states that Levy has only looked out after star striker Harry Kane and lists the other players on the north London club who were treated like ‘pieces of meat.’

“The only one they’ve really looked after is Harry Kane, to be honest,” Keown said. “[Mousa] Dembele was allowed to leave at a key moment [to Chinese Super League side Guangzhou R&F for £11million in January 2019], in the season after they got to the Champions League final. ”

“Danny Rose was another player, they unsettled him, and they did the same with [Kieran] Trippier. They got rid of [Kyle] Walker; he asked for a new deal and was sold for £50m. It’s a business; they’re commodities. You’re made to feel that way at Spurs by Daniel Levy, aren’t you? Because you’re just a piece of meat at the end of the day, we get the most money for you, off you go.”

Keown’s comments are coming off the heels of defender Kieran Trippier’s interview with The Athletic, where the 31-year-old opened up about his departure from Tottenham. 

Trippier, who has now returned to England signing with Newcastle United, stated that he was annoyed that Levy was offering him to other clubs before the conclusion of the season. 

“What annoyed me … as you know, people in football speak, and there are always rumors, but I know 100 percent for a fact – and this is what I was most angry about – that two months before the end of the season, Daniel (Levy, the chairman) was offering me to other clubs,” Trippier said.

“I knew for certain that was happening, so I knew my time there must be up. I was playing for my teammates and the supporters, but I also knew I wasn’t wanted.”

Tags Arsenal daniel levy martin keown NewsNow talksport Tottenham Hotspur
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James McKevitt.
James McKevitt.
2 years ago
Reply to  at large

Agree, overachieving year on year without proper investment and planning is not a sustainable or successful strategy.

The “board” are taking considerable risks with the future success of the football team.

Risks they wouldn’t countenance in regard to land or property acquisition. I hope they know what they’re doing.

Last edited 2 years ago by James McKevitt.
East Stand
East Stand
2 years ago
Reply to  at large

Exactly.

Billy Tonsils
Billy Tonsils
2 years ago
Reply to  East Stand

So sad , all I can do is stay away..what a state,.

Billy Tonsils
Billy Tonsils
2 years ago

Levy is @ loathsome piece of sh#t. What we need. Now is Morata lol..

Glory Costs Too Much
Glory Costs Too Much
2 years ago
Reply to  Sonificent

Perhaps there’s a vacancy in some Kasbah far away for him to haggle himself until his bald head explodes.

at large
at large
2 years ago
Reply to  Brick Top

Let’s be realistic. Spurs are not the worst destination. Conte. Prem. First class training grounds and stadium. London. Harry, Sonny, Hugo and a handful of other decent players. The owner’s terrible but most CEOs are.

Brick Top
Brick Top
2 years ago

I agree, absolute shambles. However, we’re doing much better under Conte and his reputation isn’t tarnished. In fact I’d say his great reputation bleeds into the club overall

Brick Top
Brick Top
2 years ago
Reply to  England Mike

This. If he can get Conte and Mourinho, he can get Kessie and Dybala

at large
at large
2 years ago

Levy is an alleged businessmen as I think you once posted. He cares only about the value of the assets so he should care about the well-being of the players since it improves their valuation. He’s just a terrible micromanager and bad judge of talent and character and an awful relationship manager. But ENIC has profited mightily from inflated team valuations and have used historically low interest rates to maximize leverage. Essentially he’s a lucky fool.

Brick Top
Brick Top
2 years ago
Reply to  at large

I’m sure they’ve talked about it, but maintain that money talks and CL football is king. Manure are in a mess, but if they want a big player they can get that man easily. Arsenal are struggling for years, yet they managed to sign the talented Odegaard. Arteta is their manager, we have Conte. If Conte had zero belief that this club can attract quality players he’d never join us in the first place. He’s no fool. Despite the demon upstairs, I’d say we can still realistically sign decent players. The clubs reputation isn’t the main issue for me, it’s Levy’s inability to pull the trigger when it matters

Ballina Hotspur
Ballina Hotspur
2 years ago

I reckon we’re up to about 50 odd deals that have fallen through due to Levy’s tightness, negotiating skills and payment plans, going back to when he and Lewis took over back in 2001. Might produce a list of them later.

Billy Tonsils
Billy Tonsils
2 years ago
Reply to  England Mike

What can he say..he built a bigger stadium to rip more people off at once while he dreamed of a NFL franchise and ESL football…he has only succeeded in one of those things ..and that seems to slipping between his fingers.

Sonificent
Sonificent
2 years ago

But isn’t he just amazing at haggling?

Glory Costs Too Much
Glory Costs Too Much
2 years ago
Reply to  at large

What Keown means, and he is right, is that Levy cares nothing for the feelings of his players. They are just names on a spreadsheet to him, they have a value but no soul. He’d screw them over the first chance he got if it led to a profit. Examples being Dembele sold mid season to avoid him going on a free, Trippier being auctioned behind his back, and of course the infamous “gentleman’s agreement with Kane.
Levy is a heartless bar steward and a sociopath who cares nothing for the feelings of his fellow man.

England Mike
England Mike
2 years ago
Reply to  at large

Moreso agents and chairmen.

England Mike
England Mike
2 years ago

Curiously Levy can persuade top managers like Mourinho and now Conte to become manager albeit offering incredible salaries, but they knew the kind of character they were dealing with, yet accepted the job on offer.
It leaves you wondering why the man cannot engage his brain when negotiating deals for players and why he fails to see the damage to reputations done to the club moreso than himself.

Glory Costs Too Much
Glory Costs Too Much
2 years ago

The list gets longer every transfer window.

Glory Costs Too Much
Glory Costs Too Much
2 years ago
Reply to  at large

Exactly, and how many players have had to leave to win things.

Glory Costs Too Much
Glory Costs Too Much
2 years ago
Reply to  Brick Top

I’m not so sure, Kane is England captain and just about everybody reads English now. Him wanting to leave for City to win trophies would have gone global and made us look very bad indeed.
I don’t think this club has the reputation it once had, like when we were in the CL final, that was the time to bring in the stars. Now we’re a club that’s just been dumped out of the 3rd tier of European football. Reputations take a long while to gain but are lost very quickly.
I can imagine players thinking to themselves that’s a fancy looking club but with no substance, the players have to leave to win things.

at large
at large
2 years ago
Reply to  Brick Top

I think all players know a lot more about Spurs than we do. I’m sure Dybala speaks to Romero and Gio and Kessie speaks to Serge and so on and they know the inside story of how the team works.

at large
at large
2 years ago

In retrospect Poch’s overachievement in the prem without much spending and a lot of this same squad seems to have convinced Levy that spending is not necessary to get results. Of course Poch never won anything and gave up after he wasn’t backed…

England Mike
England Mike
2 years ago

Levy gives the impression of having difficulty forming relationships with his fellow man, his unquenchable thirst for money appears to be the only desire and interest in life, and at the expense of anyone who is in his way. Not the kindest thing to say but he offers nothing to defend opinions such as this.

Sonificent
Sonificent
2 years ago

It’s too much for me at this point. These w****** are never going and the club keeps revolving in it’s endless cycle between laughing stock and mediocrity. Goodbye Conte and what happens next will be eye-opening.

Brick Top
Brick Top
2 years ago
Reply to  Billy Tonsils

Good point, that is definitely an issue

Brick Top
Brick Top
2 years ago
Reply to  East Stand

There’s that. We’re on a roll and every time Levy bottles it. Clearly he needs the likes of Mitchell to balance out his idiocy. I’m not sold on Paratici. The Royal signing had Baldini written all over it

Brick Top
Brick Top
2 years ago

Yes, and he constantly gets record signings wrong, from Bent to Sissoko, from Sanchez to Ndombele. A terrible record that can’t be ignored.

Billy Tonsils
Billy Tonsils
2 years ago
Reply to  Brick Top

The players may not know much about Levy ..but you can be sure the agents do..it’s their job after all.

Ballina Hotspur
Ballina Hotspur
2 years ago
Reply to  East Stand

Remember Levy was courting Ramos in the summer of 07 whilst Jol was still the manager. They were pictured in a Sevilla hotel.

Then Levy’s excuse for sacking Jol was that we were a serious relegation candidate. Funny how that we were a serious relegation candidate under Ramos.

Its just the same over and over again, and everyone is seeing it now.

Lilywhite without the II
Lilywhite without the II
2 years ago

He’s a striker…

Lilywhite without the II
Lilywhite without the II
2 years ago

Julian Alvarez set to join Man City for 18m…didn’t know who he was but had a look and it makes you wonder why we couldn’t get some one like this…it proves again that Levy must micro manage scouting…

Ballina Hotspur
Ballina Hotspur
2 years ago
Reply to  Brick Top

No one is expecting Levy to spend £80m+ on a single player. But the issue is that we miss out on quality signings because of a few million. The likes of Ruben Dias, Bruno Fernándes, Dybala a couple of season ago. Grealish. Luis Suarez, Sadio Mane.

This is to name a few. Of some these players came in then those extra 5 million here or 7 million there would have paid for itself. Competition money from Europe and some cup runs would have justified it. Keeping the constant quality and keeping the club competitive thats the problem. Levy doesn’t do that, he goes the players you got, they got us here so why do you need more players for.

We missed out on Dias by 10million.
Sadio Mane by 4million.
Bruno Fernándes because of unachievable add ons.
Dybala because of image rights.

This is the difference, its all about how Levy does his business that causes issues. The more people he annoys with his antics the less likely people will want to come.

East Stand
East Stand
2 years ago
Reply to  at large

The result is still players being treated like meat, all part of his asset management approach. I think everyone understands fully… 🤔

East Stand
East Stand
2 years ago
Reply to  Brick Top

It’s both, he does treat them like meat, but he’s also just a f*cking klutz…

East Stand
East Stand
2 years ago

That was the period when the penny really dropped for me. I had been actually quite pro-Levy/ENIC until about the time when Jol was sacked. His sacking first rang the alarm bells, and we’ve been putting up with the same sh*t ever since…

East Stand
East Stand
2 years ago
Reply to  Billy Tonsils

Exactly, but hey, let’s just blame the manager, kick him out and pretend it had nothing to do with you…

East Stand
East Stand
2 years ago
Reply to  Brick Top

The problem for me is, whenever we get a couple of decent players and the makings of a good team, Levy just seems to think “that’ll do” for whatever level he feels is going to keep sponsors and ST holders engaged. Surely you keep that going to constantly try and improve?

Even if your budget is limited you can be proactive and creative, which by all accounts what Mitchell wanted to do. Which is why he was kicked out. Levy is a serial destroyer of any ambitious thought on the pitch. Dick head…

Brick Top
Brick Top
2 years ago

In the Prem, yes. But I doubt Kessie and Dybala know much about Levy and ENIC. We are/were in good position to get 4th. If I’m Digne I’d rather play for Spurs than Villa. If I’m Neves, Bissouma or Rice I’d rather play for Spurs than any of their respective clubs, despite Levy. I do agree Levy has given this club a bad reputation following his antics, but then again CL football speaks for itself

Last edited 2 years ago by Brick Top
at large
at large
2 years ago

As usual Keown is wrong. Levy is an asset manager mostly real estate. The players are assets. Some performing, some underperforming. Every movement is simply a balance sheet transaction – sale/exchange of assets. Why can’t people understand this?

Cabspur
Cabspur
2 years ago

Sadly Glory it wont come crashing down on him when enic sell and he walks off with his 30% …

Glory Costs Too Much
Glory Costs Too Much
2 years ago
Reply to  Brick Top

I think players are reticent to join, even under Conte, because Spurs are synominous with Levy and enic now. The footballing world saw what happened to Kane and don’t like it. Levy has spread his dire reputation far and wide.

Brick Top
Brick Top
2 years ago

It’s not just about Levy, scouting has been terrible for years. You don’t have to spend ridiculous fees to build a good team. Berbatov, Modric, VDV, Dembele, Verts, Toby, Lloris, Walker, Son those were all great signings. This strange idea that we somehow can’t attract decent players is a fallacy. You’d think we’re in a better position to sign quality now than ever. We got Moura relatively cheap because PSG had several good players in that position. Traore is off to Barca, could we get Dembele for a bargain? I think yes. Kessie and Dybala should’ve been signed already. Why wouldn’t they play for us, especially under Conte. It makes no sense. We got VDV from Real for 8m. The board are incapable of thinking like a big club, and it’s been going on for years

Ballina Hotspur
Ballina Hotspur
2 years ago
Reply to  Billy Tonsils

Plus sold Defoe 6 months before that. Then brings in Frazier Campbell to partner Bent.

Also sold Kaboul, Robinson, Chimbonda, Malbranque and Tainio who were all core starters or squad players in that cup win as well.

Then brings in Bentley the pound land Beckham. Dos Santos who was meant to be better than Messi. Gomes a goalkeeper who couldn’t catch and could throw the ball further than he could kick. Bostock who was burnt out by 19.

The only lot that summer that was a great or decent buy was Modric and Pavlyuchenko.

Billy Tonsils
Billy Tonsils
2 years ago
Reply to  East Stand

We sold Keane and Berbatov ..you reap what you sow.

Billy Tonsils
Billy Tonsils
2 years ago
Reply to  East Stand

Worse than that many of us used to put money in this loathsome creatures pocket, for decades as well…
Hoodwinked..

East Stand
East Stand
2 years ago

Then sacked him months after winning our only ever silverware under Levy. Get blood out of a stone, or expect your P45…

Billy Tonsils
Billy Tonsils
2 years ago

To realistically achieve Top 4 I think the lads should play with their shorts the wrong way round..worth at least 3 new signings.

East Stand
East Stand
2 years ago

Levy is an assh*le, never ‘reads the room’ when it comes to the supporters or players. A complete schmuck…

Ballina Hotspur
Ballina Hotspur
2 years ago
Reply to  Spursy bob

Martin Jol was sacked at half time against Getafe. He picked up Ramos just after Sevilla won the UEFA Cup.

Spursy bob
Spursy bob
2 years ago

Yes I do remember that. It was against Saville in a European fixture and if I’m not mistaken the opposition coach was juande Ramos. Can’t forget the smug grin on baldies face.

Glory Costs Too Much
Glory Costs Too Much
2 years ago

Not just the players but the managers/coaches too. Remember the disgraceful sacking of Martin Jol at half time? That was 14 years ago and turned me against him then.
This dangerous fool is building up a tidal wave of resentment against him, sooner or later that wave is going to come crashing down on his bald head.
Obviously we know the vast majority of fans are disgusted by his antics. But think about what Conte and Kane must be thinking now. If those two go we are right up the creek without a paddle. I bet Kane is thinking twice about renewing his contract now, he probably thought like many that Levy would change with the arrival of Conte. But as I said at the time; a leopard will never change it’s spots and Levy is supremely thick skinned and utterly shameless, a pre-programmed drone of a man.
Those that still support Levy despite the overwhelming evidence out there, well it says more about them than anything else. They’re probably unpleasant human beings too.

denzil
denzil
2 years ago
Reply to  Brick Top

yep and we always end up with the scrag end

Brick Top
Brick Top
2 years ago

And Levy didn’t sell Dier for 50m to Manure. His problem isn’t treating players like a piece of meat, he’s just utterly incompetent

Kosher Kid
Kosher Kid
2 years ago

I suppose Martin Keown must have the best interests of the Spurs players at heart regarding his motivation for saying these things during a transfer window. What did the Goons do with Cashley Hole, Terry Henry and a few others who played alongside monkey man Keown?

Bitter and partisan. I don’t have time for Levy and ENIC but I have less for this moron’s perspective on THFC.

Billy Tonsils
Billy Tonsils
2 years ago

My conclusion is that Levy detests Tottenham Hotspur..he loves sitting in amongst his disciples , though he hasn’t done that recently, his personal goals have been achieved and the club is a laughing stock and he cares not one jot..this leveraged buy in has served us up on a plate..

Delmooreio
Delmooreio
2 years ago

Us suffering Spurs fans already know this Mr Keown as we are just treated the same….

Tony Borg
Tony Borg
2 years ago

Levy and Lewis treat the fans with contempt too. Lying to the fans anytime a statement is made. Levy will say anything to anyone, that’s suits his agenda. All they care about is money and profit, success isn’t on their list of priorities.

Ballina Hotspur
Ballina Hotspur
2 years ago

Levy treats the club like a Chinese wet market. Bring in the cheapest he can, try to sell at ridiculously high prices as “exotic”. Then has to argue and haggle about everything, then gets the hump when people go elsewhere.

Last edited 2 years ago by Ballina Hotspur
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