Simon Jordan has praised Richarlison for turning down the big sums of money on offer from Saudi Arabia and choosing to prioritise playing at the highest level.
Richarlison turns down huge money from Saudi Arabia
There has been plenty of speculation about Richarlison’s future right from the start of the summer, with a number of outlets linking the striker with a big-money switch to the Saudi Pro League (Football Insider).
However, the 27-year-old shut down those rumours last week, telling ESPN that he has turned down an offer to move to the Middle East as he wants to continue playing in the Premier League and for the Brazilian national side.
Meanwhile, Ange Postecoglou also denied suggestions that Richarlison is on his way out, telling Football.London a few days ago that the former Everton man is very much part of his plans.
Richarlison deserves credit, says Jordan
The Spurs number nine will now have to compete with Dominic Solanke for a place in the starting eleven but irrespective of whether he proves to be a success at Tottenham, Jordan believes that he has to be commended for turning down the money on offer from the Middle East.
The former Crystal Palace owner told talkSPORT: “I don’t believe Richarlison was signed by Postecoglou, anyway, so he isn’t his player, so there maybe that’s going on.
“But the boy is 27 years of age. What we should be saying is ‘well done you for not wanting to go and make it all about money’. You have got a 27-year-old senior pro being offered a big bag of money and saying, ‘I want to be a top player’.
“We can all debate whether he is good enough for Tottenham Hotspur, and that’s just an opinion, neither am I (right or wrong). But I think it’s admirable that he doesn’t want to go to Saudi because he wants to play in elite football and play for Brazil.”
Spurs Web Opinion
A lot of Spurs fans and pundits are forgetting just how good Richarlison was just after the turn of the year when he was fully fit.
If the 27-year-old can stay injury-free, I would not put it beyond him to keep Solanke out of the side.
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Tottenham chiefs will likely be frustrated by a Premier League club owner’s decision to speak out on a controversial plan.
Each club in the Premier League has one vote on matters of governance, with 14 votes required to pass a motion – on changes to Profit and Sustainability Rules, for example.
Given their shared interests as part of the so-called ‘Big Six’, Spurs have typically sided with the two Manchester clubs, Liverpool, Chelsea and Tottenham on key decisions.
A general view inside the stadium with the Tottenham Hotspur cockerel during the EPCR 2023/2024 Season Launch at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Novem…
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There are a number of notable exceptions, such as Man City’s fight against the Premier League’s associated party transaction rules. That has divided the elite clubs.
But the Big Six generally hunt as a pack, as seen with the Project Big Picture and European Super League breakaway plots.
Spurs have distanced themselves from both of those controversial initiatives.
However, clubs are still looking for a way to unlock new revenue streams, particularly in the United States and other lucrative commercial territories.
But the latest news illustrates that the likes of Spurs still have a way to go if they are to see competitive matches played on the other side of the Atlantic any time soon.
Bill Foley speaks out on Premier League games abroad
As quoted by the Daily Mail in 2020, Spurs chairman and co-owner Daniel Levy has previously said he is “open minded” about the possibility of Premier League matches being played abroad.
After the fallout of the European Super League, Levy is unlikely to publicly repeat that stance any time soon.
However, Spurs are one of the clubs privately backing the expanded Club World Cup, which will be held in the United States in 2025 and every four years thereafter.
The appetite from clubs at the less elite end of the spectrum is lesser, although some are believed to have the same stance as Levy.
One club that is not among that number is Bournemouth.
In an interview with BBC Sport, Bournemouth owner Bill Foley – who is from the Unite States – said: “I believe what we are doing today – and there are other pre-season games – is what we should be doing.
“In terms of playing actual Premier League matches in America? We should play in the UK. That is where they belong. I am very respectful of our fans and the whole system.
I wouldn’t want to be involved in changing any of that. I believe if you talk to our fans at Bournemouth, they think Foley actually respects our system and respects our heritage. And I do.
“Premier League games in America? No.”
Foley was speaking in Santa Barbara, where his club are touring for pre-season.
Spurs are expected to tour the US themselves next summer. They are spending pre-season ahead of 2024-25 in Japan.
The club earned £204m in broadcast income in the last financial year but could expect to add several million to that figure each season if Premier League games were taken to America.
TBR Analysis: Why do Spurs want to play in the US?
Spurs’ growth in the US market is faster than any other Premier League club and they are looking for a way to monetise their soaring following in the territory.
A general view outside the stadium during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on …
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A pre-season tour alone can be worth up to £10m for a club of Spurs’ stature, but competitive games abroad would likely dwarf that figure.
A recent report from industry experts CLV Group meanwhile has found that £850m of extra commercial revenue could be available to European clubs ahead of the 2026 World Cup in the country.
