Tottenham supporters will be fuming with Daniel Levy and ENIC after a recent report on Premier League ownership funding.
Spurs chairman Levy and those connected with ENIC aren’t likely to win a popularity contest in North London anytime soon.
From ticket price disputes at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium to comments from a former club captain on his behaviour, there are several reasons why Levy isn’t exactly liked by Spurs fans.
There is no doubt that the chairman has done a lot of good in North London, specifically when it comes to the club’s finances. However, there is enough evidence to explain why fans feel as though that is all the 62-year-old is interested in.
That is why Levy is so unpopular. However, as for ENIC, the club’s owners, the reason as to why they are so unpopular recently became clearer than ever.
ENIC, who are owned by the family trust of billionaire Joe Lewis and chairman Levy himself, are the Premier League’s oldest ownership group. They completed the first part of their takeover of Tottenham from Sir Alan Sugar in 2001.
However, despite the length of time that ENIC have owned Spurs, as per The Athletic (18 November), only Southampton, Nottingham Forest, Brentford and Ipswich Town’s owners have invested less into their clubs.
Tottenham fans to be fuming with Daniel Levy and ENIC after fresh investment reveal
ENIC have invested £194million of their own money into Tottenham. That includes a purchase price of £94milllion, and owner funding worth £100million.
That leaves the club 16th out of all 20 Premier League sides in terms of ownership funding.
What is more, is that the four clubs below them were taken over by their current owners far later than ENIC completed their takeover of Spurs.
Southampton were taken over by Sport Republic in 2022, with the investment firm having already pumped £185million of their own money into the Saints, just £9million less than ENIC, who have been around for 21 more years.
Meanwhile, Nottingham Forest were taken over by Evangelos Marinakis in 2017, while Brentford were purchased by Matthew Benham in 2012. As for Ipswich Town, the newly promoted side were acquired by Gamechanger 20 in 2021.
Therefore, considering the lack of ENIC’s own money which has gone into Tottenham, despite the length of time that has passed since they took over the North London club, it is clear to see why fans are so upset with the current ownership structure.
In other Tottenham news, the club want to sign a Fulham star in a brand-new transfer update.
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Former Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper Paul Robinson believes that Daniel Levy struck an “incredible” transfer deal in the summer.
Tottenham’s unique transfer agreement
The deal Spurs struck with Real Betis back in the summer was groundbreaking, with the Lilywhites agreeing an option to buy Johnny Cardoso next summer as a part of Giovani Lo Celso’s return to his former club.
According to reports, Tottenham have the option of signing the USA international for £25m next summer, and they will get a sell-on clause for the player if they decide against activating the clause (Football.London).
However, Spurs still face the prospect of losing Cardoso to other clubs, with the likes of Aston Villa, AC Milan and Atletico Madrid thought to be eyeing a January move for the midfielder (Estadio Deportivo).
Paul Robinson praises Spurs for smart deal
Robinson is impressed by the kind of deal that Spurs struck in the summer, suggesting that it is a ‘win-win’ situation for the North London side.
The former England man insisted that the USA international would be a tempting option for Ange Postecoglou‘s side, given the kind of performances he has been delivering in Spain.
When asked about Spurs’ agreement for Cardoso, Robinson told Football Insider: “They’re in a win-win situation at Tottenham. You either get a top player in great form, who’s almost doubled his value over the last six months, or they get a share when he’s sold for a fortune.
It’s very much a Daniel Levy deal. It’s incredible. They get first dibs on a player, and if he doesn’t sign for them, they get a percentage of his sale. He’s still only 23, got 17 caps for the USA and he’s got room to get better.
“He’s been playing very well for Betis this season and he’s clearly a good player. The Premier League is very different to La Liga with the pace of the game, but he’s definitely an option for them.”
Why a midfielder is not a priority for Spurs
However, Robinson does not think that signing a number six should be a priority for Tottenham. The former Spurs number one questioned where Cardoso would fit in at N17, given the other options that Postecoglou has in the middle of the park.
He added: “There’s an abundance of talent in that Tottenham midfield, but he’s playing well and he’s put in a couple of man-of-the-match performances.
“It’s an interesting one to keep an eye on, but does he start for Spurs? He’d be a good player for the squad but I’m not sure where he fits in. But the deal is one I don’t think we’ve ever seen before.”
