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Should Tottenham 'throw' their remaining games? | Premier League analysis

Richard Dunne and David Meyler joined Off The Ball to discuss the end of a tumultuous Premier Lea...



Soccer

Should Tottenham 'throw' their remaining games? | Premier League analysis


Richard Dunne and David Meyler joined Off The Ball to discuss the end of a tumultuous Premier League season - and whether teams like Tottenham can afford to be snobby about the lesser European competitions.

The likes of Spurs and Liverpool find themselves in a position where the fainter hopes of Champions League qualification could see them enter the inaugural UEFA Europa Conference League, or the Europa League.

Most sides would value the opportunity, but is there a case to be made that the likes of Tottenham would not want to qualify to give them time enough to rebuild towards the Champions League?

"I think the clubs will still want to finish as high as they can, regardless of it's Europa League or Champions League," Meyler said.

"Thursday-Sunday won't matter to them. You look at United, there is a feel-good factor in what they are doing there, and they are in a Europa League final.

"Whether it be Liverpool or Tottenham, if they were to finish in the Europa League, it is still a great opportunity to win a trophy. You can't knock that. It's still European football, with the finances that go with it, so these clubs will want to finish as high as they can.

"We've heard the outpour from Arsenal fans, it is the first time in 25 years that they have not had European football. So these clubs won't be thinking of anything other than qualifying high enough as they can to qualify for European football next season."

Tottenham

Dunne believes that Tottenham's seemingly clinical aversion to trophies mean they are in no position to pick and choose.

"The teams won't be looking at that, their squads are so big and strong that there will be young lads that will be looking to get European experience.

"Nobody knows how the Conference League is going to work out, I don't know who qualifies or doesn't from other countries, but if you are a Premier League team in there you will instantly be the favourite to go and win it.

"The expectations will be high, and for a team like Tottenham that hasn't won a trophy in ages, it will be great to get over the finish line and win a trophy.

"I don't think there will be any snobbery from them of 'this cup isn't good enough to win' - if there's a chance to win, they'll take it."

Harry Kane

Dunne also believes that Harry Kane is too expensive for his former club, Manchester City.

"£200m is over the odds. At his ages, if you can get him for under £100m then that's doable. Looking at Manchester City, with Aguero leaving, there's a space for that number nine.

"But Aguero has always missed a chunk of the season due to injury. I feel it's the same with Kane.

"I don't know for City whether, at his age, they would spend that money on a player."

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