If Son Heung-min were to lift the Europa League trophy for Tottenham, it would merely ignite, rather than settle, a long-standing debate.
Winning their first major silverware since 2008 would lead some to declare Spurs` return to the `Big Six` elite, while others might contend that English football`s traditional `fancy Dans` never truly belonged there.
It`s a valid point to suggest they shouldn`t have been considered part of the Big Six in the first place.
Spurs deserve credit for overcoming Eintracht Frankfurt in the last eight of the Europa League. It was an excellent achievement, especially considering their dismal performance domestically this season.
Monday night’s lifeless defeat to Nottingham Forest came just four days after a spirited victory in Germany.
Their European campaign has been impressive recently, and hopefully, they can go all the way and bring home the trophy next month.
If they succeed, it will finally end a painful 17-year wait for silverware – roughly the same time it takes to walk from the stadium to Seven Sisters Tube station.
The 2008 League Cup final win against Chelsea is a rapidly fading and weak claim to historical significance, particularly as they had won the same trophy less than a decade earlier. North London`s original football club has never been known for serial winning.
Tottenham aims for an aesthetically pleasing style of play and has featured several skilled individuals like David Ginola, Glenn Hoddle, and Paul Gascoigne. However, ultimately, they are famous simply for being famous – much like Gemma Collins.
So, what exactly leads so many people within the sport to classify them as members of the so-called Big Six?
In an era of shifting financial landscapes, where clubs can be transformed overnight by foreign investment, perhaps it`s time to abandon the notion of an exclusive elite group.
Defining the size or status of a football club has no single, universal metric.
It`s genuinely surprising that as football moves towards increasing automation, some clever individual hasn`t devised a complex algorithm, perhaps in the style of Stephen Hawking, to calculate it to ten decimal places.
One possible formula might be: stadium capacity multiplied by total honours, divided by the time elapsed between trophy wins.
Or perhaps: money in the bank, multiplied by the number of international players, minus the number of losses squared, all divided by their position in the league table?
Modern football bears little resemblance to the 1980s. Back then, it was simpler to assess clubs as money didn`t complicate the equation as much. Life was less complex.
Alongside Manchester United, Liverpool, Arsenal, and Everton, Tottenham were arguably in a league of their own. Things are not so clear-cut now.
Behind the Competition
They boast a beautiful, large stadium. Stamford Bridge, by comparison, is small – yet Chelsea are now comfortably the most successful club in London.
Newcastle are flush with Saudi wealth, and winning this season’s Carabao Cup means they have won as much silverware as Tottenham since 2008. Aston Villa are emerging from decades of underperformance.
Villa entertained us in the Champions League this season and are fiercely competing to return to the competition.
Manchester City were the overshadowed neighbours of United for many years; their most famous fan was once comedian Eddie Large.
Yet, despite what might seem like a disappointing league season for City this year, they could still win the FA Cup and are poised to qualify for their 14th consecutive Champions League campaign.
They have billions stashed away by their Arab owners and have secured four consecutive Premier League titles. While the Etihad isn`t the biggest stadium, their success is undeniable.
Resentment
Since 2010, Spurs have only finished outside the top six in two seasons. Yet, currently sitting 16th, every match at their impressive new ground is clouded by dissatisfaction towards the ownership.
They will lose more league games this season than they will win.
Even if Son manages to get his hands on that Europa League trophy, three cups in 26 years is hardly a massive haul. Relegated Leicester have won bigger honours – the Premier League title and the FA Cup – in the past decade.
Trying to determine who is the `biggest` or `best` club is incredibly complex and confusing.
Perhaps it`s easier to reverse the approach: instead of debating who *is* in the Big Six, figure out who *isn`t*. The Tottenham question becomes much simpler then.
Maresca Can`t Win
Enzo Maresca received criticism from some fans for not participating in Chelsea`s post-match celebrations after their win at Fulham.
This was despite him having just been booked for excessive celebration on the touchline moments earlier when Pedro Neto scored the winning goal.
There`s a noticeable disconnect between the Chelsea supporters and the reserved Italian manager.
I have yet to hear them sing his name, and there`s a feeling that no matter what he does, they will never fully embrace him.
With Chelsea trailing at half-time on Sunday, Maresca had to walk past the away end at Craven Cottage and was loudly abused by a vocal minority.
I don`t blame him for not wanting to join the post-match celebrations and salute those who had been giving him such a hard time just 45 minutes earlier. It seems he`s in a no-win situation, even when he just won.
Meanwhile, at almost-relegated Ipswich, manager Kieran McKenna`s name was enthusiastically cheered when announced before they were thrashed 4-0 by Arsenal. It seems he can`t lose fan support, despite losing many matches.
Rocket`s Launched
The least surprising result of the week was Ronnie O’Sullivan’s dominant victory over his long-standing rival, Ali Carter, at the World Snooker Championship.
`The Rocket` arrived at the Crucible typically out of form and portraying himself as a struggling underdog, claiming he would be lucky to pot even one red ball.
After a crushing 10-4 triumph, having won five frames in a row, O’Sullivan is now in excellent form (“in the balls,” as the saying goes) and has advanced to the last 16.
He is known for changing his mind daily about whether he wants to pick up a cue. But he holds seven world titles, dating back to 2001.
O’Sullivan turns 50 in December, and there`s a strong belief that he could secure his eighth world crown, surpassing the tally of his other great snooker adversary, Stephen Hendry.
Eni`s Wright Jibe is Just Wrong
The best broadcasters choose their words with care.
Eni Aluko failed to do so with her surprising criticism of Ian Wright for “dominating” punditry in women’s football.
The former Chelsea player stated: “If we had a situation where there was an equal opportunity for broadcasters and coaches that there is in the women’s game, that would be different, but that’s not the case. I can’t dominate the men’s game.”
No, she cannot, but perhaps that`s due to individual circumstances rather than sexism. Kelly Cates and Gabby Logan will be co-hosting football`s biggest presenting role on Match of the Day from next season, alongside Mark Chapman.
That`s two women and one man hosting the country’s flagship highlights show, covering the largest men’s league in the world, which has a massive audience.
Genuine question… am I misunderstanding something here?
