![0_LINEKER-GRAB](https://www.match90mins.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/0_LINEKER-GRAB.webp)
When I signed with Tottenham, I was promised a dream team; my agent then contacted
According to Gary Lineker, Tottenham decided to let rid of Chris Waddle not long after he cost the team up to fifteen goals a season during his own transfer from Barcelona. After arriving in North London from Camp Nou in 1989, Lineker amassed an FA Cup winning medal and scored 74 goals in 122 games over the course of four years.
The sole significant trophy Lineker has won in the English game is that victory at Wembley in 1991. But the legendary TV personality doesn’t require an introduction because of his goal-scoring prowess at Tottenham, Barcelona, Everton, and Leicester.
Out of 80 caps, Lineker also scored 48 goals for England. He had a successful collaboration with Waddle for the Three Lions, and Waddle had a significant role in Lineker’s decision to sign with Tottenham 35 years ago. However, the planned partnership never materialized because Waddle was quickly courted by Marseille, who offered £4.5 million in cash to get Waddle.
In the most recent episode of the Rest Is Football podcast, the ever-popular Match of the Day presenter discussed that series of events in detail. Micah Richards and Alan Shearer were with him as usual.
Lineker stated: “I loved playing with Chris Waddle for England, and he was one of the main reasons I signed for Tottenham. I found out about his sale about a month after I did.” He was a fantastic player and a great ball crosser.
“I heard the news while on vacation.” Pre-season was in effect. I signed right before the Spanish season ended and was returning from Barcelona.
“They had Waddle, Gazza (Paul Gascoigne), and a ton of other excellent players, obviously. With a few more additions, I believed that Tottenham might become a true power.”
Lineker, 63, went on: “We are genuinely trying to acquire [Peter] Beardsley, too. I had a fantastic talk with Terry Venables when I signed. I assumed it would take some time for us to quit.
Subsequently, it was evident that the club was facing financial difficulties. As you recall, Terry Venables and Alan Sugar were involved in the takeover, among other things. The club was disorganized. They received an offer from Marseille for Chris Waddle that was for £4 million, which was a lot of money at the time.
“After signing Beardsley and partnering with him up front, all of a sudden I lost Chris Waddle.” ‘You’re not going to believe this,’ my agent called me as soon as she heard the news when I was on the beach. Chris Waddle was just sold by them. To be honest, I felt as though someone had taken 15 goals from me each season.”
Leave a Reply