David Bentley must be prepared for criticism after his Tottenham ‘biggest club in the world’ claim

David Bentley thinks Tottenham Hotspur “could be the biggest club in the world”, which is the kind of statement that will open him up to criticism.

Achieving that status seems a very, very long way off for Tottenham at the moment, as they continue to fight to even stay in the Premier League this season.

Roberto De Zerbi is the latest coach tasked with doing exactly that, but his reported five-year contract that he’s signed suggests he’ll be in charge for the start of next season whatever happens.

Spurs currently sit just one point and place above the relegation zone, and there are understandable concerns among fans over whether De Zerbi’s complex tactics and intense approach will be able to garner instant results in North London.

So, with seven games to play, Tottenham have the eyes of English football on them as they attempt to keep their seat at the table alongside some of world football’s biggest clubs.

What did David Bentley say about Tottenham?

Tottenham are a historic Premier League club, of that there is little need nor cause for debate.

They have a £1billion stadium, one of the league’s most valuable squads, and have never been relegated from the top flight in the Premier League era.

As such, they are undoubtedly one of the most instantly recognisable brands in English football, but according to former Lilywhite Bentley, they have far greater potential than that.

Speaking on Sky Sports News, Bentley said: “They (Tottenham) could be the biggest club in the world.

“To think of that potential, being relegated and sitting in the Championship, not only financially but emotionally for everyone in football.”

Bentley then made another eyebrow-raising claim regarding opposition fans not wanting to see Spurs get relegated, saying: “I don’t think there’s anyone in football that wants to see Tottenham go down and not be in the Premier League.

“I think everybody loves watching Tottenham.” Presenter Tom White then stepped in and somewhat corrected Bentley, saying: “I think you’ll find doing this show this season that a lot of people do want to see Tottenham go down.”

Bentley then responded whilst cracking a grin, saying: “Don’t say that! No chance! Everybody loves Tottenham.”

Spurs likely to never be in ‘biggest club in the world’ conversation

Have Tottenham got vast amounts of untapped potential left in them? Of course. You only need look at the stadium, the size of the fanbase and the amount of room still in the trophy cabinet to see that.

But for Tottenham to be the biggest club in the world, they not only have to be winning Premier League titles as well as domestic and European cups, they’re also up against world footballing institutions.

It doesn’t matter what country you visit in any corner of the world, if there’s a group of people, kids or adults, playing a game of football, at least a couple of them are going to be wearing Barcelona, Real Madrid, Man United or Liverpool shirts.

That’s because those clubs have a heritage of prolonged success in the game that Tottenham just don’t have, and likely will never be able to match.

And that’s OK. Tottenham are a big club in their own right, but in terms of domestic and continental success, they’re decades behind and away from having the potential to outgrow some of those aforementioned teams.

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