Best five players to leave Tottenham in last decade

The uncertainty of Harry Kane‘s future at Tottenham got me thinking about the best players to have departed Hotspur Way in the last decade. 

An abundance of talent has come through the former White Hart Lane turnstile in previous seasons, with some hallmark names in the world game at one point plying their trade at Spurs.

It wasn’t the easiest list to whittle down, as Spurs have been graced by some extraordinary talent, including the likes of Dimitar Berbatov, Robbie Keane, Jan Vertonghen and Rafael van der Vaart, all of whom didn’t make the cut.

In chronological order from least to most influential, here’s the top five players who’ve departed Hotspur way in the last 10 years.

5. Kyle Walker

Before you exit the article from the rage you currently feel, let me explain. If I conceded to bias and emotional sentiment, van der Vaart would have taken the No. 5 position, knocking the City right back completely off the list. But that would have been an injustice to Walker and his staggering accomplishments.

The Manchester City right back was easily the best in his position for Spurs over the last decade. So much so, Tottenham still have’t truly replaced him. Blessed with breakneck pace and an uncanny ability to unnerve the opposition, he revolutionized the adapted modern position.

Marauding down the touchline at White Hart Lane, Walker was one of the first prototypes of the modern wingback, a role underpinning the importance of offensive contribution from a traditionally altogether defensive position.

Since signing with City in 2017 for a then-world-record fee for a wingback of £53 million, the 31-year-old has won three Premier League crowns, an FA Cup, three League Cups and, as of last night, one runners-up Champions League medal.

Ouch.

But at least he didn’t win the Champions League crown last night. That would have hurt most of all. Then again, seeing Chelsea win offers absolutely no solace.