Echoing the takes here that it is incredible that the Kane’s are losing a PR war with Levy. GHod knows over the summer I was very against Levy and understood if Kane left. But the way they have handled it since has left a very sour taste and has got me back supporting Levy again! Amazing.
There were stories in the press during the Euros saying Kane might not return to training on time, so he and his brother are insulting our intelligence there. Same with trying to set his own price in the Neville interview. Same with this Telegraph piece - it’s all just so bad. He’s trying to drive the price down for City, and trying to paint Spurs as the bad guys for holding him to a contract and expecting market value.
And this is what I don’t get…just how bad they are at understanding strategy, and leverage. I think the Telegraph piece is partly Kane realising that the move might not happen, so his insistence that he will still try as hard as he can if selected is in part trying to build bridges. But I don’t think it was ever possible to both leave with your rep with the fans intact, and get the move you want if you go down this route.
Proper understanding of leverage would have had him understand he had none of it, that Levy wouldn’t give a toss about all the PR games, and that we would see right through any talk of gentlemen’s agreements as the horsebrick they are. If Kane really wanted to leave with a good reputation with the fans, he shouldn’t have done the Neville interview, he shouldn’t have done the Telegraph, and he shouldn’t have been the only English Euros finalist to fail to suit up on opening day. Because the price is the price. He can’t now say he hopes the fans understand after everything he has sanctioned. It isn’t possible. He had a choice, and he chose to try and trash us, to make sure we get less money, to sell a top player to a competitor. If he had held the same stance behind closed doors, nothing would have changed in terms of his leverage, because he had none, but if an acceptable bid came from City he would have left with most fans blessings after years of great service. He’s fudged it.
Personally, I hope he stays this year and leaves next summer. 2 years left means he will have some leverage. He may be 29, but that will be his fault for signing a 6 year contract. I would expect him to give 100% when he plays this year and I wouldn’t be concerned about team spirit, I think if anything the spirit will be helped by the squad knowing they play for a club that had the balls to stand up to a top club to keep a top player. If the fans want him gone this month, it means City win. We shouldn’t play into their hands.
City only want to appear like they are frugal because they know if they are seen to spend frivolously because they do have the money then the price goes up for every player. Again, we shouldn’t play their game. I just cannot believe how stupid the Kane’s have been, and how they didn’t understand the lack of leverage they had in this whole situation. Absolute amateur hour.
