Former wonderkid Dorian Dervite reveals why he failed at Tottenham
In an interview with Football.london, former Tottenham Hotspur wonderkid Dorian Dervite opened up on why he failed to make the cut at White Hart Lane.
The Frenchman, who arrived at the club in 2006, was at the time was one of the most highly-rated young defenders in world football.
Tottenham believed they pulled off a coup by securing the youngster back in the day. Then director of football Damien Comolli was the man credited with convincing the player to join the club.
His time at the Lane was nothing short of momentous. He played under four different managers in his four seasons at the club. Aside from rubbing shoulders alongside the likes of Ledley King, Luka Modric and Gareth Bale, he was also involved in an altercation with Daniel Levy.
He revealed that Levy’s wrangling over his contract was what led to an altercation with the Spurs chairman.
“The chairman Daniel Levy offered me a contract extension but I wanted more guarantees.”
Then manager Harry Redknapp was open to playing Dervite but Levy made it clear that he would not play until he signed a new contract. In the end, Levy gave the player an ultimatum, which Dervite chose to refuse.
“The chairman told me it was this deal or I had to leave. He told me ‘if I was your dad I would tell you to sign this contract.”
Levy also denied the youngster the chance to go out on loan to Reading. Once again, the chairman refused to play ball until the deal was signed.
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Although there is no guarantee that Dervite would have succeeded otherwise, we disagree with the way Levy approached the negotiations. A talented youngster, Dervite could have done with some gentle guidance rather than subtle threats or ultimatums.
The now 31-year-old never reached the heights he promised, no thanks to injuries. He currently plays in Cyprus for Doxa Katokopias.
