Stephen Carr has admitted he might have to leave Tottenham to fulfil his ambitions of competing for the game's major honours. The Republic of Ireland international defender was one of Spurs' most consistent performers during another barren campaign last season.
And although he has recently signed a new four-year deal with the north London club and is sure to figure in Glenn Hoddle's plans, Carr feels his future could lie away from White Hart Lane. "I know there has been a lot of speculation in the press recently about my future at Tottenham and I've read stories linking me with a move to Barcelona," Carr said. "Of course you never know how much truth there is in those kind of rumours, but I have to admit it is incredibly flattering when your name is connected to such a prestigious club. It is a huge compliment. I have always said that my ambition in the game is to win medals and I would be an idiot if I turned around and said no out of hand if a club like Barcelona came in with a firm offer for me. I think any player would have to consider it and I am no different."
Carr, who turns 25 at the end of August, has been with Spurs since
1993, but feels that he could be forced to leave to fulfil his ambitions. "The days of players spending their entire careers with one club are long gone. Players have to move around to realise their ambitions these days and I've already moved once - when I left Ireland to join Spurs - to further my career and it's something I can't rule out in the future. I know fans hate to see their top players leaving, but when you look at the Premiership, as well as the major European leagues, it is a fact of life. If the chance came to play abroad, to experience a different football culture and a whole different way of life, then I would think very seriously about it indeed."
Filed by Pat Nugent
