Player admits to having nearly retired following unsuccessful Spurs spell

Athletic Bilbao fullback Yuri Berchiche who spent two years at Spurs early on his career has admitted that he thought about quitting football after his spell in North London.

The youngster left the Basque outfit to join Tottenham’s academy in 2008 and it was hoped that he would go on to be a future first team player for the Lilywhites.

However, the defender didn’t make a single first-team appearance in the two years he spent at White Hart Lane before being released in the summer of 2010 after a couple of unsuccessful loan spells at Cheltenham Town and Valladolid .

Berchiche told Spanish outlet El Pais (as translated by Sport Witness) that no club wanted him after he left Spurs.

He is quoted as saying: “I considered leaving football”

The Spaniard has enjoyed an inspirational renaissance since leaving North London, first impressing with third division side Real Union, before moving on to the likes of Real Sociedad, Eibar and Paris Saint Germain.

The 30-year-old, who signed for Bilbao last summer, is enjoying an impressive season to date having scored six goals in 29 appearances in all competitions whilst also chipping in with two assists (transfermarkt).

Berchiche will certainly be glad that he decided not to give up on his dream when all seemed lost.

Spurs Web Opinion

Berchiche’s story, like many others’ before him, shows how there are so many variables that dictate whether a player would work for a club at a particular time. Especially with younger talents, it is very hard to predict how they will develop as not everybody develops at the same pace. It is often the case that some players thrive in certain environments and struggle in others.