Mauricio Pochettino admits Tottenham are still lacking belief to challenge for top prizes

Tottenham’s hopes of breaking their decade-long trophy drought now realistically rest in the minor cup competitions

Mauricio Pochettino knows he still has a lot of work to do at Tottenham (Getty Images)

Mauricio Pochettino believes his Tottenham squad are still lacking the belief required to win the biggest prizes in the game. Tottenham go into Saturday evening’s game against Chelsea in fourth place, just five points off the pace set by Manchester City. And yet Pochettino’s words are the clearest indication yet that he does not feel this team is quite ready to challenge for the Premier League title, with the uncertainty over their new stadium the main source of concern.

With their Champions League progress hanging by a thread – failure to beat Inter Milan next Wednesday night would see them eliminated ahead of their trip to the Nou Camp in December – Tottenham’s hopes of breaking their decade-long trophy drought now realistically rest in the minor cup competitions. And Pochettino freely admitted that although results so far this season have been perfectly acceptable, the sense of invincibility that marked their title challenges in 2016 and 2017 remains elusive.

“Football is about energy,” Pochettino explained. “Remember our last season at White Hart Lane [in 2016-17]. We were unbeaten in 10 months and you [the media] said we played so well, and had the best team in the Premier League. It was because, between the staff, players and fans, we created an amazing energy and the belief was massive. We started games thinking we were going to win. Manchester United, Chelsea, it didn’t matter. The most important thing was that your belief was bigger than everything.

“At the moment, that belief and that condition is not the same. We are waiting to move to the new stadium, and start to build that belief that we can beat everyone, and be consistent during the season, and try to fight for big things. That is why we are excited about waiting to move there, because it will be a big boost to everyone.”

Pochettino reiterated his belief that trophies must not be the sole means of judging a team. He has stated in the past that the only “titles” he considers as genuine crowning achievements are the Premier League and Champions League, and despite a widespread perception that Spurs have gone backwards on the pitch this year, he suggested that the winning mentality required to win those trophies was the biggest remaining step.

“Football is not mathematic,” he said. “I think football is about belief, it’s about faith, it’s about many things. Tottenham is in a project where, before you think about winning titles, you have to finish the facilities, finish the stadium, to settle in a very good condition. The disappointment this season is that we didn’t [yet] move to the new stadium. That is not a good emotion that is going to help you achieve all you want.”

Might the trials of this season make Tottenham stronger in the long run? Pochettino wasn’t convinced. “Stronger means to win titles or to perform better,” he replied. “You can only measure when you win titles. But sometimes, that is completely unfair, to judge teams only if they win titles. It is more important the process and circumstances with which you are fighting.”

Mauricio Pochettino believes his side lacks the spirit required to go all the way (PA)

The subtext here was clear enough. By all means judge Spurs (net spend on transfer fees: £29m in five years) for their lack of silverware. But take into account, too, the fact that they are going up against five rivals who have all comfortably outspent them (Liverpool £183m, Chelsea £200m, Arsenal £225m, Manchester United £466m, Manchester City £518m).

“I cannot fight with perception,” Pochettino said. “Perception is perception. I only fight with reality. The reality is we are in the top four. And to win trophies, you need to talk about reality, not about perception.”