Poch: I don’t know if we can win title
Mauricio Pochettino believes it is too early to say whether his Tottenham side are Premier League title contenders.
Spurs have overcome adversity this season to be locked into the top four and they sit nine points behind Christmas leaders Liverpool ahead of their game in hand at Everton on Sunday.
They are enjoying their best Premier League start but are fighting on other fronts with a Champions League knockout tie at Borussia Dortmund and a twolegged Carabao Cup semi-final with Chelsea in the new year.
Spurs’ squad is likely to be stretched and Pochettino, who is reportedly Manchester United’s number one target to replace Jose Mourinho, does not know whether his team can continue to challenge the Reds and Manchester City.
“Today it’s impossible to guess if we are going to have a chance to fight for the title,” he said. “I think the most important is the belief and fight to compete in every single game and be there.
“It’s important to be there until the end. Today there is still a lot of games to play and it’s so early in the season. We are still involved in all the competitions.
“A lot of things can happen. It’s still early to talk about if we are a candidate or not. We are in a good position, a position to give us a chance to fight for the title. In the same way, we are involved in all competitions and it will be tough.
“It’s not an excuse but we need to go step-by-step and believe in our way and try to do the best we can.
“Man City and Liverpool are at the top. They are the two big candidates to win the league. We are behind with some gap. Then there are Chelsea, Arsenal, and United.
“There is still a long way until the end of the season. It is normal for people to consider Liverpool and Man City the two big candidates to win the Premier League.”
Spurs’ title credentials will come under scrutiny with a tough game at Goodison Park today, despite the Toffees being winless in their last four games.
Pochettino added: “Everton have a lot of quality players, a great squad, and Marco Silva’s doing a fantastic job.”