Mauricio Pochettino has said finishing in the top four is not enough for Tottenham and the club must challenge for trophies this season.
Spurs have qualified for the Champions League in each of the last three seasons, finishing in the top three on every occasion.
However, the Londoners haven’t won a trophy since the League Cup success of 2008, and Pochettino has come under criticisism for appear to prioritise the Premier League and Champions League over more realistic potential success in the domestic cups.
The Argentinian disputes those claims, suggesting Spurs will try even harder to attain silverware in 2018/19.
“Of course it is a massive success for the club to be in the Champions League for the third year in a row. But maybe that is not enough, maybe we need to change certain things. For me, it is not enough,” Pochettino said (via the Independent).
“If some people believe the manager of Tottenham does not want trophies they are not right in their minds. I am here to win,” said the Argentine.
“Can we win something this season? In football, all can happen. It will be tough because our opponents are at a level where every year they improve … we are competing in the same race but with a different car.”
Tottenham are yet to make a signing in the current transfer window, although Aston Villa midfielder Jack Grealish is expected to arrive before Thursday’s deadline.
Toby Alderweireld and Mousa Dembele continue to be linked with the exit door. Dembele has reportedly turned down a move to Inter Milan, while Alderweireld is said to be still of interest to Manchester United.
Whether either player will depart remains to be seen, but Spurs could do with them sticking around if they are to compete in multiple competitions this season.
It will be difficult to win a trophy with a team that hasn’t been strengthened; weakened if anything.