Spurs boss Pochettino warns champions-elect Leicester

Mauricio Pochettino: Met with Fergie

Mauricio Pochettino: Met with Fergie

Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino has warned Leicester it would be dangerous to assume they have won the title already.

The Foxes need only three points from their three matches left to be crowned Premier League champions and they can complete the fairytale on Sunday with a win at Manchester United.

Even if Leicester drop points at Old Trafford this weekend, the expectation is they will finish the job, with champions scarves on sale in the city and plans in place for a trophy presentation the following week.

Spurs will be watching anxiously ahead of their game at Chelsea on Monday, and Pochettino insists there could yet be a late twist.

“It is difficult to stop the excitement they have now in Leicester. That can be dangerous,” the Argentinian said.

“I hope that it is, but we need to win our game and do our job.

“The gap is seven points and there are nine points to play for. It is not easy, it is difficult, but we need to believe.

“The most important thing is not only that Leicester drop points but we need to win our game.”

There was some good news for Tottenham supporters on Friday as Pochettino announced he is ready to sign a new five-year contract at White Hart Lane.

The 44-year-old may miss out on the title this season but, if Leicester do beat United, it will mean Spurs are guaranteed a top-four finish for only the third time in 26 years.

With a young squad and their new 61,000-seater stadium on the way in 2018, the future looks bright for Pochettino’s side.

“We can feel a little bit disappointed because the gap behind Leicester is big, but realistically we have a very good, young squad,” he said.

“If it is not possible to win the title this season, we need to try this season and the next season after.

“The potential of the club and the squad we have is massive, and the important thing is to build the project and philosophy and to settle the basis.

“The basis is now very solid and only the future can be brilliant.”

Tottenham have not beaten Chelsea at Stamford Bridge since February 1990, and if they are to repeat the feat they may have to do so without Eric Dier.

Dier took a blow to the head against West Brom and was concussed, while Dele Alli will miss out as he begins a three-match suspension.

“Eric Dier suffered concussion and is doing well but we need to assess him,” Pochettino said. “We will decide Sunday after the last training session if he is available or not.”