With the return of European football just around the corner, Tottenham fans and players will be looking to next week’s clash against KAA Gent in the Europa League.
Relegated from the Champions League after finishing third in their group behind AS Monaco and Bayer Leverkusen, Spurs could be forgiven for wanting to focus on the Premier League instead, where they currently sit second, nine points behind leaders Chelsea.
However, according to Toby Alderweireld, speaking to Sport/Foot magazine, that isn’t going to happen, even if a few players could be rested here and there along the way.
He said: “We play in every competition with the ambition to win it. I’m not saying it to be arrogant, it really is our goal. When you’re called Tottenham, you need to be ambitious.”
With a young and talented team at his disposal, there is no doubt that Mauricio Pochettino will rotate a bit, but with Tottenham accused of overlooking the competition in the past, Alderweireld’s words seem to suggest this won’t be the case this season.
The aim, though, is to try and avoid the Europa League next season, especially after getting a taste of the Champions League after finishing third last season.
Alderweireld added: “We’re disappointed and that’s why we want to play in the Champions League next year. For a lot of us, it was a first, and it’s really different to the Europa League. This experience will help us next season, that’s for sure.”
