The team has fallen short of the club’s goal of
Champions League football over the past
number of seasons, with their run to the 2010/11 quarter-finals under Harry
Redknapp – where they lost to Real Madrid
– their most recent spell at Europe’s top table.
The seasons since have represented a series of near
misses – including a fourth place Spurs missing out to sixth place Chelsea following the Blues’ shock Champions League final win in the 2011/12
campaign.
But ex-USA international Friedel insists a new-look
Tottenham side, currently fifth after Sunday’s 1-1 draw at derby rivals Arsenal
stretched their unbeaten run to 11 Premier League
games, have a ‘great opportunity’ this year with defending champions
Chelsea ‘well off the pace’.
Speaking on the Alan Brazil Sports Breakfast, the former
Spurs, Liverpool and Aston Villa glovesman
said: “I tip Tottenham to get into the top four this season, and that’s not
because of my allegiance to them, I really believe in what Mauricio Pochettino
is doing there.
“Mauricio Pochettino has done as wonderful job with
instilling his philosophy and style of play with this Tottenham team.
“It’s high energy and they’ve got a very fit group of
players, and the players Pochettino has kept have bought into his system. They
believe in it.
“It’s not an easy system to play in, I can tell you from
personal experience that it’s not easy training every day.
“It’s very enjoyable but it’s physically demanding and you
have to stay on top of everything, your physical fitness and mentality, but
he’s done a very good job and long may it continue.
“I don’t think anyone envisioned the problems Chelsea have
had this season, but they’re well off the pace and there’s a great opportunity
for Tottenham to get into the top four this season.
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