Mauricio Pochettino was at pains to stress his side are in a stronger position than this time last season, and there’s truth in what the Tottenham manager says.
They have 24 Premier League points after 13 games - an identical tally to this time last season - but where progress has really been made is in the Champions League, securing top spot in a group that included Real Madrid.
‘The team has improved – maybe not enough to win the Premier League but we are competing and feel proud because the team is building a fantastic structure, and we need time,’ said Pochettino on Monday.