Tottenham remind me of Bayern Munich says their German international Lewis Holtby
Competition for places and "really good, strong squad" at AVB's title hopefuls draws comparison to the European champions
Reuters
Lewis Holtby says his Tottenham side are determined to beat Chelsea this weekend and prove they are genuine title contenders.
Andre Villas-Boas' second-placed men have started the season in impressive form, with eight wins from nine matches in all competitions.
Spurs have also kept eight clean sheets in the process and midfielder Holtby says a top four finish is now the minimum expectation.
The north Londoners did lose to current leaders Arsenal earlier this month, but are still level with their bitter rivals on 12 points after five matches.
And Germany international Holtby and his team-mates believe the White Hart Lane club CAN genuinely challenge for the title.
Holtby explained Spurs want to prove their pedigree to themselves and the rest of the top-flight when Chelsea cross the capital for Saturday's lunchtime game:
"Absolutely, especially for ourselves. It is very important to win a big game like that to stay up top and give us the confidence we need for the rest of the season.
"If we keep producing things like we have done in the last couple weeks then we have big things to do.
"We are aiming for very high things. We want to get in the top four, we want to play Champions League. That is the main aim.
"I think we have the squad to do that, the quality and depth as well.
"Saturday is a massive game. For the fans as well, we are playing at the Lane against Chelsea, if we can win that game we can make it a special weekend as well.
"It will be tough, but I think we have the ability to do something and we believe in ourselves."
Holtby came off the bench at Cardiff last Sunday to help set up Paulinho's last-gasp winner.
He also created three of Spurs' goals in their 4-0 League Cup romp at Aston Villa on Tuesday.
Yet the 23-year-old is by no means guaranteed a start which underlines Spurs' strength in depth after spending more than £100million on new players.
They have sold Gareth Bale but newcomers Christian Eriksen, Paulinho, Roberto Soldado, Erik Lamela and Nacer Chadli have all shown flashes of real quality.
Holtby, signed from Germany's Schalke in January, is relishing the fight for places.
And he claims the intense competition at White Hart Lane reminds him of reigning German and European champions Bayern Munich.
He added: "I know Tottenham are going to do something big and I know they are going to have a really good, strong squad and I wanted to be part of that.
"Tottenham is going places and I'm happy to be part of it. I'm 23, I'm still young, I'm learning and progressing.
"I wanted to come here. I wanted to have this challenge. I have to show when I get the opportunity that I can produce something.
"If I keep working hard and putting on pressure it is going to be a very tough decision but we have so many games.
"You have to be prepared and up for it. Bayern Munich are the same, they are always patient, they all work for the team - and that's how I see it here."
Andre Villas-Boas' second-placed men have started the season in impressive form, with eight wins from nine matches in all competitions.
Spurs have also kept eight clean sheets in the process and midfielder Holtby says a top four finish is now the minimum expectation.
The north Londoners did lose to current leaders Arsenal earlier this month, but are still level with their bitter rivals on 12 points after five matches.
And Germany international Holtby and his team-mates believe the White Hart Lane club CAN genuinely challenge for the title.
Holtby explained Spurs want to prove their pedigree to themselves and the rest of the top-flight when Chelsea cross the capital for Saturday's lunchtime game:
"Absolutely, especially for ourselves. It is very important to win a big game like that to stay up top and give us the confidence we need for the rest of the season.
"If we keep producing things like we have done in the last couple weeks then we have big things to do.
"We are aiming for very high things. We want to get in the top four, we want to play Champions League. That is the main aim.
"I think we have the squad to do that, the quality and depth as well.
"Saturday is a massive game. For the fans as well, we are playing at the Lane against Chelsea, if we can win that game we can make it a special weekend as well.
"It will be tough, but I think we have the ability to do something and we believe in ourselves."
Holtby came off the bench at Cardiff last Sunday to help set up Paulinho's last-gasp winner.
He also created three of Spurs' goals in their 4-0 League Cup romp at Aston Villa on Tuesday.
Yet the 23-year-old is by no means guaranteed a start which underlines Spurs' strength in depth after spending more than £100million on new players.
They have sold Gareth Bale but newcomers Christian Eriksen, Paulinho, Roberto Soldado, Erik Lamela and Nacer Chadli have all shown flashes of real quality.
Holtby, signed from Germany's Schalke in January, is relishing the fight for places.
And he claims the intense competition at White Hart Lane reminds him of reigning German and European champions Bayern Munich.
He added: "I know Tottenham are going to do something big and I know they are going to have a really good, strong squad and I wanted to be part of that.
"Tottenham is going places and I'm happy to be part of it. I'm 23, I'm still young, I'm learning and progressing.
"I wanted to come here. I wanted to have this challenge. I have to show when I get the opportunity that I can produce something.
"If I keep working hard and putting on pressure it is going to be a very tough decision but we have so many games.
"You have to be prepared and up for it. Bayern Munich are the same, they are always patient, they all work for the team - and that's how I see it here."
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