Pochettino uses one word to describe Tottenham squad as he eyes new signings

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Published on:

13 May 2016, 11:11 am

By Tottenham correspondent Tony Hughes

Follow us on Twitter @footyinsider247

Mauricio Pochettino has described the potential of the Tottenham squad as "massive" as he eyes summer reinforcements.

The Spurs manager has made it clear new signings are needed this summer as the club prepare for their first Champions League campaign in six years.

Pochettino put pen to paper on a contract on Wednesday that extends his agreement with the club until 2021. This comes after Football Insider revealed in early March that Spurs would hand the Argentine a five-year deal that makes him the best paid manager in the club's history.

Pochettino has signed the deal after guiding Spurs to a top-three Premier League finish with one match of the campaign remaining.

"It’s very important for me," Pochettino said of the contract, as quoted by the Evening Standard. "I feel the trust from the chairman Daniel Levy, as well as the players and supporters. I have a fantastic feeling for the future.

"It is important for me to be here for us to continue to develop our philosophy. Our project and our potential is massive and it is exciting to be here."

The Argentine's first-team coaching staff of Jesus Perez, Miguel D'Agonstino and Toni Jiminez have also agreed extensions to their deals.

As revealed by Football Insider, Spurs are now set to concentrate on securing the long-term futures of the players who took them so close to winning their first title in 55 years.

But Pochettino also accepts that the youngest squad in the Premier League also needs reinforcments.

"We have to improve our squad – this is very clear,” said Pochettino to the Standard. "We are all agreed about that. The Champions League is a different level, and to compete in that, the Premier League and the domestic cups is very important.

"You need a very good balance. Our challenge is to continue as we have done and the Champions League demands a lot of energy, more than the Europa League. It’s a very different competition.

"For that we need to ensure we have a strong squad who can compete in all competitions."

Spurs know their wage bill will climb significantly, although this will be partly offset by the mammoth new television deal that comes into effect in August as well as Champions League qualification.

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Mauricio Pochettino