Spurs are title contenders - Wanyama

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Spurs are title contenders - Wanyama

Many expect Chelsea or one of the Manchester clubs to become English champions but Spurs' new midfielder is bullish about Tottenham's chances

New Tottenham midfielder Victor Wanyama has claimed Spurs are "fired up" for the upcoming Premier League season and ready to challenge for the title again.

Mauricio Pochettino's side pushed eventual champions Leicester City for the majority of the 2015-16 Premier League campaign, before a late stumble saw Spurs finish third behind archrivals Arsenal.

With Chelsea and the two Manchester clubs having brought in high-profile new managers, there is plenty of expectation that the 2016-17 title will be much tougher to win.

But Wanyama, who has joined Tottenham from Southampton, insists that doesn't rule Spurs out of contention.



"So hopefully we'll do well and improve on last season."

Wanyama is in Melbourne as part of Tottenham's pre-season tour and International Champions Cup (ICC) fixtures.

The Kenya international, along with team-mates Kevin Wimmer and Josh Onomah and former Spurs captain Ledley King, made his mark on one of Melbourne's iconic laneways on Tuesday by putting up a Tottenham mural.

"You know, I thought it was going to be warm but it's a nice city and I'm really enjoying it, although it's cold," Wanyama said.

The defensive midfielder added that he hopes to make his Tottenham debut against Juventus in the ICC on Tuesday.

"I'm really excited to put on the Spurs shirt tonight, and hopefully it will be a great night for us and a positive one to start with the club," he said.

Wanyama's move to Tottenham has seen him reunited with Pochettino, who managed him for one season at Southampton.

Pochettino's presence, plus the friendliness of the other Tottenham players, has ensured Wanyama already feels at home in white and navy blue.

"I've felt like I've been here for long but it's been just a few weeks, so I'm really happy," he said.

Tottenham will play two matches while in Melbourne, with the second against Atletico Madrid on Friday.