Mauricio Pochettino makes Tottenham admission ahead of January transfer window

Mauricio Pochettino has admitted that his Tottenham side will need to add “real quality” to their squad in the forthcoming transfer windows if they want to challenge for top honours.

The north London side were knocked out of the Champions League at the group stage on Tuesday night when they were beaten 2-1 by Monaco to leave Pochettino’s first taste of the competition with Spurs in disappointment.

Spurs earned their spot in Europe’s elite club competition thanks to their third-placed finish in the Premier League last season but struggled to compete in Europe this term.

And with the January transfer window fast approaching, Pochettino has conceded that he may have to add some further quality to his side in the near future.

Pochettino is quoted as saying by Sky Sports: “It is good for us to learn from this for the future if we are going to be in the Champions League next season and try to compete in that and the Premier League, maybe we need to make changes.

“It was a good challenge for us to show the real level. It’s true after two-and-a-half years we closed the gap between the top clubs. But to be competitive in the Champions League and Premier League we need to show more – and maybe to add real quality.

“I think it’s better to be in the Europa League, it would be good for the club. We are in a process and a period where we need to improve.

“To play Saturday then Tuesday-Wednesday is like you play the Premier League continuously. We struggled to be ready to compete in every game.”

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Spurs must now dust themselves down as they prepare for their crunch Premier League clash against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Saturday night.