Mousa Dembele says father figure Mauricio Pochettino has got Tottenham players believing this could be their year
Tottenham fell just short of the Premier League title last season and are looking to go one better
MOUSA DEMBELE says being at Spurs is a family affair.
Boss Mauricio Pochettino is the daddy in North London and his crop of kids have got everyone believing this could be their year.
Their summer break started with a bang on Saturday night as French champs PSG took a breather from their pursuit of Neymar and Alexis Sanchez to take on Tottenham in Orlando.
Harry Kane’s late penalty sealed a thumping 4-2 win for a squad who’ve yet to welcome anyone new into the fold while losing Kyle Walker to Manchester City.
Eric Dier , who flukily gave equalised for Spurs early on before a wonder-strike from Christian Eriksen from 30 yards wowed a crowd of over 32,000, remains a Manchester United target.
But Spurs don’t need to break up the band even if the England ace would like the chance to move to Old Trafford.
Belgian ace Dembele wants everyone to stay together.
He said: "We concentrate on the team we have now. If the team stays like this, we know we that like last year we're going to have a good season, we're very positive.
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"Our squad is like a family. It's a very good thing to have a group that stays together and understands each other as well.
"The first year with the manager was different because it was a new philosophy, and now the last few years everybody understands what he means, everybody knows what to do.
"We don't change 5 or 6 six players, you have to start over with new players. I think the way to do it is very good.
"The quality we have now - everybody is looking in the same direction.
Pochettino admitted £30m French flop Moussa Sissoko remains part of his plans and is training back in London after missing this trip with a virus.
He also gave young guns Kyle Walker-Peters, England Under-20 World Cup winner Josh Onomah and Cameron Carter-Vickers starts and although it was difficult to contain Uruguayan ace Edinson Cavani and co, the experience will do them the world of good.
Kane, one of eight subs at the break, banged in the fourth from the spot and proved once again how key he is for Spurs’ glory push.
Dembele added: "Of course, Harry is amazing player. But I don't have to talk about him.
"There are more like him, I don't say like him but make a difference as well. Like Sonny, Christian Eriksen, Dele Alli in front. These players have a lot of value for us as well.
Poch said: "There were lots of positives to take.
"Always it's difficult for the younger ones. Everybody knows that they are judged and that pressure is difficult but I think they managed it very well.
"Ok maybe some mistakes, but it's about learning, for the young ones to learn. They are working very hard."