Mauricio Pochettino believes the high standard of opposition in the Premier League is behind Manchester City’s unsuccessful title defence.
The Tottenham head coach welcomes Manuel Pellegrini’s side to White Hart Lane on Sunday afternoon, by which time Chelsea could have taken the crown away from Manchester for the first time since 2010.
City were just three points adrift of Chelsea at the turn of the year but have lost five times since then and have all-but conceded their title.
But Pochettino, whose side sit sixth in the table and look like missing out on a place in the top four, admits he is not surprised by City’s struggles given the quality of the teams in the division.
“It is not easy in the Premier League,” he said.
“When you compete for the Premier League and fight with sides like Man United, Chelsea, Arsenal, Liverpool and us it is never easy – I’m not surprised (they have struggled).
“The Premier League is the toughest league in the world. Man City have great players but it is not easy to win the Premier League.
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“If you can see La Liga in Spain it is only Barcelona and Real Madrid on the same level who can win the trophy but here in England it is very different.”
Spurs may face another season with Champions League football next year but Pochettino is hoping to one day emulate the recent successes of City.
“Manchester City is a squad or a club that realistically can fight for the Premier League,” he added. “Maybe in the future we have the same results to be realistic to fight for the Premier League. This is my dream.
“We want to fight for that, to find the results in the next few years for it to be realistic to fight for the Premier League.”
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