Mauricio Pochettino SpursGetty

‘Spurs shouldn’t be judged on trophies’ – King sees other markers for progress under Pochettino

Tottenham should not be judged on trophies, says Ledley King, with there plenty of other parameters which suggest that the club is moving in the right direction.

Mauricio Pochettino has turned Spurs into top-four staples in the Premier League and Champions League finalists.

The Argentine’s efforts have earned him plenty of plaudits, but no tangible reward as major silverware has remained elusive.

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A barren spell which stretches back to 20008 and the days of King is yet to be broken by an exciting squad in north London, but the club’s former skipper believes progress is being made.

King told PA Sport when asked whether another season without a trophy would be considered a failure: “No, it is important just to improve.

“We all want to win trophies, every team wants to win trophies, but it is not a given. It is very difficult and no-one has a given right to win anything.

“The team will be trying to compete on all fronts to win anything, but I don’t think you can judge the season on not winning a trophy.

“We will be able to look at the season as a whole and see what we have done. Last season was great for the club but we didn’t win a trophy, so I don’t think it can be judged like that.

“We all realise how difficult it is to win trophies at the moment – Manchester City won three last year, so the competition is very tough.

“The players want to improve and they will be looking to try and compete and, until they are out of a potential title race, they will believe they can be right up there amongst it.”

Spurs opened their 2019-20 campaign with a late rally against Aston Villa, with Harry Kane bagging a brace in a dramatic 3-1 win over Premier League new boys.

Next up is a trip to reigning champions Manchester City, with King looking forward to see Pochettino’s side try and put down another marker.

The Ex-England international added: “It is very early in the season, but it is a big game for both teams.

“Both will want to lay down a marker to say ‘this is where we are at this season’, but of course we all know there is such a long way to go, so many twists and turns. But in terms of trying to show you mean business this season, both teams will want to do that.”

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