England core gives Spurs every chance of title tilt (and finally finishing above Arsenal)

Los Blancos boss Zinedine Zidane was a similar type of explosive, eye-catching player with a penchant for spectacular strikes.

Alli’s antics supplement Spurs sharpshooter Harry Kane nicely, with the pair boasting a combined Premier League tally of 20 after as many matches.

Tottenham may be the lowest scorers (39) in the top five after 20 games, but should not be underestimated as they’ve still effectively averaged two goals per game.

Case for the defence

Pochettino, a centre back capped by Argentina as a player, also boasts the best defence at this stage of the season. Spurs have conceded fewer goals (14) even than Chelsea (15).

This comes in spite of tactical changes, including adopting a back three, free roles for Alli and Christian Eriksen behind Kane and just one true holding player.

What’s most ingenious about the switch to 3-4-2-1, however, is the freedom it affords attack-minded full backs Danny Rose and Kyle Walker. No wonder a recent edition of our Rumour Reel reported both are linked with Manchester United.

That system worked for Brazil when Cafu and Roberto Carlos were in their pomp, and such a leaf from the Samba Boys book 2002 World Cup vintage actually makes for a worthy comparison.

Eric Dier, like Edmilson, is comfortable either in defence or in front of the back four. Rose and Walker, meanwhile, share the same instincts as the brilliant Brazilian wing backs.

It’s just like watching Brazil

Instead of Gilberto Silva, a subsequent Arsenal great, Tottenham count on Pochettino’s faithful retainer and hatchet man Victor Wanyama.

Support to Ronaldo came from Ronaldinho and Rivaldo. Alli and Eriksen possess sufficient flair and Kane relatively clinical finishing for the comparison to hold.

This Spurs side are certainly capable of winning something, and a nifty 9/4 says they’ll lift a major trophy this term.

If Gareth Southgate can be as confident in the England quintet at Tottenham as Pochettino is, then that may be of major benefit to the Three Lions.

Could it even be worth adopting the three at the back approach not only used by Spurs but Chelsea for the national team? Food for thought.

With a quarter of the Premier League outright price available on Spurs finishing at least second if you back them each-way, Pochettino must ward off potential poachers for his homegrown heroes.

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