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The doom-mongers are predicting a season of struggles at Tottenham without you-know-who.

But there is not a hint of self-doubt at the White Hart Lane club.

Despite the increasingly likely prospect of Real Madrid buying Gareth Bale, Jermain Defoe remains a man inspired by the promise of the coming months.

The England striker is relishing the chance to work with the new wave of talent, and firmly believes it will take them to new heights.

Spain international striker Roberto Soldado is expected to complete his record-breaking £26million move from Valencia within days (click here for our La Liga expert's scouting report on Soldado).

Belgium international winger Nacer Chadli, who was among the best players in Dutch football last season, has already impressed in training after his £7m move from FC Twente.

And Brazil’s Confederations Cup hero Paulinho, snapped up for £17m from Corinthians, trains with his new team-mates for the first time on Wednesday morning.

Defoe said: “You’re talking about three top players who are going to take Tottenham to the next level.

“Yes, people may say that we missed out on Champions League football last season. But you look at the way the club has responded and straightaway you are excited about the way the team is being restructured to go again.

“Out of those three players, only Chadli has ­actually joined the squad so far, but I’ve already told him the team spirit is ­incredible and that he will love it here.

“You need that bond to work as a unit on the pitch and I think we’ve got that. We’re a group that has grown up together. Me, Gareth,

Aaron Lennon, Tom ­Huddlestone, Michael Dawson, just to mention a few of the names.

“I can’t talk about Gareth’s ­situation, because I don’t know anything about it - and it would be unfair for me to focus on anything other than my own job.

“But I can see why Spurs fans would be excited about Soldado coming because I am excited myself about the prospect of playing with him.

“He is a fantastic striker – sharp around the box and hungry to score goals.

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“For me, it’s not a case of thinking, ‘A top-class forward is coming in, maybe I’m not going to play.’ At the end of the day, I work hard and look after myself, so that I can give myself the best chance of bringing goals to the team.”

Defoe certainly has worked hard this summer.

For the second close season in a row, he has cut short his time on the beach to spend two weeks in France working with fitness guru Tiberius Darau.

The result was a display of trademark finishing that earned him a hat-trick in Tottenham’s 6-0 Asia Trophy win over South China last weekend.

It may have also tweaked the antennae of a few clubs still looking to buy a hitman before September 2.

Defoe, however, has his radar fixed firmly on finishing in the Champions League places next May.

He believes the expected addition of Soldado – the 28-year-old marksman who has hit 59 La Liga goals for Valencia over the past three seasons – gives Spurs a great chance.

He added: “A guy like Soldado can only strengthen us. Maybe if we’d had him last season as well as Emmanuel Adebayor we would already be in the Champions League. He’s a ­goalscorer.

“Nacer also looks a very good player. From what I’ve seen of him, he has got fantastic upper body strength and great feet.

“He’s a Tottenham-type of player. Clever, gets on the ball, plays one-twos, looking for the killer pass.

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“Paulinho is a top signing. He’s a midfielder who finishes like a forward and the lads can’t wait to welcome him. He’s had his break after the Confederations Cup so we get to see him on Wednesday morning for the first time.

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“We’re just like the fans. When we get new signings we can’t wait to see them in training.

“When we are finally all together and we’re looking around the dressing room, I know I’ll be excited about what we can achieve this season.

“If we just get off to a good start, you never know. Its about having the experience not to make the mistakes that cost us last time around.

“We’ve got that now.”