When Tottenham’s title dream died at Stamford Bridge last May, it seemed unlikely Mauricio Pochettino’s team would challenge again for the crown this term, given the money being invested by their foes and the arrivals of Antonio Conte, Pep Guardiola and Jose Mourinho.

But, almost one year on, Spurs are now targeting the double as they bid to overcome Chelsea on two fronts, first in Saturday’s FA Cup semi-final and then in the race for the Premier League crown.

Since the start of the 2015/16 season, the Lilywhites have picked up more points than any other top-flight team. They have also just achieved a club record of seven consecutive Premier League victories.

READ MORE: Chelsea goalkeeper fit to face Spurs in fitness boost for Conte

READ MORE: Tottenham players, staff pay tribute to Ugo Ehiogu

Pochettino has masterminded a stunning uprising in north London . Yet he sought to lower expectations ahead of this weekend’s semi-final, highlighting the experience in Chelsea ’s ranks and their superior financial resources.

“We are talking of the team that maybe in the last five years has won European competition, World Cups, a manager that won the league with Juventus in Italy ,” he said.

“To play under our philosophy, to learn, grow up, we’re in a different process, a different moment to Chelsea . It’s impossible to compare the clubs, the teams, when fighting for the FA Cup and Premier League title too.”

There are, of course, advantages to publicly pinning the favourites tag on Chelsea – it puts pressure on them and also offers an early excuse for failure if Spurs are beaten.

There may well have been mind games at play, yet the concern for Tottenham and their supporters is that Pochettino may grow frustrated with his club’s position in the status quo.

His importance cannot be overstated, yet he is still awaiting his first trophy as a manager. If Spurs fall just short again this season, how long will he wait? Will a thirst for silverware eventually draw his eye elsewhere, to a team with greater resources?

With these fears in mind, it will be comforting to hear that Pochettino actually relishes the role of the underdog and that, more than titles, he is driven by a desire to upset the established hierarchy and prove that money isn’t everything in football.

READ MORE: Chelsea v Tottenham: Perfect 10s Hazard and Eriksen take centre stage

READ MORE: Pochettino – Tottenham title success would mean more than Barcelona

In that sense, he and Tottenham are made for each other.

“For me, all that has happened here is a massive success,” said the Argentinian. “For me, winning titles? Yes, but [it matters] with which team.

“It is normal to win titles with Barcelona , Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, maybe Juventus or Porto in Portugal . With a big team, you are already very close to winning.



“Success, for me, is to achieve the top four like last season. It was a big success for Tottenham and maybe means more than winning one title with Barcelona.

READ MORE: Ballack warns Chelsea – splash the cash to avoid European embarrassment

“I dream of lifting trophies, but the way I did with Espanyol [as a player]. Two Copa del Reys – with Espanol! That is why I always admire Diego Simeone at Atletico Madrid. It is so difficult to win with Atletico Madrid . He deserves full credit, more maybe than others.



“Of course, as a manager and as a player, you love to lift trophies. We will arrive, we are ambitious. But for me success is not only lifting a trophy. How is very important, how you arrive to lift trophies.

View photos El Chelsea de Antonio Conte ha mostrado una curva de descenso en un mes definitivo por la lucha del título. More

“I have not changed my desire to lift trophies [in the way I did it with] the Copa Del Rey or at Newell’s Old Boys.

“If you play for Boca Juniors or River Plate, it’s normal to win – not playing for Newell’s Old Boys. And I like that challenge with the team that are not spending the money, and you challenge with them. That is what I like the most, more than lifting trophies.”

Story continues