Paulinho insists his struggles at Tottenham started after "that Englishman" Tim Sherwood was appointed manager.

The Brazil international was brought to White Hart Lane by Andre Villas-Boas in 2013 for a then club-record fee of £17million, arriving with much hype after an impressive showing at the Confederations Cup.

Paulinho impressed in flashes in his first season but Villa-Boas' sacking in December saw him played out of position under interim manager Tim Sherwood before Mauricio Pochettino used him sparing in his first campaign in charge.

"In my first season, I played the entire season in my central midfield role," he told Goal.

"I did well but then we had a change of coach as Andre Villas-Boas left and that Englishman [Tim Sherwood] came in.

"Then Mauricio Pochettino arrived and I did not play much. I only played a maximum of four matches in my preferred role and sometimes as a No.10."

Paulinho has no regrets over his departure but feels he could have persuaded Pochettino of his talents if given the opportunity, but lost his place to Mousa Dembele, Etienne Capoue and Nabil Bentaleb.

"No, no I don’t [hold any grudge]. Pochettino had his options and at that time he thought I was not the best option for him.

"But I do think that if he gave me the opportunity in my role then I would have convinced him. When I saw that it was not there, I decided to leave."

Paulinho has since been plying his trade in the Chinese Super League with Guangzhou Evergrande while also impressing for Brazil, scoring a hat-trick for his country in the 4-1 win over Uruguay in March.

He said: "It's difficult for me to say if I will go back [to Europe] because things happen very quickly in football. One minute I was with Tottenham, the next came a proposal from China.

"I took a step back to think about it and decided it was the right time to move. Today, I see that it was the right attitude to take. If I feel I should return, if there is an opportunity that is right and will make me happy, then I will take it. So maybe I can start a new story in Europe."