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Mauricio Pochettino is confident that the Chinese Super League megabucks are not a “danger” to Premier League - because most players here prefer top level football.

Chelsea midfielder Oscar has been tempted away - at the age of just 25 - by wages of around £400,000-a-week as part of his £60million switch to Shanghai SIPG.

But Spurs boss Pochettino says he would find it "strange" if one of his players were to swap the Premier League for the Far East at the peak of their careers.

Pochettino said: “I don’t believe it’s a danger for us. I can accept all the decisions. But it’s sometimes difficult to understand this type of decision.

“Football for me is not only money, it is to be competitive and for me the Premier League is the most important league in the world.”

(Image: Darren Walsh)

(Image: Getty)

Ex-Spurs midfielder Paulinho was among the first Premier League players to defect to China when he completed an eye-catching, £10million move to Guangzhou Evergrande two years ago.

But Pochettino remains convinced that, like him, none of his current squad would choose China over a Premier League title challenge.

He added: “It’s not only money. For me, it’s a passion. I need to feel the competition.

"When you’re in the Premier League you’re competing with the best and that means a lot more than money.

(Image: Action Images via Reuters / John Sibley)

“My players like to play football and like to compete with the best in the world. The Premier League is a place to be competitive.

“It would be strange for me if one of my players decided to move in that direction but - different circumstances, I respect all opinions.”