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It is the unlikely title challenge that simply refuses to go away.

Davinson Sanchez and his Tottenham team-mates may be on the undercard of a high-class bill of Premier League action this weekend.

Should results go their way, however, they could end Sunday night just two points behind Manchester City and Liverpool.

Saturday’s trip to Burnley is followed by crucial clashes at Chelsea and against bitter rivals Arsenal.

Yet Sanchez, the rising star from the small town of Caloto in Colombia, epitomises the spirit that continues to keep Spurs in the slipstream of the top two.

“Nobody has given us any gifts,” said the 22-year-old. “In fact when teams play us they want especially to beat us because they know that we have style of play, we have a philosophy.

“But also because the mentality instilled within this team means we can keep getting results. So we know that its important to finish high in the table and important to finish above our rivals here in London. But this isn’t what we think about.

(Image: TIM ANDERSON)

We want to make history because we know that nothing is given and that you have to work for everything in this life.”

It is Sanchez’s work ethic that has seen him enjoy a meteoric rise from humble beginnings to super-stardom.

As a 17-year-old he played as a defensive midfielder for Atletico Nacional in his homeland - but couldn’t get a game under then-boss Juan Carlos Osorio.

“I started training as a midfielder there but it was really competitive,” Sanchez explained.

“I asked to play for the Under-20’s to have more game time but eventually the only position where I was going to get that game time was at centre-back.

“So I started playing there and started to show the qualities that I have now.

(Image: TIM ANDERSON)

“So I started playing there and started to show the qualities that I have now.

“Osorio told me ‘this is your position. You have the character, you have the pace and you have the leadership qualities to play there.’ That’s how it started.”

Sanchez spoke after showing his support and presenting prizes to disabled and non-disabled children at an inclusive tournament run by the Tottenham Foundation.

(Image: TIM ANDERSON)

“Osorio told me, this is your position. You have the character, you have the pace and you have the leadership qualities to play there. That’s how it started and that’s how it leads to where we are today.”

Sanchez spoke after showing his support and presenting prizes to disabled and non-disabled children with disabilities at a tournament run by the Tottenham Hotspur Foundation.

”If you can’t enjoy moments like this then you can’t enjoy life,” he said. “I’m someone who has come through situations where I saw hard things.

“I set up my own foundation in my town in Colombia mainly for children too. To put them on a path. To show that if I can make something different of my life then they can too.”

By the age of just 19, Sanchez had already won seven trophies as a centre-back with Nacional. Barcelona came knocking but the level-headed teenager instead joined Ajax - a decision that would ultimately go on to benefit Spurs.

(Image: TIM ANDERSON)

“Barcelona wanted me to play for their B team,” he said. “But I wanted to stay and win the Copa Libertadores and after that I didn’t want to go down to a B team.

“I believed in my qualities and believed I could play in their first team. Ajax wanted me to be a part of their first team.

“It wasn’t just Barcelona that wanted me either. When I was 17 Sevilla came for me. At 18 Valencia, at 19 Villarreal before Barcelona."

Sanchez is completely confident that in joining Ajax and then Spurs just a year later he made the right decision.

“Definitely,” he said. “Pochettino told me that at Tottenham if you deserve something you will get it.

“He said that Tottenham was a special place, a special club, that they were building a project and that he saw me as a part of that.

“When I arrived here I found a group of players that were very open, friendly, big personalities and all going for the same objective - to stay strong and to put smiles on the fans’ faces so that they can be proud of our work.”

***Davinson Sanchez was speaking at an inclusive KICKS tournament organised by Tottenham Hotspur Foundation. For more information please visit https://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/the-club/foundation/about-us/