Harry Kane and Dele Alli told to consider Tottenham futures after Mauricio Pochettino comments

Former Chelsea star Joe Cole claims the Argentine's long-term ambition to land a title might not align with some of his players

Joe Cole insists Mauricio Pochettino‘s belief that Tottenham may need five or 10 years to win a Premier League title would prompt him to call his agent if he was Harry Kane or Dele Alli.

The Argentine bemoaned Spurs’ recent slide, which has seen them drop nine points off leaders Liverpool despite previously threatening to challenge for the title.

“We have to look at ourselves and maybe assess ourselves in different ways – we are not looking for excuses,” Pochettino said.

“It is holding us back and it might take five years’ work, 10 years’ work to change that.”

And Cole believes Pochettino’s intent may push Spurs’ best players to consider their future.

“If I’m Harry Kane and Dele Alli and my manager is saying we’re five, 10 years away from winning a trophy, I’m on the phone to the agent,” Cole told BT Sport.

“I agree he’s made an improvement, but I don’t see a change in the mentality.

“You’re still seeing the same problems, they’re playing good football, we expect things, then they turn up and something will happen, like losing to Burnley.”

Harry Kane and Dele Alli celebrate vs Chelsea (Getty)

Spurs play Arsenal in the north London derby this weekend having lost back-to-back games, including a 2-0 loss to rivals Chelsea, who can close to within four points if they win their game in hand.

The Gunners can move to within a point of their rivals with victory, with Pochettino also forced to consider the second leg of their Champions League last 16 tie with Borussia Dortmund next week.