Mauricio Pochettino says it was ‘important for the players’ that he agreed a new Tottenham contract

Argentine says with his future soon to be confirmed, it will help not only Spurs keep their brightest talents such as Dele Alli but attract new players too.

Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino. Rui Vieira / AP Photo

Mauricio Pochettino hopes his new Tottenham Hotspur contract will help the club attract new stars this summer and keep their current ones.

Pochettino has agreed a two-year extension that will keep him at White Hart Lane until 2021, with the deal expected to be confirmed in the coming days.

The announcement ends speculation the Argentine could be prised away at the end of the season and has come as a relief to the players, who were growing nervous about their head coach's future.

See also:

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• Steve Luckings: £5 million proves money well spent by Tottenham Hotspur on PFA Young Player of the Year Dele Alli

• Diego Forlan: Pochettino fits at Spurs, but capable of rising to a Man United or Real Madrid challenge

• The National debate: Can Tottenham catch Leicester City to win the Premier League title?

Key to Tottenham's progress now will be holding on to their brightest talents too, with the likes of Harry Kane, Dele Alli and Hugo Lloris all central to the team's title challenge this term.

Pochettino hopes committing himself to Spurs may persuade his players to follow suit and stability at the top can attract potential recruits.

“I think it is important for the players and the potential players that will come that they don’t hear rumours about whether Pochettino will be here or not,” he said.

“I think that is very important. We are ready to compete in the market and try to add the players that can help us in the future. Not that we need much because we have a good squad already.”

Pochettino insisted he did not ask for any assurances about players coming or going this summer.

“I did not need assurances. I didn’t ask for anything,” Pochettino said.

“In the moment that the president wanted to extend my contract he showed his ambition. The players are very happy here. I want to be involved in the future of the club.”

Tottenham play Chelsea on Monday night, knowing they must win at Stamford Bridge to keep the Premier League title race going to the penultimate weekend of the season. Anything less will confirm Leicester City as champions.

Spurs have not won at Stamford Bridge since February 1990 but Pochettino says his players need no extra motivation for a London derby.

“We spoke before with [assistant ]coach] Jesus [Perez] and the staff,” said Pochettino, speaking before Leicester’s game against Manchester United on Sunday, a match which ended 1-1.

“It is always difficult at the end of a season because of the fatigue – not only physical but mental – but the way we train every day, sometimes we have to stop them because it is too much.

“The motivation is massive ... But either way our players our very, very motivated to play on Monday against Chelsea.”

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