How have you found your first week or two at the club?
Very good. I know it can be difficult to move clubs after being at a club for a certain period of time, but the transition has been quite easy. Everyone made me feel welcome. It has been easy to switch. Something like this, a preseason tour can be beneficial in terms of talking to each other, learning about each other. That’s what I’ve been trying to do with teammates and staff. And it has been very easy.
What did the Spurs sell you?
Every person comes to a point in life where you have to make decisions, certain things happen that will affect you in one way or another. I don’t want to divulge details of the talks, but I’m an ambitious guy. have always been. I’m hungry to do well. I am driven from within and this is something the manager shares. When you have to make a decision about where my next path would lead, the first chat with the manager was brilliant and told me things I was almost thinking of and made it very easy mate.
Gareth Southgate once said he sees you as a striker, we saw you in a midfield three against West Ham, where is your best position?
Gareth has said I can also play in the forward line. I don’t think that means I’m a forward. I play anywhere. Over the years at Leicester I have probably played in six different positions. Anywhere in the forward line or the midfield line, I’ve played in all of them at one point or another. I played as eight the other day in a 4-3-3. If that’s what the manager wants me to do, I’ll do it.
If he wants me to play on the left wing, that’s what I’ll do. if he wants me to play back, that’s what I’ll do. (Postecoglou shakes his head) I hope not, but I’ll work if he does. I want to play anywhere but my strengths are between the lines and I hope that will be enough to get me in the team.
READ MORE: Inside the mind of Ange Postecoglou – Flat tires with Ferenc Puskas, rejection and marking
We saw you playing golf with Harry Kane with the Kangaroos on the course in Perth, presumably you will continue to play with him on the course?
I won’t go into detail about Harry’s situation. People probably talk about it and it’s really out of my hands, but from my point of view I’d love to play with him, he’s a world-class centre-forward, the best number nine in the world, a brilliant role model and an inexperienced professional guy. Whatever happens, happens.
What are your ambitions at Spurs?
I’m here to win. I know a lot of people talk a lot about how long it has been since Tottenham won a trophy. I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t believe we could win. I know from the manager and the quality of the other players in the squad that we have what it takes to win. That mentality, wanting to win, trying to win. That’s what I’ve seen so far, so I’m definitely here to win.
Could it help your England ambitions?
About the international, I always say, and I was asked about it a lot at Leicester when I was out of the squad for a while, I can only take care of what I do. I used to say I could only control what I do at Leicester and it’s the same now I’m at Tottenham. I can control my performance and how hard I work in training and in matches, and then the rest will take care of itself.
I’ve been in the England squad recently and of course I want to continue that. Representing your country, I always say, is the best. That’s what we all strive for, to represent your country at a big tournament, that’s the pinnacle. But how do I do it? I do that by working hard and playing well for Tottenham. That’s the basics, that’s the foundation, and that mindset won’t change.
You’ve tasted a big tournament – does it fuel you?
Definitely yes. It was a frustrating period as he was injured in the first few weeks of the tournament. That obviously makes it harder to get into the manager’s plans when they are playing so well.
But that period in Qatar was something that will live with me forever. The lessons learned. And sometimes in life you need setbacks – they keep you hungry, they keep you motivated. Just being there and seeing what it was like at home through the team and being a part of that team is something that will live with me forever.
How do you feel about playing Leicester?
It’s a special game. Leicester is a club with a special place in my heart. I spent five brilliant years there and then I will be playing against some familiar faces who have been teammates for a long time. So I’m looking forward to it, really eager to get the game going. But listen, we’re all professionals. It’s pre-season and we’re all working really hard and want to win, so once we get on the pitch it’s no different.
Have you seen Jamie Vardy yet?
Not yet. I know Leicester are training here so hopefully I’ll catch him for a brief moment or so. He’s a brilliant player and I’m sure I’ll see him after the game or whatever and I’ll give him a handshake and a hug.
You know many of these Spurs players, but which player has surprised you since joining?
Good question. The level has been very high to be honest. The quality of the squad. I’ve played against these players for many years, but when you train with them and see them in the detailed tactical stuff – even in the passing and shooting drills, you really see your teammates. And the quality has been very high, I have been very impressed and long may it continue and hopefully we will have a good season.
Against West Ham the early seeds of a partnership with Yves Bissouma seemed to form, could it be an important relationship this season?
Yes, if we play together. Bissouma is a very good player. I played against him when he was at Brighton and he probably didn’t play as much as he would have liked last season. But there is a top player in there and that might have been a good answer to the last question, he has surprised me a bit. He is a leader, he speaks.
For someone who has only been at the club for a year and perhaps didn’t have the best first season that he had hoped. He’s very demanding and very vocal and there’s a brilliant player in there so I’m looking forward to seeing how that partnership goes.
Can this Spurs move take you to the next level in your game?
I hope so, yes. I’ll keep doing what I do best and what got me in this position. That’s the morale I’ve had since I was a bot, and nothing will change the way I play and the hunger I have for the game. And if it takes me to another level, then that’s brilliant, but I’m just going to keep doing what I’m doing.
Could you get shirt number 10?
I just mentioned Harry and don’t really want to talk about it. I’m not sure what I should and shouldn’t say in response to that question.
Why is your shooting so good?
Lots of practice. Practice, practice, practice. I know it’s a cliché to say, but what I want to say to all young kids playing football is practice, be relentless, keep practicing constantly and be obsessed with it.