Former Tottenham midfielder Jermaine Jenas believes Christian Eriksen is key to Spurs' chances of winning a trophy under Mauricio Pochettino this season.
But Jenas says he feels his old side will still finish in the top four, even if the Danish international does leave Tottenham before the summer transfer window deadline across Europe.
Eriksen's future continues to be the subject of speculation following the deadline in England, with clubs across Europe still able to sign players as the deadlines in other European leagues are later in August, or on September 2.
Real Madrid have been linked with a move to sign Eriksen, but Jenas says he does not feel Spurs should sell the 27-year-old for less than £50million - even if it means he leaves for nothing next summer.
"[Christian] Eriksen's importance to the team was quite clear even just in Saturday's win against Aston Villa, when he came on in the last half an hour with Spurs 1-0 down," he told the BBC.
"I hope Eriksen stays, because he is so valuable to their chances of winning a trophy under Mauricio Pochettino.
"Spurs might see last week's loan signing Giovani Lo Celso as a direct replacement for Eriksen, so they are ready if the right bid comes in, but they will much stronger if he stays.
"I still think Tottenham will make the top four if Eriksen leaves - they are better than Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal at the moment - but they have worked hard to get their squad into this position, and the idea is to build themselves up, so why allow themselves to become weaker?"
But Jenas said he feels that Spurs are stronger than last season, having strengthened this summer with the signings of Tanguy Ndombele, Ryan Sessegnon and Lo Celso, along with teenager Jack Clarke, who has joined the club, but returned to Leeds United on loan for the 2019/20 season.
"I think Spurs have had a very good summer transfer window in terms of the players they have brought in, but it would change my outlook on the strength of their squad if they lose Eriksen - and certain other players - now," he said.
"The whole reason their Premier League form fell away in the second part of last season was their lack of depth. They have tried to rectify that, so letting a really key man like him go now does not make any sense to me, and any fee would have to reflect how big a blow it would be to lose him."
