Steve McManaman believes Tottenham Hotspur will finish in the Premier League top four and qualify for the Champions League this season.
Spurs have made a great start to the campaign, accumulating 17 points from eight matches to sit behind only leaders Leicester City in the table.
Jose Mourinho and Daniel Levy had a busy summer transfer window, with seven new faces coming to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, as well as the permanent signing of last season's loanee Giovani Lo Celso from Real Betis.
Gareth Bale, Sergio Reguilon, Matt Doherty, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, Joe Rodon, Carlos Vinicius and Joe Hart all arrived in north London and all of them have settled in well.
However, it has been long-term Spurs players Harry Kane and Son Heung-min who have undoubtedly made the greatest impact so far.
Kane has scored seven goals already in the league and has contributed an unbelievable eight assists, with the majority of them setting up his teammate Son.
The South Korea international is the Premier League's joint-top scorer as things stand, after netting eight times, alongside Jamie Vardy, Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Mo Salah.
Spurs' attacking intent under Mourinho has been clear to see and McManaman has compared them to rivals Arsenal and Manchester United, but has still backed the north London side to reach the top four and qualify for next season's Champions League.
LaLiga ambassador Steve McManaman, speaking at an event for LiveScore, said: "I definitely think he (Bale) can help Tottenham qualify for the UEFA Champions League this season.
"When you look at the Premier League this year – are they better than Arsenal? They’re certainly not worse than Arsenal. Are they better than Manchester United? Well, yes for me they are, given the way they’re playing.
"I think the business that Jose Mourinho has done has been good, when you look at the players he’s brought in and the players he’s let go.
"He’s got a bit more time to focus. He’ll certainly have them defensively stronger than they were and mentally stronger. As I’ve said, if Gareth stays fit then I certainly think they’ll qualify for the UEFA Champions League this year. "
The Premier League returns from the two-week international break at the weekend, and so do Spurs, as they welcome Manchester City to London.
Spurs are unbeaten in the league since their opening day defeat to Everton, but will face a very difficult task against City, who are looking to keep pace with the front-runners at the summit of the division.
Pep Guardiola's side are in 10th going into the weekend, but have played a game less than the majority of sides, including Tottenham.
LaLiga ambassador Steve McManaman was speaking at an event for LiveScore, Official Global Scoring Partner of LaLiga Santander. LiveScore’s iOS and Android app is available to download now: www.livescore.com/mobile
