Roy Keane has suggested that Tottenham are set for an impressive campaign overall, but doubts they have the overall quality to launch a successful title challenge.
Liverpool won last year’s Premier League with a 99-point haul and Manchester City won it the two years previous with 98 and 100 points, but it seems likely that this year’s title will require a considerably lower total.
With Spurs top of the table after a quarter of the season and with the league’s best defensive record to-date, some have suggested that Jose Mourinho’s know-how could get them over the line as unlikely contenders.
But although Keane is appreciative of the talent the manager and some of his players have, he doesn’t believe there’s enough quality to realistically challenge the current top two this term.
“[Mourinho has] done it before. His CV is fantastic,” he said on Sky Sports.
"But I don't think these players he has at Spurs are good enough to win the title. They have the X-factor in Mourinho and Harry Kane, I don't think that's enough. They were hanging on at the end at Stamford Bridge.
"I think they are on for a very good season, but a very good season is a big difference to trying to win the league title. I don't think so. Manchester City are stronger than Spurs."
Keane pointed to the “odd blip” in results against teams Spurs - or a title challenger - would expect to beat usually, while saying there was still a reliance on their main striker and that taking a point at Chelsea was around the right level for the team.
"There wasn't much surprise with what we saw with Tottenham at Chelsea. They are quite dependent on Harry Kane, he was quiet.
"Jose Mourinho said his players were disappointed in the dressing room, I think they should be delighted. Mourinho will be delighted."
