Press Conference ahead of Europa League tie

The Spurs press conference before the Dinamo Tiblisi Europa League qualification round game featured Andre Villas-Boas and Younis Kaboul. It began with questions for Younis.

He was asked if the strengthening of the squad would allow Tottenham to go further in competitions at home and abroad this season:

"We are going to carry on like last season. We will take every tournament seriously with complete concentration.

"Our target is to go as far as possible in every competition.We are trying to build something at Spurs. Big squad with good quality. Now we are facing some big games in the league against some good teams.

"We will be ready for each games. And everyone has to be ready for every game and concentrated for that.

"It is exciting to see the club try to sign so many players. But the main thing is to try and win football matches. Everyone is welcome at Spurs. We are waiting for the new signings. We just need to compete even better than before."

Kaboul was then asked about Gareth Bale: "Of course Gareth is a great class player and we need him in the team but we have some good players also.

"He is injured at the moment and we have some good players to replace him. Most important thing is to win football matches. Whoever is playing is the most important."

He was asked which competition will AVB prioritise this season, the Premier League or Europa League?

"Last season I think we prioritised both competitions in the end. Same objective this season. We approach this season the same.

"We often played the same team Thursday to Sunday last season and had good success on Sundays. This playoff is very important to us."

Younis then left the press conference to train and questions where then aimed at AVB. He was asked about the possible signings of Willian, Erik Lamela and Fabio Coentrao.

"None of the names you have mentioned have signed for Spurs. I have answered about Willian in the past, not only my time with Tottenham but also Chelsea.

"All the players are great, great players.

"On the players that are here, we are moving forward. We are not only trimming the squad but adding tremendous talent.

"I think we can become very, very strong regards to last season. It depends what deals we are able to conclude before the end of the market. We are looking to be stronger than before."

AVB was then asked again about Willian and the contribution of technical director Franco Baldini:

"I can't really confirm anything regarding Willian. There is interest in the player and there have been conversations.

"Franco is a massive appointment for Tottenham. Someone I wanted last year and it wasn't possible then. He has massive experience, Real Madrid, Roma and the FA. He is one of the best technical directors there is."

AVB was asked if the new signings are to play alongside Gareth Bale or replace him.

"Ideally we want to keep everyone. Anything can happen. We are in the last few days of transfer activity.

"The objective is always to be stronger than the year before and I think we are on the right way to achieve it."

The press persevered and asked AVB iif Gareth Bale has already signed for Real Madrid:

"I cannot say anything about that but it is not true."

He was then asked if Tottenham be stronger than last season at the end of the transfer window and is this now a potential title winning team?

"Yes I believe we can be stronger than the season before. I believe what we are doing will show this.

"I don't agree we can be title contenders for the season coming. Everything is coming and everything is happening. We have to create a team. We haven't had time to work with them."

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