Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino believes it could take five to 10 years for his side to win a Premier League title after the weekend loss to Burnley.
Immediately after the 2-1 defeat, the Argentine conceded his side’s challenge was all but over as Spurs missed the opportunity to move to within two points of Manchester City and Liverpool.
But he has now gone one set further by suggesting his side lack a long-term winning mentality to succeed.
Had Spurs won that day they would have moved, for a few hours at least, to within three points of the leaders, Liverpool. They are currently six points off Liverpool’s pace.
“I am only so surprised that we cannot build the feeling that the game is going to be the most important game,” Pochettino said.
“Is that what is holding us back? Yes, exactly. My worry is what happened [against Watford and Burnley] and to change that is not only five years’ work, maybe it is 10 years’ work to change that thing that happened here.”
Tottenham make the short trip to Stamford Bridge on Wednesday evening (kick-off 8pm) to face losing Carabao Cup finalists Chelsea.
And Pochettino is in no doubt his side will be in the right frame of mind for that encounter – which is part of Tottenham’s overall problem.
“To go away and play the likes of Chelsea, Arsenal – that is easy,” Pochettino added. “You don’t need a manager to motivate you for those games, that is normal.
“But if we don’t have the will to show that (against Burnley), then you don’t deserve anything.
“What we showed on Saturday was that we are a good team, have good quality but not enough to win a Premier League title – that is the reality.
“If you are not able to beat Burnley it is impossible to think you will win the title – if you do it’s because others have lost the opportunity themselves.
“The reality is that it will be tough to win the Premier League because of us, not because Liverpool or Manchester City are any better.”