"I don't like to speak too much and to be in the spotlight or papers," Berbatov said. "I just want to play football. I am my own man. When I want to speak I will and will tell you the truth, no matter how hard it is. That is why I am talking now. I am a Tottenham player, I love the club. I don't always smile so much, but that does not make me a bad person. I don't smile because we are near the bottom of the table and have not been playing well - I have not been playing well either."

The Times says despite Berbatov's insistence, it is believed that he will look to move to a bigger club in the summer. He has a gentlemen's agreement that he can do so if the club do not qualify for the Champions League this season.

Emil Dantchev, his agent, said last night that he had nothing more to add.

"Berbatov must be calm and concentrated as there is a very difficult programme ahead with Tottenham and Bulgaria."