Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino believes their summer market work has cost them a title challenge this season.

Spurs concluded their business later than their top-six rivals — and spent less — and find themselves 18 points behind runaway leaders Manchester City.

Pochettino said: "This summer was a very good example because we signed good players, but it was so late and with no pre-season you pay.

"You need then six or seven months for the player to be fit, adapt himself.

"The most important thing is to identify our targets and on July 3, when we start our pre-season, they are here.

"Because if we don't, it's so difficult it can affect the team. During the season you are going to pay.

"We tried to do that in the summer but we could not, for different reasons. Now, we are going to try again to do early business.

"City is a good example. We cannot compare ourselves with City because of the money, but with a different approach, different strategy, we need to do similar."