Tottenham defender Jan Vertonghen is delighted with his personal form.

Not only is this Spurs side the best he has played for, he reckons it is helping him play his best football.

The ex-Ajax star, 29, said: “I'm having the best season of my career. Everyone is speaking about my first year when I scored a couple of goals and played well.

“But it's ten times easier to stand out when you're a new player. We've had tons of examples where no one expects much of you when you join from the Dutch or Belgian league, so it was easier for me to stand out.

“I can say I play a lot better than five seasons ago.

“I've been working with the gaffer for three years with his technical team. With the physical aspect, I've grown a lot and am a lot more demanding of myself.

“The boss told me not to be happy with the level I was at, which was OK. He said I must push myself every day to be better."