Nabil Bentaleb has insisted he left Tottenham in the summer "on good terms" with Daniel Levy and Mauricio Pochettino, reports the London Evening Standard.

The Algeria international slipped down the pecking order in the early stages of last season due to the stellar form of Dele Alli, Eric Dier and Mousa Dembele and then suffered injury.

Bentaleb completed a season-long loan move to Schalke in August in the search of regular game time and the midfielder is adamant his Spurs exit was an amicable one.

"I have so much respect for the Tottenham supporters," he told The Set Pieces. "And I have so much respect for the club that gave me the chance when I came for the first time to England."

"I was injured quite a long time and when I came back, the team was only winning.

"I was not part of the plan and I thought at that time - and still now - at my age, I need to play to improve.

"I made it clear to the coaches and the coaches said: 'No problem. We can sort this situation out.' I left on good terms with the chairman and the coach," Bentaleb insisted.