Tottenham new boy: My team-mates surprised me in training

Spurs splashed out £15million to bring the Belgian to White Hart Lane from Fulham last month and the 25-year-old has impressed on his first two appearances.

Dembele says he is delighted to have joined a “very big club” and feels optimistic about Tottenham’s chances this season as they prepare for their Europa League opener on against Lazio on Thursday.

“I am very happy to play for Spurs now. It’s a very big club,” Dembele said at a press conference.

“I have just been here a few weeks but I have already seen that there is a lot of quality in the side we are a very good team.

“I was surprised about how good they were in training and that gives me confidence that we can achieve something.”

Dembele also said that Spurs’ 3-1 vicotry over Reading, their first under Andre Villas-Boas, has lifted spirits in the camp.

“That win was very important for us because it took the pressure off us,” he said.

“We have a better spirit in the team now, there is a lot of positive energy in the squad now.”

Looking ahead to the Lazio clash, he added: “This is a very important competition for us. There are some good teams in this competition but I think we can do something in it.”