Tottenham star Christian Eriksen insists Mauricio Pochettino will take club to 'the next step' as boss prepares to pen new deal

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Mauricio Pochettino lifted Tottenham to the next level this season and the head coach's new contract means he can go one better than a top-two finish, according to Christian Eriksen.

Pochettino has verbally agreed a five-year deal with the club and Spurs look likely to finish runners up in the Premier League this season behind champions Leicester.

Tottenham were officially dumped out of the title race by Chelsea on Monday night and currently sit three points ahead of third-placed Arsenal with only two games to go.

Tottenham playmaker Christian Eriksen pictured during the bad-tempered draw with Chelsea on Monday night

Eriksen, who has become a fans' favourite at Spurs, goes down under a challenge by Branislav Ivanovic

'It's a really big thing for him and what he started to create here when he came,' Eriksen said when asked about Pochettino's contract.

'From the first day he has been focused on taking the club to the next step and he has done that.

'So hopefully he will take it to the next step and from then on it can only go one way.'

Tottenham would have taken a top-two finish before the season's start and are preparing to play Champions League football next term.

Eriksen is among the few Tottenham players with experience in Europe's elite competition following his time with Ajax.

The Denmark international expects manager Mauricio Pochettino to continue to improve the club next season

Pochettino, who was allegedly involved in a brawl after the full-time whistle, is set to sign a new five-year deal

Asked whether this Spurs squad are ready for the Champions League, the 24-year-old said: 'One hundred per cent.

'We have the quality and the youth and the engagement to go into a game and win, no matter who we are playing.

'That is definitely something that has changed from the last few seasons, where we have been 1-0, 2-0 down and it has been easy, 5-0 6-0, against the bigger teams.

'Now it's the opposite. If we are doing well, we're in front, then maybe we are pegged back, but we know we can come back again. We show that so hopefully it will be good fun next season.' 

Eriksen is excited to be playing in the Champions League next season despite missing out on the title this term