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Toby Alderweireld believes that Tottenham Hotspur need to win all four of their remaining matches to guarantee qualification to the Champions League, per The Mirror.

What’s the word?

Spurs lost to Manchester City on Saturday but were boosted in their pursuit to qualify for the competition by other results 24 hours later.

Both Manchester United and Arsenal lost on Sunday with Spurs safely ensconced in third, one point clear of the Gunners and three ahead of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side. Chelsea can potentially move above them on Monday night if they beat Burnley, but the north London outfit will have a game in hand on Maurizio Sarri’s team.

Alderweireld and his team-mates face Brighton & Hove Albion on Tuesday before games against West Ham United, AFC Bournemouth and Everton – they also face Ajax over two legs in the Champions League semi-final – and the Belgian is of the belief that only maximum points will be enough.

Speaking to The Mirror, the 30-year-old said: “Tuesday, we know the pressure is on us.

“We have to get three points, so we have to win all our remaining games in the Premier League. We want to get top four and the Champions League as well. We’ll try to get top four, because it’s important to be in the Champions League next year.

“Last season we were close, so I think we have to do the things that we’re doing now, try to improve and try to close the gap.

“But if you see the last four years how stable we are, always top four, always close, so I think just working hard we will close the gap.”

A major end to the season needed

Spurs cannot afford to take their foot off the gas.

Of course, they face a number of difficult games before the end of the season in the Premier League and they will also play Ajax over two legs in Europe.

If form takes a dip domestically, Tottenham may have to win the Champions League to be in it next season.

Alderweireld, then, is right to remind his team-mates of the battle they face.

Spurs fans had better hope they are listening.