- 1,612
- 9
- 38
Tottenham lost all four meetings with Chelsea last season, which included three last January where the Blues won 3-0 on aggregate across a two-legged Carabao Cup semi-final.
Yet 12 months on and Tottenham could move 14 points ahead of their London rivals with victory this weekend, but Stellini is eager to play down talk of where they could be this time next year.
“We have the same points we had last season and we finished fourth. We can do it also this season, but we need to feel the confidence to do it,” he insisted.
“Title contender is not a description we like because to be a title contender you have to show in the schedule to be a title contender.
“We need facts to be a title contender. Everyone can speak about this but you have to show and need to stay there.
“We are happy because if we compare our team to last January, now we are better, but we have to continue to work and improve. Last season we struggle too much against Chelsea and we hope this season that can change.”
Stellini continues to impress in Conte’s absence and has now won three games in charge of Tottenham after also achieving the same number of victories when he deputised for his boss at Inter Milan.
The one-time Alessandria manager added: “I enjoy a lot to be a coach in charge, but when you take a decision you have to do your best.
“Sometimes I think about being a coach, like a dream. But I’m an assistant and that’s the reality.
“I enjoy being an assistant. I feel I’m good in this job enough to continue.”