Spurs right-back Kieran Trippier has revealed his fitness was not up to scratch and he was found to be high in body fat when he made the move to White Hart Lane.
The former Manchester City youth product joined the club in 2015 for a fee of £3.5 million after excelling at Burnley, and he's since become a valuable asset for Mauricio Pochettino's side, having signed a new five-year contract in the summer.
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But upon joining the club, the 27-year old discovered just how demanding Pochettino is when it comes to fitness levels, as his body fat was over the percentage permitted.
Despite Sean Dyche, his previous boss, being happy with where he was at fitness-wise, Pochettino let him know that things needed to improve. Trippier says it took him six months to get in "great condition".
In an interview with The Mirror, he said.
"When I was at Burnley and we got our body fat done, I had a really good percentage. Sean Dyche was happy.
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"I went to Tottenham and I was well high [in body fat] - I think they pinch you tougher at Tottenham, unless it was my all-inclusive holiday in Mexico and the mojitos!
"It turns out I wasn't in the best shape when I came to Tottenham and the manager let me know that. He told me that and within six months of getting there I was in great condition."
Tripper finished last season as Spurs' regular right-back, ahead of Kyle Walker, who joined table-topping Manchester City for £50 million in the summer. The boyhood United fan has been tussling it out with new signing Serge Aurier for the right-back berth this season, and has made sacrifices to keep up with the high fitness levels on the white side of North London.
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"It's really intense. It's relentless really, how much stuff we do," he added.
"The structure is set out perfectly, whether it's in the gym, running - sometimes double sessions. Every player at Tottenham is in great shape.
"I used to enjoy myself with my missus and friends but because we are playing Saturday-Tuesday or Wednesday-Sunday, with the intensity we play at, we can't afford to have a night out."
Trippier's meteoric rise has seen him force his way into Gareth Southgate's England side, making two appearances for his country. He is in the squad for this week's friendlies against Germany and Brazil, and looks set to be part of the travelling party to Russia in 2018.
Featured Image Credit: PATopics: Manchester City, Football, Mauricio Pochettino, Kieran Trippier