LIVERPOOL -- Tottenham Hotspur defender Jan Vertonghen believes the team can be even better this season, but says the club's aim is a top-four finish.
Spurs' impressive title challenge collapsed in the final four matches of last season but they still finished third -- their highest-ever Premier League standing.
Manchester United, Manchester City and Chelsea have all spent big this summer after changing managers while Liverpool, Arsenal and champions Leicester City are also expected to challenge, leaving no fewer than seven early contenders for the title.
Asked if Spurs can better last season's success this term, Vertonghen told reporters: "I believe so. I think we are stronger than last season, so I think we can.
"We learned a lot from last season. We are physically stronger, everyone is a year older. We were a young team so that's good for us. We have made two good signings [Vincent Janssen and Victor Wanyama] to help the team.
"I think teams look at us in a different way now. We had a very good season last season and people know we can do it now. Our aim is top four and whatever is better is better.
"The big teams made some great signings, changed managers and look very good. It will be a very interesting league this year."
Spurs manager Mauricio Pochettino said he wanted to "kill" his players and himself after Spurs picked up two points from their final four matches of last term, culminating in a humiliating 5-1 defeat at relegated Newcastle, to slip behind rivals Arsenal for the 19th consecutive campaign.
Vertonghen said: "He is right. He expected more from the last couple of games. We wanted to finish second, we did not so he was disappointed just like us."
Spurs began the new season with a solid 1-1 draw at Everton on Saturday after Erik Lamela's header cancelled out Ross Barkley's fortuitous free-kick.
"It was hard for us in the first half with their runners," Vertonghen said. "They played five at the back so they could sit and just kick it. That is what they did. We were better in the second half. We pressed them, did not give any chances away and I think we had to win. If one team was going to win it was us."
Vertonghen did not feature in preseason after picking up an ankle injury at Euro 2016, ruling him out of Belgium's quarterfinal defeat to Wales, but he came through 90 minutes unscathed at Goodison Park.
"My ankle feels good," he said. "It was my first game since my injury at the Euros. It was hard, especially the way they play -- with lots of running. But I felt good and was ready to play 90 minutes."