• Premier League

Holtby eager to impress at Tottenham

Lewis Holtby believes he is most effective in the middle of midfield © PA Photos

Enlarge

Related Links

• News: AVB: 16 points enough for top-four spot
  

Lewis Holtby is determined to win a place in Tottenham's starting line-up for next season, and says he can even play in a deeper role for the club if needed.

Holtby, 22, signed for Spurs from Schalke in January and is slowly adjusting to life in the Premier League.

During the first half of the season in Germany, Holtby played in an attacking midfield role, scoring four and setting up seven in 19 games. Since his move to North London, though, the Germany Under-21 captain has been used more sparingly, playing just five Premier League games in the same advanced role.

Holtby, who played a full 90 minutes during Germany Under-21's 2-1 win over Israel on Sunday, will lead the team to the European Championships in Israel this summer, and the midfielder is hopeful of using the tournament as a platform for further success next season.

"In the summer, with my first pre-season and hopefully the tailwind of a successful Under-21 European Championship, I want to win a place on the [Spurs] team," he told kicker. "I am under contract until 2018. I have trust in myself and will establish myself there. And if I show what I am capable of in the top level, I have good chances for the Germany senior team."

Holtby feels that while he is a versatile player, his preferred position is sitting in front of the defence - somewhere he has rarely been deployed this season.

"I can play various positions," he said. "I believe, the number six is the position for my future. Between six and ten, I feel best in central midfield."

Like various other German players who have joined Premier League clubs over the past couple of years, Holtby says he has been impressed by the way things are carried out in English football.

"It's easier to work on those little things in training, as there are no media or fans at the training ground. This enables you to work totally professional," he said. "The game is faster [in England], it constantly goes up and down. There is also more respect between coaches and players, but also for the referee."

The Spurs man has been excited with what he has seen from team-mate Gareth Bale since arriving in North London, and he believes the Wales international can go far.

"He is outstanding and has everything an attacking player needs," he said. "He is tall, fast, has a great left foot and has very good technique. He has that certain little extra to make him a world-class player - on club level. It will be difficult for him with Wales, just like it has been for Ryan Giggs."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.