Edgar Davids: "How can you not love this team?"

Edgar Davids says he's 'blessed' to have represented the likes of Ajax, AC and Inter Milan, Juventus, Barcelona and, of course, Tottenham Hotspur in a glittering career - 'The Pitbull' certainly retains a soft spot for Spurs.

The all-action midfielder is a modern-day football great, underlined by his inclusion into Pele's 'FIFA 100' - a list of the greatest living footballers - in 2004.

To summarise, Edgar won the Champions League as a youngster with Ajax in 1995, three Serie A titles with Juventus (1998, 2002, 2003) and is credited with helping turn around Barcelona's fortunes in a short spell with the Catalans in 2004-05, his move coinciding with Barca climbing from mid-table to second, sparking a revival under Frank Rijkaard and the dominance that followed.

#OnThisDay in 2005, @esdavids joined from @Inter... #COYSpic.twitter.com/wz5UhTWtTc

— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) August 3, 2017

He joined us in 2005 and spent 18 months at Spurs before returning to Ajax in 2007. Capped 74 times by Holland, he was named in the FIFA World Cup All-Star team of 1998 and the team of the tournament in Euro 2000.

Now 44, Edgar was at the White Hart Lane Finale back in May and loves where he sees the club now over 10 years since he departed.

Speaking to us ahead of the friendly against Juventus, Edgar said: "I’m happy that Spurs have the culture of a top side, starting with the state-of-the-art training facility. That’s what it is. It’s unbelievable. When you go there, you want to train! You want to work! It inspires greatness. It motivates you.

"It’s no coincidence that everything is coming together and you’ve had the last couple of unbelievable seasons in the Premier League. It’s not a one-off. Spurs are at that level and that’s why I’m so proud of the club. Spurs have created that culture.

"I like this team a lot. When I see this team play I see fun, I see youth, enthusiasm, football on the edge, fun football. They have fun and they are big, big talents. How can you not love this team?"

Below: Edgar back at the Lane for the Finale - May, 2017

Not surprisingly, Edgar is a huge fan of another Ajax product, Christian Eriksen. "He did unbelievably well last season, he's a big influence. When I listen to people talking about this player and that player, when you see the guy play, how many assists? Chances created? He’s number one.

"I also like Mousa Dembele a lot. He’s the nicest guy, so humble, down-to-earth, and he has so much power. I hope the talent I see in him will come out even more. He’s already doing a great job.

"Spurs have great players, a great dynamic and cohesion in the team. I like that there are a lot of players who can chip in with goals and assists. I like that. The team is so versatile and still very young. It's young, fresh. I love it!"