Carlo Cudicini has expressed his determination to earn a contract extension and believes Tottenham can challenge for the title.
Goalkeeper says Tottenham can push for Premier League title
Carlo Cudicini has expressed his determination to earn a contract extension and believes Tottenham can challenge for the Premier League title.
Cudicini, 38, signed a new one-year deal in the summer after battling back to fitness following a motorbike accident that threatened to end his career.
He has not started in the Premier League this season following the arrival of Brad Friedel but has been a regular in the Europa League and is likely to line up between the posts in Wednesday's clash with PAOK Salonika.
Cudicini hopes to take every chance to impress that comes his way and would love to be offered fresh terms at White Hart Lane.
"My contract is running out at the end of the season. At 38, year by year, you try to deserve a new contract so that's what I'm trying to do," said the Italian.
"I still have the motivation to try to get into the first team. If you don't have that at 38 it's better for you to play golf every day instead. You need to have that motivation.
"I am happy here. Of course everyone would like to play more games but I can be happy, I have everything."
Despite being happy as Redknapp's second choice, Cudicini admits it is unusual being at a club where he has to fight the 40-year-old American and last year's number one Heurelho Gomes to get a starting place.
Cudicini said: "It is strange. I can't see many teams in Europe that has three goalies like our team.
"When you have a difficult situation of course some of the people might not be happy, but in modern football you have to be able to put your personal interests on the side, and when you have the chance to play to always try to give 100 per cent."
Special
Tottenham have made a lot of progress since Harry Redknapp took charge and finished fourth in the Premier League in 2009/10 to qualify for the UEFA Champions League for the first time.
They missed out on a place in the top four last term but have made a strong start to the new campaign and Cudicini believes they could even push for the title.
"Maybe everyone thought reaching the Champions League was the top of our possibilities but, as you can see, it's not finished yet. You never know," said the goalkeeper.
"This club is looking forward and it's climbing stairs quite rapidly. It's a very good thing for the club and the supporters."
Cudicini added: "When you're champions it means you have something special. This team has everything to be special but it's still a long way.
"February and March is when the top teams are involved in Champions League and fatigue can be an important element. Maybe we can take advantage of that."
