Tottenham's Victor Wanyama is one of the Premier League's best midfielders, insists former team-mate Jose Fonte

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Sam Long3 May 2017

Tottenham's Victor Wanyama is one of the Premier League's best midfielders, according to West Ham defender Jose Fonte.

Wanyama joined Spurs from Southampton last summer and has thrived at White Hart Lane under the influence of Mauricio Pochettino.

The Kenya international will be aiming to help cut Chelsea's lead at the top of the Premier League table to one point on Friday night when Spurs travel to the London Stadium for the first time.

Fonte played with Wanyama during his spell at Southampton and is adamant Slaven Bilic's side must be particularly wary of two of his former colleagues later this week.

“[Toby] Alderweireld is a great player and we had a great season together [in 2014-15], while [Victor] Wanyama is one of the best midfielders in the Premier League, so what can you say?

"They are great guys," Fonte told West Ham's official website.

“It’s going to be tough, but we’re in a good place now and we look forward to the challenge and we want to give the fans something to be proud of.”

Spurs have won nine consecutive top-flight fixtures in a row and will be installed as clear favourites against the Hammers, who are languishing in 15th place.

Pochettino's management style is regularly hailed as a key reason behind the north Londoners' rise and Fonte remains a big fan of the Argentine coach's methods.

“Pochettino is a great manager and I don’t need to speak much about him because you can see the job that he is doing," added the Euro 2016 winner.

"He helped me a lot when we worked together and improved me, and I can only say ‘Thank you’ for what he did for me, but we’re on opposite sides now!"

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