Resurgent Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Mousa Dembele has insisted that he never considered leaving despite his 'disappointment' over a lack of games last term.
The Belgian has looked a man reborn this season after emerging as a key figure in Spurs' midfield, starting eight of the Lilywhites 12 Premier League outings.
In March, the 28-year-old stated that he was left "very disappointed" over a shortage of games under Mauricio Pochettino, but Dembele insists that leaving never crossed his mind.
"Last year I played less so it is normal there are a lot of rumours. I told the club that they were not true," he is quoted as saying by Sky Sports News.
"Of course I want to be more important for the team and I want to play more. I am not someone who, if I am not playing like last year, that I want to go quickly. They understand this.
"But it has never been in my mind to leave the club. I am very happy here, even last year when I was not playing I wanted to show I can play. I am not looking to leave Tottenham, I just want to be important for the team at the moment."
Dembele is likely to start at White Hart Lane on Sunday when the Lilywhites host West Ham United.
Shane Callaghan
