Tottenham Hotspur manager Jose Mourinho sees Sheffield United and Wolves as legitimate challengers for a top four finish in the Premier League.
Newly-promoted United are fifth after their 2-1 win over Bournemouth last Sunday, just two points off Chelsea in fourth-place.
Meanwhile, Wolves were promoted to the top flight two seasons ago and immediately earned a place in the Europa League.
Juggling European competition with the league has hampered the West Midlands club’s form at times this campaign, but Nuno Espiritio Santo’s side are only six points shy of Chelsea.
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And despite Santo and Blades boss Chris Wilder maintaining that they are not contenders for Champions League places, Mourinho is not underestimating Spurs’ competition.
“Wolves and Sheffield United are fighting for the top four,” Mourinho told Sky Sports. “[The managers] can say no, I understand if they say no, but the reality is that they are.
“Not just because of the position that they are in the table, it is because of the power and quality.
“They arrive in this situation wherein the eyes of everybody [else], they should be more than happy – they are not more than happy.”
Mourinho believes that shrewd January recruitment has added to the threat Wolves and Sheffield United pose.
Wolves bought Daniel Podence from Olympiacos for £16.6m after the Portuguese winger shone in Champions League group stage clashes with Spurs, while United broke their transfer record to bring midfielder Sander Berge to Bramall Lane for £22m.
“Wolves bought an important player to try and improve their situation,” Mourinho said. “Sheffield United bought an important player and beat their record in the market to try to improve their team.
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“It’s not just about Tottenham, Arsenal, Chelsea and Everton. It’s not just about us.
“These two clubs I have to say… fantastic.”
Sheffield United are currently on their winter break, while Wolves face a tough test against Leicester City on Friday evening.
Mourinho’s Spurs travel to Aston Villa on Sunday afternoon as they look to close the four-point gap to Chelsea, who host Manchester United on Monday evening.
