Tottenham Hotspur hero Cliff Jones has said Sunday's clash with Chelsea is crucial to their title chances - and that Harry Redknapp's side has what it takes to win major silverware this season.

Spurs host their London rivals at White Hart Lane six points off neighbours Arsenal, who are in top spot.

Chelsea have stuttered recently but sit two points behind the Gunners.

"The match against Chelsea is very crucial, a real six-pointer, and it could have a big say in the final standings," Jones told Eurosport. "They're having a bit of a blip at the moment.

"We've always done well against Chelsea, even back to the days of Chopper Harris and Eddie McCreadie. They've never caused us problems.

"We can get something from the match."

Jones helped Spurs to the league and cup double under legendary manager Bill Nicholson.

He said the present team, featuring the likes of Gareth Bale and Luka Modric, is as good as that famous team of 1961 - the last time Tottenham won the title - and is even capable of triumphing in the Champions League.

"The present Spurs side compares very favourably with Bill Nicholson's double-winning team of 1961," he continued. "There are many very good individuals around the place and the right man in Harry Redknapp leading them from the front.

"Can Spurs win the league or Champions League this season? Why not? Harry himself has said the Premier League is wide open, with three or four teams that can win it, including Tottenham.

"The recent comebacks against Liverpool and Arsenal were very important - and have certainly shown a newfound steel in Tottenham. The Arsenal match was just terrific and signals that we are a force to be reckoned with.

"In midfield alone we've got Gareth Bale, who is just sensational, Luka Modric who is a fantastic player, Nico Kranjcar and Jermaine Jenas, who I think is massively underrated. And there's some great defenders and strikers too.

"But Wolves have taken three points off us, and so have West Ham: Harry has got to look at that and avoid throwing away points like that in the future."

Fabio Capello this week indicated that he expects Redknapp to be among the favourites to succeed him as England manager when he quits after Euro 2012, something Jones agrees with.

"It's common knowledge that Harry would love to manage England and I don't see why he shouldn't be given the job," he opined.

"He's got two years left on his contract which he'll see out first; then Spurs supporters would not be upset to see him take the England job. They know it's in the pipeline.

"He'd bring to England what he's brought to Spurs: giving top players belief and confidence, using the good team he's got around him: Joe Jordan, Kevin Bond and Clive Allen."

As for the proposed move to the Olympic Stadium in Stratford, Jones is clear on one thing: the supporters come first.

"The supporters are the most important people at any club: more important than the players, the manager or the board and chairman," he said.

"I don't know the exact situation with the stadium, but it could be that our interest in moving to the Olympic stadium is a bargaining position for a new ground in North London.

"To move to Stratford would not be suitable for most fans. The most important thing is to do what is in the best interests of the club and its supporters."

Cliff Jones has provided a foreword for coffee table book '61: The Spurs Double, written by Doug Cheeseman, Martin Cloake & Adam Powley and available from Vision Sports Publishing.

Jonathan Symcox / Eurosport