Hoddle is adamant that age is no barrier, and said he was recruiting players who knew how to win things.

"I had Gus in mind but didn't think he would be available," said Hoddle. "When I heard he was available, I was straight in.

"He is a winner. Wherever he has been involved he has won things. I saw him play against Chelsea when I was manager and he was with Zaragoza.

"He has a terrific eye for a goal and even on the television screens you can see his love for the game. You need that if you are going to play to an experienced age. He has that with a passion.

"Gus is as fit as anyone we have at the club. He has a burning ambition and that is what the club needs - ambition. We have some terrific youngsters but we need some experience.

"Teddy Sheringham and Gus know how to win things. That is what we need at this time. We are delighted to have him on board.

"I was at his house yesterday and he said he can't wait - he is like a 21-year-old. He has desire and passion. He can't wait for training to start and I am looking forward to working with him.

"You have only to look what a 37-year-old (Gary McAllister) did for Liverpool last season. The ingredient missing here is experience.

"If you keep yourself fit, you can learn new things. A new set of curtains have opened for Gus and for Teddy.

"They will bring our youngsters on leaps and bounds. We have good quality and good young players, but they are not ready to win things yet. I think we can develop the youngsters so they can become winners themselves.

"I brought in Ruud Gullit, Mark Hughes and Dan Petrescu when I first went to Chelsea. We need that stability and experience. For this club the future is about being successful and playing a certain way."

Poyet has moved to White Hart Lane on a three-year contract for an initial fee of £1.25m, but Chelsea could earn another £m from the deal depending on appearances.