Alvarez soon realised the Tottenham squad was too heavy

Spurs fitness coach Marcos Alvarez told Spanish radio station Cadena SER: "Taking into account the players' size, the team was basically 100kg over.

"We realised straight away that the team was carrying excess baggage.

"They have now lost between 40 and 50kg. Getting the rest off is the most difficult part."

606: DEBATE Have you noticed that the Tottenham players have lost weight?

When Ramos joined Tottenham in October the club were in the relegation zone but have moved up to 11th in the Premier League.

They are also pursuing silverware on two fronts.

They play Slavia Prague in the Uefa Cup on Thursday and have also reached the Carling Cup final where they play Chelsea on 24 February.

Alvarez, who moved to England as part of Ramos's backroom staff, added that he instigated a fitness programme immediately upon his arrival at the club.

"I immediately talked to Tottenham and we set the wheels in motion to change things," he added. "We have turned a lot of fat into muscle."

Ramos has won the Uefa Cup for the last two seasons, both victories coming with former club Sevilla.