Sunday 17 April 2016 17:15, UK
Christian Eriksen is desperate to have the last laugh in his friendly feud with Kasper Schmeichel as Tottenham's title rivalry with Leicester gets serious.
Spurs trail Claudio Ranieri's side by eight points in the Premier League title race heading into their Sky Live Monday Night Football game at Stoke.
The gap would have been less had a stoppage-time penalty from substitute Leonardo Ulloa not rescued a point for the Foxes as they drew 2-2 with West Ham on Sunday.
Eriksen has been trying to stoke the fire over the last few weeks by sending texts to his Denmark team-mate Schmeichel.
Leicester still have games against Swansea, Manchester United, Everton and Chelsea to come, and Eriksen admits he recently took the chance to tease Schmeichel again when he messaged him recently.
"I hope it's me," Eriksen said when asked who will send the last laugh message.
"I just texted him the other day. I said 'good luck winning...or not' and he said the same back.
"So of course we are still in contact and we're in the national team together and there are a lot of jokes, there is a good relationship between us.
"We are colleagues and friends but it's not like we're texting each other every week either.
"It's probably funnier to text each other now because of where we are in the league but it's just normal banter."
Eriksen also questioned Schmeichel's assertion that Leicester are just enjoying being title contenders.
"I think they are, of course they are," Eriksen added when asked if Leicester are thinking about being crowned champions.
"When you are that close and you are coming from the position that they are in, of course they will be looking at the title. That is normal.
"Talking to the press you say things a little differently."
Tottenham still have work to do if they are to come from behind and overhaul Leicester to secure top spot, although Eriksen is one of three players in the team, along with Toby Alderweireld and Jan Vertonghen, who have experience of doing just that.
The trio helped Ajax overcome a 12-point deficit on FC Twente in 2011, pipping their rivals to the post on the final day of the season.
"I think we were second until the last day of the season when we played Twente, who were first and one point ahead," added Eriksen.
"If you won the game you were champions. For us, the whole season we were trailing and I think at some points we were 12 points behind. But we came closer and closer, and then we got it.
"I was really young back then but for me it was a really good experience and you could see what it meant for the club. It's a little bit the same here."
Eriksen may find the gap too great to close this time around but is confident Tottenham's title challenge is not a one-off.
The 24-year-old is one of a handful of players, including Vertonghen, to have held early talks over a new contract this summer and if Spurs can keep their talented squad together, the future looks bright.
"We have the team to play for the title and, if all the players stay, we can do better next season," said Eriksen.
"We have given a good picture to the world that we are a really strong team and not someone that you just push over."
Watch Stoke v Tottenham on Monday Night Football. Coverage begins on Sky Sports 1 HD at 7pm.
