Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Paulinho has insisted that he never thought about leaving the club during his first season at White Hart Lane.

The Brazil international struggled to produce consistent performances after joining from Corinthians for £17m last summer.

Paulinho has admitted that while he was frustrated with his form, he was determined to fight for his place in the team.

"I was on bench for a period, but I never considered returning to Brazil," he told Globo Esporte.

"It's complicated for a player when he goes to Europe, you have to be strong.

"Of course I did talk with my agent, it's normal when you are upset. But the talk of returning to Brazil never existed, it never crossed my mind."

Paulinho has been selected in the Brazil squad for this summer's World Cup.