Breaking New:Two key Tottenham players picks up late injury ahead of derby clash
Tottenham have three undroppables to complete perfect Ange Postecoglou masterplan vs Chelsea
Tottenham news as Ange Postecoglou has three keys players in Chelsea plan to spoil Mauricio Pochettino return
Ange Postecoglou does not seem like the type of guy that is about to back down for a London derby. For all the talk of returns, reunions and excitement on Mauricio Pochettino’s end ahead of the former Tottenham boss’ first trip back to his former club, he has a job to do.
His team have no need to rely on hatred or rivalry to get them through this, they are early season title challengers on merit and belong within touching distance of top spot. Unlike previous Spurs teams that have felt an inferiority complex of sorts when up against Chelsea it is a serious case of role reversal here.
Tottenham have shown Chelsea how to build from the rubble and do it without spending £1billion, they have reacted to a season of shocking disappointment and flipped it on its head. None of this seems to bother Postecoglou too much and this calmness has been central to the success of his team.
Every game is just another 90 minutes to prove a point, to enjoy playing the game and to get better. Many questioned how Spurs would cope with Erik ten Hag’s Manchester United press, well they effectively started the downfall at Old Trafford two weeks into the season.
Spurs were told they would not be able to match Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal machine but went at the North London Derby head on, punch-for-punch. Liverpool made things tough and stubborn but could not stop the free-flowing juggernaut. Luton provided a test that in some ways challenged aspects of Tottenham’s game more important than how well they can press and pass.
It’s all of these tests being passed that leaves little to prove against Chelsea. For once this is just another game that has heightened importance but not season-defining
narratives. Postecoglou will be determined to keep his players grounded and not let them get carried away, not yet, and football.london has had a look at just how they can do it.
Play on experience
Tottenham’s team is young but it’s not Chelsea young. Micky van de Ven is not old but around him there is more experience than Chelsea can offer their Under-23 core. Cristian Romero is a World Cup winner, Yves Bissouma is 27, James Maddison has played throughout the leagues in England and Son Heung-Min is as established in the Premier League as anyone.
It will be these players that need to harness their knowledge and grasp on atmosphere and feeling to remain in control when emotions are high. Chelsea will come to town to play, to win and to press but if Spurs can weather any storm and get on top then it could easily become too much for their opponents to manage.
Son, as not just the captain and oldest player in the side but also the best and most impactful player, will be central to this. It is down to him to set the tone and use his wealth of games to get through a fixture he has seen it all in.
Magician Maddison
It’s not entirely original to think that Maddison could prove to be a difference maker in this game. With three goals he has the same as Chelsea’s top scorer Raheem Sterling but also five assists to go with it. If he can get his groove going then it will be trouble for the Blues and joy for Spurs.
Making sure that he has space and time between the lines and either side of a dynamic midfield three of Enzo Fernandez, Conor Gallagher and Moises Caicedo will be key. The former Leicester man may also need to tuck into his own midfield in order to help Yves Bissouma and Pape Matar Sarr but it will be in and around the Chelsea box that he is most effective.
It’s not as easy as Maddison turning up and Tottenham winning but it will go a long way to helping his side on their way to trying to get back to the top of the table.
Full-back fiesta
It was Pochettino at Tottenham that kickstarted a trend of full-back importance in the Premier League with Kyle Walker and later Kieran Trippier pairing with Danny Rose to form an awesome partnership. Spurs have now had their wing-back faze under Antonio Conte, something that their former Argentine boss also used to good effect at points, but Postecoglou has given new life to those currently at the club.
Destiny Udogie has been a revelation and will be keen to test out most of the pitch on Monday, his fitness will be huge in helping Tottenham. Pedro Porro, though, might be up against the unpredictable Mykhailo Mudryk. If Porro and his teammate on the opposite flank – it could be Ben Davies or still someone else injury depending – get the better of their opposing numbers and silence Chelsea’s attackers they will be in for laying the platform for success.
How Son, Dejan Kulusevski and the third Spurs forward of choice goes against Chelsea’s own full-backs will be just as vital. Reece James could start the game and would offer a new threat to deal with but on the left there’s a chance to take advantage of Marc Cucurella’s defensive issues or Levi Colwill in a still unfamiliar fole.
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