Tottenham boss, Jose Mourinho and Chelsea’s new manager Thomas Tuchel will have a face off for the first time ever as the former welcomes the latter to North London for a fiery London derby on Thursday evening.
The two London teams have both been in the title conversation during the 2020-2021 campaign, with both teams having been on the summit of the table at some point in time in this unpredictable Premier League season.
Both teams are now seemingly focused on their top four prospects rather than an audacious bid for premier League glory.
Hardly anything can separate the teams in the table ahead of this London derby, with seventh-placed Chelsea both boasting 33 points, with Tottenham having a game fewer.
However, Tottenham losing a player of Harry Kane’s influence on its team would hamper almost any team on the planet. The English man has been indispensable this season for the North Londoners and ruthless in front of goal.
Many of Tottenham supporters will blame their loss to Brighton on the absence of Harry Kane due to injury.
Mourinho witnessed his team suffer back-to-back Premier League defeats for the second time in a space of two months as Leandro Trossard bagged the important winner for the Seagulls (Brighton) in a 1-0 triumph – a result which overjoyed Graham Potter and left Mourinho missing the presence of his number 10.
Harry Kane had been forced off with injuries to both ankles during Spurs 3-1 defeat to Liverpool on January 28.
The Blues (Chelsea) were victorious in their last Premier league matching, beating Burnley 2-0, handing Tuchel is first win as Chelsea Boss. The goals came from unlikely sources in Ceaser Azpilicueta and Marcos Alonso.
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During Frank Lampard’s era, Reece James and Ben Chilwell were often two of the first names on the team sheet, but the up- and-coming Englishmen certainly have their job cut out for them if they are to displace the old boys Azpilicueta and Alonso, who have repaid the faith shown in them by the new Boss.
The reverse fixture in Stamford bridge did not live up to expectation, it ended in a goalless draw.
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Tottenham’s Kane will be sidelined for another couple of weeks with the ankle problem he sustained against Liverpool while Dele Alli still remains on the sidelines with a tendon injury.
Also, Tanguy Ndombele was forced off through injury against Brighton but should be fine for this game, while Sergio Reguilon and Giovani Lo Celso are definitely out.
For the visitors (Chelsea), there are minor concerns over Hakim Ziyech’s fitness. N’Golo Kante has also recovered from a hamstring problem and could earn a start in the midfield.
Christian Pulisic will hope to earn a start after coming from the bench to assist Alonso for their second goal against Burnley.
