Tottenham will be without two key defenders this weekend when they visit Stamford Bridge to take on Chelsea. Does this tip the balance further in the Blues’ favour?
Mauricio Pochettino will be without both Toby Alderweireld and Danny Rose on Saturday in a boost for Chelsea. The two defenders are key players in Spurs’ defensive set-up and the North Londoners will sorely miss them when they take on a rampant Blues attack.
Having picked up his fifth yellow card last time out against West Ham, Rose is suspended for this London derby. Meanwhile, the Express reports that Alderweireld will be unavailable as he continues his fight against his knee injury.
"Alderweireld has now been ruled out of the trip by Pochettino…[He] has been sidelined since October after damaging a nerve in his knee, but a comeback against Chelsea is now off the cards too."
Rose has started all eight of his Premier League appearances, building on his impressive 2015/16 campaign. The Englishman has been a regular face in the left-back slot and his form has been recognised on an international level as well.
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However, Ben Davies will be more than capable of filling his boots at Stamford Bridge. The Welshman is a proven talent and is giving Rose a run for his money over the starting role. He will undoubtedly be eager to impress.
The Alderweireld loss, meanwhile, is more significant. The Belgian started all eight of Tottenham’s league games before picking up an injury against West Brom. Spurs have the meanest defence in the top flight, but they have let in four out of their eight total conceded goals since Alderweireld got hurt.
Eric Dier has been deputising as a makeshift centre-back in the Belgian’s absence. While Spurs have managed to maintain their undefeated record in that time, they have looked decidedly more vulnerable. AS Monaco, for example, could have put a few more past them on Tuesday night, with Hugo Lloris called upon to produce some fantastic saves.
On the back of this, Chelsea’s refreshed dynamic attack will be licking its lips. Eden Hazard and Diego Costa are in prime form and should be able to terrorise the Spurs backline.
Missing these two vital defensive pieces and coming up against a red hot Chelsea on a six-game win-streak, Spurs’ invinceable record is in jeapordy. Can the Blues once again break North London hearts on Saturday? Leave us your thoughts in the comments below!