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Chelsea loss denies Tottenham a chance at the Community Shield

By George Perry

LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 15: General view outside as Chelsea fans make their way past the stadium which has a home of the champions sign on before the Premier League match between Chelsea and Watford at Stamford Bridge on May 15, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 15: General view outside as Chelsea fans make their way past the stadium which has a home of the champions sign on before the Premier League match between Chelsea and Watford at Stamford Bridge on May 15, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images) /
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Even in defeat, Chelsea find a way to block Tottenham from even the slightest hint of glory. By losing the FA Cup final, Chelsea denied the Spurs a trip to the Community Shield.

Chelsea and Arsenal will hold a rematch of yesterday’s FA Cup final to open the 2017/18 domestic campaign. As the Premier League winner and FA Cup winner, the two sides will vie for the Community Shield. Had Chelsea completed the double with an FA Cup win, their challenger in the Community Shield would fall to the Premier League’s second-place team: Tottenham.

Such a familiar pattern. In 2015/16, Chelsea drew Tottenham to clinch the Premier League title for Leicester. In 2016/17, Chelsea won the Premier League and defeated Tottenham in the FA Cup final, denying Tottenham both trophies. And then Chelsea lost to Arsenal in the final, blocking Tottenham’s hopes for a Community Shield attempt.

No matter what Chelsea does – win, lose or draw – they keep silverware away from White Hart Lane.

Must Read: Chelsea win Premier League, Tottenham nab pointless consolation prizes

Most years, the competitors in the Community Shield would be a matter of little interest to anyone. The two clubs use it as a pre-season tune-up, sharing Sir Alex Ferguson’s thoughts on the game.

"It’s always a game we never quite use of a do or die thing, we use it is a barometer for fitness. – Canadian Press"

However, Jose Mourinho is promulgating the new concept that the Community Shield can be part of a treble when paired with the EFL Cup and Europa League. Mourinho substituted the Community Shield for the better of the two domestic cups in the Mickey Mouse Treble, forming perhaps the Donald Duck Treble. Maybe the Goofy Treble.

But when one is starved for attention (as Mourinho is) or trophies (as Tottenham are), any silverware will do. If Tottenham were to win a Community Shield, even if they reached the match only because Chelsea won the actual double, we would never hear the end of it from White Hart Lane.

Next: Diego Costa playing hardball with Chelsea to guarantee his preferred transfer

Fortunately, Tottenham’s two biggest rivals ensured this will not happen. Depriving Tottenham of silverware is always a silver lining for the Blues.

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