Chelsea: Unusual XI’s do not impede goals, points against Tottenham
By George Perry
Even more so than most years, Chelsea vs. Tottenham is a six-point game. Fortunately for the Blues, they can always count on taking points off their north London “rivals” when they matter the most.
Chelsea’s last two losses to Tottenham stung but did not do much more than leave a mark. Last season, Tottenham ended the Blues’ 13-game winning streak with a tactically proficient performance that showed how to defeat Antonio Conte’s 3-4-3. Chelsea stayed in first the remainder of the season, while Tottenham struggled even to keep the pressure on.
Two years earlier, Tottenham thumped Chelsea 5-3 on New Year’s Day. The Blues spent a few days in second place as a result of the loss. But since they only lost once more time that season – 17 match-weeks later, after they already had secured the Premier League title – the defeat had little significance.
Chelsea cannot afford to lose on Sunday. Fortunately, the derby is at Stamford Bridge, where Chelsea have an unbeaten streak against Tottenham going back to 1990. Without taking too much for granted, Tottenham is traditionally a good source of necessary points – and occasionally gratuitous points – for the Blues.
Chelsea have earned 100 points against the Spurs in 51 Premier League meetings: 27W-19D-5L. In that span they have also scored more goals (94) and amassed a larger goal differential (+46) against Tottenham than against any other opponent.
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As with some of the more notable recent wins, the Blues may have to face Tottenham with less than their best XI. Antonio Conte said he will only know on Sunday whether Thibaut Courtois and Andreas Christensen will be available for the game. Courtois is nursing a hamstring injury that did not prevent Roberto Martinez from calling him up but was sufficient for Martinez to send him home before Belgium’s first game. Denmark made Christensen’s international break a similarly short affair.
In the reverse fixture, Conte was without then-starters Gary Cahill and Cesc Fabregas, who both received red cards in the season opener against Burnley. He adapted by playing David Luiz as a defensive midfield destroyer in front of then-backup Andreas Christensen. The match showed great potential for Luiz in the role. Christensen’s conservative defending gave Luiz a platform to bound forward as the mood struck him. By playing ahead of the defence, Luiz could use his long-ball passing to give his side another option to move the ball up-field, and compensate for Fabregas’ playmaking. However, Conte never returned to this formation, nor even a variation on it.
With Christensen still fatigued and Luiz still injured, Cahill will likely step in to the centre of the back-line to protect Willy Caballero. The Blues’ played without Courtois in the Battle of the Bridge in May 2016. Asmir Begovic started with Marco Amelia in reserve. Cahill set Leicester’s title triumph in motion with a 58′ goal, enabling Eden Hazard’s immortal equalizer.
Caballero’s aggressive goal-keeping could end up protecting Gary Cahill, rather than the other way around. Caballero may take it upon himself to close down the passing lanes between Christian Eriksen and Dele Alli, or those leading to Son Heung-Min. The Argentine’s adventurousness may compensate for the loss of Christensen’s solidity, and Cahill’s limited mobility.
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Even so, Gary Cahill finds new ways to elevate his game when the club needs him most. Chelsea find new ways to earn – sometimes poach – points from Tottenham when they need them most. All the pieces are in place for another memorable derby, and a step towards the natural order of things among the London clubs.