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Three key clashes as Chelsea hosts Spurs: N’Golo Kante vs. Harry Kane

By Varun Dani

Tottenham Hotspur's English striker Harry Kane (R) takes on Chelsea's French midfielder N'Golo Kante (L) during the English Premier League football match between Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea at Wembley Stadium in London, on August 20, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / Ben STANSALL / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo credit should read BEN STANSALL/AFP via Getty Images)
Tottenham Hotspur's English striker Harry Kane (R) takes on Chelsea's French midfielder N'Golo Kante (L) during the English Premier League football match between Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea at Wembley Stadium in London, on August 20, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / Ben STANSALL / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo credit should read BEN STANSALL/AFP via Getty Images) /
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Chelsea’s English defender Ben Chilwell runs on the pitch during the English League Cup third round football match between Chelsea and Barnsley at Stamford Bridge in London on September 23, 2020. (Photo by ALASTAIR GRANT/AFP via Getty Images)
Chelsea’s English defender Ben Chilwell runs on the pitch during the English League Cup third round football match between Chelsea and Barnsley at Stamford Bridge in London on September 23, 2020. (Photo by ALASTAIR GRANT/AFP via Getty Images) /

Chelsea hosts Spurs in a battle for the potential to sit atop the Premier League after the weekend, here’s three key clashes.

As Chelsea and Spurs look to stake their claims as serious title contenders, Stamford Bridge is set to become a tactical battlefield come Sunday. Central to this battle will be three tantalizing player clashes, which will go a long way in determining the victor. The Blues clocked in one of their worst performances this season in the midweek game against Rennes and yet, still came out on top. While some pointed at the result as a mark of champions—winning despite being not being at their best—the team’s true credentials will be under the microscope against a team not too dissimilar to them.

As one of English football’s fiercest rivalries looks to write yet another storied chapter, here are three key clashes to keep an eye on:

1. Son Heung-min vs. Reece James and Ben Chilwell

Early season form can be dangerously deceptive, but such has been his consistency over the years, it would be surprising to see Son Heung-min’s performances drop off anytime soon. The South Korean has gone from strength to strength every season since 2015, increasing his output every year.

While in past seasons he would always be touted as a good or great player, his 11 goal contributions in nine games have set him up to be one of the early frontrunners for the best player in the league this season. Stopping him seems to be an impossible task, but one that Lampard will entrust his English fullbacks to do. Ben Chilwell has been a revelation for Chelsea this season, seemingly solving the left back problem that has plagued the club since Ashley Cole’s departure in 2013. Solid at the back and deadly going forward, he is the definition of the modern day fullback, making it easy to understand why Lampard pursued him so intently in the summer.

Reece James has taken his game to the next level opposite of Chilwell. Gone are the casual trackbacks and the lack of awareness, the academy boy is now delivering the potential everyone saw in him. He has been a tank on the right, forming a dangerous partnership with the Moroccan Magician, Hakim Ziyech. The duo deconstructs everything in their path. James has even displaced captain Cesar Azpilicueta, which used to be an unfathomable thought.

For all the rightful plaudits coming its way, this English fullback combo is yet to be tested against a top tier opposition. Big games like the one against Spurs are where great players differentiate themselves from the good ones. Containing Son will be a true measure of Chilwell and James’ capabilities.

Mourinho will know all too well that both Chilwell and James like to maraud forward to get in on the offensive action, and will no doubt set up his system to make Son expose the gaps left by them. Don’t be surprised to see the South Korean constantly switch wings as he looks for the opportunity to score against the run of play and gift Mourinho a classic counter-attacking win. James and Chilwell simply cannot afford to slip up.

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