Chelsea prepares to host its first match of the season as Tottenham Hotspur comes across town. The long-time rivals will clash in the Blues’ final involvement in The Mind Series (at least this installment), this game being played in west London. Thomas Tuchel will face off against new Spurs boss Nuno Espirito Santo for the first time since the German’s debut with Chelsea. Tottenham will be looking to defeat the Blues for the first time (counting the League Cup last season as a draw as it was decided in penalties) since January 2019. That narrative is one of the handful of exciting headlines surrounding game No. 2 of the new preseason tournament for charity. Nevertheless, it is important to remember the fact that it is preseason after all.
Here are three things to look for in Chelsea’s match against Spurs:
1. Unveilings
Chelsea has played all of its preseason fixtures up to this point away from SW6. The closed-door opener against Peterborough, the trip to Bournemouth and the recent duel at the Emirates are the only games played by Tuchel’s side during the somewhat shortened preseason. The Blues will get their first opportunity to play on home soil Wednesday against arguably their biggest rivals.
Fans—many of whom have not been to a match since the Everton game that took place pre-COVID shutdown—will notice a number of changes around Stamford Bridge. Updated concessions, bigger television screens and renamed suites will not impact supporters watching on television, but they are notable improvements. The stadium upgrades that will be visible are the new railed seating sections in the Matthew Harding Lower, as well as both the Shed End Lower and Upper. These are additions made during the summer to get ahead of the curve as it relates to safe standing.
The new seats are not the only things making their debut at the Bridge on Wednesday though.
Chelsea will also unveil its second Champions League trophy in club history in front of fans (and Tottenham). Tuchel’s men will be applauded by 40,000+ Blues faithful before the game for the first time in over a year. One would imagine a few “we know what we are” chants will echo throughout the stadium as well. The only thing that’d make this long-awaited return even better would be some signings. For those, it seems Chelsea fans may not have to wait long. A mid-week unveiling is unfortunately off the cards already though.