Chelsea will play their first big match of the season as they welcome Tottenham Hotspur at the Stamford Bridge on Sunday.
Chelsea needed a Jorginho penalty to get the better of Everton in their first game and they would be hoping to keep their winning momentum. Preseason didn’t shape the way the Blues would have hoped but Thomas Tuchel would be happy to start the season on a winning note.
Chelsea failed to lift any trophy last time and had to be satisfied with a third place finish. But this time they are definitely targeting the coveted Premier League title as the manager wants to fulfil his unfinished business.
The Roman Abramovich era finally ended at the club as Todd Boehly took over the reign and the new owner wants to be involved heavily in every process.
Boehly is overseeing the entire transfer proceedings and Stamford Bridge has already see a number of arrivals with the likes of Kalidou Koulibaly and Raheem Sterling.
Timo Werner has left the club as he has returned to Bundesliga and Raheem Sterling should fill his void. They saw their bid rejected for Leicester City defender Wesley Fofana and at least another central defender is poised to arrive in West London.
Tuchel hopes to be in control this weekend as they had a very unconvincing victory over the Toffees last week and the manager wants more effort from his players.
Chelsea’s impressive records against Spurs should be an advantage when they take the field but Antonio Conte’s side will fancy their chances in the season’s first North London derby.
Tottenham Hotspur have had one of the busiest transfer windows this time as they signed a host of players with the likes of Ivan Perisic, Richarlison, Djed Spence, Yves Bissouma and Clement Lenglet. After securing a Champions League berth last season Conte is very keen to break the Stamford Bridge myth.
The North Londoners have managed just one win in the last 37 matches in all competitions and they need to be at their best in a bid to record a victory in West London.
Conte didn’t provide a start to any of the new signings in the last match and he could introduce a few new faces in the starting lineup. The Italian is known to be a fierce attacking minded manager and lifted a Premier League trophy with Chelsea in the past.
He knows the trajectory of this match having managed the Blues for a couple of seasons and this particular clash could ignite their Premier League credentials.
With Liverpool and Manchester City setting the standards high, the onus will be on Spurs to match that with some brilliant brand of football this season.
Chelsea vs Tottenham Hotspur
Date: 14th August 2022
Time: 9:00 PM IST
Stadium: Stamford Bridge
Chelsea vs Tottenham Hotspur
Team News
Chelsea
Thomas Tuchel has a lack of defensive options and Cesar Azpilicueta will continue to cover in the backline. Koulibaly was replaced midway but later the manager confirmed it was a minor issue and the defender should be fit in time to feature in this match.
Tottenham Hotspur
Ivan Perisic could make his first Premier League start this weekend while Richarlison is back after serving a suspension.
Chelsea Possible Lineup
Mendy; Azpilicueta, Silva, Koulibaly; James, Jorginho, Kante, Cucurella; Sterling, Havertz, Mount
Tottenham Hotspur Possible Lineup
Lloris; Romero, Dier, Davies; Perisic, Bentancur, Hojberg, Doherty; Kulusevski, Kane, Son
Predictions
Tottenham will definitely have an edge given their recent performances.
Chelsea vs Tottenham Hotspur Fantasy XI No. 1
Mendy; James, Romero, Dier; Kante, Jorginho, Hojberg, Bentancur; Kane, Son, Sterling
Chelsea vs Tottenham Hotspur Fantasy XI No. 2
Mendy; James, Romero, Dier, Azpilicueta; Kante, Jorginho, Hojberg, Bentancur; Kane, Son, Sterling
