Bealeaguered Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho needs his team’s fortunes to improve on Sunday against Spurs
Chelsea’s campaign has been a major nightmare so far. Poor performance after poor performance has left the Blues 15th place in the Premier League table just five points clear of the relegation zone.
The last two games maybe offers Blues fans hope of an improvement in the team’s fortunes.
The reigning Premier League champions have claimed consecutive wins against Norwich in the Premier League, and then against Maccabi Haifa in the Champions League on Tuesday night.
Blues boss Jose Mourinho has already conceded the Premier League title, but has not given-up on a top four finish this season. That recent improvement will be put to the test against in-form Tottenham on Sunday at White Hart Lane.
A dangerous opponent
Chelsea comes up against one of the brightest teams in the Premier League on Sunday. Tottenham’s young team have looked brave and fearless this season. One league defeat this season speaks volume for the north London side.
England international Harry Kane has suddenly rediscovered the form of last season. The 22-year-old has now scored nine goals in his last six appearances for Spurs. That good run of goal scoring form has led to speculation linking the striker with a big money move to the reigning champions in the summer.
However, it is not only Kane who has hit form. The likes of Dele Alli, Christian Eriksen and Toby Alderweireld have all found form, although Alli will be missing for the clash against Chelsea through suspension.
Such has been Spurs good form that Blues boss Jose Mourinho has even refused to rule Tottenham out of the race for the Premier League title. The Portuguese boss told his weekly press conference: “If they tell players or managers that they are fighting for the title I will not laugh.
“The team is very good. Manager is good, players are good. Good stability, playing well. I think a really, really, really good team. They have this season an even better team than last season.
“I can imagine, with the stability they are showing, that sooner or later – I think sooner – they will be there, or win trophies or in a Champions League position.”
In need of major improvement
Chelsea has been playing like a team completely devoid of confidence this season. It seems incredible that the Blues were crowned Premier League champions less than a year ago.
The likes of Eden Hazard, Diego Costa and Cesc Fabregas have sent their less talented and confident twin brothers to play this season. Costa scored the winning goal last time out in the Premier League, but his performances still have room for improvement.
Fabregas and Hazard are special players, who can win their team games with their creativity. However, both have looked shadows of the players who were so effective in the Blues title winning team last season.
The Blues obviously have the quality in their squad to recover and make those top four positions, but they have to start to win games and quickly. A trip to Tottenham is not what anybody connected with Mourinho’s side would have wanted this weekend.
The clash between the two teams resulted in a 5-3 win for Spurs in a pulsating encounter last season, as the Blues suffered a rare defeat in the top-flight. A goal feast in Sunday’s clash cannot be ruled out.
Betting News
In-form Tottenham are the favourites to claim maximum points at odds of 8/5, Chelsea are odds of 9/5 to win and the draw is odds of 5/2.
Chelsea are in desperate need of victory against a team who have a very real chance of finishing in the top four this season.
The competition for a place in the top four this season is stiff with a number of teams looking to qualify for the Champions League.
If Chelsea are to make a Lazarus like recovery, then they must start that recover against Spurs, or Jose Mourinho’s side could be facing up to life without Champions League football next season, which would have simply been unimaginable at the start of this season.
Can Chelsea kick-start their season with a win at Tottenham?
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