Three Things Chelsea Boss Jose Mourinho Should do to Beat Tottenham

There was a time when Chelsea were said to be favourites heading into any game against Tottenham, either home or away. They, most of the times, came out on top, except for some occasions here and there such as Chelsea’s 5-3 battering at the hands of the Lilywhites last season at White Hart Lane. And although these cases have popped up once in three or four times but Chelsea have had the lion share of success in this fierce rivalry.

But this time around, the winds are blowing in the opposite direction. Chelsea, who are dealing with a barren period will take on a more than just in-form Tottenham side, who haven’t faltered against any of the other big guns this season. In fact, the Chelsea side has been a stark contrast to Spurs- a poor defensive record as compared to Spurs’ excellent defensive resiliency, lack of goals as placed in juxtaposition to Spurs’ goalscoring form. And rightly so, this could well be Chelsea’s toughest challenge at White Hart Lane over the years against an impressive Mauricio Pochetinno side.

And Jose Mourinho had been a man under fire before the win against Norwich and there will be a substantial amount of pressure on him to turn the season around. But Spurs present the toughest and the stiffest challenge they’d have come across this season so far. But here’s how the game may just swing in Chelsea’s favour although it won’t at all be easy.

Don’t play Kenedy at left back

Although, it’s needless to mention that Kenedy was very good at left back against Norwich last week. But the move was made such that Ivanovic’s frailties can be covered up by distributing it on either flank, such that Norwich don’t concentrate their play on their left side.

Kenedy looked like a threat every time he had the ball. He was always looking to play in crosses and make swift runs towards the final third. But Spurs will be a wholly different ball game altogether. Chelsea knew Norwich will capitalize on the break and will look to grab a smash and grab win on the counter, by defending deep in their own half. Spurs won’t do that, they’d be far more expansive and confident in their play than Norwich, especially at White Hart Lane. Playing Kenedy at left back would expose their defense further.

Play Kurt Zouma

Kurt Zouma is slowly beginning to show what he’s made of at Stamford Bridge. The lad is a strong tackler who knows how to win the ball and shrug people off it. He’s got a very good amount of strength and makes use of his body very well too. Harry Kane, who’s one agile, clever forward is exceptional when it comes to turning and shooting. He assaulted the Chelsea defense last season with the help of these skills when two slightly slower and less strong defenders were fielded at the back. Zouma is a wholly different kind of a player indeed.

He’s quicker and stronger than both Terry and Cahill and the battle against Kane would be almost a mouth-watering prospect.

Play a 4-3-2-1 formation

Spurs have a very solid midfield and with Dele Alli suspended, we can expect Moussa Dembele to drop into the central midfield role, adding more venom and grip to it. They’d be a more physical side than they would’ve been if Alli would’ve started in that position. To add an extra man in the midfield, and to provide extra cover to Cesc Fabregas in the central midfield area, playing a 4-3-2-1 formation would make some sense. This would help Chelsea to deny Spurs much space to control games in the midfield and would also make it tough for Dembele to bulldoze past the players easily. The move would squeeze up some space that Spurs can use to create opportunities from the middle third and play snappy and slick football in those areas.

The move would also grant the likes of Willian and Hazard more freedom to operate behind Diego Costa, who will be sole man forward.