Thomas Tuchel has delivered high praise on Chelsea’s Premier League opponents Tottenham Hotspur and boss Antonio Conte ahead of this weekend’s London derby.
The sides come together after just the second game of the season as both look to maintain their winning starts to the 2022/23 Premier League campaign.
History favours Chelsea heading into Sunday’s meeting, with the Blues not losing to Spurs at Stamford Bridge since 2018. They faced each other on four occasions last term - twice in the Premier League and twice in the Carabao Cup - and Chelsea won all four, scoring eight without reply.
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Spurs scored four past Southampton last weekend to put them at the top of the table on goal difference, while Chelsea had to settle for a 1-0 win over Everton, courtesy of a Jorginho penalty after Ben Chilwell was brought down in the box.
Tuchel is aware of Spurs’ threat and believes Conte’s ‘aggressive’ approach makes it one of the toughest games of the season.
“I never felt a huge gap in preparing these matches because they are close matches and they are a very competitive and talented squad,” responded the Chelsea head coach, when asked about Spurs and Conte.
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“I know very well what we invested and what level we played to beat them four times and not concede a goal against this quality of the team.
"In an emotional game in London like this, which means so much for everybody, it was a huge effort and big consecutive performances from us.
“I don’t believe everything that Antonio Conte says in games, before games and after games like this. I admire him a lot and I believe strongly that every team he trains competes for everything no matter which team, what club it is. This is what he proves right now.
“They had maybe the opposite last seven months from us, given the situation. Everything was clear. They had something clear to fight for. They put all the energy to make it to Champions League football. Their targets were clear, the set up in the club was clear.
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"They took advantage of this situation and had a very aggressive transfer period. Very straight-forward and excellent transfer period to strengthen in quality and depth. That’s why it’s one of the toughest opponents. Always is with Antonio Conte’s teams. That’s what we’re facing Sunday.”
How Chelsea will keep Spurs’ attack, which includes Harry Kane and Heung-min Son quiet, will not only be down to the defence, but also the midfield and attack.
Tuchel says Spurs have one of the best counter-attacking teams in the world and has told his side they will need to be wary of when they go forward to ensure they don’t lose the ball to give the visitors a chance at hitting the hosts on the break on Sunday.
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He added: “I don’t tell you because I think we have to be very disciplined in certain regions of the game. They stepped the level up in their game. They play in the same structure so far and have a pattern in offensive pressing and in their attitude to defend. This changes a lot. It’s very important that we are good on the ball. It’s very important we are the dominant team. Hopefully put the game in the opponent's half and control the counter-attacks before everybody else sees them.
“Hopefully we don’t talk about counter-attacking because they are maybe one of the best teams in the world in counter-attacks and these movements. We did fantastic jobs in closing it down so the players were unbelievably disciplined and aware of the situations.
"That’s why we can never lose the structure and never lose our head while we are attacking. This is the moment, I believe, to stop the counter-attacks. When they start already you are already in big trouble given the quality, speed and determination of Tottenham so we need to be smart and stop the counter-attacks before they start.”
Topics: Thomas Tuchel, Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur, Antonio Conte, Premier League, Football
Matthew Debono