Tottenham vs. Chelsea: Complete Player-by-Player Comparison
Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea engaged in one of English football’s more captivating series during the 2015-16 season.
The Blues' dominant 3-0 home victory at the start of December gave way to a 5-3 New Year’s Day mauling by a Harry Kane-inspired Spurs. Two months later, in the Capital One Cup final, Jose Mourinho’s men responded by shutting their neighbours down from the off. Goals from John Terry and Diego Costa secured the trophy.
The two sides meet for the first time in 2015-16 at White Hart Lane this weekend. The following player-by-player comparison details the changes in personnel and perception set to inform this London derby.
With injuries, suspension and general rotation set to affect Mauricio Pochettino and Mourinho's starting XIs, the players featured here will not necessarily face off on Sunday. But each comparison looks to reflect the key, contrasting themes around these sides right now.
Tottenham, in form and increasingly confident after thrashing rivals West Ham United and progressing in the Europa League. Chelsea, improving but still battling to rectify the damage done to their Premier League and European ambitions by their early-season struggles.
Naturally, we begin with the goalkeepers.
Goalkeeper
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Hugo Lloris vs. Asmir Begovic
Empathetic as he will have been to his new team-mate Thibaut Courtois getting injured, Asmir Begovic will also have been banking on such double-edged (mis)fortune handing him his opportunity at Chelsea. The former Stoke City shot-stopper will not have been expecting to be left as exposed as he has been by a defence previously regarded as one of the Premier League’s meanest.
Hugo Lloris has plenty of experience covering for a leaky back four. Up until this season, it was his lot in life at Tottenham.
Now the Spurs skipper is enjoying being called on more selectively. His contributions are the last line of, rather than the only defence in a team looking tougher and more organised than in years.
Begovic remains a quality goalkeeper—his terrific fingertip save from Maccabi Tel-Aviv's Eran Zahavi when Chelsea led 1-0 was evidence of that. But even the best can only do so much with minimal, infrequent protection. He only has to ask Lloris.
Centre-Back
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Toby Alderweireld vs. Gary Cahill
With John Terry a fitness doubt, Gary Cahill could be the man charged with leading Chelsea's resistance to Tottenham's in-form attack.
The centre-back stepped up with a timely opener against Maccabi Tel-Aviv, but it will be in his ability to stop Harry Kane in particular where his performance is truly measured.
Although there are few doubts over Cahill’s ability to hold his own, the bigger question with him and his fellow Blues defenders currently is whether they can stay focused.
Toby Alderweireld enjoyed arguably his best Spurs performance yet against West Ham. He will need to be just as alert and tough as he was blunting the Hammers if he is to contain Diego Costa and Co., too.
Jan Vertonghen vs. Kurt Zouma
Praised by Bleacher Report's Garry Hayes as one of Chelsea's three biggest positives of the season so far, another strong showing stopping Tottenham's confident front line will underline Kurt Zouma’s burgeoning status.
The Frenchman was excellent in defensive midfield in his side’s Capital One Cup final defeat of the north Londoners. Even from a deeper vantage point this time around, the same discipline and toughness could be just as important.
Jan Vertonghen’s stewardship of Spurs’ defence has been one of their biggest positives. Having conceded three in their best display against the Blues last season, the Belgium international will be looking to play his part in reaffirming the improvement of his back four.
Full-Back
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Kyle Walker vs. Cesar Azpilicueta
The mishit pass that led to Manuel Lanzini scoring West Ham’s consolation goal was an unfortunate mark on an otherwise enjoyable afternoon for Kyle Walker.
His beautifully struck goal four minutes earlier, Tottenham’s fourth, had looked like capping another solid display for the right-back. More than earning his first-choice status in the position of late, dealing with Chelsea’s marauding attack will make for an impressive entry to a burgeoning in-season resume.
Walker’s counterpart, Cesar Azplicueta, has spoken pre-match of his hope Chelsea are regaining confidence, per their official website. The energetic and skilful defender will hope it can translate into the kind of performance that sees him in full command of his flank.
Danny Rose vs. Baba Rahman
Mourinho has mixed things up at left-back of late. Kennedy played there against Norwich before being replaced by Baba Rahman versus Maccabi Tel-Aviv. He also has the option of switching Azpilicueta there and restoring Branislav Ivanovic to right-back.
Often left exposed by minimal protection and the disorganisation in his defence, Rahman gave a good account of himself defensively in Israel. He also offered plenty going forward too, setting up Oscar with an inch-perfect cross.
It was an outing that could earn him another look from his boss and one that shared plenty in common with the individual responsibility being taken on by Tottenham’s Danny Rose these days.
The defender’s performance in the home win over Chelsea marked the turning point in his 2014-15 season. If Spurs are to keep their capital rivals on the back foot again, a repeat effort from Rose would not go amiss.
Central Midfield
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Eric Dier vs. Nemanja Matic
One of the Premier League’s rising defensive midfield stars comes up against a player already proven as one of the division’s best on Sunday.
Eric Dier has been a quiet but dominant presence in front of his defence. Tasked with stopping the likes of Eden Hazard, he will need to be at his diligent and disciplined best.
Nemanja Matic has been having a tougher time of things this season but is still highly capable of exerting the stifling pressure that will unsettle Spurs’ attackers. Should he and Dier cross paths, the midfield may begin to resemble something akin to a war zone.
Mousa Dembele vs. Cesc Fabregas
Mousa Dembele has moved back into central midfield proper in recent games with Dele Alli pushed ahead of him into the more advanced role. With the latter suspended, Pochettino could select the Belgian there once more.
Then again, the Argentinian may prefer not to mess with a winning formula. Dembele bossed the centre against West Ham and, in this form, will be fancied to do so versus Chelsea, too.
Cesc Fabregas will prove a more challenging adversary than a Mark Noble, though. If Spurs are not careful, the relentlessness that destroyed the Hammers—demonstrated by Dembele as much as anyone—could be utilised against them by a passing and attacking contributor as wily as the Spaniard.
Attacking Midfield
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Christian Eriksen vs. Eden Hazard
For the first time in his Tottenham stay, Christian Eriksen is not having to carry so much of the creative burden.
Others are better helping advance play and shape where moves go, not to mention finishing off his creations. He already has more Premier League assists than he managed all last season, confirmed via ESPN FC.
Eden Hazard might be underwhelming statistically so far, but his display against Norwich reiterated Chelsea are at their most tuneful when conducted by the mesmeric lead of the Belgian’s quick-footed forays between the lines.
On his day, he is a superior player to Eriksen. However, it is the Danish playmaker who has been looking more comfortable in his circumstances of late.
Heung-Min Son vs. Willian
With Hazard comparatively struggling for form, Willian has provided the mix of flair and end product that has avoided Chelsea succumbing to complete misery.
His latest free-kick goal, a so-good-he-made-it-look-easy effort against Maccabi Tel-Aviv, exemplified that continued importance to the Blues. Even with better results and hints of improvement in recent weeks, Willian has been, and will continue to be, vital.
Heung-Min Son is not carrying the same responsibility for Spurs yet plays like someone for whom it would be an honour if he did. Indeed, the vibrancy and endeavour of his play is rather reminiscent of Chelsea’s star Brazilian.
Erik Lamela vs. Pedro
As noted on the previous page with Dembele, Erik Lamela’s involvement is not a guarantee. Ryan Mason will also be in the mix to replace Alli. It will depend on just how adventurous Pochettino wants to be taking on the champions (and the Argentinian's fitness status).
Though not as aggressive as Alli, Lamela—suspended against West Ham—has shown he is more than willing to participate in Spurs’ pressing game.
The bigger concern may be in how he, along with Eriksen and Son, do in getting back to deal with the likes of Pedro.
The attacker has not begun Premier League life in scintillating fashion. However, recent appearances have still provided enough examples of Pedro’s ability to make timely attacking runs to show that he is a threat not to be discounted.
Up Front
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Harry Kane vs. Diego Costa
Diego Costa’s winner against Norwich City last weekend was a welcome reminder for Chelsea of their front man’s considerable menace. Catching the Canaries out with a sudden run behind their defence, he completed the move with a clever and composed cut inside and finish.
Re-establishing such contributions as a vital, rather than intermittent feature of the Chelsea attack will be pivotal to their moving back up the Premier League table.
Harry Kane’s scoring exploits are again causing a stir. But just as impressive right now is how other aspects of his game are just as intrinsic to Tottenham’s best work. In his adventurous passing and movement, his often inspiring work ethic, he embodies Pochettino’s Spurs.
Costa served as a similar, albeit rawer talisman for Chelsea last season. Can he get back to that, beginning at White Hart Lane on Sunday?
