As Chelsea fans, we all know just how much this derby means. Enzo Maresca is determined to deliver another memorable London derby against Tottenham this Sunday, and while it’s his first time facing Spurs as Chelsea’s head coach, he’s no stranger to the intensity of these matches. Maresca has already led us to a 3-0 win over West Ham, as well as draws against Arsenal and Crystal Palace this season, but Sunday’s clash will be something extra special.
The Rivalry and Maresca’s Awareness
Although Maresca hasn’t yet experienced the full heat of the Chelsea-Spurs rivalry, he’s well aware of the passion it stirs in us Blues supporters. “Hopefully, we can give our fans a big day and they will enjoy it,” Maresca said. “We’ll prepare for this game like any big derby because it’s against Tottenham, but at the end of the day, three points against Southampton, Aston Villa, or Tottenham are exactly the same. We are fully aware of how important this game is, though.”
As for the players, Chelsea Academy graduates like Levi Colwill and former Spurs youth player Noni Madueke know all too well what this derby means. They’ve grown up with it, and they’ll certainly bring that fire to Sunday’s match.
High-Energy Pressing for the Derby
When asked if his players needed to show extra aggression against Spurs, Maresca kept it simple: “No, we don’t change the way we want to be aggressive in defense.” He’s kept our high-energy pressing style all season, and there’s no need to alter that for Tottenham.
Maresca also noted that, in today’s multi-national squads, some of our players might not fully grasp the emotional weight of the rivalry. “I know we have many English players, but most of them come from abroad and may not be aware of the london derby,” he explained. “The only thing we can do is make sure they stay focused and give everything.”
Postecoglou’s Spurs: A Tough Challenge
This will be Maresca’s first time going head-to-head with Tottenham’s Ange Postecoglou. While they didn’t face off directly in the past, they did cross paths during Leicester’s pre-season preparations last summer when Spurs’ friendly was canceled due to a waterlogged pitch.
Spurs finished 5th last season, just ahead of us in 4th, securing a spot in the Europa League, but they’re currently in 10th place—eight points behind second-placed Chelsea. Maresca was asked about Postecoglou and praised his work, saying, “Ange has been doing well since last year. They are playing in Europe this season, which shows they finished well. Like any team, they’ll have their ups and downs, but overall, he’s doing well.”
Spurs’ Mixed Form
Tottenham have had some impressive wins this season, including a 4-0 victory over Manchester City and a 4-1 win over Aston Villa. But their form has been patchy, with losses to Galatasaray, Ipswich Town, and a 1-0 defeat to Bournemouth.
Maresca, however, isn’t letting that fool him. “We’ll pay attention to both their wins and losses. We’ll look at why they were good against Manchester City and why they struggled against Bournemouth. We try to understand what went well and what didn’t.”
When asked if he saw any weaknesses to exploit, Maresca was careful not to give too much away, chuckling before saying, “They are a very good team, and it will be a tough, tough game for sure.”
Final Thoughts: A Tough Test for Chelsea
In all competitions, the Blues have scored an impressive 57 goals in just 22 games this season, already surpassing their total from the 2022-23 campaign, where they netted 50 goals in 50 games. Their attacking prowess is clearly on the rise, and they’re showing no signs of slowing down!
For us Chelsea fans, one thing is clear: this london derby will be hard-fought, and Maresca’s ready to lead us to another crucial win. Let’s get those three points, Blues!
