Mauricio Pochettino says it will be exciting to return to Tottenham when he travels with his new club Chelsea on Monday evening to face his former side at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
The Argentine was in charge of Spurs between 2014 and 2019; he helped guide the side to their first ever UEFA Champions League final in 2019 when they lost to Liverpool, but was sacked later that year after a run of poor results.
Monday’s encounter will be the first time the two sides meet since the Argentine took over at Chelsea in July.
“For me, it will be a happy day,” Pochettino said ahead of his return. “We are professional but at the same time we are human and we feel”
“It’s really special to go back to a place where we created amazing memories together. It’s special, I’m not going to lie. That is true.
“When we left the club it was a difficult moment but now I have the opportunity to come back and see many people who are still working there. It will be an exciting moment.”
After his departure from Tottenham, Pochettino took over at Paris Saint-Germain where he won his first trophies in his managerial career. The 51-ywar-old guided PSG to the 2021 Coupe de France and the Ligue 1 title in 2022.
But earlier this year, he was appointed head coach at a struggling Chelsea where he is yet to turn around the team’s fortunes. Chelsea currently sit 12th in the Premier League, with 12 points from 10 matches.
On the other hand, Tottenham now under Ange Postecoglou are currently unbeaten and occupy the second spot in the Premier League standings with 26 points.
Pochettino will make a return to Tottenham with a few of his players out. Ben Chilwell, Romeo Lavia, Wesley Fofana, Christopher Nkunku, Trevoh Chalobah and Carney Chukwuemeka are all out with injuries.
Spurs also have concerns for this game with full-backs Destiny Udogie, Ben Davies and Ivan Perisic all doubtful for this game.
Match Facts
Tottenham’s 26 points from their opening 10 league games is their best start to a top-flight season since 1960-61, when they won their first 10 and went on to take the title
Chelsea have won only eight of their past 39 league fixtures, beating Bournemouth (twice), Crystal Palace, Leeds United, Leicester City, Luton Town, Fulham and Burnley.
The Blues have won only eight of their past 39 league fixtures, beating Bournemouth (twice), Crystal Palace, Leeds United, Leicester City, Luton Town, Fulham and Burnley.
Of their past seven London derbies, Chelsea have lost five of them. This is as many defeats as in their previous 19 such fixtures.
Probable Line-ups
Tottenham Hotspur: Vicario; Porro, Romero, Van de Ven, Udogie; Sarr, Bissouma; Kulusevski, Maddison, Johnson; Son
Chelsea: Sanchez; Disasi, Silva, Badiashile, Colwill; Fernandez, Caicedo, Gallagher; Palmer, Jackson, Sterling
