Chelsea host to Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday afternoon needing to avoid defeat to remain in fourth place in the Premier League table.
Meanwhile, Spurs make the short trip to Stamford Bridge having put together a three-match winning streak in the top flight, leaving the club on the brink of moving ahead of their rivals.
Ahead of the game, Chelsea boss Frank Lampard has faced the press.
The boss gave an injury updates on N’Golo Kante, Andreas Christensen, Christian Pulisic, Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Tammy Abraham.
“N’Golo is not fit, muscle injury. Similar to Arsenal. Hopefully three weeks. Pulisic not fit, no exact date. A difficult injury. Ruben is in the squad. Not fit to start, but in the squad. Andreas went to get a mask and has trained with it. Available for selection. Tammy has trained the last two days. Probably 70%. He is in the squad,” said Lampard.
On Christensen, he added: “
Good. Has trained at a good level. He has been playing so well. It is going to be a battle.”
Lampard was asked if it is a good time to play Spurs: “
No, I don’t think so. Kane and Son are a miss, but they are in good form. They have players who can fill in. They have players with quality and they are a threat. It’s a London derby.”
The manager doesn’t know, how fans will react to Jose Mourinho’s return but said, Mourinho, is a fantastic manager.
“Our relationship of working together changes, but we are very amicable and respective of each other,” Lampard said.
Feel under pressure?
I always feel it, because this is top sport. I thrive on it. I have enjoyed this week. It was disappointing to lose on Monday, but this is the challenge for us. Everyone probably wrote us off for top four. It is a process and the pressure is always there.
Kepa, what does he need to do?
I am totally together with the board. It’s a decision on performances. All Kepa needs to do is train and continue to show a good attitude.
Michy, difficult week
It is the nature of the beast, that’s just football. You have to be strong.
Would failing top four be a failure?
That is for everyone else to judge. The injuries have been a big issue. What we do know is we are in fourth and we have it in our hands. It is going to be tough. Teams around us are strong.
What has the reaction been like from the players?
Good. We know we need to work and keep working. Every team will have had difficult moments. That is when you show what you are made of.
Giroud
The way that he has worked he is in contention to start, he just needs to keep working.
Young players, a tough test?
It’s a good test for them all. They have been thrown into the league and they have to rise to the challenge.
Facing Mourinho at the Bridge
Not really. I have huge respect for him. I am not thinking about the battle between me and him.
Three at the back?
It was pleasing on the day. And the way the players implement it. This is the best league in the world. You always try to prepare. Every game is different. It’s a different game to the one we took on at Tottenham. It doesn’t mean that we can just play the same way.
Source:
Football.london
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