Chelsea are back in Premier League action again this weekend after bringing all three points back from France in the Champions League on Tuesday.
The Blues are on a string of 13 games unbeaten, and they will be going into the match against Tottenham at the weekend with confidence.
Sign up free for my new project – Chelsea articles, newsletters, exclusives, and a weekly Podcast with special guests!
However, you cannot ignore the fine form of their opponents as well, who currently sit top of the league and will also be full of confidence.
Jose Mourinho faces his former side once again, and it is a London rivalry full history, flair, and a lot of the time, anger.
But it is always a mouth-watering prospect when these two face up against each other, and Chelsea captain Cesar Azpilicueta has learned this over the years.
He has been involved in many battles against Spurs, most notably in 2016 when they stopped their close rivals from winning the title.
Speaking to The Daily Telegraph, Azpilicueta said:
“It’s one of those kinds of games when you usually feel a special atmosphere at the Bridge and that game [in 2016], we were having a terrible season, we were losing 2-0 at half-time. But, in the second half, the electricity around the stadium… I think something clicked that day that even though we were not playing for anything, just to not let Tottenham win the league. It was not only the game, it was the title race as well that they were involved in.
“Every year is different and we had a very good record against them until two or three seasons ago when we lost, but, hopefully, we can keep beating them at the Bridge.
“Since I arrived at Chelsea, I always tried to have the winning mentality of every game to finish at the top for the top trophies. That includes being the top team in London and we want to be at the top because that means we are the No 1s. That’s what we fight for. We are in good form and, hopefully, we can improve on last season and now reach higher levels.
“I think Jose has a great history in Chelsea, but, after, football moves on. We played against him when he was in Manchester United and now he’s in Tottenham. Obviously, we are professional and we want our team to win and, obviously, I’m sure Jose will want the same as us which is to win the game.
“Any game against Tottenham is always a big derby, we know that everybody wants to be part of it. Both teams, we are in really good form. Whatever happens, there is still a long season ahead, but, obviously, in such a big game like this, with both teams coming in this form, it’s an important game for everybody and, hopefully, we will be at our best because we will need to be.”
