Tottenham host Chelsea in the London derby this Saturday at the White Hart Lane as Andre Villas-Boas prepares to face Jose Mourinho for the first time. The former Chelsea manager will perhaps know a thing or two about Jose as the duo have worked together at Porto, Chelsea and Inter Milan. (AVB was Mourinho’s coach at all the three clubs).
Spurs are currently standing at the top of the table tied on 12 points with Arsenal. Blues on the other hand, are at 4th place with 10 points. Both the London clubs come into the match having secured a 4th round tie in the Capital One Cup and will look to continue their momentum. Mourinho has managed to stabilize things after back to back defeats in the League and Europe and will face a tricky Tottenham outfit, who are increasingly looking like a threat with the newly recruited players settling down at the Lane.
As far as the Blues’ team news is concerned, Mourinho has a couple of injury worries ahead of the game. Midfielder Marco van Ginkel picked up a knee injury or to be precise tore his anterior cruciate ligament against Swindon and will possibly remain sidelined for 6 months.
A statement from the club’s official site said:
“Chelsea Football Club can confirm Marco van Ginkel successfully underwent anterior cruciate ligament surgery today (Thursday). The 20-year-old midfielder is expected to be out for approximately six months.”
Meanwhile Ramires suffered a muscle injury at the top of his thigh.
So here is a possible starting XI, Mourinho might choose against Spurs.