Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho is one of the few managers who seems to take the League Cup seriously
It was the first trophy Mourinho won as Chelsea boss ten years ago and he will want to recreate that once again and show his little horses that they are thoroughbreds and winning ones at that.
In order to do so, he will have to navigate his way past Tottenham Hotspur who were victorious against the Blues last time they faced each other at White Hart Lane – and despite that 5-3 defeat for Chelsea, here are five reasons we think it was a one off and why the Blues will be winners once again.
1. The Chelsea boss is a winner through and through
Jose Mourinho has won plenty of trophies and ones that are far ‘bigger’ than the League Cup.
The Blues manager knows how to win when it matters most and will want to send out a message to all Chelsea’s rivals that their season is only just beginning – especially after a season without silverware last time out.
A decade ago, the Blues beat Liverpool in the League Cup before going on to beat Barcelona and win the Premier League title to boot. It is a starting block and one Mourinho loves to step on.
2. Revenge is a powerful motivator
Chelsea were battered by Spurs on New Years Day and will not have forgotten that.
The Blues are used to winning their games and keeping clean sheets. They are not used to shipping five goals and having to rely on alphabetical order to remain at the top of the Premier League.
John Terry and Gary Cahill will remember just how humiliating it was at White Hart Lane and know that the best way to get their revenge is to beat Spurs and be the ones on the podium lifting the League Cup. Anything else is simply not an option.
3. Matic is a huge loss but Chelsea have the players to cope
Chelsea have struggled this season without their main man in the middle Nemanja Matic and he is arguably a bigger loss than someone like Diego Costa who they beat Spurs without at Stamford Bridge earlier this season.
That being said, the Blues have the players to navigate the loss and can look towards Ramires and John Obi Mikel who are more than used to playing in big finals and can certainly put a shift in to help their side.
It is not ideal but Mourinho will just use the situation to create a siege mentality and work it to his advantage.
4. Chelsea can score goals from all over the field
Not only do Chelsea have a rather impressive forward line with the likes of Diego Costa and Eden Hazard threats for 90 minutes straight, but they also have defenders who can put the ball into the back of the net.
The Blues are literally a threat from all over the field and when it comes to set pieces they are a huge problem for the opposition.
It is not only Costa et al Spurs will have to worry about keeping quiet but John Terry and Branislav Ivanovic to boot.
5. Spurs have a worse fixture pile up
Chelsea have more fixtures than most sides and Jose Mourinho very rarely lets anyone forget it – but going into the game, Spurs have a bigger pile up.
Mourinho’s men will have a midweek break given they played their Champions League first leg a week earlier while Spurs have to face Fiorentina in an away tie that will see them face that irritating Thursday / Sunday curse that is the Europa League fixtures.
Sides often drop points after an away trip in Europe and Mourinho saw his side do just that against Burnley. This weekend there will be no excuses – while Spurs have a ready made one.
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