Mauricio Pochettino: Spurs may need ten years to win the Premier League title
Tottenham boss questions his side’s mentality ahead of the derby against Chelsea
Chelsea vs. Tottenham Hotspur
- What: Premier League matchweek 28
- When: Wednesday 27 February
- Where: Stamford Bridge, London
- Kick-off time: 8pm (GMT)
- TV channel: live on BT Sport 1
Mauricio Pochettino admits that if Tottenham are to win the Premier League title it could take the north London club ten years to achieve.
Spurs lost 2-1 against Burnley in the league at the weekend - a match that Pochettino described a “must-win” clash.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Had they won at Turf Moor Tottenham could have closed the gap on their title rivals, but the defeat has left Pochettino’s side five points behind second-placed Manchester City and six behind league leaders Liverpool.
Tonight Pochettino takes Tottenham to Stamford Bridge for a London derby clash against Chelsea. Speaking ahead of the Premier League fixture he said Spurs must change their mentality.
He told Sky Sports: “If you want to be a real contender, playing well or not, it’s [the game against Burnley] a must-win.
“You need to show you are fighting for big things and I am frustrated because we didn’t show the same energy as Burnley, the same attitude as Burnley, the same ambition as Burnley.
“We have to look at ourselves and maybe assess ourselves in different ways - we are not looking for excuses. It is holding us back and it might take five years’ work, ten years’ work to change that.”
Kepa to start?
While Spurs will look to bounce back after their defeat at Burnley, Chelsea come into tonight’s Premier League fixture having lost the Carabao Cup final on penalties against Man City on Sunday.
Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga refused to be substituted in extra-time of the final and the BBC reports that Blues boss Maurizio Sarri has not decided if the No.1 will start against Tottenham tonight.
Sarri and Kepa, who has been fined a week’s wages, both played down the incident at Wembley. But when asked if the Spanish keeper would face Spurs, Sarri was unsure.
“I have to decide [if he will play], maybe yes, maybe not,” said the Italian manager. “He made a really big mistake. For me it’s finished.
“I spoke with Kepa. Then we spoke altogether, because he said sorry to the technical staff, but it was not enough. Then he said sorry to his team-mates, to the club. I think he made a big mistake, but we need to be [bigger]. We don’t want to kill him.”
Tonight’s clash at Stamford Bridge kicks off at 8pm and is live on BT Sport 1.
Premier League results and fixtures
Results: Tuesday 26 February
- Cardiff City 0 Everton 3
- Huddersfield Town 1 Wolverhampton Wanderers 0
- Leicester City 2 Brighton & Hove Albion 1
- Newcastle United 2 Burnley 0
Fixtures: Wednesday 27 February
- Arsenal vs. AFC Bournemouth (7.45pm)
- Southampton vs. Fulham (7.45pm)
- Chelsea vs. Tottenham Hotspur (8pm, live on BT Sport 1)
- Crystal Palace vs. Manchester United (8pm)
- Liverpool vs. Watford (8pm)
- Manchester City vs. West Ham United (8pm)
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Geoff Capes obituary: shot-putter who became the World’s Strongest Man
In the Spotlight The 'mighty figure' was a two-time Commonwealth Champion and world-record holder
By The Week UK Published
-
Israel attacks Iran: a 'limited' retaliation
Talking Point Iran's humiliated leaders must decide how to respond to Netanyahu's measured strike
By The Week UK Published
-
Crossword: November 2, 2024
The Week's daily crossword puzzle
By The Week Staff Published
-
Thomas Tuchel to become next England football manager
Speed Read 'Divisive' German coach hopes to lead the men's team to victory
By Arion McNicoll, The Week UK Published
-
The Premier League's spending cap: levelling the playing field?
Talking Point Top clubs oppose plans to link spending to income of lowest-earning club, but rule could prevent success gap from widening
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Is a new English football regulator an own goal for the game?
Talking Point PM hails 'historic moment for football fans' but West Ham owner warns it could 'ruin' Premier League
By The Week UK Published
-
2023-2024 Premier League predictions: champions, relegation and golden boot
feature A look at the top flight talking points and pundit picks for the new season
By Mike Starling Published
-
Man City: can ‘one of the best sides in history’ win the treble?
feature Guardiola’s Premier League champions have two more trophies in their sights
By The Week Staff Published
-
Premier League: Man City vs. Arsenal predictions
feature What the pundits say about tonight’s title race showdown at the Etihad
By Mike Starling Last updated
-
Antonio Conte leaves Tottenham after ‘extraordinary’ rant at players
feature After another year without a trophy, Spurs are now searching for a new manager
By The Week Staff Published
-
Liverpool 7 Man Utd 0: ‘welcome to Jürgen Klopp’s Liverpool 2.0’
feature Anfield’s ‘new front three’ were on fire in the humbling of their bitter rivals
By Mike Starling Published