Thomas Frank outlined his expectations from the derby between **Tottenham**and Chelsea.
Spurs have been on the wrong end of some enthralling encounters with the Blues, losing 4-3 after taking a 2-0 lead in December last year and suffering a 4-1 defeat after going down to nine men in 2023 at the end of a ten game Premier League unbeaten run. Could the story change tomorrow?
For the new **Tottenham**head coach, it is all about embracing the passion of the rivalry on Saturday without getting roped into the disciplinary issues that have hurt their opponents in the last six weeks. He respects the work of Enzo Maresca but wants the players to go with energy into this fixture.
*“A game against Chelsea, especially a home game against Chelsea, under the floodlights, is going to be unique and special. I can't wait for it. Players are looking forward to it. It's a fantastic occasion.*
“We need the fans behind us. I know they do everything they can to try to create even more noise, make it this very difficult place to play and as I said before, it's between us and the fans - the best clubs, the best teams, they're united, they're together in good times and bad times.
“We need to perform. We need to create energy. Can we get energy off the fans? Then it's like some positive reinforcement and that’s what we need to create tomorrow. We're looking forward to it.
“Very excited, really looking forward to it, a London derby between two big rivals. There's so much on it against a very good Chelsea team.
“It will be a very, very competitive, even game, under the floodlights, it's got everything to be a top game where you will be on the edge of your seat, hopefully, if you're a fan or a part of it.
“Hopefully, that's the case. We need to come flying out and get the fans with us. I'm very, very positive about us coming out and performing very well tomorrow.”
*“Enzo's done an amazing job at Chelsea. First season, qualifying for the Champions League and won the Conference League, so competing in definitely more than one front. Won the Club World Cup and had a decent start to the season - very impressive.*
“It was very clear what him and his staff want to achieve, how they want to play. So, yeah, it's going to be a nice, good challenge, another nice, good challenge in the Premier League against a very good manager and a very good team.”
“I haven't looked into every single red card that they've had of the six they got. Probably different reasons. Probably not only lack of discipline, it can also be coincidence. So, I don't know. It's about us and the game we can play. We need to perform and be intense with a cool head.”