Chelsea captain Reece James has called on his team-mates to feed off the energy of the Stamford Bridge faithful and extend their imperious record against Tottenham Hotspur in Tuesday night’s London derby. The Blues skipper opened up in the matchday programme as interim head coach Calum McFarlane’s side prepare to welcome their bitter capital rivals on the penultimate weekend of the campaign.
The Blues have lost only once in their last 40 home meetings with Tottenham in all competitions since 1990, winning 26 and drawing 13 in that remarkable period. Chelsea are also aiming to win their sixth league match in a row against Spurs; the last time that was accomplished was between 2000 and 2002.
Reece James wrote:
“This is a massive game for the fans and we have a great record against Spurs over the years that we want to maintain. The atmosphere is always incredible for this fixture and I’m sure tonight will be no different – we just want to make sure it’s us celebrating at full time.
“Two former Chelsea players, Conor Gallagher and Dom Solanke, return to Stamford Bridge with Spurs, and while it’ll be good to see them again, they are on the other side in a London derby tonight, and our full focus will be on making sure they don’t come away from here with anything.”
Chelsea sit 10th on 49 points, with a game in hand on their rivals, and need the three points desperately to revive their fading hopes of European qualification next season. The Blues won the reverse fixture at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in November, 1-0, thanks to a first-half Joao Pedro strike.
Chelsea showdown adds layer of tension to Tottenham survival mission
Roberto De Zerbi’s side are in 17th place, just two points clear of West Ham United and the relegation zone, as they head into matchday 37. A win in West London would all but mathematically ensure top-flight status for next season, though it’s a Herculean task to do so on enemy turf.
Chelsea have won 12 of the last 14 Premier League meetings between the two sides, with Spurs only able to register a 2-0 home win in February 2023. A brutal injury list hampers their cause, with Cristian Romero, Mohammed Kudus, Dejan Kulusevski, Wilson Odobert and Ben Davies all ruled out, while Xavi Simons is out for the season.
For the hosts, this fixture also comes against the backdrop of a fourth straight FA Cup final loss to Manchester City and the quick hiring of Xabi Alonso on a four-year contract as head coach for 2026-27. Desperate to send the Stamford Bridge faithful home smiling in his last home assignment before the Spaniard takes the reins officially this summer, McFarlane will be hoping to lay down a marker.