Tottenham know their brief in tonight’s Barclays Premier League clash at Chelsea has not changed despite Leicester failing to clinch the title at Manchester United yesterday.
Spurs’ faint hopes of being crowned champions lived to fight another day after the Foxes’ 1-1 draw at Old Trafford, but the trophy will be heading to the King Power Stadium if Mauricio Pochettino’s men fail to beat Chelsea.
The visit to Stamford Bridge was always going to be must-win – even if Leicester were beaten by United – and with Arsenal creeping up behind them in third place a defeat would not only end their title bid but also hamper their chances of finishing in second.
Hardly a good time to go to Stamford Bridge then, a place where they have not won since February 1990, but Pochettino says his players need no extra motivation for a London derby.
“We spoke before with (assistant head coach) Jesus (Perez) and the staff,” said Pochettino, speaking before Leicester’s game.
“It is always difficult at the end of a season because of the fatigue – not only physical but mental – but the way we train every day, sometimes we have to stop them because it is too much.
“The motivation is massive. If I can help with my new contract and if Leicester drop points on Sunday I think it is welcome.
“But either way our players our very, very motivated to play on Monday against Chelsea.”
Guus Hiddink will be preparing his Chelsea side to put a spanner in the works for Spurs as he takes charge of his penultimate home game.
The Dutchman is “satisfied” with his performance as Chelsea interim boss, despite his second spell at the Bridges seeing just one home win in the Premier League
Hiddink restored stability following a turbulent start under Jose Mourinho, but when asked to mark his spell out of 10, he declined.
“I’m not easily happy about myself,” he said.
“I came here in difficult circumstances. It’s easy for me to say, ‘Ah it’s the past…’ (but) I’m not a person to blame.
“I had to restore the confidence and more in this team and club.
“It’s difficult to give a figure (out of 10). I’m happy the team reacted when we were in a desperate situation, when people in this house started sweating, because there are experiences in the past where big clubs can go down as well.
“From there on I’m satisfied with the reaction of the team.
“(But) I would’ve loved to have gone into the next round of Champions League and the FA Cup final – if that had happened I would give myself a 10 plus.”
