Tottenham vs. Chelsea: A tale of two midfielders

Beleaguered Premier League champions Chelsea travel down the lane today to face scintillating Tottenham Hotspurs in a London derby on Sunday Special at the White Hart Lane in a game which promises to be centered on Willian and Eriksen.

Tottenham Hotspurs have won six out of their last seven premier league games and are undefeated since their match day 1 loss.

Despite a shaky start to this year’s season the Blues managed to pick two wins in four days, scoring five goals on the road in their last EPL and Champions League games which is a good omen for Jose Mourinho’s side going into this game.

A look at the performance sheet looks quite frightening for Chelsea going into this match. For instance, Whereas Tottenham have conceded 11 goals, Chelsea have conceded 23 which is more than twice what Spurs and Arsenal have conceded together (22).

But no one can rule out Chelsea especially when midfield anchor, Willian is in the form of his life. The Brazilian is undoubtedly the best free kick taker in this year’s UEFA Champions League, scoring four goals from five direct free kicks.

Apart from his prowess in the Champions League Willian has also been exceptional amongst his peers when it comes to the Premier League, where he seems to be carrying the entire Chelsea team on his shoulders.

On the other hand, Tottenham can also boast of a free kick gem in Belgian, Christian Eriksen, who is also contending for the best free kick taker in the league. He scored a brace from a free kick against Swansea City at the Liberty Stadium (a mark achieved by few premier league players).

Unlike Willian, Eriksen is blessed with like-for-like players around him (Mousa Dembele and Erik Lamela) who have also the ability to pick up the pieces when the going gets tough.

Chelsea’s midfield which used to be one of the most outstanding in the best five leagues in Europe has unfortunately come down to zero.

For instance, Eden Hazard who scored 19 goals for the Blues last season is yet to score after 20 games this season, whilst Cesc Fabregas lacks the knife edge passes which used to be his trademark.

Upfront, many have argued that Harry Kane is not the same as we witnessed of him last season, but the English striker is still propelling Tottenham with some crucial goals, whereas his opposite number, Diego Costa seem to have lost his scoring boots on holiday.

The same fixture last season saw Spurs beaten Chelsea by 5:3 and the story may not be too different this time around except that Chelsea can steal a point from the White Hart Lane should Willian come to the party.

By El-Amisty Nobo/Newsghana