Chelsea boss lauds Tottenham as title contenders ahead of Monday’s clash

Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino insists Tottenham Hotspur are title contenders following their exceptional start to the 2023/24 Premier League campaign.

The Argentine tactician is gearing up for a return to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium four years after departing the club before joining Paris Saint-Germain.

Pochettino spent five and a half years on Tottenham’s payroll, but his tenure was shrouded in near-mises rather than any tangible accomplishments.

The Chelsea boss reveals he is unsure of the reception he will get from the Tottenham faithful but admitted he still has fond memories of his time with the Lilywhites.

“I’m not going to say anything at the moment because until Monday we cannot guess,” Pochettino said in his pre-match press conference.

“The most important is people know we cannot forget what we lived together. It won’t change my emotions, my feelings about a club where we spent an unbelievable journey.”

After a rollercoaster four-year ride since Pochettino’s departure, Tottenham have turned a new leaf under the leadership of Ange Postecoglou.

Spurs have established a two-point lead at the Premier League summit following an unbeaten start to the season and will be keen to ensure Pochettino doesn’t enjoy his return.

The Argentine tactician has lauded his former side as title contenders, although he will be hoping he can inflict their first Premier League defeat on his highly anticipated return.

“Yes, I think so,” Pochettino said when asked if Spurs are title contenders.

“They are doing a fantastic job. You feel they can be a contender. It is early in the season, but they are showing the quality to be a contender.”

Chelsea head into Monday’s fixture on the back of four wins from their last six games in all competitions but fell to a disheartening 2-0 defeat to Brentford in their previous Premier League outing.

Beating Blackburn Rovers 2-0 to advance to the League Cup quarter-final is not the best preparation for a London derby, but Pochettino will hope his side can rise to the occasion against a formidable Spurs side.