Tottenham Hotspur’s Jan Vertonghen has a surprising view of his side’s games against Chelsea in comparison to clashes with Arsenal.
During an exclusive interview with Sky Sports, Spurs centre-back Jan Vertonghen talked up his club’s rivalry with Chelsea ahead of their clash on Wednesday night, claiming that it is now up there with their games against bitter rivals Arsenal.
Mauricio Pochettino’s men have managed to turn their season round over this past month, with five wins from their last six outings, and they now find themselves back inside the top four, 10 points adrift of the Blues at the top of the league.
Tottenham’s Jan Vertonghen
And the Belgian centre-backed stoked the fire ahead of what has always been a fiery encounter, by suggesting that Tottenham’s games against Chelsea are now on par with their north London derby matches, as quoted by Sky Sports:
“For me it’s at the same level. They’ve [Chelsea] done so well in the last 10-15 years and they’re right up there. Especially this season they’re the team to beat. And I know a couple of guys there so that it always makes it a bit more interesting.”
Tottenham’s Jan Vertonghen in action
Spurs’ rivalry with Chelsea down the years has always been fiercely intense, and there will certainly be no love lost on Wednesday night, when the two sides face off at White Hart Lane.
Nothing less than a win will do for Spurs, and if they do manage to beat Antonio Conte’s men, they all firmly be back in the title race.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
