Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino is reportedly contemplating a ‘ruthless’ decision ahead of his return to face former club Tottenham Hotspur.
Pochettino, who spent five years at Spurs, is set to visit his old club as Chelsea manager, making it a highly anticipated reunion.
The former Spurs manager spent 5 years at the club transforming them into a side that finished top 4 consistently. He came close to winning several trophies with Spurs including the Champions League where he eventually lost to Liverpool in the final.
He was strongly linked with a dream return to Spurs in the summer before Levy signed Ange Postecoglou, a decision that has turned out to be a remarkable one so far.
Pochettino ended up joining Tottenham’s London rivals Chelsea instead and will return to the North London club for the first time as a Chelsea manager, perhaps to a hostile reception.
The report from Football London claims that Pochettino will have some key decisions to make amid several players returning from injury.
One of those decisions will be whether to start Reece James who is an important player for Chelsea. He played his first game since August against Blackburn in the League Cup and whether he will be fit to play against Spurs remains to be seen.
But James’s ability to contribute offensively could be particularly advantageous for Chelsea, especially considering the uncertainties surrounding Tottenham’s Destiny Udogie and Ben Davies.
Another important decision for Pochettino will be the choice of a forward. Nicolas Jackson has been struggling in the attacking role for Chelsea. Pochettino may opt to revert to a system that achieved success during the 2-2 draw against Arsenal, with Cole Palmer deployed as the central forward.
With both teams set up to attack, it is expected to be an entertaining game but Tottenham will be considered the favourites going into it given their current form.
They are at the moment the only unbeaten side in the Premier League and a win will take them back to the top of the table, 2 points above Manchester City.
