The biggest London derby of the season is about to turn into a battle of the walking wounded. Tottenham and Chelsea face each other with a shocking 16 players likely missing through injury and suspension – a crisis that could reshape the entire match.
The Walking Wounded: Tottenham’s Injury List Grows
Thomas Frank faces a nightmare situation with 11 first-team players potentially missing the Chelsea clash. The injury list reads like a who’s who of Tottenham’s key performers:
- Archie Gray (calf)
- Destiny Udogie (unspecified)
- Ben Davies (unspecified)
- Radu Dragusin (unspecified)
- Yves Bissouma (unspecified)
- Dejan Kulusevski (unspecified)
- James Maddison (unspecified)
- Dominic Solanke (unspecified)
Goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario might return after missing the Newcastle defeat. Frank revealed: “He had a smaller thing that had to be done but he’ll be ready for Chelsea.” But doubts remain about Cristian Romero and Wilson Odobert, who suffered a side strain.
Chelsea’s Selection Headaches
While Enzo Maresca’s problems aren’t as severe, Chelsea still face crucial absences:
| Player | Reason | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Liam Delap | Suspension (red card) | Maresca called his behavior “embarrassing” |
| Cole Palmer | Injury | Creative absence in attack |
| Benoit Badiashile | Long-term injury | Defensive vulnerability |
| Levi Colwill | Long-term injury | Backline depth reduced |
Mykhailo Mudryk remains suspended for anti-doping violations, compounding Chelsea’s attacking woes. The Blues will rely heavily on midfield duo Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez, who were rested in the League Cup.
Silver Linings: Who’s Available?
Despite the crisis, both teams still boast quality players ready to shine:
Tottenham’s Bright Spots
- Micky van de Ven – Scoring goals from defense
- João Palhinha – Dominant midfield presence
- Mohammed Kudus – Creative spark on the wing
Chelsea’s Key Men
- Reece James – Defensive rock with attacking threat
- Trevoh Chalobah – Improved center-back performance
- Marc Cucurella – Redemption-seeking left-back
How the Crisis Changes Everything
With so many absences, we could see:
- Unusual formations from both managers
- Youth players getting surprise call-ups
- Games decided by individual mistakes
- Set pieces becoming even more crucial
As Frank put it: “We need to assess them, but it could look positive for Chelsea.” This rare admission shows how severely injuries have impacted Tottenham’s preparations.
Historical Context: Derby Drama Guaranteed
Despite the missing stars, this fixture always delivers drama. Remember:
- The Battle of the Bridge (2016)
- Tuchel vs Conte handshake feud (2022)
- Postecoglou’s nine-man high line (2023)
As former Chelsea midfielder Cesc Fabregas once noted: “It’s always worse to lose to Spurs, because they make DVDs of it for years.” The pressure to avoid defeat intensifies with so many key players missing.
Predicted Fallout
This injury crisis could:
- Force both clubs into January transfer moves
- Change managers’ tactical approaches long-term
- Impact European qualification hopes
- Test squad depth like never before
As the teams prepare to face off, one thing is certain – this won’t be a normal derby. With 16 players potentially missing, we’re set for a match that could redefine both clubs’ seasons in unexpected ways.
