LONDON • Dele Alli has pledged to end Tottenham's 11-year wait for a major trophy as his side head into an explosive League Cup semi-final showdown with Chelsea tonight.
Spurs have not won a major competition since beating the Blues in the 2008 final. They also lost to the same team in the 2015 final.
The four-time Cup winners are still in the Champions League and FA Cup, and also have an outside chance in the Premier League title race. But it is the League Cup that presents their first chance to end the silverware drought.
While the competition is often written off as an after-thought for top clubs, England star Alli is adamant it could be the first major prize for highly regarded manager Mauricio Pochettino, yet to win a trophy in his coaching career with Spurs, Southampton and Espanyol.
"I think every game, every competition, you want to win it," Alli said.
Spurs crushed fourth-tier Tranmere 7-0 in Friday's FA Cup third round using only three first-team regulars, including Alli, in a bid to keep the key men fresh for Chelsea.
Alli expects the plan to pay dividends, saying: "I believe we've got a strong squad.
"Players work hard to make sure we're fully fit and the manager makes changes. I think he's very good at that."
Chelsea, who host the second leg on Jan 22, will give late fitness tests to Olivier Giroud (ankle) and winger Pedro (hamstring).
Manager Maurizio Sarri is unsure whether midfielder Cesc Fabregas has played his last game but he feels the Spaniard must leave for the good of his career.
Fabregas, 31, appeared to say goodbye after Saturday's 2-0 FA Cup win over Nottingham Forest, applauding all sides of Stamford Bridge. His contract expires this season, with British media reporting he is close to securing a move to Monaco this month.
"I don't know if he is able to play tomorrow because in the last match he had cramp in the calf so he needs to rest I think," Sarri said yesterday.
"I don't know the decision of the club. In my opinion, he needs to go."
AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
TOTTENHAM V CHELSEA
StarHub Ch202 & Singtel TV Ch111, tomorrow, 3.55am
Lure of Italy strong, says Chelsea's homesick Sarri By superliga On Jun 5, 2019 0 London (AFP) - Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri gave the strongest hint yet that he wishes to return to Italy and probably take the Juventus job by saying he misses his friends and elderly parents.
Lure of Italy strong, says Chelsea's homesick Maurizio Sarri
Former England footballer Paul Gascoigne will stand trial for sexual assault in October after allegedly kissing a woman without consent on a train, a judge Ex-football star faces assault trial.
Paul Gascoigne » Internationals - worldfootball.net
Man City title hopes hit by shock defeat at Newcastle The Saigon Times Daily Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola reacts during the match at St James' Park, Newcastle, Britain January 29, 2019 - PHOTO: REUTERS
Man City title hopes hit by shock defeat at Newcastle - The
Alexis Sanchez and Romelu Lukaku must both take their opportunity to impress as an injury crisis cuts through Manchester United's squad, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer says. Both players have struggled for
Injuries open way for Sanchez and Lukaku to shine for United
What the Spurs need to do to have a successful offseason. New I do believe they need to bet on internal development, so I'm certainly hoping he gets a chance to crack the rotation. Other
Lucas Moura identifies the most important thing Spurs must do
Zlatan Ibrahimovic fails to attend training for Paris Saint-Germain. Anwar El Ghazi against joining his old club he still remembers him as football's greatest winner after their time at
Transfers, Celtic, Barcelona, Arsenal, Premier League
Reds fans upbeat, City faithful rejoice, Football News & Top
Jahanbakhsh on target as Iran ease past Oman into last eight Soccer Football - AFC Asian Cup - Round of 16 - Iran v Oman - Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - January
Jahanbakhsh on target as Iran ease past Oman into last eight
Former Manchester United star Ryan Giggs has hit back at Zlatan Ibrahimovic over his criticism of the Class of '92, claiming players with "over 2,000 games between us" are entitled to have an
Giggs hits back after Zlatan criticism of Man Utd 'Class of
LIVERPOOL: Everton avoided a third consecutive Premier League home defeat as Kurt Zouma's header and a late goal by Dominic Calvert-Lewin earned them a flattering 2-0 victory against Bournemouth
Everton ride luck for 2-0 victory at home to Bournemouth
Investigators searching for a lost plane carrying Premier League player Emiliano Sala said on Wednesday an underwater search would begin after they found two seat cushions on the French coast that
Debris From Soccer Player Emiliano Sala's Missing Plane Found
FA Cup 2019: Manchester City set to face Watford in final at Wembley Stadium semifinal, Watford rallied for two goals down to beat Wolves 3-2 in extra time. After goals from Matt Doherty and
FA Cup semi final draw recap: Man City, Wolves, Brighton and
The Project Gutenberg eBook, Where the Pavement Ends, by John Russell This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at
0 comments:
Post a Comment