Tottenham Hotspur are set to play three games in six days while continuing their tough start to the season.
Jose Mourinho doesn’t seem to give them much hope of a success against Chelsea in the Carabao Cup either, in a match you can hear. Live on talkSPORT7:45 p.m.
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Mourinho cuts a frustrated character now
Just two days after their controversial draw with Newcastle United and two days before their crucial European League match with Maccabi Haifa, the two teams face their London opponents in the League Cup.
It is an increasingly bitter rivalry after losing twice to Frank Lampard, his former player at Stamford Bridge, Mourinho will not want them more bragging rights in West London.
However, the crowded match situation meant that Tottenham were ready to make 11 incredible changes to the team that looked so good, but ultimately failed to get three points on Sunday.
No Harry Kane, no Heung Min Son, no Eric Dyer, or Giovanni Lu Celso, but the debut of the New Deal might be Sergio Reguillon if the Portuguese were looking for positives.
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Ben hit the crossbar before being forced to exit the bar
“I would like to fight for the Carabao Cup, but I don’t think I can,” Mourinho said.
“We have Thursday’s match that doesn’t give us as much money as the Champions League but the group stage of the European League gives us a certain amount, for a club like us, very important.
“It’s a competition with the potential group stage that gives us a good chance to move on to the next knockout stage, so this Thursday match is very important to us.
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Lampard spent more than £ 220m in the summer and would set up a strong team against Tottenham
“I think you can imagine that with Thursday’s game being decided on something very important to us, I think the NFL made a decision for us.
“They didn’t even create a problem – they made a decision for us. So that’s the decision.”
But Lampard, with an extra rest day before the match, and no match until Saturday, can name a full-strength team if he so desires.
But he still fears the depth of Tottenham.
He pointed out that “when I analyze Tottenham and know the team they have, and analyze what might be a team that did not play 90 minutes (against Newcastle) yesterday, they have a wonderful team.”
“I feel whatever team Jose puts on can be very strong.”
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Tottenham team news
Tottenham will now miss Son for the foreseeable future after suffering a hamstring injury against Newcastle.
Moussa Sissoko did not sit on the bench against his former team on Sunday and pulled out late due to illness but he should be able to start if needed.
Japhet Tanganga is in training but might not be fit to start, just like Gareth Bale’s loan signature, which rehabilitates a knee problem.
There will be an almost entirely new team taking to the field with Reguilon at the starting line as well as rare starts for Juan Foyth and Gidson Fernandez.
Dele Alli should play while Mourinho is managing his team during busy matches, but given his current situation he might miss the match.
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Chelsea team news
As for the Blues, Lampard has no new problems to deal with and is adding fresh signature Edward Mindy to his squad.
Regular matches like Mason Mount may get a rest for the Round of 16, but a strong team is expected to emerge as the club is keen on trophies after its impressive spending this summer.
Meanwhile, Victor Moses is back with Chelsea after his loan spell at Inter Milan, but he has not yet trained in the first-team bubble.
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