De Zerbi urges Tottenham to turn Stamford Bridge record into motivation
Roberto De Zerbi says Tottenham Hotspur have enough quality to challenge Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, and wants his players to use the club’s poor record there as fuel rather than a burden. Spurs have won only once in 33 Premier League visits to Chelsea’s ground, a run the manager hopes to end when the teams meet on Saturday.
The fixture also brings De Zerbi back into the orbit of Brighton, where he spent two seasons before taking charge at Tottenham. Chelsea have recruited heavily from the south-coast club since BlueCo took control in 2022, signing players and staff who helped shape Brighton’s rise. De Zerbi acknowledged that the repeated departures may be frustrating, but said they do not provide his only reason to approach the match with intensity.
Chelsea’s Brighton connection remains in focus
Chelsea’s transfer business has included several high-profile moves from Brighton. Moisés Caicedo joined for a reported £115 million, then a British transfer record, while Marc Cucurella moved for around £63 million. Goalkeeper Robert Sánchez also made the switch, and Brighton recruitment figures Paul Winstanley and Sam Jewell joined Chelsea in senior roles.
Other players associated with Brighton have also featured in the broader conversation around Chelsea’s recruitment, including João Pedro, Danny Welbeck, Facundo Buonanotte, Valentín Barco and Levi Colwill. The movement of talent and staff reflects how modern football clubs compete not only for established stars, but also for scouting expertise, development pathways and knowledge of promising players.
Asked about Chelsea’s activity, De Zerbi responded candidly, suggesting the scale of the recruitment was not something he viewed positively. However, he also recognised the realities facing clubs such as Brighton. Players may seek a move to a bigger club, and selling can be part of a smaller team’s strategy for sustaining its business and rebuilding its squad.
“When you work at Brighton, you work to make the club happy,” De Zerbi said. He added that doing so can sometimes mean allowing players to leave when they want to take the next step in their careers. In his view, that is a natural part of football, even when it means seeing important contributors join a rival.
Tottenham’s Stamford Bridge challenge
For De Zerbi, the more immediate issue is Tottenham’s record at Stamford Bridge. One win in 33 league trips is a striking statistic, and it gives the match an added psychological dimension. Spurs must contend not only with Chelsea’s quality, but also with the weight of a long history of difficult visits.
The Italian wants his squad to treat that history as an incentive. He believes Tottenham have the technical ability to win, but says they must match it with concentration, energy and a strong mentality. A positive result would not erase the past, but it could provide a significant boost in a fixture that has repeatedly proved challenging for the north London side.
That approach may be especially important in a London derby, where emotion and momentum can shape the contest. Tottenham will need to manage the occasion, avoid being drawn into rushed decisions and make the most of their opportunities. Chelsea, meanwhile, will be eager to protect their home advantage and maintain their own momentum in front of their supporters.
Any football prediction for the match must account for more than the historical head-to-head record. Form, tactical match-ups and the availability of key players can all influence the outcome. De Zerbi’s comments suggest he wants Tottenham to focus on what they can control: their preparation, intensity and execution on the pitch.
Team news: several players available, others still out
Tottenham have received a boost with Pedro Porro, Andy Robertson and Omar Marmoush reported ready to face Chelsea. Their availability could give De Zerbi useful options as he weighs up his starting line-up and the balance of the team.
There are still notable absences. Lucas Bergvall and Destiny Udogie remain sidelined with knee injuries, while Savinho is unavailable because of a muscle problem. Rodrigo Bentancur will also miss the match through suspension, leaving Tottenham without another option in midfield.
James Maddison is a player to watch after scoring against Coventry City last Monday in his first start in almost 18 months. His return offers Tottenham creativity between the lines, but the club will need to assess his condition before deciding how much he can contribute against Chelsea. Dejan Kulusevski is also being monitored after making his comeback in the same game, following a 526-day absence.
The fitness of both attacking players could affect Tottenham’s approach. If Maddison is ready to start, his passing and ability to find space may help Spurs connect midfield with the forward line. If he is limited to a substitute role, De Zerbi may need to rely on other players to provide creativity and progression during the opening stages.
A chance to rewrite the narrative
Saturday’s meeting offers Tottenham an opportunity to challenge a stubborn Stamford Bridge trend while testing themselves against a Chelsea side shaped in part by Brighton’s former personnel. The transfer history adds an intriguing subplot, but De Zerbi has made clear that his priority is the match itself—not settling scores over past recruitment decisions.
For Spurs, the key will be turning motivation into a composed performance. A forceful start could help them build belief, while disciplined defending and efficient use of possession may be essential against Chelsea’s attacking threats. De Zerbi’s message is straightforward: the record should create urgency, not fear.
Tottenham’s task remains demanding, particularly given their long wait for a league victory at Stamford Bridge. But with several players returning to contention and their manager insisting the squad has the quality to compete, Spurs will travel across London believing they can finally change the story.
