The Argentine welcomes his former club to Stamford Bridge on Thursday evening. The game will stir memories of the meeting between the two sides in 2016. Spurs headed into that game needing to win to keep their Premier League title chances alive. The game also saw the North London side booked on nine occasions, which remains a Premier League record.

Pochettino’s reply this time around was very different to his response immediately after Spurs’ title hopes were ruined by Chelsea. Asked why his side let the occasion get to them, he replied: “It was a derby, we were fighting to win the title and Chelsea were fighting to try and win. “We were all involved. When you play for the title and play a big team like Chelsea, they want to win.

It was normal emotion, fighting on the pitch is not a good example, for both teams. “In football we want to win and sometimes situations like tonight happen. I think there is nothing to say, nothing to blame, how they [Chelsea] take the game shows big respect for us. That makes us feel proud.

“Our players are disappointed and sad, we need to feel that for the future. We are the youngest squad in the Premier League and to be in this position is fantastic. He oversaw a further nine meetings as Spurs boss, winning four. Chelsea beat Spurs in the Carabao Cup semi-finals and bagged a 2-0 success in Pochettino’s final meeting as Spurs boss.

Pochettino then got the better of his former side earlier this season. Pochettino will no doubt have lasting memories of that tie – as he will of the 2016 edition – despite his claim to the contrary. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like.

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