Sky Sports'
Glenn Hoddle gives his views on Sunday's Capital One Cup final between
Tottenham and Chelsea at Wembley.
The former England manager, who played for both clubs throughout his career
and managed Spurs between 2001 and 2003, talks Jose Mourinho's cup final
prowess, Tottenham's chances and the loss of Nemanja Matic.
Which Tottenham players will hurt Chelsea?
HODDLE: Christian Eriksen and Harry Kane are obviously the two.
Eriksen has come up with some important goals and Kane is on fine form, but
can he peak in a cup final? That’s what every Spurs fan wants. I don’t think
there’s pressure on him, he just goes out and does his stuff. He’s young and
hasn’t put any pressure on himself.
How will the incidents in the Burnley game at the weekend impact
Chelsea?
HODDLE: Cup finals are not won a week before by a manager going on
TV. Cup finals are won by players going the extra mile, implementing what
the manager wants them to do on the day by playing as close to their natural
game as possible. If Spurs do that they’ve got a hell of a chance. That’s
the key to winning a cup final. In terms of the refereeing, I don’t think
the events of the Burnley game have done Anthony Taylor and his team any
favours.
What effect will a Spurs defeat have on the rest of their season and
the quest for the top four?
HODDLE: A defeat on Sunday would be a massive blow for them after
the Fiorentina loss. One defeat could carry onto the next. The pressure has
built because they have gone out of the Europa League and don't have that to
fall back on. That result has got to have an impact on Sunday - both in the
physical side of having to travel and mentally after losing.
Will Chelsea have the 5-3 defeat at White Hart Lane in January on
their minds?
HODDLE: I don’t think that result will have an impact on Chelsea,
but will on Spurs. It will give them that belief they can beat Chelsea in a
one-off game. I think Spurs players all have to play at eight or nine out of
10, whereas Chelsea have proved this season they can play in a lower gear
and still win. Some players play at eight or nine out of 10, others play at
six or seven and they still win with ease. Spurs have got to really perform
to win.
Nemanja Matic is suspended for Chelsea… will that have a big impact?
HODDLE: With Moussa Dembele and Christian Eriksen floating around
in that position, it will be difficult for Chelsea to cope without Matic.
He’s a massive, massive player. I’ve said before, if Matic or that type of
player played for Arsenal, they’d have a far better chance of winning the
title. Dembele needs to be mentioned here, it’s not all about Eriksen.
Dembele has been pushed forward, something I’ve been wanting for years since
I first saw him, because he started too deep but can fly past people very
easily. Chelsea have a big and strong enough squad to adjust, whether he
plays Cesc Fabregas deeper or brings Jon Obi Mikel in there, they’ve got
options.
Mourinho has won nine of his 11 cup finals as a manager, how does he
do it?
HODDLE: He wants to win every game, and he’s always had good squads
to work with. He said in the week: “It doesn’t matter what final you’re in,
if it’s a five-a-side final in training or in pre-season, they’re about
winning.” That’s what he instils into his team. But in the Spurs camp
they’ll have the same feeling; they want silverware and it’s their only
chance this year.
And your predictions?
HODDLE: It’s a tough one, a close, close call. If it’s going to be
a Spurs win I get the feeling it has to be in 90 minutes. Chelsea have the
power off the bench, and everyone sees them as favourites, but I see it
being closer than that.
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