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Paul Merson has claimed Saturday’s game away at Tottenham is the biggest of the season for Chelsea as he made his prediction.

Chelsea head to north London looking to return to winning ways in the league having lost to Sunderland last time out.

The Blues responded by beating Wolves 4-3 in the Carabao Cup, but head into this game sitting ninth in the league, whilst Spurs currently sit third.

Paul Merson makes Tottenham vs Chelsea prediction

Chelsea have a great record against Tottenham, with Spurs only managing one win in the last 11 games between the two sides.

Enzo Maresca made ten changes for the game against Wolves, and will likely make a whole host of changes again.

A win is vital for Chelsea given they’ve won just four of their opening nine games, and Merson has backed the Blues to get the job done.

“This is the biggest game of the season for both teams,” he told Sportskeeda.

“After this, Chelsea face Wolves and Burnley in the league. If they can beat Spurs this weekend, they will be confident of going into them games feeling like they can make it three straight wins before the international break.

“Chelsea must start with Pedro Neto in this game. It’s a big pitch at Tottenham and he’s quick as anything. I’m almost certain Estevao will also start the game.

“Both wingers must track back though. Spurs have full-backs who love to go forward, so if the Chelsea wingers do not help out in defence, their team will get overrun.

“I expect Enzo Maresca to make his team selection based on who he trusts more to do the defensive work down the flanks, otherwise Chelsea are in trouble.

“Prediction: Tottenham Hotspur 1-2 Chelsea.”

Chelsea need to build momentum again

After suffering back to back defeats in the league to Manchester United and Brighton, the Blues won four games on the spin before defeat to Sunderland.

A win against Spurs would get them back on track and could be the catalyst to go on another run, with Chelsea currently three points outside the top four.

Chelsea have lost three of their last five league games, and defeat against Spurs would see serious questions asked.

Former Premier League star Paul Merson believes Chelsea must start Pedro Neto in Saturday’s game away at Tottenham.

The Blues head to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium looking for a response after losing to Sunderland last time out.

Chelsea advanced to the Carabao Cup quarter finals in midweek, whilst Spurs were dumped out by Newcastle, and the London derby is sure to be a spicy affair.

Paul Merson claims Pedro Neto must start against Tottenham

Enzo Maresca’s men sit ninth heading in the clash, whilst Spurs are flying high in third after a good start under Thomas Frank.

The pressure will be on Maresca to deliver three points, and Spurs have won just one of the last 11 games between the sides.

Maresca made ten changes for the game against Wolves, and will likely make a number of changes again on Saturday.

Who plays on the wings is always a point of contention, with Estevao and Jamie Gittens impressing against Wolves, but Merson has claimed Neto must start against Spurs.

“Chelsea must start with Pedro Neto in this game,” he told Sportskeeda.

“It’s a big pitch at Tottenham and he’s quick as anything.

“I’m almost certain Estevao will also start the game, both wingers must track back though.”

Maresca has praised Neto for his form, and he’s been a main stay in the side this season, with two goals and two assists in 13 appearances in all competitions.

Estevao and Jamie Gittens impress

Whilst Neto has been a regular, both Estevao and Jamie Gittens are knocking on the door to start in the Premier League.

Estevao scored a lovely chip against Wolves, whilst Gittens put in another impressive performance with two assists and a brilliant goal.

On merit the duo should start against Spurs, but the reality is that’s unlikely to happen, and it will be interesting to see what combination Maresca goes with.

It looks like Fabrizio Romano has conceded to the fact that Chelsea might now not be signing a target they’ve wanted for MONTHS.

To be honest if you’re like me, you are probably going to be very relieved to see this transfer window end, it’s been a window of annoying and underwhelming sagas, and one is about to end now after months of Chelsea trying to sign the player.

EXCLUSIVE! Chelsea have late discussion about signing Arsenal defender this window!!

It emerged yesterday and reports grew over the day that Tottenham were trying to ‘hijack’ Chelsea’s move to sign Xavi Simons from RB Leipzig. Of course, there is no hijacking to do because Chelsea had not even made an offer and Simons has been waiting on joining Chelsea all summer. But if we don’t offer, then he can’t come here. But he wants to leave Leipzig, so it looks like Spurs are his only Premier League option now.

It’s always been Simons and Alejandro Garnacho that Chelsea have been chasing at this latter end of the window. And Chelsea even threw out the agreed deal reports for Garnacho yesterday seemingly to perhaps soften the Simons blow for Chelsea fans.

Here we go soon!

Many Chelsea fans wanted the club to sign Simons and have been fully invested in this deal all summer, so there will be a bit of anger around this morning hearing Romano’s latest updates on it.

Romano posted on X in the early hours of this morning:

“Tottenham agree €60m fee with RB Leipzig for Xavi Simons!

“Official bid accepted, green light after #THFC sent formal bid following player’s encouragement.

“Spurs want deal done today also on player side + medical in the next hours.

“Here we go, expected soon.”

Baffling

Chelsea spend all summer making Simons wait for them and now wont even sign him for such a reasonable fee? It’s absolutely baffling and such a bad way to run things. It’s not even about the player and if you rate him, it’s about being so public with your pursuit of him all summer and making him wait, then not signing him at all. Not the firs time Chelsea have done this recently either. Victor Osimhen and Michael Olise are just two examples of that.

West Ham are confident Chelsea will submit a better offer than Tottenham for Mohammed Kudus according to reports.

Chelsea have been busy this summer and have already made three attacking signings with Liam Delap, Jamie Gittens and Joao Pedro all arriving.

The Blues haven’t ruled out signing another attacker, whilst they are also said to be in the market for a centre back to strengthen Enzo Maresca’s squad ahead of the new season.

West Ham confident Chelsea will make better Kudus offer than Spurs

It’s been reported the Blues want to have as many as nine attacking options in their squad next season, although one of the current crop will likely have to leave to make room.

Christopher Nkunku and Joao Felix are set to leave, whilst Noni Madueke is also a candidate to depart with Arsenal interested in the England international.

Chelsea hold interest in West Ham forward Kudus, and were close to signing the Ghana international in 2023 when he was at Ajax.

West Ham are thought to be looking for in the region of £60m for Kudus, with Tottenham and other Premier League clubs also interested.

Tottenham are understood to have made Kudus their priority target, but West Ham insider Ex West Ham Employee has provided an update via X account Last Word On Spurs.

“West Ham United are confident that Chelsea will submit a better offer for Mohammed Kudus than Tottenham Hotspur’s current bid.

“It is also hoped that other clubs will join the competition as well.”

Noni Madueke attracting interest from Arsenal

If Chelsea decide to pursue Kudus it’s likely Madueke will leave Stamford Bridge to make room for the Ghanaian.

Madueke is said to be open to joining Arsenal, and the Blues are believed to have set their asking price at £50m for the England international.

The Gunners are thought to be advancing on personal terms with the 23-year-old, but any club to club agreement is thought to be someway off.