Spurs have won once in their last 41 games in all competitions at Stamford Bridge, with Dele Alli’s brace securing a rare 3-1 victory in April 2018.
Hope has been in short supply at Spurs over the past couple of seasons, but De Zerbi is relentlessly positive and remains optimistic of changing the narrative against Chelsea.
Dele Alli scored in Tottenham’s last win over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge
AFP/Getty Images
Asked if his players were fearful ahead of Saturday’s trip to SW6, De Zerbi said of all the problems currently surrounding the club, with injuries mounting and just one league win to their name, their record against Chelsea was of little significance.
“No. I think no because I played just one game with Chelsea as Tottenham coach,” De Zerbi said in his pre-match press conference.
“Anyway, it has to be one motivation more. Not one more problem for us. What is the problem? We didn’t play in the past for Tottenham and I was not the Tottenham coach in the last seasons. It is not a problem. We have already many problems and this is not a problem.”
De Zerbi says he has yet to speak to his players about Spurs’ derby day troubles, and insists that after overhauling their squad in the summer, this is an opportunity for new players to write their own history.
“For the players, I want this negative record, they give us more motivation, more mentality, more energy to win a game, to play a good game. Because we have the qualities enough to win a game, this game,” De Zerbi continued.
For the players, I want this negative record, they give us more motivation, more mentality, more energy to win a game, to play a good game
Roberto De Zerbi
Spurs signed 10 new players in the summer transfer window, spending in excess of £300million to try to put last season’s relegation woes behind them.
It has yet to click into gear for them just yet, but they have performed better than their results suggest.
“Yes, it's a derby against one very good team, very good coach, they have a clear style of play, great players, but also Tottenham players are very good. The level of the players is high, we have to show together as a team, not as an individual.”