The Athletic FC Podcast — "The Preview: Spurs vs Chelsea"
Date: October 31, 2025
Host: Matt Davis Adams
Guests: Jay Harris, Karl Anker
Episode Overview
This episode dives deep into a highly anticipated London Derby: Tottenham Hotspur vs Chelsea—a fixture known for goals, cards, and drama. The panel previews the clash, analyzes form, tactics, key injuries, and historical baggage. They touch on both teams’ wider issues before taking a glance at the other standout Premier League fixtures of the weekend.
Spurs vs Chelsea: Derby Breakdown
Recent Form, Records & Managerial Context
- Spurs have struggled historically against Chelsea: just 1 win in their past 13 PL meetings, losing their last 4.
- Both teams are in transition: new manager Thomas Frank at Spurs focusing on defensive solidity, while Chelsea, under Lorenzo Maresca, are young, inconsistent, and somewhat chaotic.
- Key attacking absences for Spurs (Solanke, Kulusevski, Madison) and Chelsea’s recent disciplinary issues (6 red cards in last 9 games) set the stage for an unpredictable encounter.
Quote
“Both sides drank from the cup of Carabao on Wednesday night… Spurs eliminated by Newcastle… Chelsea beat Wolves 4-3 at Molineux in a game which could best be described as ludicrous.” —Matt, 02:26
Spurs: Solid at the Back, Problems up Front
- Jay Harris highlights that Thomas Frank has improved Spurs' defensive organization: "So much change has happened at spurs … Thomas Frank has not had the use of Dominic Solanke… Dan Kulusevski and James Madison… three of his most senior high profile attacking players are unavailable." (03:26)
- Spurs are struggling to create chances and overly reliant on set pieces. Goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario has been standout in recent games, masking cracks in defense.
- Xavi Simons, despite flashes, appears frustrated and inconsistent, possibly due to frequent positional changes and Premier League physicality.
Quotes / Highlights
- "They're struggling a little bit with the chance creation from open play… the main issue … is that Thomas Frank is exceptionally good at coaching a defense." —Jay, 03:26
- "Xavi Simons… it’s just not quite working… he’s a little bit of a victim of that [injuries, lineup inconsistency]." —Jay, 07:53
Chelsea: Youthful Chaos and Discipline Issues
- Chelsea’s tendency for red cards (rare for such a squad) and inconsistency is likened to early Arteta-era Arsenal.
- Young squad means volatility: “It is so strange to watch a Chelsea team that isn’t really regarded for their physicality get so many red cards.” —Karl, 05:05
- They lack a clear central defensive leader in the absence of Levi Colwill.
- Recent games have seen Chelsea lose structure and creativity, often “drifting” as games slip away.
Quotes / Highlights
- “Who is Chelsea’s strongest centre back? … It’s Levi Colwill and that is a big part of the problem.” —Karl/Matt, 14:19
Home vs Away Form at Spurs
- Tottenham Hotspur Stadium has not been a fortress: only 3 wins in their last 18 home games. “This is a statistic that is more damning on Ange Postecoglou than... Thomas Frank… the horseshoe problem… the ball just keeps going from fullback to center, back to center, back to fullback…” —Karl, 09:43
Set-Piece Subplot: The Brentford Derby at Spurs & Chelsea
- Both clubs recently hired renowned set-piece coaches from Brentford, adding tactical intrigue.
- “The Brentford set-piece Coach Derby... They all know each other very, very well, so keep an eye on the dynamic between the two benches on Saturday.” —Jay, 15:47
Prediction Time
- Karl: “A weighty 2-2 draw with plenty of yellow cards.” (26:05)
- Jay: “Two-one Spurs. At least one goal from a set piece.” (26:14)
- Matt and the panel agree history can weigh on Spurs—there’s a mental block against Chelsea.
Notable Segment: “Put Your Shirt On It”
A lighter moment: Matt brings out a 2013/14 Chelsea away shirt, dropping clues for the panel.
- Answer: Juan Mata: “My post-premier league career reads like a really fun gap year—Turkey, Japan, and Australia.” (26:31)
- The segment ends with warmth, reflecting fondly on Mata’s off-pitch charitable legacy.
- “He was so pivotal in helping establish common goal—getting footballers to give 1% of their salary to support charities around the world.” —Jay, 27:54
Chelsea & Spurs Tactical Setups
Spurs’ Midfield Dilemma
- Frank’s pivot of Palhinha and Bentancur is seen as "too safe" by fans, but with injuries, creativity is stifled. Calls for Lucas Bergvall or Pape Sarr to bring drive and flair often go unheeded.
- “Frank is just reluctant to have a very aggressive attack-minded 10… I think he’d rather be a bit more safety-first.” —Jay, 21:15
Chelsea’s Attacking Conundrum
- No Cole Palmer (who’s been key vs Spurs) means a tough decision at number 10: Enzo Fernandez could play there, especially if Romeo Lavia is fit to partner Caicedo.
- “The best thing about Enzo Fernandez when he’s the 10 is he just box-crashing. … So again, really strange, a football team that’s spent more than a billion and… here we are still going well you got to try and fudge this.” —Karl, 23:26
Psychological Edge & Patterns
- Both acknowledge Chelsea’s historical edge over Spurs; even in bad form, Chelsea often “find a way.”
- “There’s something about Chelsea which for some reason causes spurs to implode… for Frank, this could be a game where he really sort of connects with the fan base.” –Jay, 25:28
Around the Premier League
Quick Takes (Relevant Timestamps in parentheses)
Bournemouth: The Leicester of 2025? (32:08)
- “Bournemouth are gonna be the top Bs this season… best of the rest... fantastic coaching, just a setup where everyone is on, everyone is rowing at the same time in the same direction.” —Karl, 32:08
Manchester City’s Overreliance on Haaland (35:31)
- 64.7% of City’s PL goals scored by Haaland; only other player to net a brace—“Maximus Stev” (own goals).
- “You can nutmeg me and make me look like a muppet…but as long as you’re not putting the ball in the back of the net…” —Jay, 36:02
Liverpool’s Mourning & Form Dip (37:33)
- Virgil Van Dijk’s body language and defense’s lack of trust discussed; club’s results are affected by off-field grief and major fullback changes.
- “This is the worst they’ll play between now and the end of the season and I think next season… it’ll be fine. But for now, mate, if you’re a Liverpool fan, good luck. God bless.” —Karl, 39:51
Notable Quotes & Moments
- “Chelsea always find a way to beat us. … The mentality element… is probably where Chelsea can win… Spurs just seem to gift Chelsea goals.” —Jay, 24:36
- On Chelsea’s transfer strategy: “If you’re going to spend this much money on new clothes… try and buy more than three colors of T-shirts.” —Karl, 24:11
- “One of the loveliest men in football.” —Karl on Juan Mata, 27:14
Timestamps for Key Segments
- Spurs’ inconsistent form & injuries: 03:26–04:43
- Chelsea’s red card issue: 05:05–06:14
- Spurs’ home struggles; tactical issues: 09:15–09:43
- Chelsea’s line-up instability: 14:07–14:55
- Set-piece coach derby: 15:47–16:41
- Prediction time: 26:03–26:18
- Put Your Shirt On It (Juan Mata reveal): 26:31–27:54
- Bournemouth praise: 32:08
- City’s goal reliance & Haaland: 35:31
- Liverpool’s struggles: 37:33–39:51
Conclusions
- Both Chelsea and Spurs are in flux—Chelsea chaotic, Spurs sturdy but bland; neither have found the “click.”
- Psychological and historical weight looms over the fixture.
- The wider Premier League is in an unpredictable state: injuries, overreliance on major stars, and clubs thriving or failing with coaching tweaks.
- Off-the-pitch matters—charity, grief—are present and meaningful in this week’s footballing narrative.
Final Word: This Derby is likely to be cagey but prone to explosive moments; set pieces and psychology could decide it more than outright quality.
For full details and moments, listen from:
- Spurs/Chelsea tactical analysis: 06:44–09:43
- Set-piece subplots: 15:47–16:41
- Predictions and “Put Your Shirt On It” segment: 26:03–27:54
- Premier League whip-around: 32:08 onward
Summary by The Athletic FC Podcast Summarizer