Tottenham hold a slender 1-0 lead heading into the second leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final against Chelsea, who will have home advantage as they try to turn around the deficit.
For both Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri and Spurs boss Maurico Pochettino, the competition offers the chance of a first managerial trophy, so the stakes are doubly high for the two men in charge.
Here’s a look at the key talking points ahead of Thursday’s clash.
CAN HAZARD KEEP PLAYING AS A STRIKER?
It doesn’t look like Gonzalo Higuain, whose move to Chelsea is being held up while AC Milan look for a replacement, will be at the club in time to play this game. And it’s unlikely Alvaro Morata even wants a curtain call ahead of his own proposed move to Atletico Madrid.
But will Sarri heed the words of his star player and show some faith in Olivier Giroud? Yes, the Frenchman’s stats don’t make a good case – five goals and four assists in 25 appearances for the club this season, though in his defence he’s only started 10 games. His presence commands the attention of the opposition defenders, allowing Eden Hazard more freedom to operate. Giroud has also always been an underrated playmaker, thanks to his ability to link up with his colleagues in attack.
These qualities have led Hazard to call Giroud the best striker he’s played with. Hazard hasn’t done so badly himself as a centre forward, despite his grumbles about playing in the position. He has three goals and four assists from six appearances as a false nine. But how long can he keep up that output – and how long will Sarri force him to keep trying?
Hazard said earlier this season that Giroud is the best forward to play with. Here's Giroud's response: "No, not the best striker. The best target man, not the best striker. Yeah, obviously that is very nice of him [to say]. We have a good understanding on the pitch." #CFC
— Vaishali Bhardwaj (@VaiBhardwaj) January 17, 2019
TOTTENHAM COUNTING ON WINKS AND ERIKSEN
Tottenham’s crisis up front has now reached a state of emergency. Dele Alli and Harry Kane are out until March with injuries. Heung-min Son is away with South Korea at the Asian Cup, potentially until the first week of February if his team makes the final. Spurs should have Lucas Moura back for this game, and Erik Lamela is fit, as is Fernando Llorente. There are the makings of a decent front three.
If there’s a glimmer of hope in this situation, it’s in the two players Tottenham know they can count on at the moment: Harry Winks and Christian Eriksen.
Winks got the injury-time winner against Fulham on Sunday that gave Spurs some breathing space in the top four race. And though his goal was simple, watching a replay showcased what he brings to the table: he had started the move with a headed clearance deep in his own half, before popping up in the six-yard box to score.
Eriksen, meanwhile, has been one of the Premier League’s best midfielders all season. He’ll miss Alli, Kane, and Son the most, given the rapport he’s established with them, yet he’s also the player best equipped to minimise the impact of their absences. That front three is good enough for Eriksen to lift them into being even better.
This guy intercepted a pass, split 2 defenders and then ran 60 yards to get on the end of a cross to win a game in the 94th minute.
— Sunday League Hipster (@HipsterManager) January 20, 2019
This is Harry Winks’ world and we’re all living in it. https://t.co/ajVEymAvAP
CALLUM HUDSON-ODOI’S CHANCE TO SHINE
There is a chance that Callum Hudson-Odoi’s rejection of Chelsea’s latest contract offer leads to an instant punishment, in the form of being denied a starting berth for this crucial game. If that’s the case, it won’t do much to convince him to stay at the club, with a move to Bayern Munich again looking like the likeliest conclusion.
In the meantime, Hudson-Odoi should be given the chance to strut his stuff. He was Chelsea’s best player in the first leg apart from Hazard, in a display full of skill and remarkable composure for his age. The threat he poses on the ball means whoever’s in defence for Tottenham will have to be playing close attention – which, as with a potential start for Giroud, makes life easier on Hazard.
More than anything, however, the young Englishman will be motivated to show everyone exactly why he’s so desperate to be playing more, and thus ready to leave Chelsea if that condition isn’t met. A good performance here could force the club hierarchy to come back with an improved offer and a guarantee of more playing time. Or, at the very least, it’ll show exactly why Bayern are willing to spend big on him.
To bring @Calteck10 on with 10 minutes left and 2 nil down is a big joke. Some bad management decisions & then we wonder why the kid wants to leave. #ARSCHE
— Frank Khalid (@FrankKhalidUK) January 19, 2019
