It’s been almost 12 months since our last visit to White Hart Lane, when Gary Cahill opened the scoring with a brilliant volley that set us on our way to a memorable 4-2 victory. Understandably it’s a goal and a game the central defender recalls fondly ahead of our clash with Tottenham tomorrow.
‘Happy memories,’ Cahill explains, smiling. ‘We drew at home against Spurs but that was a great day away from home. We got a convincing win and I managed to score what was probably my best goal for Chelsea up to now. I’m due another goal so it’ll be nice if it comes tomorrow.’
Gareth Bale missed that game and, having joined Real Madrid for a world record transfer earlier this month, will not be featuring for the home side tomorrow either. Tottenham have replenished their squad all over the pitch with the money received and have started the current campaign strongly. Cahill is under no illusions about the test that the new-look Spurs side will pose to us.
‘Tottenham have done really well this season. It’s going to be a massive game. We know that they had a great squad last season. This year they’ve lost their main man but they’ve added with vast quality with the players that they’ve brought in.
‘They’ve had a couple of convincing wins but they’ve also ground results out 1-0,’ Cahill points out.
‘It’s going to be a good game for the neutral but obviously we need to go there and try and get a win.’
The 27-year-old’s attention will be turning away from Stamford Bridge and towards his national side in a couple of weeks’ time. Having produced a man-of-the-match display in his last outing for England in Ukraine, Cahill will be hoping for more of the same at Wembley next month, where two victories will guarantee the Three Lions a spot at the World Cup in Brazil next summer.
‘When we do meet up I’ll be going fully focused knowing the job we’ve got to do. I think the last two games were decent, we played well, but they’re gone now, they’re in the past,’ said Cahill.
‘It’s really down to these next two games, against Montenegro and Poland, where it’s going to be decided. We know it’s going to be huge. We’re at home for the two games so hopefully we’ll pack the stadium out and the fans will really get behind us and we can finish the job. We know there’s going to be great expectations on us and we need to go out and make sure we qualify.’
– Tune to Chelsea TV on Saturday where former players Jason Cundy, Kerry Dixon and Graham Stuart will bring exclusive build-up to the game with player and manager previews, as well as the latest team news.