Hoddle: Spurs have caught up with Blues
Glenn Hoddle believes Tottenham have caught up with Chelsea – and has questioned Jose Mourinho’s treatment of Juan Mata.
A legend of both clubs, each of which he has played for and managed, Hoddle says the squad Andre Villas-Boas has assembled at Spurs is as strong as the one Blues boss Mourinho inherited.
The London rivals go head-to-head in what promises to be a feisty derby at White Hart Lane this weekend and Hoddle feels Mourinho is under the most pressure.
“At the moment, as they stand, Tottenham have closed the gap on Chelsea,” he said.
“It’s a really nicely set up game and both teams are pretty close, but Spurs are in a good vein of form with a much strengthened squad.
“They have a depth in the squad they’ve not had for a long time. They can change things from the bench and that’s important in big games.
“Chelsea have got a magnificent squad in terms of depth but they’re not as confident as they could be. They’re not firing on all cylinders yet in the way they might do later in the season.
“It’s going to be a tough game but tougher for Chelsea. If Mourinho goes across there and gets a point it would be a good thing at this stage of the season.
“If he goes and gets beaten by two or three goals, that would be a big thing.”
Hoddle was speaking at the launch of Zapstarz, a national skills-improvement programme and competition for youngsters aged eight to 16, created by the Hayes-born former England manager.
It is part of a campaign to develop the skills of future generations of British footballers.
Hoddle is one of many prominent figures in the game to have called upon the FA to address the issue of the progress of English players seemingly being hampered by the influx of foreigners.
Relatively few of those foreign players have made quite the impact on the Premier League as Chelsea fans’ favourite Mata, whose non-inclusion by Mourinho has raised eyebrows.
The Spain international – twice Chelsea’s player of the year – has featured only four times this season and Hoddle admits to being baffled by Mata’s omission.
“I don’t know why Mata is being shoved to the side – he’s had two blinding seasons,” said Hoddle.
“Last year Mata was excellent. It can’t be because of his form last year. It must be some other reason.
“That form might be wasted already because players will think ‘the manager doesn’t fancy me’ and all that good work for two years is virtually out the window.
“He looks like he’s under pressure when he’s coming on as a sub.”
Hoddle added: “It’s difficult when you go back but Jose’s pedigree is there.
“He has done what he’s done at Chelsea before and he’ll be excited about doing it again – maybe even going one step further.”
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