Tottenham Star Set for Bigger Role as De Zerbi Backs New Contract After Chelsea Victory
Tottenham Hotspur delivered an impressive performance at Stamford Bridge on Saturday, securing a memorable 2-0 victory over Chelsea and giving their supporters a rare reason to celebrate on their rivals’ home turf.
Roberto De Zerbi’s men controlled proceedings at a stadium that has often been an uncomfortable destination for Spurs. Their persistence eventually paid off in the 77th minute when Chelsea goalkeeper Mike Penders turned Mateus Fernandes’ corner into his own net.
Mathys Tel then sealed the three points with an excellent individual run and composed finish. Chelsea’s afternoon became even worse when Cole Palmer was sent off, although Tottenham had already demonstrated why they deserved their advantage.
Spurs showed confidence in possession, repeatedly tested Chelsea’s defence and built on their recent 3-1 victory over Coventry City. The result also handed De Zerbi consecutive Premier League wins following a difficult start to the campaign.
Tottenham Dominate Chelsea in Key Statistics
Tottenham finished the match with 68.9% possession compared to Chelsea’s 31.1%. They also registered 15 shots, seven blocked attempts and six corners, while completing 569 accurate passes at an 87% success rate.
Chelsea managed seven shots and four attempts on target, matching Tottenham in that particular category. However, Spurs’ control of possession and ability to put the home side under pressure proved crucial.
The victory was particularly significant because Tottenham had waited until their match against Coventry to claim their first Premier League win of the season. Just days later, they secured their first league victory at Stamford Bridge since 2018.
It represents a remarkable improvement in confidence, although De Zerbi will know that his team must maintain this momentum if they are to climb the Premier League table.
Ben Davies Continues to Impress De Zerbi
Contributions from experienced players have also helped Tottenham during this recent upturn in form, with Ben Davies reminding his manager that he still has plenty to offer.
The Welsh defender scored a stoppage-time goal against Coventry City to ease the pressure during a tense finish. He subsequently came off the bench against Chelsea as Tottenham looked to protect their lead and secure another important victory.
Davies’ performances are particularly noteworthy because he had previously been linked with a possible departure from the club.
De Zerbi needs dependable players who can enter a match, understand their responsibilities and help the team see out important results. Davies has demonstrated those qualities in recent appearances.
De Zerbi Supports New Contract for Tottenham Veteran
According to Football Insider journalist Pete O’Rourke, Davies could receive more opportunities to play during the coming months.
The report also suggests that De Zerbi would support extending the defender’s contract by another year because of his leadership qualities and influence within the dressing room.
Although Davies is now 33, his manager reportedly continues to see value in keeping him involved as Tottenham work to improve their league position.
His current contract runs until next summer, following an extension signed in June. A further agreement could therefore keep him in north London beyond the end of the current campaign.
However, Davies’ own intentions regarding a potential extension remain uncertain, meaning the situation still needs to be resolved.
Tottenham Experience Could Prove Crucial
Davies joined Tottenham from Swansea City in 2014 and is now in his 13th season with the club. Throughout that period, he has experienced numerous managerial changes and remained a familiar presence in the squad.
Competition for places remains strong, with players such as Andy Robertson, Micky van de Ven and Marcos Senesi adding to the options available to De Zerbi.
Nevertheless, the Tottenham manager appears to recognise the importance of having experienced professionals who can contribute both on the pitch and behind the scenes.
Offering Davies more playing time would give the veteran defender another opportunity to demonstrate his continued usefulness, while a contract extension could help Tottenham retain valuable experience within the squad.
With a demanding run of fixtures ahead, keeping reliable and experienced players available could prove beneficial as Spurs attempt to build on their recent victories.
