Pulisic out, Kanté back as Tuchel looks for top level performance against Spurs

After a narrow 1-0 victory against Zenit St Petersburg in the first group stage game of the Champions League, we shift our focus back to the Premier League for a showdown at Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday evening.

Chelsea are unbeaten so far, with three wins and a draw in four games, while Spurs tasted their first league defeat of the season against Crystal Palace last weekend. However those records won't matter much when the players line up on the pitch to play out the London derby.

What might matter however is the return of N’Golo Kanté, who’s fit and ready to play after recovering from the ankle injury he picked up against Liverpool at the end of August.

"We have no fresh injury concerns. There is good news on Christian Pulisic and N’Golo Kante. Christian is in individual training and is trying to come back as fast as possible to join in with full training.

"He’s not in the squad this weekend, as the game comes too early for him, but he is working hard on his fitness. N’Golo is back. He’s back in full shape and ready to play on Sunday."

Tuchel's compact 3-4-2-1 system has helped Chelsea keep clean sheets clean for fun. Kanté’s return should help us keep adding to that number.

Meanwhile, Spurs under new manager Nuno started the season on a high, beating Pep Guardiola's City in the opener, and were at the top of the Premier League table before the International break. But a heavy defeat against Palace brought a reality check to North London. Some injury doubts have only compounded their concerns.

Is this the perfect time to play Spurs and get another away game out of the way? Tuchel obviously isn’t looking at it that way. We need to be alert and at our best, as usual.

"It is always a good time because it is a big match. Big rivalry. So it is a match you want to play and always a good time. I don't know if it is good because a manager is new or players are out. You never know the effect of this.

"They have a new manager that brings new energy. They had a fantastic start with the win at home to Man City. They created an atmosphere that helped them beat Man City.

"They played relentless and hard working. This is what they did and we expect the same against us, a tough opponent and an exciting match in London. We are happy to be part of it and I find us competitive, trust in us and I think we need to be on our top level to win the game."

- Thomas Tuchel; source: Football.London

Let's get the win and continue the momentum!