Former Chelsea midfielder Joe Cole has highlighted three players he believes will be crucial for the Blues when they face Tottenham in Saturday’s Premier League showdown in north London. The London derby comes at a tense time for Chelsea, who sit ninth in the table, while Spurs enjoy third place after a strong start to the season.

Chelsea suffered a disappointing 2-1 defeat at home to newly promoted Sunderland last weekend, adding more pressure ahead of this high-stakes fixture. Tottenham, on the other hand, are full of confidence after a convincing 3-0 win over Everton, making this derby even more challenging for Mauricio Pochettino’s side.

Speaking to Paddy Power, Cole said Chelsea will heavily depend on Pedro Neto, Jamie Gittens, and young talent Estevao to unlock Tottenham’s defence and turn the game in their favour. He praised Neto’s impressive form, highlighted Gittens’ recent goal and assist against Wolves, and pointed out Estevao’s growing influence on the pitch.

Cole added that Chelsea traditionally performs well away to Spurs, but this time the expectations and momentum lie slightly differently, with Tottenham currently flying high. He stressed that Chelsea’s goals are likely to come from their wide players and midfield, noting Enzo Fernández’s increased goal contributions this season.

The ex-England star believes Chelsea can still get a result if their key attackers step up and take charge in the final third. With both teams fighting for valuable points and pride, Saturday’s London derby promises to be a fiery contest with plenty at stake.