Cesar Azpilicueta Determined to Prove Chelsea Are 'Top Team in London'

Chelsea captain Cesar Azpilicueta has confessed he is looking forward to Sunday's meeting with rivals Tottenham as he wants the Blues to prove themselves as London's top team.

Jose Mourinho's Spurs, who currently sit two points ahead of Chelsea at the top of the table, travel to Stamford Bridge on Sunday with both sides looking to make their intentions as Premier League title challengers clear.

This game has decided the title in the past, with 2016's infamous 'Battle of the Bridge' handing Leicester City the trophy at Spurs' expense, and Azpilicueta has called on Chelsea to channel those memories and deliver another crushing blow to their rivals.

“It’s one of those kinds of games when you usually feel a special atmosphere at the Bridge and that game [in 2016], we were having a terrible season, we were losing 2-0 at half-time," Azpilicueta began (via the Telegraph).

"But, in the second half, the electricity around the stadium... I think something clicked that day that even though we were not playing for anything, just to not let Tottenham win the league. It was not only the game, it was the title race as well that they were involved in. 

“Every year is different and we had a very good record against them until two or three seasons ago when we lost, but, hopefully, we can keep beating them at the Bridge.

“Since I arrived at Chelsea, I always tried to have the winning mentality of every game to finish at the top for the top trophies. That includes being the top team in London and we want to be at the top because that means we are the number ones. That’s what we fight for. We are in good form and, hopefully, we can improve on last season and now reach higher levels.”

The match is significant enough, with local rivalries playing a part in making the spectacle so exciting, but the arrival at Spurs of Mourinho, who led Chelsea to three titles in 2005, 2006 and 2015, has added an extra dynamic to things.

“That’s football,” said Azpilicueta. “I think Jose has a great history in Chelsea, but, after, football moves on.

"We played against him when he was in Manchester United and now he’s in Tottenham. Obviously, we are professional and we want our team to win and, obviously, I’m sure Jose will want the same as us which is to win the game.

“Any game against Tottenham is always a big derby, we know that everybody wants to be part of it. Both teams, we are in really good form. Whatever happens, there is still a long season ahead, but, obviously, in such a big game like this, with both teams coming in this form, it’s an important game for everybody and, hopefully, we will be at our best because we will need to be.”

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