{"id":9565,"date":"2026-05-17T07:39:06","date_gmt":"2026-05-17T07:39:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/?p=9565"},"modified":"2026-05-17T07:39:06","modified_gmt":"2026-05-17T07:39:06","slug":"chelsea-boss-tells-west-ham-exactly-what-they-want-to-hear-about-spurs-clash","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/?p=9565","title":{"rendered":"Chelsea boss tells West Ham exactly what they want to hear about Spurs clash"},"content":{"rendered":"


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Regardless of West Ham\u2019s result at Newcastle, the match between Chelsea and fierce rivals Spurs is going to be pivotal in the relegation battle.<\/strong><\/p>\n

West Ham know they can climb above Tottenham Hotspur and push them into the bottom three if they win at Newcastle.<\/p>\n

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But even if the Hammers lose, Tottenham\u2019s trip to Chelsea is crucial and will decide whether the relegation battle goes to the final game.<\/p>\n

West Ham will be encouraged by the fact Spurs have a dismal record at Stamford Bridge.<\/p>\n

West Ham get major double Chelsea boost ahead of Spurs<\/h2>\n

Chelsea fans are also desperate for their team to push Tottenham closer to the drop.<\/p>\n

If Tottenham lose against the Blues, it will mean a straight shootout on the final day between them and the Hammers to stay in the Premier League, even if Nuno Espirito Santo\u2019s side are beaten by Newcastle.<\/p>\n

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Between 1-10, how would you rate West Ham\u2019s survival chances if they beat Newcastle? \ud83d\ude2c<\/h3>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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\"A<\/div>
Credit: Getty Images\/Vince Mignott\/MB Media<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n

West Ham play Leeds at home while Spurs welcome former Hammers boss David Moyes and his European-chasing Everton side.<\/p>\n

There have been concerns in east London that Chelsea may not be as motivated as they would normally be against Spurs because their hopes of European qualification have faded and they have just lost the FA Cup final to Man City.<\/p>\n

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\"Calum<\/div>
Photo by Eddie Keogh \u2013 The FA\/The FA via Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

But now Chelsea\u2019s interim boss Calum McFarlane has told West Ham exactly what they want to hear about the Spurs clash.<\/p>\n

In a spiky exchange with reporters after the Blues lost the FA Cup final, McFarlane insists he is fully focused on preparing his team for the game against Tottenham because it is \u201cabsolutely massive\u201d for the club.<\/p>\n

McFarlane also had reassuring words for Hammers fans worried about Chelsea\u2019s poor form, saying his team went toe-to-toe with one of the world\u2019s best sides.<\/p>\n

Spurs clash \u2018massive\u2019 for Chelsea, McFarlane reassures West Ham<\/h2>\n

\u201cYeah it\u2019s hard at this moment in time to think like that (it was an encouraging performance) because of the recent form and losing a cup final but I felt we went toe-to-toe with one of the best teams in the world and I thought there was very little between the sides,\u201d McFarlane said in his post match press conference.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe know what this team\u2019s capable of, they need to produce that on a more consistent basis and they\u2019ve shown that this year that when they\u2019re at their best they\u2019re a very difficult side to play against.<\/p>\n

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Imagine you\u2019re Nuno \u2013 what changes are you making ahead of Newcastle? \ud83d\udcad<\/h3>\n

Back four? Start Wilson? What would you do? \ud83e\udd14<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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\"Nuno<\/div>
Photo by Shaun Brooks \u2013 CameraSport via Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re asking an interim coach what the implications for the club are going to be (of not qualifying for Europe), I\u2019m not privy to that information, my job is to prepare the team for games and training which I\u2019ll be doing on Tuesday for Spurs which is a massive game for this club.\u201d<\/p>\n

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\"Real<\/div>
Photo by Guillermo Martinez\/NurPhoto via Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

It is clear West Ham will have no worries that Chelsea and McFarlane might do an Aston Villa and roll over for Tottenham.<\/p>\n

In a further boost for West Ham, Chelsea are set to announce that Xabi Alonso will be taking over as the club\u2019s new manager.<\/p>\n

That should ensure Chelsea\u2019s players are given a fresh motivation ahead of the game against Tottenham as they look to impress the incoming boss.<\/p>\n

Ironically, Alonso was heavily linked with West Ham before his meteoric rise with Bayer Leverkusen having been appointed during Tim Steidten\u2019s stint as sporting director at the German club.<\/p>\n

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