Cole Palmer humiliates Spurs once more as Chelsea secures three derby victories and takes revenge on a transfer target in Enzo Maresca’s flawless April.
With Chelsea locked in a fierce battle for Champions League qualification, April is set to be a crucial month for Enzo Maresca’s squad.
Currently sitting fourth in the Premier League, Chelsea has played one more match than Newcastle United, who trail by just two points. While a fifth-place finish should also secure Champions League football this season, there is no certainty that the Blues will end up there.
The Race for the Top Five
With multiple teams vying for a coveted spot in the top five, Chelsea must deliver a strong performance throughout April. Here’s what an ideal month could look like for Maresca’s men.
Chelsea Aims for Another Triumph Over Spurs
Chelsea kicks off April with a London derby against Tottenham Hotspur at Stamford Bridge.
After recovering from a minor injury, Cole Palmer has returned to training and is expected to be available. The attacking midfielder played a key role in Chelsea’s dramatic 4-3 win over Spurs in December, scoring a Panenka penalty. Maresca will be counting on him to lead the team to another victory against Ange Postecoglou’s side.
A Hat-Trick of London Derby Wins
Following their clash with Tottenham, Chelsea faces two more London derbies before April ends.
They will first visit Brentford at the Gtech Community Stadium, followed by a west London showdown against Fulham at Craven Cottage. Chelsea edged Brentford 2-1 in their previous meeting, thanks to goals from Marc Cucurella and Nicolas Jackson. However, they suffered a 2-1 defeat against Fulham at Stamford Bridge and will be eager to set the record straight.
Seeking Revenge Against Ipswich and Liam Delap
Ipswich Town stunned Chelsea earlier in the season with a 2-0 victory at Portman Road.
Liam Delap opened the scoring after controversially winning a penalty, while former Chelsea player Omari Hutchinson sealed the win. Filip Jorgensen, Chelsea’s goalkeeper that day, surely hasn’t forgotten the contentious spot-kick decision. Interestingly, Delap is rumored to be a transfer target for Chelsea, which adds extra intrigue to their upcoming rematch.
A Defining Month for Maresca
If Chelsea can secure victories against Ipswich, Fulham, Brentford, and Tottenham, Maresca will head into May with confidence, knowing his team has strengthened their grip on Champions League qualification.
