Ivan Perisic likely to return to Tottenham Hotspur line-up for Chelsea derby

Ivan Perisic has been tipped to return to Tottenham Hotspur’s line-up for their derby clash against Chelsea later today (26 February) at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Journalist Dan Kilpatrick wrote in the Evening Standard:

“Ivan Perisic is likely to return at left wing-back having been rested against the Hammers, allowing Ben Davies to return to the back three, while in-form Emerson Royal will surely keep his place ahead of new £40million signing Pedro Porro.”

Perisic was benched in Spurs’ 2-0 win against West Ham United on 19 February as Ben Davies started down the left-hand side. He is now likely to return to the lineup against Chelsea.

Perhaps that change was made keeping in mind that we face the Blues this weekend. He also played the full 90 minutes in our 1-0 loss against AC Milan at San Siro just four days before the clash against the Hammers.

Perisic could be key

The Croatia international’s versatility allows him to play high up front down both wings. Having played as a winger during his time at teams such as Inter Milan and Bayern Munich, Perisic is very adept at making attacking runs and creating chances from down the left-hand side.

Davies is more defence-oriented. Even if the Wales international makes attacking runs, he doesn’t really offer the finesse and quality of delivery that Perisic does. Having finished 2nd and 3rd in the 2018 and 2022 FIFA World Cups, respectively, he has truly played and excelled on the biggest stage.

The 34-year-old isn’t in his prime, of course, and he can’t play every single game during the season given his age, so its smart to rest him every now and then. But for the big games, he has to be in the team.

Harry Kane will be licking his lips at the chance to play alongside him once again. Perisic, so far, has nine assists in 31 games across competitions this season.

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This will be the perfect stage for him to net his first goal for the club. He has all the tools to be a prolific goal-scorer from the left-hand side. This is perhaps the only thing lacking from his game right now.