The next Premier London derbies (PLDs) match will be tomorrow on Saturday 3 October 2020 when big spenders Chelsea entertain Crystal Palace at Stamford Bridge. Until Manchester City got interested in Ruben Dias, The Blues had the three most expensive signings of the new F.A. Premier League (FAPL) season in the young German star Kai Havertz at £71 million, compatriot Timo Werner at £47 million, and Ben Chilwell who cost £45 million from Leicester City, and had spent well over £200 million. Funny how the two Clubs previously “punished” by the UEFA (or is it EUFA?) Financial Fair Play “rules” are spending so much, City already having bought defender Nathan Ake for £41 million from relegated AFC Bournemouth who will need the money.
There has been another London derby this week, strictly outside PLDs matches, involving Chelsea who went to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium to play Spurs in an EFL (Carabao) Cup 4th round tie. It was 1-1 at full time, no extra time, and therefore a Penalty Shootout. Timo Werner had in fairness begun repaying some of his transfer fee with a goal, but it was another Blues new boy goalkeeper Edouard Mendy who faced Harry Kane and Co. to concede all 5 Spurs winning penalties. Mendy did not cost as much as Kepa Arrizabalaga(another £71 million buy) whom he is here to challenge and/or replace.
Back to Saturday’s PLDs match at The Bridge where visitors Crystal Palace may have one of the signings of the season in Erebechi Eze at £19 million. They will need all his energy and skill to get their first positive result there since the 2016-17 season when they won 1-2. Since then it has been three straight home wins: 2-1 in 2017-18; 3-1 in 2018-19; and 2-0 in 2019-20. Betting therefore reasonably favours the home side at 2/5 for the win with Paddy Power, but well, let’s see.
Until next time remember “Face, Hands, Space” and stay well, Andrew at PLDs.