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BLUES ARE TOO POCH FOR US

Mauricio Pochettino admits Chelsea are favourites for FA Cup semi-final as they have more medals and experience

Spurs boss claims being top of the Prem and having a 'great manager' like Antonio Conte  makes the Blues the team to beat

TOTTENHAM manager Mauricio Pochettino insists Chelsea are red-hot favourites to win their FA Cup semi-final.

And that means Chas & Dave might as well take their old ‘Joanna’ to the scrapyard!

Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino claims the Chelsea squad is superior in experience and trophy-winning
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Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino claims the Chelsea squad is superior in experience and trophy-winningCredit: Rex Features

Spurs are the form team going into tomorrow’s Wembley showdown, having closed the gap on the table-topping Blues to just four points.


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Many believe the North Londoners can overtake their bitter rivals in the title race AND knock them out of the last four of the Cup.

In fact, Cockney music duo Chas & Dave — who have had hits with the past four official Spurs FA Cup final songs — were probably clearing their throats ahead of their  club’s big tie.

But Pochettino said: “If there is a favourite, it’s Chelsea. They are top of the Premier League and have experienced players and a great manager.

“We are talking about a team with players who, in the past five years, have won European competitions and World Cups. Their manager won the title in Italy and they are more experienced.

Chelsea chief Antonio Conte has enjoyed a stunning first season in English football
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Blues boss Antonio Conte has enjoyed a stunning first season in English footballCredit: Getty Images

“Whereas my players have  won nothing.

“We’re in a good moment too. We are hungry. We will enjoy the game and we must feel the happiness, but we should remember we are fighting the best team in England.”

Poch insists he has never gone in for mind games — but he did a pretty good job in his pre-match Press conference yesterday.

Spurs go into the clash with a better record than their opponents after winning all of their past eight matches, while Chelsea  have lost two of their past four.

There are signs that the wheels on Blues boss Antonio Conte’s juggernaut might be starting to loosen.

Harry Kane has slotted back in superbly after injury as Tottenham chase Chelsea for the Premier League title and take on their London rivals in the FA Cup semi-finals
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Harry Kane has slotted back in superbly after injury as Tottenham chase Chelsea for the Premier League title and take on their London rivals in the FA Cup semiCredit: PA:Press Association
Dieog Costa is just one of the big-name players with a long pedigree who Mauricio Pochettino thinks give Chelsea the edge in experience
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Dieog Costa is just one of the big-name players with a long pedigree who Mauricio Pochettino thinks give Chelsea the edge in experienceCredit: Rex Features
Four of the biggest personalities are managing in the FA Cup semi-finals this weekend - Arsene Wenger, Pep Guardiola, Antonio Conte and Mauricio Pochettino
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Four of the biggest personalities are managing in the FA Cup semi-finals this weekend - Arsene Wenger, Pep Guardiola, Antonio Conte and Mauricio PochettinoCredit: Getty Images

However, Argentinian Pochettino was happy to play the underdog as he  maintained: “It will be such a tough game for us.

“It’s true we are having a good season in the Premier League and FA Cup.

“We are disappointed about being knocked out of the Champions League but that was in a period when we struggled a little bit.

“We now have a chance to fight for big things, but it is more important to  learn from this and grow up.

“It’s up to us to step up and make the dream a reality — and that’s the most difficult step to make.”

Argentinian Maurico Pochettino has seen Spurs improve in every season under his command
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Argentinian Maurico Pochettino has seen Spurs improve in every season under his command and now trhey are chasing the Prem title and FA Cup gloryCredit: PA:Press Association
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