Thomas Tuchel plays down boyhood support of Tottenham ahead of Chelsea’s Premier League trip

German takes his new side to north London for a top-flight clash on Thursday

New Chelsea head coach Thomas Tuchel (POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

Thomas Tuchel has assured Chelsea fans he will have no split loyalties when his new side face Tottenham on Thursday, insisting his childhood affection for Spurs was nothing more than back-garden bragging.

It has long been said that the German was a Tottenham supporter growing up, but the former Borussia Dortmund and Paris Saint-Germain coach has now said he was simply “showing off” to friends.

“They are one of the biggest clubs in England and in Europe, for sure,” Tuchel said before Chelsea’s trip to north London in the Premier League.

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“It’s a big challenge. but don’t get confused – when I was a boy once or twice it was me pretending to be Tottenham in the garden, it was to show off more in front of my friends. Because actually I didn’t even know Tottenham were a team in London.

“It was just a fancy name and a team we could see on TV for a few minutes. Later of course with Jurgen Klinsmann and some German players there that led to a bigger focus.

“But there’s no doubt that I arrive in blue, proud to coach in blue and proud to coach my team and we will do everything to win the game.”

Spurs are likely to be without talisman Harry Kane due to problems with both ankles, with Tuchel admitting that would boost the visitors.

“Well, I would say it’s always easier if Harry Kane’s not playing, this is a given, this is for sure absolutely no secret,” Tuchel said.

“He’s for sure one of the best No. 9s in the world. He’s the role model on the No. 9 that every team and coach wishes for, in terms of work-rate, ambition, mentality, attitude, and for sure goal-scoring is simply outstanding.

“At the moment we assume he will not play, but we will prepare ourselves for all cases. So if he’s on the pitch we will also be prepared for that.”

Anticipating a stern test from a typically organised Jose Mourinho team, Tuchel admitted he never had the temerity to view the decorated Portuguese manager as a role model when climbing the football ladder himself.

“First of all I strongly believe that it’s Tottenham against Chelsea and not me against Jose,” Tuchel said.

“Was he a role model? Honestly, when I started my career he was so far away, like the moon from the earth, so he could not be a role model at all.

“I was happy at the academy, then I was promoted to first league football and from there I just enjoyed and focused on every day.

“He’s one of the best managers in the world, he has now created a squad at Tottenham that’s very, very competitive, very, very strong.”

Chelsea will head to Spurs with injury doubts over defender Kurt Zouma and forward Kai Havertz. Both players were forced out of training on Wednesday with unspecified injuries, leaving Tuchel admitting both will require late fitness tests.

PA