Tottenham ‘battle’ Liverpool for defender transfer as Danny Murphy makes Mauricio Pochettino claim

Chelsea and Tottenham have put together very different starts to the season so far.

The Blues are off to another wobbly start, winning just one of their first four games, while Tottenham went into the international break having won three of their first four, managing an unbeaten start. Both teams will be without plenty of stars during the international break, but it will still serve as valuable time for Mauricio Pochettino and Ange Postocoglou as they look to fully install their styles of play on their respective new sides.

In the meantime, we have rounded up all the latest news surrounding both sides.

Murphy on Chilwell

Match of the Day pundit Danny Murphy is a ‘shocked’ that Mauricio Pochettino has played Ben Chilwell as a left winger.

“Chilwell left wing. What’s going on here? He’s a left-back. I’m shocked,” Murphy told FIVE’s YouTube channel.

Chilwell is, of course, traditionally a left-back, but he has played more as a wing-back in Pochettion’s five-at-the-back system. Mind, it must be said that it’s not that uncommon to see full-backs playing that role, even if Chilwell has played more of an advanced role early in the campaign.

Kelly chase

Tottenham are said to be locked in a transfer battle over AFC Bournemouth defender Lloyd Kelly.

According to 90min, Liverpool are now interested in the centre-back after Tottenham saw a £20million offer rejected. Spurs are hoping to replace Eric Dier in the long-term, while Davinson Sanchez has already been let go.

Spurs are expected to revive interest in January, according to the report, but Liverpool are also now in the race, it’s claimed. The Cherries are likely to drive a hard bargain in January given Kelly will be viewed as crucial to their survival hopes this season. Although, the defender is only under contract until 2024, which could put Bournemouth in a sticky position.