Chelsea captain Cesar Azpilicueta has said that the Blues need to stay focused ahead of a congested period of fixtures in the Premier League. The west London giants are currently holding onto the fourth position in the standings but they don’t have much breathing space with Tottenham Hotspur just three points behind them.

This has resulted from the fact that they have picked up just three points from the previous league games and Azpilicueta wants his team to be prepared ahead of the festive schedule leading to the New Year, he told: “We have to keep our heads up. The Christmas period is always a busy time and we have some important fixtures coming up, which we have to be ready for. We have to make sure we are ready, because there is a big game coming up, a derby against Tottenham next Sunday. Now is the time to think, to see what we didn’t do well and go with everything on Sunday because we need the points.”

The Blues have impressed in an attacking point of view this season and they have averaged nearly two goals per game. However, they have been disappointing with their defensive performances and possess the worst backline in the top-eight and have managed just three clean sheets. For the forthcoming weekend, they have a London derby against Tottenham Hotspur on the road and they surely need to produce their best to come up with the three points.

Spurs were languishing in the bottom end of the table when former Blues boss Jose Mourinho took charge last month and they have since won four of their five league matches. Still, the north London giants have failed to register regular clean sheets and the upcoming derby could present a high-scoring encounter. Spurs have won three of the previous five meetings at home against Chelsea.