Credit: Imago

James Barker

Mon 18 May 2026 13:10, UK

Roberto De Zerbi has only faced Chelsea five times in his managerial career, but the Tottenham Hotspur boss has struggled against them.

This is it then, as Tuesday night’s trip to Stamford Bridge holds the key to unlocking one Spurs survival door.

Indeed, should Tottenham beat the Blues, that would mathematically confirm them as safe for another year, but even a draw would surely be enough too given their far superior goal difference to West Ham.

De Zerbi is the toast of N17 right now, as the Italian has arrived just in the nick of time, and is now one result away from rescuing what many believed to have been a lost Lilywhites cause.

Chelsea will provide a stern test for Tottenham though, and De Zerbi’s record against them doesn’t make for hugely promising reading if you’re of a Spurs persuasion.

What is Roberto De Zerbi’s career record vs Chelsea?

Chelsea are a notorious Tottenham bogey team, and with the news that Xabi Alonso has been appointed as their new manager, Spurs may also have a ‘new manager bounce’ to contend with too.

De Zerbi and his side can only worry about themselves though, focusing on controlling only what they can control.

For De Zerbi, this visit to Stamford Bridge is arguably his biggest test yet since becoming Tottenham manager, with so much riding on the outcome of this one for both sides.

Therefore, Spurs fans will undoubtedly be looking for omens of victory in any possible place ahead of Tuesday night, but in De Zerbi’s record against Chelsea, they won’t find one.

That’s because in the five times he’s faced off against the Blues during his managerial career, all of which as Brighton boss, he’s lost three and won just twice.

In fact, he’s currently on a three-game losing run against them, with his two victories coming in his first two games against them with the Seagulls.

One slight positive is that all three defeats have been by one goal, with 2-1, 3-2 and 1-0 being the respective scorelines.

His Brighton teams did actually outscore Chelsea nine goals to eight as well, largely down to a 4-1 victory in the 2022-23 season, but the fact of the matter is that he’s looking to avoid a fourth-straight loss against them on Tuesday.

De Zerbi will forever be Tottenham hero if he gets Chelsea win

Stamford Bridge has been a real house of horrors for Tottenham down the years, with only one win in their last nine competitive matches there.

That record alone would see the next Spurs gaffer to lead a Lilywhites side to victory here crowned a hero, but the added meaning of securing Premier League survival means a win on Tuesday would be considerably more special.

Chelsea haven’t been great at home this season, winning six, drawing five and losing seven from 18 Premier League games, and they have also lost nine of their last 12 in all competitions.

Tottenham, meanwhile, have been considerably better on the road than at home in 2025-26, taking 26 points from their travels compared to just the 12 in N17.

So, perhaps if there was to be a Tottenham team and manager to finally get a win at Stamford Bridge again, it might just be this one under De Zerbi.