Aurier up against Hazard is a mismatch which could cost Tottenham against Chelsea

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Tottenham’s potent combination of post-World Cup fatigue and cursed luck with injuries afflicted Kieran Trippier prior to the international break when he limped out of the battling 1-0 win against Crystal Palace.

The England international, who was one of the stars of the Three Lions’ rampage into the semi-finals out in Russia has not been at his best this season, but his absence does pose Mauricio Pochettino with a headache ahead of the visit of Chelsea tomorrow afternoon.

Serge Aurier will likely be the man tasked with stopping the Blues’ best player, Eden Hazard, and that looks like a mismatch of such proportions it could decide the game.

Hazard will be lying in wait to take advantage of the space the 25-year-old leaves behind and is also capable of tying the Ivorian in knots one against one.

Aurier will need to produce a performance featuring the defensive responsibility and maturity that is so often missing from his game and rely on his team-mates getting across to cover.

Otherwise, Hazard could have a field day. Pochettino will be cheered by the fact Ashley Young largely managed to stifle Hazard in Manchester United’s 2-2 Stamford Bridge draw last month but will need to get Aurier in the right frame of mind to do similar.

If he doesn’t, it could decide the Wembley showdown.