Chelsea’s Reece James told Tottenham plan to exploit his ‘weaknesses’ in derby

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Ryan Sessegnon has some good friends at Chelsea – including fellow wing-back Reece James – but the Tottenham winger admits as soon James and pals line up as Blues, an entrenched loathing of the London rivals kicks in.

Hardly surprising given his football roots were firmly planted a stone's throw from Stamford Bridge – at Fulham. There is never any love lost between the neighbours as Sessegnon, a £20million buy from the Cottagers in 2019, emphasised ahead of Spurs' derby trip to Chelsea on Sunday.

The ex-England Under-21 defender said: "Coming through at Fulham, it's obviously embedded in your brain to dislike Chelsea – so this game is extra special for me."

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A head to head against James only adds to that anticipation, especially with a life-long rivalry on the pitch having resulted in such a strong relationship off it. "We're good mates," said Sessegnon, 22. "We probably won't talk before but maybe after.

"We have close mutual friends. I know some of the Chelsea players – and we have other friends who aren't footballers."

With both Spurs boss Antonio Conte and Chelsea counterpart Thomas Tuchel employing three central defenders, flying wing-backs are integral to their respective philosophies. Which makes the latest Sessegnon-versus-James duel a potentially decisive one.

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The pair first crossed paths as kids with Fulham and Chelsea but James has enjoyed the better time of late, going from Bridge starlet to Champions League winner to full England international..

Sessegnon's career, meanwhile, stalled after his switch to N17 and he even had a loan spell with German club 1889 Hoffenheim. However, Conte’s appointment at the Spurs helm fuelled a return to form late last season which has continued into the new one. He scored the crucial equaliser last weekend in the 4-1 thumping of Southampton.

And Sessegnon is relishing the match up with Reece, adding: "More often than not, the battles on my side on Sunday will be against him. I'm looking forward to the opportunity.

"I know his weaknesses but won't say too much now. He's a great player – what he's done for Chelsea and England so far has been very good. That inspires you. We've been playing against each other since I was nine – he was at Chelsea, I was at Fulham. You have to say, he's come out on top. Their academy back then was ridiculous. They won every trophy possible."

Tuchel's Chelsea also beat Conte's Spurs three times in a month last season. In the last 32 years, the North Londoners have won just one league game at the Bridge.

Sessegnon, though, senses the gap is closing, courtesy of Conte. He declared: !He gives us confidence because he's been there and done it. He's very intelligent. For each team he has a different plan – and we have a good plan for Sunday. We feel like we're ready for it.

"It's not so much individual, it's more collective, tactical situations. He's not stupid, he knows they have quality players in every position but it's about nullifying their threat and we know how to do that.

"He's been very good for me. When you're young you want to play every game and once you show him he can trust you, he will keep playing you.

"That's what he's done with me so far. I just want to keep repaying him now with good performances."

Ryan Sessegnon was speaking at the Summer of Spurs – a free activity programme delivered by the Club throughout August to keep local young people engaged during the school holidays, promoting health and wellbeing and reducing levels of crime and anti-social behaviour.

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