Frank Lampard has expressed his sympathy with Jose Mourinho on the scheduling issue that means Chelsea will have two extra days recovery for Sunday’s crunch London derby.
Third-placed Blues - who can qualify for the Champions League knock-out stages with a win in Rennes on Tuesday - face current leaders Spurs this weekend where victory could see the Stamford Bridge side climb to the top of the Premier League.
The local derby is traditionally one of the fiercest in English football, with the long-standing relationship between Lampard and Mourinho adding extra spice to an already powder-keg occasion.