Roberto De Zerbi has insisted Tottenham will use their horrible record at Chelsea as motivation and not allow it to build pressure before Saturday’s London derby.

Spurs have claimed only one victory at Stamford Bridge in the Premier League era and lost 10 of the last 12 meetings between the rival clubs.

However, De Zerbi was quick to shut down any suggestions Tottenham’s poor form in this derby will add pressure and instead backed his players to build on Monday’s 3-1 home win over Coventry.

Asked if he sensed any fear in his squad, De Zerbi said: “No. I think no because I play just one game with Chelsea as Tottenham coach. Anyway, it has to be one motivation more. Not one more problem for us.

“What is the problem? We didn’t play in the past for Tottenham and I was not the Tottenham coach in the last seasons. It is not a problem. We have already many problems and this is not a problem.

“I think it’s not just this negative record. There are many, many negative records, but for me it’s one motivation more.

“For the players, I want this negative record, they give us more motivation, more mentality, more energy to win a game, to play a good game, because we have the qualities enough to win.

“Yes, it’s a derby against one very good team, very good coach, they have a clear style of play, great players, but also Tottenham players are very good.

“The level of the (Tottenham) players is high. We have to show together as a team, not as an individual.”

Spurs’ efforts to claim a first win at Chelsea since 2018 are not helped by the absence of Destiny Udogie and potentially James Maddison, who marked his first start in 536 days with a goal against Coventry, but has since missed three days of training.

Dejan Kulusevski has also followed an individual plan after an emotional comeback following an 18-month absence, but Pedro Porro is available after a hamstring issue and both Andy Robertson and Omar Marmoush are fine after they were forced off on Monday.

“In the first three days Maddison didn’t work with us, I don’t know if he’s ready for tomorrow,” De Zerbi explained.

“Like I said many times, I don’t want to take risks, because if you analyse this period of European football, you can see many injuries, not for Tottenham, for everyone. So if I can, I don’t want to take risks to lose many players for many games.

“Kulusevski also. Kulusevski worked well, but in the first days he stayed individual.

“With the medical staff, we are trying to find the best way for (Udogie).

“After Manchester United, I have not worked with him and this is a problem.

“We are lucky because we have in the same position many solutions, but we have to find the best for him and the best for us.”