Wednesday 25 February 2015 19:48, UK
Tottenham legend Ledley King hopes the club’s 'youth and exuberance' can beat Chelsea in the Capital One Cup final.
The London rivals clash at Wembley, live on Sky Sports 1HD on Sunday, and club ambassador King was part of the Spurs side that beat Chelsea in the League Cup final in 2008.
King admits he has been surprised by the emergence of young striker Harry Kane this season and believes he and fellow academy graduates Ryan Mason and Nabil Bentaleb will play an important part in the final.
“The youth and exuberance of the team has been there to see this season,” King told Sky Sports News HQ.
“There’s a good core of players that have come through the youth set up together so they know what it’s like to try and win things with each other. Chelsea are a strong, experienced side but Tottenham have young and hungry players and, with the new experience, they’ll want to win the game.
“I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t surprised by Harry Kane. We knew there was a top player in there, and he’s scored goals at every level, but he’s surprised a few people with how quickly he’s adapted.
“But Spurs will need many players to perform, not just two or three. Hugo Lloris is a top keeper who’ll be important and Jan Vertonghen has been in good form – he’ll have to have a big game.
“And Ryan Mason and Nabil Bentaleb will have to try and dominate the midfield battle, to give players like Kane and Christian Eriksen to chance to win the game.”
Tottenham beat Chelsea emphatically in their most recent Premier League clash, winning 5-3 at White Hart Lane on New Year's Day.
But King insists his former side must not let any previous games have a bearing, including Thursday’s Europa League last-16 second-leg against Fiorentina.
“The 5-3 probably won’t count for anything. I think it will be a different, edgy type of game,” King said.
“And I don’t think Thursday’s Europa League game will have too much of an impact either. As professionals you have to set Chelsea aside concentrate on them after Fiorentina.
“Both Spurs and Chelsea know enough about each other already, so they’ll get their heads around that.”
Tottenham v Chelsea in the Capital One Cup final at Wembley is live on Sky Sports 1HD from 2.30pm on Sunday
