Premier League legend's advice for A-League talent ahead of Sydney tour

Tottenham and Chelsea will both participate in the Sydney Super Cup in 2026 with the Premier League giants scheduled to play next August.

Spurs announced the news as part of their pre-season plans for next year with the fixture marking the first time both clubs will clash outside of the UK.

Ange Postecoglou’s former team will also play against Sydney FC.

Speaking on the upcoming event, former Premier League and Tottenham star Jermain Defoe assured that any contest between Chelsea and Tottenham will be far from a friendly.

“It’s the Super Cup – it’s a trophy!” Defoe told SEN 1170’s The Run Home.

“A trophy is a trophy, regardless of if it’s pre-season, or when the season starts and you’re playing for points. It’s a trophy to try and win – they are friendlies, but when you look at the fixture, Tottenham versus Chelsea, it’s never been a friendly.

“From day one, it’s always been fierce. It’s extra special for the fans to witness this one up close, to come into the stadium and see that, because it’s always been a special football match in England.

“I didn’t realise how big the game was until I signed for Tottenham. I always thought from afar, the North London Derby (was the biggest game on their fixture), but the Chelsea game as well… there’ll be a few tackles in that!”

Defoe, who scored 163 Premier League goals across five top flight clubs, has urged the Australians playing for both Sydney FC and the Western Sydney Wanderers to put their best foot forward, using this tour as an opportunity to match up against some of the world's best.

“For the boys that play here (for Sydney FC and Western Sydney), I just feel like it’s an opportunity for them to show Chelsea, to show the Tottenham boys how good they are,” he said.

“I played in the MLS for a year, and a lot of the conversations in the change rooms were about, ‘What was the Premier League like?’ For a lot of the boys, the goal was to get into Europe and play in the Premier League.

“I could imagine, these players over here, when you look at the likes of the (Mark) Vidkua’s, Harry Kewell’s… who is the next one? You can use these games as a shop window. Show people, ‘I’m good enough to do that’.”

Tottenham released a statement regarding the pre-season tour on Monday morning.

“Our visit will include participation in the 2026 Sydney Super Cup, including a fixture against Chelsea on Saturday 1 August, 19:45 KO (local time), at the 83,500 capacity Accor Stadium,” a statement read.

“This will be the first time the Club has visited Sydney since 2015, when we beat Sydney FC 1-0 in front of a packed Accor Stadium, and the fifth time in total that the Club has visited Australia since that year.

“Most recently the Club visited both Perth and Melbourne in the space of a year in 2023-24, facing Premier League rivals West Ham United and Newcastle United.”

Spurs manager Thomas Frank, said: “Sydney is one of the world’s most iconic locations for sport and I’m excited to be able to take the team there to play two matches, including one against one of our biggest rivals.

“I’ve heard all about our passionate fanbase in Australia and it’s something the Club is very proud of. I can’t wait to experience that for myself and I know the supporters will love the opportunity to watch us take on Sydney FC and Chelsea in their home country.

“While in Sydney, as well as engaging with our fans, it’s important that we explore the local area and celebrate its culture – that is something we are all looking forward to.”