Step by step for Japhet

Japhet Tanganga isn't looking too far ahead - on both personal and team fronts.

We've a fascinating month of London derbies ahead as we return to Premier League action this weekend following the latest international break.

Headline clashes against Chelsea and Arsenal are on the horizon, but Japhet's focus is solely on Selhurst Park and Crystal Palace in Saturday's early kick-off (12.30pm). Palace are under new stewardship with Patrick Vieira and picked up a good point at West Ham last time out.

"Our main focus is just to take it game by game," said Japhet, who has played a starring role in our 100 per cent start to the campaign and three clean sheets so far in the Premier League. "I think that's the best way to approach games, to give 100 per cent to the game coming up.

"Obviously, we see the fixtures. We know, for the fans as well, playing Chelsea, playing Arsenal, it's a big thing. But, as I said, we're just taking it game by game. We have to stay grounded, focus on our next game against Palace, and go from there."

That thought process is mirrored when Japhet, 22, talks about his own form, despite such an impressive start to the campaign - after a tough spell due to injuries after his breakthrough in the second half of the 2019/20 season, he's started all three Premier League matches so far.

"Last season was hard for me with the amount of injuries I had," added Japhet, the Academy graduate born locally in Hackney. "So, my main focus is just to play as many games as I possibly can and at the moment, I've played three so far, and I just want to continue trying to help the team win game by game. That's really my objective."