Jamie O’Hara has once again stirred up a storm in the football world, this time taking aim at Premier League stadiums while continuing his bold claim that Tottenham Hotspur are a bigger club than Chelsea.
The former Spurs midfielder, now known for his outspoken opinions on talkSPORT, reignited the London rivalry ahead of Tottenham’s clash with Chelsea by claiming not only that his old club are superior, but that they also boast a far better stadium.
O’Hara began by dismissing Chelsea’s status as six-time English champions, insisting that Spurs’ global presence and infrastructure set them apart. His remarks immediately drew reactions from fans and pundits alike, most notably Chelsea legend John Terry, who was quick to fire back.
But O’Hara didn’t stop there. He went on to argue that Tottenham’s stadium stands in a league of its own, calling it the best in the country and even mocking other Premier League venues in the process.
Tottenham’s £1 billion stadium, completed in 2019, is widely recognized as one of the most advanced sports arenas in the world. With a capacity of 62,800, it comfortably surpasses Chelsea’s Stamford Bridge by more than 20,000 seats.
O’Hara wasted no time in using that fact to support his point. He described Chelsea’s home ground as outdated and lacking atmosphere, even calling it “a terrible football ground” on live radio.
“I go to Chelsea’s Stamford Bridge, honestly, it’s terrible,” O’Hara said. “There’s no atmosphere. They call it the Shed End, you know? But look at our stadium it’s unbelievable. Everyone’s trying to copy us, even Everton.”
The 37-year-old then turned his attention to Everton’s brand-new home, the Hill Dickinson Stadium, located at Bramley-Moore Dock.
Despite the Toffees investing around £800 million in the project and moving there after 133 years at Goodison Park, O’Hara showed little sympathy. He claimed Everton’s new stadium looked like a miniature replica of Tottenham’s, mocking it as a “toy version” of Spurs’ ground.
“Have you seen Everton’s stadium? It looks like a toy Spurs stadium,” he said. “When you watch it on TV, it looks like ours just smaller. Everyone wants to copy our stadium!”
O’Hara’s comments highlight his pride in Tottenham’s facilities, but they also sparked controversy among rival supporters. Everton fans, in particular, were quick to defend their new home, emphasizing the unique design and waterfront setting that distinguish it from other grounds.
Chelsea fans, too, were unimpressed with O’Hara’s dismissive take, especially after he used the debate to double down on his claim that Spurs are a “bigger global club.”
In his passionate argument, O’Hara insisted that Tottenham’s stature, fanbase, and infrastructure make them superior to Chelsea. “We haven’t had the investment that Chelsea have had,” he said.
“They went out, spent big, and did unbelievable things. But Spurs are bigger for me. They are.” His comments were met with laughter in the studio, but O’Hara stood firm, repeating that Tottenham’s history gives them greater authenticity compared to what he described as Chelsea’s success built on billionaire spending.
However, John Terry didn’t take long to respond. The Chelsea icon sent a voice note to talkSPORT, mocking O’Hara’s claims and defending his former club’s reputation.
“What on earth is he on about this morning?” Terry said. “Even using those two words together Spurs and globally should never be in the same sentence. They’re still doing their pre-season tours around North London!”
His sharp reply drew laughter from listeners and quickly went viral online, reigniting the age-old debate about which London club truly stands taller on the world stage.
While O’Hara’s comments were clearly designed to stir discussion, they touch on an undeniable point Tottenham’s stadium has set new standards in modern football architecture. Its capacity, technology, and design have made it one of the most admired venues in Europe.
Yet, whether that alone makes Spurs the “bigger club” remains open to debate. Chelsea’s two-decade success, with multiple Premier League titles and Champions League trophies, has given them global recognition that Tottenham have yet to match.
O’Hara’s fiery words are unlikely to change minds among Chelsea supporters, but they have once again put Spurs at the center of conversation.
His criticism of rival stadiums, especially calling Everton’s a “toy version” of Tottenham’s, may have been exaggerated, but it reflects the pride many Spurs fans feel about their club’s transformation.
For O’Hara, it’s not just about football it’s about what he believes Tottenham represent: ambition, modernity, and a new era for north London dominance. Whether fans agree or not, his comments have once again ensured that Tottenham’s stature and their spectacular home ground remain firmly in the headlines.
