Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel provides answers to questions from the press ahead of the weekend trip to Turf Moor to face Sean Dyche’s Burnley on Saturday afternoon.
Thomas Tuchel of Chelsea during a press conference at Chelsea Training Ground on March 01, 2022 in Cobham, England. (Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images)
A lot of events has been happening recently at the club after their Russian owner, Roman Abrahamovic confirms earlier in the week his decision to give up the ownership of the club.
Chelsea, who lost to Liverpool on penalties on last Sunday in the Carabao Cup final in Wembley defeated Luton Town 3-2 to seal progress into the quarter finals of the FA Cup later in the week, where they will now face Championship side, Middlesbrough.
However, the pressing concern for the weekend is the game with 18 place Burnley, who scored a late leveler to earn a point at the Stamford Bridge in the reverse fixture back in November.
On how the players are taking the news of the potential sale of the club:
“We had a briefing from Petr after the match (vs. Luton Town). He gave everyone in the building a quick brief, explained the situation. Not too much what we did not already know. We have to live in this situation.”
“It does not make sense to worry too much because we don’t have a lot of influence, not to say no influence at all. That was the bottom line. We are allowed to focus on football and do the best to focus on football.”
“It was not only the team, it was the complete staff. This is what we try to do anyway, to create an atmosphere where you feel safe once you enter the building, where you feel calm because we do this on a daily basis.”
“This can help now to deal with the situation. There is uncertainty of course, with all humans – 100 people in the building, everybody will feel different about it. Some will feel scared, some excited, some will feel sad.”
“I think everything is allowed for every individual but we can and should allow ourselves to focus on what we love the most and this is football and to perform the best way possible. What makes me very positive is that we did twice in these circumstances against Liverpool and against Luton Town. Very focused, very good performances.”
Chelsea Manager Thomas Tuchel and Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich shake hands after the UEFA Champions League Final between Manchester City and Chelsea FC at Estadio do Dragao on May 29, 2021 in Porto, Portugal. (Photo by Alex Livesey – Danehouse/Getty Images)
“The organisation was like always, spot on. This makes me very positive that we are able to compete tomorrow. This is also what we demand from ourselves.”
On injury updates and team news:
“No fresh injuries. I still have to talk to the fitness coaches and doctors after press conference. Cesar Azpilicueta was not in training yesterday so this will be a bit too close unfortunately for him.”
“Hakim was in training, seemed good so hopefully he can come back. Reece James did training yesterday so no problems so far, no reactions after his two matches. It’s good.”
“The guys who were not with us in Luton Town because minor injuries like Trevoh (Chalobah) and Thiago Silva, were back in training yesterday and seem good to go.”
On players who will be out-of-contract this summer:
“Of course that’s a situation. Maybe the bottom line is we cannot help it. It is what it is. You never know, maybe it has a positive effect on the negotiation. Maybe it has a negative effect.”
“We cannot predict. I would like not to predict or start predicting all scenarios because we just lose focus on it. Like I said, everybody has a different situation and feels different. I hope for the best outcome.”
“Still, I think we have something to offer. Still, I think Chelsea is a strong club and will stay a strong club. Our owner decided to sell the club. He sells a strong, solid and very well organised club on the highest level.”
With the club placed third on the log as the league approaches the run in period as teams battle for Champions League places, the German was asked of the club’s objectives for the remainder of the season.
“Yeah (first Premier League game in two weeks). Actually, it took me some minutes to find the answers to the last two or three Premier League matches. It’s a very weird situation. We played two or three matches in the last six or seven weeks in the Premier League.”
“Normally you have a feeling for the competition and have a feeling for where are we. We are on a good run, a good run of results but you don’t see it on the table because we never got the points on the table because it was Club World Cup, Carabao Cup then FA Cup.”
“A bit strange but still we are in a good place in the table and we have to fight hard to stay where we are and to give our very best. Tough game coming at Burnley. We think we know very well what is coming. There will be no presents for us there. We want to dig in and accept the fight.”
Asked about this weekend’s opponent, Burnley:
“Very different, fair enough. Every team has it’s style. They have huge success throughout the years, very consistent in what they are doing and how they approach the games. It is very physical and very direct. It’s very direct upfront.”
“A lot of crosses, very dangerous in set pieces. That’s why we think we know what is coming. Still, we hold ourselves back and don’t allow too much to predict. Who knows exactly what is coming? In the end it is to enable the players to find answers on the pitch and not today in the meeting.”
“To prepare, yes. In the end, they need to find the solutions and be well prepared in a very wide range of opportunities. I think we played a very good match, we had a look into it (at home to Burnley). How we did it, how we created chances. We created a lot but struggled to score the second and third goal to decide the match.”
“We were punished in the end with a very typical Burnley goal which we could not defend. That’s more or less the story. Performance wise, very happy. Results wise, we are looking for a better outcome tomorrow.”
There was time for questions about his future at the club; “I said many times I love working in Premier League. I love to be in England and feel the tradition and love for sports in general and football in particular. It’s an amazing place to be.”
“Chelsea, for me, is a perfect fit. I love to be here. I love everything about the club. Hopefully it continues. There is not an uncertainty, but isn’t it always as a football manager? I am used and trained to live with it. Of course, different levels and this is quite a level I have to be honest. I am positive, I hope things will end well.”
Chelsea take on Burnley this weekend and a win will see them strengthen their grip on third position on the log with the consciousness that they can not slip up at this stage even when their position look secured with games in hand, but that could change after their rivals also play their outstanding games.
Author: Kehinde Hassan Afolabi
