“Room to improve”- Tuchel not fully convinced by young Chelsea duo despite their contribution vs Malmo

Thomas Tuchel reveals that there is room for improvement with Chelsea duo Kai Havertz and Callum Hudson-Odoi after Malmo performance

Speaking after the game (h/t Chelseafc.com), Thomas Tuchel reflected on the performance of Chelsea duo Kai Havertz and Callum Hudson-Odoi against Malmo.

The Blues picked up a comfortable 4-0 victory against the Swedish opposition at Stamford Bridge but lost Romelu Lukaku and Timo Werner to injuries in the first half. The duo were replaced by Kai Havertz and Callum Hudson-Odoi and impressed in the opening minutes.

Although the Blues were up in the first half by 2 goals, the second half started with Hudson-Odoi going on a mazy run and then setting up Havertz for only his second goal of the season. However, the performance after that lacked intensity and aggression as the duo failed to open up the Swedes.

Tuchel gave his verdict on the duo’s performance after the game, and while he was impressed, he also stated that there is room for improvement. The German told reporters after the game (h/t Chelseafc.com):

‘There’s always a chance, and it’s always necessary to prove a point now. We will have some games without Romelu, we will have some games without Timo, so everybody is invited to join the race for minutes on the pitch, and when they’re on the pitch they need to show the hunger and the determination to be decisive, to be in the box.

‘This is how it is, and they did today, and there’s still room to improve. On Saturday we need the same performance, the same hunger, the same determination from whoever starts for us because we need goals to win matches.’

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The duo have suffered for game-time in recent weeks as Werner and Lukaku have often featured up top with Tuchel opting for either Mason Mount or another midfielder to deputize instead of an attacker.

However, with Chelsea’s strike duo out for a ‘few days’, Havertz and Hudson-Odoi could capitalize on the opportunities and make their case to Tuchel.