Chelsea tells Trevoh Chalobah and Kepa Arrizabalaga to stay for this season.
Thomas Tuchel has admitted that Chelsea aren’t ready to face Everton in the opening game of the season on 6 August. The German feels the Blues have been worn out after the pre-season tour in the United States.
Chelsea’s US tour commenced with the scheduled friendly against Club America in Las Vegas on 17 August. It ended over a week later against Arsenal on 24 August. The Blues then went to Italy to face Udinese in two games.
Tuchel, speaking via The Mirror, claimed that Chelsea’s trip to America was not good for the team in terms of fatigue. The energy in the squad depleted further with the games in the Dacia arena.
“It was a pretty long pre-season. Tiring and exhausting to be in the US for so long, and having to travel again today under the circumstances is not so easy, pretty demanding.”
The pre-season was an eye opener for us fans as the Blues looked disconnected and fragile. We started with a hard-fought win against Mexican opposition. The Stamford Bridge side were then beaten by Charlotte FC on penalties.
The third game against the Gunners in Florida was difficult to watch as a Chelsea fan. We came up against an opposition that looked well drilled. On the other hand, the Blues looked out of sorts.
Tuchel is all set for the season to start. While he admits the side isn’t ready as of yet, the German hopes the players are at their best in a week’s time to visit Goodison Park.
“After this weekend we prepare for nothing else other than Everton. The season is right in front of the door. There is a lot of positive stuff but we need to improve. We are not ready yet. We don’t have to be ready yet. We have another week and then it is time to be on the best level. It is always nice when the season arrives. We will have this week. There is still some way to go.”
Chelsea had positive results in Italy against Udinese. We won the first game 3-1 as Raheem Sterling got on the scoresheet. The Blues won the second game 2-0 thanks to goals from Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Hakim Ziyech.
But there have been signs that we need to improve and possibly bring in more quality, especially in the centre of defence and upfront. The Blues need a proven goalscorer going into next season. Another quality centre-back is also required.
Chelsea need to work fast now, with the start of the season less than a week away. We need to sort out our incoming and outgoings and give Tuchel a squad with the talent and will to compete for titles.
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