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Tag: Tuchel

  • Tuchel details first meeting with new Chelsea owner

    Tuchel details first meeting with new Chelsea owner

    Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel has revealed he’s met new owner Todd Boehly for the first time.

    Tuchel has revealed the nature of their brief discussion and stated his belief that a strong ambition for continued success will be maintained.

    Boehly met with the German during a visit to the Cobham training ground last week.

    “We had lunch together but it was in a room with everybody like players and staff,” Tuchel explained. “It was friendly and open, a very informal meeting over lunch for half an hour or 40 minutes.

    “We didn’t go into details. It was not the moment, only to get a feeling and say hello. We talked more about baseball but when the moment is right, we will share our opinions in more detail in the next weeks.

    “He paid some money so I don’t think he’s keen to drop the ambition. That would be a big surprise. I am sure that he is ambitious to build a competitive Chelsea for the highest level.”

    The German insisted he was not concerned about failing to win the FA Cup with Boehly watching on.

    “We try to impress with what we do and we do that with full commitment and passion,” he added. “We played to the very limit with one of the best teams in the world at this moment and we did it now five times in a row against them.

    “I was pretty impressed on the sideline from both teams and the way we played with the commitment and the quality to play a final but I didn’t think about impressing somebody else.

    “We wanted to impress ourselves and take what we thought we deserved given the circumstances in which we arrived. We were ready to take it but we didn’t unfortunately.”

  • Kante fighting to make FA Cup final – Tuchel

    Kante fighting to make FA Cup final – Tuchel

    Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel says N’Golo Kante is fighting to be fit for tomorrow’s FA Cup final against Liverpool.

    Tuchel says Kante is upbeat on his playing chances.

    He said, “He’s trying [to be fit]. He tried yesterday in team training, hopefully without a reaction.

    “It was a reduced training session because of a long travel and the fatigue of travelling so it was not a high intensity training session.

    “We will also try today with him. He is keen to make it and hopefully he makes it to training 100%. To be able to plan with him for tomorrow will be crucial for us.”

    The German also spoke of Chelsea’s record in the Cup final.

    “It is a big achievement to be in these finals. There has to be a loser. It is a special atmosphere and a momentum you have to catch. For sure, you need a bit of luck to go away with the trophy. We are aware of that.

    “We feel we are well prepared, the atmosphere is right and the momentum is OK after the reaction at Leeds [3-0 win on Wednesday].

    “We want to give Liverpool a hard fight. It is a fifth cup final in six years, which shows the competitive spirit we have.”

  • Chelsea’s transfer plans behind schedule, Tuchel says

    Chelsea’s transfer plans behind schedule, Tuchel says

    Chelsea coach, Thomas Tuchel said their transfer plans for next season are running behind schedule due to the uncertainty over the club’s ownership.

    He added that the squad would require only “cosmetic surgery”.

    Chelsea were put up for sale by Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which Moscow calls a “special military operation”.

    Sanctions imposed by the British government on Abramovich mean Chelsea are unable to sign new players or renew existing contracts.

    Tuchel confirmed at the weekend that Antonio Rudiger would leave after his contract expires, with Andreas Christensen also looking likely to depart.

    “You’re never fully sure, but we would have some targets and we would for sure have contacted some players and found out about their situations.

    “Now our hands are tied, we can still have the talks inside the building but we cannot act.

    “The situation is not ideal. It would be challenging enough with a stable situation. We don’t have that so everyone is doing it for the first time.”

    While United’s interim manager Ralf Rangnick said last week that his club needed an “open heart operation” to fix their issues Tuchel gave a more positive outlook for Chelsea.

    “Cosmetic surgery,” he responded when asked if Chelsea needed the same. “I would be less concerned if we still had the same ownership, if we could rely on our structure.

    “As this is also in question we are, not concerned, but aware of the danger that the situation is maybe a bit more complex.”

    Chelsea are third in the Premier League on 65 points from 32 matches, while United are sixth on 54 points from 34 matches.

  • Chelsea midfielder Jorginho speaks on Rudiger’s departure

    Chelsea midfielder Jorginho speaks on Rudiger’s departure

    Chelsea midfielder Jorginho has paid tribute to departing teammate Toni Rudiger.

    Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel confirmed over the weekend that Rudiger will walk away from Stamford Bridge on a free transfer in the summer once his contract expires.

    Speaking about Rudiger’s impending exit, midfielder Jorginho said: “He’s been here a long time so if he leaves then we’re going to miss him.

    “He’s a big personality and he’s helped us a lot.

    “We’ve had amazing times here; he’s a good friend of mine and of course if he leaves everyone at the club will miss him, not just me.”

  • Thomas Tuchel confirms Rudiger’s exit from Chelsea

    Thomas Tuchel confirms Rudiger’s exit from Chelsea

    Chelsea defender Antonio Rudiger has informed manager Thomas Tuchel he will leave the club this summer after failing to agree a new deal.

    Rudiger, 29, was offered a new contract worth more than £200,000 a week, which would have made him the best-paid defender in Chelsea’s history.

    BBC Sport understands the signing-on and agent’s fees have proven the stumbling block.

    “He informed me some days ago in a personal talk,” Tuchel told Sky Sports.

    Tuchel had hoped to keep Rudiger at Chelsea but the Germany international has been strongly linked with a move to Real Madrid.

    “We gave everything and now we enter a situation where we can’t fight any more because of the sanctions and now Toni will leave,” Tuchel added, referring to the restrictions placed on the club while a new owner is sought.

    “Our hands are tied. I don’t know what would have been the outcome [without the sanctions]. That’s his decision. It’s not a nice one for us but we don’t take it personally.

    “He is a key figure and will stay a key figure for us. We will miss him a lot. He is a guy who gives people courage, who people are a bit afraid of. He plays 55 games a season for 90 minutes at an outstanding level.

    “He was the top defender in the past one and a half years with me and I have nothing but respect for him.”

    Chelsea could also lose centre-back Andreas Christensen this summer.

    Like Rudiger, who joined the Blues for an initial £29m from Roma in 2017, the Denmark international’s contract is up at the end of the season and will be allowed to leave on a free transfer, with Barcelona agreeing a deal to sign the 26-year-old.

    Chelsea’s financial situation has been uncertain since owner Roman Abramovich put the club up for sale last month before being sanctioned by the UK government.

    Three bidders are attempting to buy the club from the Russian billionaire for more than £2.5bn, with the hope that a preferred bidder can be selected this week.

    But it is understood the contract offer to Rudiger was made weeks before the advent of the sanctions, which put player contract deals on hold until the end of May when the government is expected to issue the club with a special licence.

  • Thomas Tuchel struggling to work with Lukaku ego

    Thomas Tuchel struggling to work with Lukaku ego

    Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel is struggling to manage Belgian striker Romelu Lukaku due to his ego.

    Goal reports Tuchel has found it difficult working with Lukaku because he carries himself with ‘the personality of a footballing superstar’.

    Lukaku has struggled to match his form with Inter Milan after returning to Chelsea last summer. It’s claimed Lukaku’s personality is a major problem, along with his tactical awareness.

    It’s also suggested Lukaku is the only player in the Chelsea squad who isn’t regarded as down to earth.

    Lukaku apart, Tuchel is happy with his Chelsea squad which has few egos compared to the PSG squad he managed.

  • UK sanction: I feel sorry for Tuchel and Chelsea – Guardiola

    UK sanction: I feel sorry for Tuchel and Chelsea – Guardiola

    Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola admits he feels sorry for rival Chelsea’s manager Thomas Tuchel after the London club were left with an uncertain future on Thursday.

    The club were going to be affected by sanctions imposed on owner Roman Abramovich.

    Guardiola said he was unclear about the implications of the action brought about by the UK government.

    He was unwilling to delve into what it might mean for European club champions Chelsea.

    Long-time Chelsea owner Abramovich was one of seven Russian oligarchs facing new measures after Thursday’s announcement, and the impact on Chelsea looks to be significant.

    Abramovich, who has previously been photographed with Russian president Vladimir Putin, has had his assets frozen.

    The decision was made in the wake of Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine.

    Chelsea have been granted a special sporting licence to be able to continue trading as a football club.

    But measures have been placed upon the club, including a ban on selling tickets, with only season-ticket holders permitted to attend matches.

    Guardiola said he did not “know exactly the reason why” the sanction had been imposed.

    But he said he understood the consequences for Tuchel and his Chelsea playing squad would be challenging.

    “Of course with the position for the manager, for Thomas Tuchel and the players, it’s uncomfortable, and I feel sorry for them because they’re there to do their job as well as possible,” Guardiola said. “For the rest, I don’t know, I have to wait.”

    Chelsea beat Manchester City in last year’s UEFA Champions League final.

    They sit third in the English Premier League this season, with Guardiola’s team in a title battle with Liverpool further up the table.

    Speaking at a pre-match news conference ahead of Manchester City’s trip to Crystal Palace, which does not take place until Monday, Guardiola gave reporters something to think about.

    He acknowledged that Premier League managers and head coaches are often asked about subjects in which they lack specialist knowledge.

    “We are the face of the club, we’re here every day, and you ask freely whatever you want, but you have to understand there are subjects we don’t know,” the Spaniard said.

    “We don’t have a one-hour lesson to speak or talk about what you’re asking for.

    “I’m empathic enough to put (myself) in the position of the manager of Chelsea and the players. It must be an uncomfortable situation, but it was this morning’s headlines and I don’t know what’s going to happen.”

  • EPL: Lukaku to sit on bench for remainder of season

    EPL: Lukaku to sit on bench for remainder of season

    Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel is ready to bench Romelu Lukaku for the remainder of the season.

    The London Evening Standard says Tuchel will put his faith in Kai Havertz in his bid to salvage Chelsea’s season.

    And that threatens to leave Lukaku out in the cold, with £97.5million striker facing a fight to regain his place at the point of attack.

    Tuchel knows his only chances of further silverware this term are in the Champions League and FA Cup after falling away in the race for the Premier League title.

    After failing to make it work with club-record signing Lukaku up front, he has turned to Havertz, who struck twice in Saturday’s 4-0 win at Burnley.

    The German is Chelsea’s leading scorer since Tuchel took charge last year with 13 goals, and his manager has stated that the striker’s role is now his to lose.

    While Tuchel’s ideal plan was to form a partnership between the Belgium international and Havertz, Lukaku’s struggles adapt to his teammates has increasingly seen him pushed to fringes.

  • Tuchel pledges future to Chelsea amid Abramovich exit

    Tuchel pledges future to Chelsea amid Abramovich exit

    Thomas Tuchel has pledged his future to Chelsea amid Roman Abramovich’s decision to sell the Stamford Bridge club.

    Russian-Israeli billionaire Abramovich revealed his decision to sell Chelsea on Wednesday night after 19 years as owner.

    Chelsea have already received several serious bids, with Swiss billionaire Hansjorg Wyss and American magnate Todd Boehly teaming up in a consortium offer.

    Tuchel has led Chelsea to the UEFA Champions League, European Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup titles since joining the Blues in January 2021.

    He insisted Stamford Bridge remains the “perfect fit” for him.

    The German manager has accepted the uncertain future around Chelsea’s ownership, but is confident the Blues will remain robust whoever takes over from Abramovich.

    Asked on Friday if the impending sale would alter his position, Tuchel replied: “No, I have the opposite of a problem staying here.

    “I’ve said many times that I love working in the Premier League, I love being in England, I feel the tradition and the love for sports in general and for football in particular.

    “This is an amazing place to be. Chelsea is from my point of view, for me, the perfect fit. I love to be here, I love everything about the club and hopefully it continues.

    “There is now an uncertainty, but isn’t it always as a football manager? So, I am used to it on, of course, different levels, and this is quite the level I have to be honest. I am positive, and I hope things will end well.”

    Technical director Petr Cech briefed Chelsea’s players and staff on the latest information on Abramovich’s sale on Thursday.

    While Tuchel admitted Cech could offer no assurances, he insisted everyone in the Blues’ squad and staff knows how to keep focused on the football.

    “We had a briefing here after the game, the day after the match, from Petr, who gave everybody in the building here, not only the players, a quick brief, and explained the situation,” said Tuchel.

    “There was not too much that we didn’t already know. Of course there is uncertainty, of course everybody will feel different about this, there’s 80 people in the building.

    “There were no assurances, no assurances, because how could he, how could anybody? We cannot predict the future.

    “Still 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, but he sells a strong, solid and very well-organised club on the highest level.”

    Tuchel was able to complete the clean sweep of global trophies for Abramovich, by defeating Palmeiras 2-1 in Abu Dhabi to claim the Club World Cup crown in February.

    The Blues boss admitted the Chelsea squad should feel proud to have helped round off Abramovich’s glittering era with the club’s 21st trophy in the Russian’s tenure.

    “We are very happy, we are very happy we could give him this, and win it,” said Tuchel.

    “At least we closed this cycle, for him and for his effort and his passion and commitment to the club. So, it was good timing on this matter.

    “He was and he is a very, very passionate owner who cares actually about the team, about the club, about the performance, which, personally, is very rare and makes it very special.”

    Asked if the next owner could ever match Abramovich’s success, Tuchel added: “We will see, we will see. Let’s speak in the next 20 years and then we’ll see. Whoever buys the club will be lucky to have it.”

  • Again, PSG chief defends sacking Tuchel on Christmas Eve

    Again, PSG chief defends sacking Tuchel on Christmas Eve

    Paris Saint-Germain sporting director Leonardo has again defended his sacking of Thomas Tuchel.

    Tuchel was dismissed by Leonardo on Christmas Eve, 2020, before taking charge of Chelsea and leading them to the Champions League title last season.

    Leonardo told L’Equipe: “We cannot say that if he had stayed he would have won the C1 here.

    “It’s a question of context, of interweaving a lot of elements. It was a time (Christmas 2020) where we may not see a future with him.

    “The question was to know if we were going to the end of the contract without certainty or if we stopped before. This is the choice we made.”