The manager of Chelsea, Thomas Tuchel has admitted that his team needs some days off after a disappointing 1-1 draw with Brighton on Tuesday, January 18, 2022.
Thomas Tuchel and his boys traveled to Falmer Stadium to beat Brighton. At the start of the match, Chelsea looked like they could leave the match venue with the needed three points especially after Hakim Ziyech scored the opener in the 28th minute.
Unfortunately for Chelsea, Brighton got the equalizer in the 60th minute of the first half, thanks to Adam Webster’s free header.
After those two goals, both the visitors and the hosts could not score more goals, hence, the game ended in a 1-1 draw. This means that Chelsea are yet to win a Premier League game since December 26, 2021, when they defeated Aston Villa 3-1 away from home.
Between December 26 to date, Thomas Tuchel and his boys have recorded three draws and a defeat in the Premier League which has placed their position in the top four at risk.
Currently, Chelsea are occupying the third spot on the league table with 44 points in 23 games, 12 points away from first-placed Manchester City which still have a game in hand.
As it stands, Chelsea could drop as deep as the 5th spot if they continue with their winless run and especially if 5th placed Arsenal and 6th placed Tottenham win all their outstanding games.
Unfortunately for the reigning UEFA Champions League winners, their next Premier League game is against Tottenham Hotspur, their London rival. Though Chelsea have defeated Spurs home and away in the Carabao Cup this season, the Premier League game scheduled to kick off at 17:30 on Sunday, January 23, might be a different ball game.
After the 1-1 draw with Brighton on Tuesday, Thomas Tuchel said his team would use the two days they are supposed to use to prepare for the game to rest. This means that Chelsea players would not be involved in any training between Wednesday and Thursday which leaves them with Friday and Saturday to prepare for Sunday’s showdown.
“We looked tired”, Thomas Tuchel told BT Sport after the 1-1 draw with Brighton. “We knew they were well prepared, had more time to prepare for this match and you see at the end after the whistle, the stadium celebrated like it was a victory. That is what you face.
“We need our full strength to overcome these obstacles, so no blame for the team. We tried everything, but you could see we were mentally and physically tired.
“We need some days off, we have now two days off then two days to prepare for the next match at home against Tottenham. The boys need some days off, there is no other solution.”
4 – Chelsea (D3 L1) are now four Premier League matches without a win, the first time a Thomas Tuchel side has embarked on such a run since October 2016 during his time in charge of Borussia Dortmund. Discomfort. #BHACHE
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) January 18, 2022
When asked how much Chelsea needed some days off, the German tactician added: “So, so badly. You can say it’s an excuse but it’s like this.
“Look at our schedule when we arrived at Man City, we had Carabao Cup in between, they did not. When we arrived here, they had more days to prepare. We’ve played like this since November, we are the team that plays and plays and plays.
“We need to recharge the batteries and disconnect. That’s my feeling, that’s why I’ve given them two days off and then we will use Friday and Saturday to prepare for Sunday against Tottenham.”
“We looked tired, and we are.”
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) January 18, 2022
“Stadium celebrates like a victory, that’s what we face.”
Thomas Tuchel reflects on Chelsea’s struggle to hold on to a win against Brighton…
🎙️ @TheDesKelly pic.twitter.com/bB8fgntHG7
