The manager of Chelsea football club, Thomas Tuchel has vowed that the London club would hunt Manchester City next season, noting that there is a huge gap between Chelsea and the current Premier League table toppers.
Manchester City have been very consistent in the Premier League especially under the current coach of the club, Pep Guardiola. They are currently on the verge of winning the Premier League title.
In 32 games in the Premier League, Manchester City have recorded 23 wins, 5 draws, 4 defeats which have placed them on top of the league table with 74 points. The club is 11 points above second-placed Manchester United, and 20 points above 5th placed Chelsea.
On April 17, Pep Guardiola will lead Manchester City to play against Chelsea in the semi-final of the FA Cup. The match is seen as one of the biggest tests for Thomas Tuchel. The German tactician has been performing greatly at Chelsea since he took over from coach Frank Lampard in January.
Tuchel met Chelsea on the 9th spot on the league table and he has been able to push them to the 5th spot, a point below 4th placed West Ham United.
Ahead of the FA Cup match between Chelsea and Manchester City, Thomas Tuchel noted that if Chelsea could beat Manchester City at the end of the game, the win would be a huge boost for the current set-up of the team.
He also boasted that he and his team would give Manchester City a run for their money next season which could mean that the German coach is going for the league title next season.
Thomas Tuchel said: “We have to accept that there is a gap between us and Manchester City if you look at the Premier League and the fixtures in the last years.
“It’s important that we accept it without making us too small. From day one of next season, we will hunt them, we will try to close the gap between us.
“For me in Europe, there are two teams who are the benchmark: Bayern Munich and Manchester City. But for 90 minutes we are very self-confident, we truly believe that we can close the gap for one game.
“It’s a good moment to play City and Pep. If we manage to beat them it will be a huge boost; if not, we will have to take it as a challenge to grow.”
On the competition among players at Chelsea, Tuchel said: “The guys need to fight for their places, and they’re doing this.
“There’s not much training time between games with the schedule that we have, but the minutes you have you need to use.
“In terms of atmosphere in the dressing room, we are in a good moment. It’s very important in these moments that the guys who maybe lack minutes, a bit of self-confidence, who are not super happy with their personal situation, put their ego aside and do everything to be ready.
“Chelsea is about being ready. We have no gifts to give – you have to fight hard for your place, and once you’re in the team, you fight hard to stay.
“Honestly this is big fun, and you have to embrace the situation. It’s harder for some of the players but we try to push them and convince them in this positive way.”
On 🎯 with the lads! 💪
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) April 16, 2021
𝙋𝙄𝙉𝙂! ⚽️💥😎 We got that Mase! pic.twitter.com/yDVE6DIYi0
