Thomas Tuchel questioned Chelsea’s commitment “physically and mentally” after losing to Arsenal 4-0.
Gabriel Magalh and Martin Ødegaard took full control of the Gunners at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, followed by Bukayo Saka’s tap-in in the second period and Albert Sambi Lokonga injured. I rubbed salt on the wound with the header.
Tuchel admitted that he was worried when he saw the team play against one of the Premier League rivals in the new season, just two weeks later.
“I think we deserved to lose because we weren’t just enough-it’s fair enough-” he said.
“We were absolutely uncompetitive. I’m worried about the level of commitment, both physically and mentally, because the match wasn’t the same and Arsenal was much higher.
“I think they’re their strongest lineup. They’ve been playing together for weeks and more than a year now. They’ve strengthened their lineup and played the same structure. This is the line-they’re premieres. Trying to start a league match.
“This isn’t our strongest lineup, it’s part of the description, but it’s just one part. The other parts are worrisome.”
Kalidou Koulibaly’s 17-minute cameo was the first to appear since the £ 33m contract from Naples and was Tuchel’s only positive.
However, his and Chelsea performances highlighted the need for the club to sign more as Jules Koundé’s pursuit continued.
“No updates, no updates,” Tuchel said of Koundé. “Because of this game, the analysis of the season remains the same.
“Unfortunately it proved my claim and last week proved my claim. I hoped it wasn’t right and did everything to prove I was wrong, but last season And the part of the game we struggled with and how we struggled.
“We have been sanctioned and players have left us. We know that some players are leaving us. This is the place. We are a huge number of quality players. I made an urgent appeal to a number of quality players. There are two quality players.-It’s definitely-but we’re not so competitive and unfortunately we see it today. I was able to do it. “
Tuchel also acknowledged that goal scoring was a concern as the club needed a thorough striker after the appearance of Romelu Lukaku, who was lent to Inter Milan.
Chelsea bosses know that the big picture of this defeat means it’s already well below the levels of title rivals Manchester City and Liverpool.
“At this point, given the last two weeks, last week, and today’s match, we shouldn’t mention the two teams in front of us,” he said.
“I’ve definitely lost to a team that won’t play in the Champions League next season. It’s behind us, and for now it seems to be far in front of us.”
Chelsea were beaten by Charlotte FC with a penalty after admitting a second-half equalizer in a friendly match last season that beat Club America 2-1 in Las Vegas.
Their American tour did not provide Tuchel with an easy basis for working with his team, but he was not ready to use it only as an explanation for their Arsenal abuse. ..
“It was long. It was certainly long,” he said. “It was hard again. It looked long. I could feel the energy. After the match between Las Vegas and Charlotte, the energy level dropped due to a lot of trips. And it was very humid and very hot, so It was hard because we were there. It’s been two weeks now.
“Well, that’s the point, but it’s not the only one. It’s a small point in explaining why it didn’t look fresh. I didn’t expect it today. I also reduced the intensity and amount of training a bit. Yesterday It wasn’t the way to expect fresh feet. That wasn’t the biggest surprise, but there is a difference between being tired and playing this way. “
Tuchel added: “In my opinion, I don’t know if I lost the match 4-0 before the season. I can’t remember. I don’t remember not winning two games in a row before the season.
“I’m a big pre-season fan of everything from atmosphere to feeling to performance to beliefs.
“I’m in it. Of course I’m part of it. I need to find a solution. We’re going home now. And we have only a day and a half and present the solution on Tuesday afternoon. We need to take action with us, myself, our coaching staff, and our team, and now it hurts, so let’s get up again and find a way to overcome this. “
What’s next?
Chelsea will head to Italy for their final pre-season friendly against Udinese at the Dacia Arena on Friday, July 29th. Kick-off 8 pm BST.
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