Tuchel says lacklustre Chelsea showed signs of travel fatigue

Soccer Soccer – Premier League – Manchester Metropolis v Chelsea – Etihad Stadium, Manchester, Britain – January 15, 2022 Chelsea supervisor Thomas Tuchel REUTERS/Peter Powell

LONDON, Feb 19 (Reuters) – Chelsea coach Thomas Tuchel shrugged off his aspect’s unconvincing show of their 1-0 win in opposition to Crystal Palace on Saturday, blaming the upheaval that got here with successful the World Membership Cup remaining in Abu Dhabi final weekend.

“We got here from 30 levels warmth and had six gamers with a chilly from the air-con on the aircraft, guys coming from the jet lag that that they had in Abu Dhabi,” Tuchel stated.

“There was no participant who slept nicely in Abu Dhabi due to the temperature and the time distinction.”

Chelsea had not performed within the Premier League for almost a month earlier than Saturday’s London derby they usually fell additional behind Premier League pace-setters Manchester Metropolis and Liverpool whereas within the Gulf the place they have been topped champions.

Tuchel dismissed solutions that his gamers had had plenty of time to get again into the swing of the Premier League.

“For those who suppose we had a standard week to organize I can simply let you know it’s not like this. We attempt to survive for the time being and you’ll see it,” he stated. “There may be numerous strain occurring should you go to the Membership World Cup and if you wish to win it.

“It’s an enormous, unusual mixture of numerous the reason why I personally didn’t over-expect in the present day, performance-wise,” the German stated.

Chelsea will host Ligue 1 aspect Lille within the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie on Tuesday earlier than taking up Liverpool within the League Cup remaining subsequent weekend.

“I do know that we are able to play higher, I do know that we wish to play higher,” Tuchel stated.

Reporting by William Schomberg, enhancing by Pritha Sarkar

Our Requirements: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.