Thomas Tuchel insists he is not getting carried away with Chelsea’s early season form and says the club’s season is ‘a marathon’.
Chelsea are top of the Premier League following a strong start to the campaign, the west Londoners having conceded just four goals from their opening 12 league fixtures of the season.
The European champions are also through to the Champions League’s last 16 as the Blues look to defend their title, though Tuchel is refusing to get carried away with their impressive start to the campaign.
The German has warned his side that the season is still in its early stages, but is hopeful Chelsea can remain in the hunt to be crowned Premier League champions this season.
“It’s a marathon, it’s not finished,” he said at his pre-match press conference.
“We started this race as the hunters and before the race is finished we will be the hunters. If we can stay the whole race ahead of those competing for the win, this is what we work and dream for. This is what we are determined for, why we come every day at Cobham with all our energy.
50 – This was Thomas Tuchel’s 50th match in charge of Chelsea in all competitions, and 32nd win (D11 L7). The Blues have kept 31 clean sheets in those 50 games, more than any other side in Europe’s big-five leagues in this period, conceding just 24 goals. Elite. pic.twitter.com/yZg0FmizK7
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) November 23, 2021
“There is still a long way to go and the road does not shift. Man City and Liverpool showed us what is needed to be consistently at the highest level and we need to do it.”
Tuchel celebrated 50 games in charge of Chelsea during the midweek win over Juventus, a period which has included 35 wins, 31 clean sheets, and both Champions League and UEFA Super Cup success.
The 48-year-old was asked whether he imagined his start at Chelsea going so well, admitting his first 50 fixtures in charge have represented a ‘fantastic journey’ at Stamford Bridge to date.
“No [I didn’t expect it to go so well], but maybe that’s a good thing,” he said. “We had no time to get carried away. It was very difficult to imagine things like this because the decision was a quick one and then we were eight points behind Liverpool.
“I was very surprised it’s already 50 games, it did not feel like 50. Time went by so quickly and it was a fantastic journey so far. I hope I make more packages of 50 that I can add to.”
