Thomas Tuchel has opened up on Chelsea’s frustrations ahead of the club’s crucial clash with Tottenham this weekend.
Chelsea are without a win in four Premier League fixtures and have fallen 12 points behind league leaders Manchester City, the west Londoners beaten at the Etihad last weekend before a draw with Brighton in midweek.
Tuchel revealed he gave his squad additional rest following the draw with Brighton, as he bids to reinvigorate the dressing room following a frustrating run of form.
“We decided we would give the players two days off after Brighton to de-connect a little bit,” said the Blues boss at his pre-match press conference.
“The two days alone doesn’t solve everything. It was good to have, and after this Tottenham game we will have another chance to give the majority of the players another two days off, because we simply need it.”
“After the loss against City and the gap opened up, playing two days later on a Tuesday again, I could see and feel for myself and the team, some emotions took over, maybe frustration, disappointment and whatever and it was hard for us to reach our top level on this particular day.
“We did not expect in general that we would play an exciting match as [Brighton] is a strong opponent. It was the very first time so when it happens, we should not make a big deal out of it.”
Chelsea face Tottenham in a London derby clash at Stamford Bridge this weekend and defeat for the Blues could see Tuchel’s side dragged into the race for a top-four finish.
Spurs are fifth and eight points behind Chelsea, but have four games in hand on their capital rivals after a series of postponements earlier in the season.
Tuchel admits this weekend’s clash is a ‘big game’ and says his side’s current advantage is misleading given the games in hand of sides below.
“It’s a big game because of course we can do our mathematics,” said Tuchel. “But it’s strange to see the fixture and see teams competing for the same area of the table and having four games less.
“So this can lead to a wrong impression that you’re comfortably ahead when you are not.
“We have to make sure that this stays like this. The best chance is to win direct competitions against direct opponents.
“It’s a London derby, it’s a big rivalry. And now it’s the third time in a very short period of time.
“So they know what we do, and we know what they do.”
