And I think a good bit of that is on Tuchel. He came in and had like 4 months with the team before the season ended. After evaluating the team, he decided that Lukaku was who they really needed. I get that he wants more this window, but Sterling to me is a marginal improvement over Pulisic and Werner at best. It’s hard to believe that their attacking woes are going to be fixed by a guy who has never been considered to be a great finisher. I think it’s much more likely that Chelsea’s lack of talent and identity bring Sterling’s production down than it is that he sorts out their issues.
Midfield play sucked big time. They weren't checking to the ball when held by the defenders. They were absolutely miserable re moving the ball out of the back. They seemed to have no clue whatsoever about how to deal with Arsenal's press, which was pretty good. If the defenders can't get the ball to the midfield, all hope is lost. I place most of the blame on the midfielders and the lack of a field general, this absence having been a major problem for Chelsea for the last few years.
I'd like to see Pulisic go back to being more direct and proactive...There were a few times where he was passed the ball with plenty of time to turn around and at least look for a forward pass but instead kept choosing a back pass. I dont recall him attempting to take on anyone last night...Maybe the injuries are still having a psychological effect on him but I think it's time for him to play with much more urgency... This is a crucial year for him. Last night was a chance for him to solidify an opening day starting spot and move up the depth chart but he was super anonymous.
Looks like it's going to be a fun season. Tuchel on lack of goal threat: "We have the same issues because we have the same players." #CFC— Adam Newson (@AdamNewson) July 24, 2022
I suspect we underestimate how much of this is dictated by the system they're playing. It emphasizes possession.
A quick look at the Chelsea forums shows that supporters are more concerned by Tuchel's comments at the press conference than by the game itself (except for the fact that they lost by so much to Arsenal). From a neutral's perspective, the press conference is pretty damning of where the team stands right now. Whatever happens next, it's worth assuming that none of this has to do with Pulisic as a player - even if the outcome puts him a worse playing situation. Have to wonder if Tuchel has lost control of at least some portion of the dressing room.
Tuchel will be gone by Christmas. And potential employers will notice and remember this stuff. He has not accomplished nearly enough to act this way.
He’d make a great television pundit. I think he is very bright and understands the game very well, but lacks the leadership ability (particularly people skills and decision making) that separates him from the best managers.
There are maybe five managers in the world that would not have been thrilled to swap players with him over the past year. The new ownership made a big, expensive mistake not hiring one of those managers that would have been happy to work with this very expensive roster.
we have the same issues because we have the same coach. wow that quote says so much. have fun with the mess Boehly.
you have to be an idiot at this point with Tuchel to not remember how it ended at Dortmund and PSG (and with his marriage - just sayin) .... seems like Chelsea could be his third strike. It is always the same - his arrogance knows no bounds. He is becoming like Jose w/o the sarcastic humor and banter with the press. Listening to the post game player interview with Jesus highlighted how happy and welcomed he feels at Arsenal. Arteta seems like he has a group of men headed the right direction and not the toothless squad Chelsea have become.
Yeah. That is a brutal quote. Things could go south quickly. There has been a lot of rumblings over TT’s reign that the players don’t like him but I can’t imagine anyone in the locker room ignoring this.
I've never seen a coach/manager throw his team under the bus during preseason. Preseason is when you can change system/tactics around what you have and develop your plan. Tuchel, since he pointed out so many players want to leave, should perhaps ask why that is. Many of these players he won UCL with two years ago. Seems to me going off his history, his shelf life is about 2 years. Players initially buy in. Then they tire of him. Play suffers. Players want out and Tuchel leaves himself with the only options being him being replaced or needing a new round of players he hasn't pissed off yet. The attacking acumen of this squad is dire. It's slow. It's lateral. It is never in transition. People saying it's preseason miss the point. It ain't about the result. It's about the reality we should see the foundation of changes/tactics for what the plan is. And what I see the most of is players across the board being tired of a negative system they don't believe in.
I don't know where else to post these Qs, so I'll just post here: Are the broadcasters who work the EPL games on NBC Sports/Peacock employees of NBC? Or does NBC merely air the Sky Sports feed (so the broadcasters work for Sky...)? I could swear I've heard Martin Tyler on the Monday games...so why doesn't he work more games?
I heard a conversation with a pro-Chelsea pundit named Darren Lewis (apparently a sports writer from the Daily Mirror) this morning on SiriusXM FC. He was adamant about how poor Chelsea were last night and placed the blame squarely on Todd Boehly, the new primary owner who has placed himself in charge of the player hiring and releasing. Lewis was actually quite p-o'd, saying the recruiting has been poor, Boehly doesn't know the business, and there were a number of players who do not want to be at Chelsea this season, but cannot leave. He did not give a number, but mentioned several names. Among them were Azpilicueta, Ziyech and Pulisic. The first two have been expected to depart, but haven't and nobody seems to know why. There have been frequent rumors about CP, of course, but this was the first time I have read or heard something definitive, as in (to paraphrase), "Pulisic wants to go to a team that will give him more playing time." Werner was also mentioned as wanting more playing time. Take all with a transfer window's worth of salt grains.
Will Tuchel ever realize that more players wanting to leave Chelsea than come to Chelsea is an indictment of him? He keeps mentioning the sanctions but the only thing the sanctions did was keep them from renegotiating contracts for a few months in spring. I’ve heard a few players, like Pulisic, say they want to play for Chelsea, but I haven’t heard anyone say they want to play for Tuchel.
He reminds me a bit of Mourinho. After a couple of seasons of him folks just seem to have enough. Guys that controlling and intense have a short shelf life. I love Conte but after this season I expect the same to happen at Spurs.
I was just thinking about that comparison. Pretty spot on. I am also wondering if TT wants to move on because that was a scorched earth quote. Talk about burning bridges with your players. These are the same offensive players that helped win a CL title. I really am having a hard time wrapping my head around it. One of the worst quotes I have ever heard from a manager.
Tuchel is definitely one of the best managers in the world, though his issue is more that players burn out when it comes to him and his style/methods over time.
I’m not quite sure how it’s Boehly‘s fault. He came in under less than ideal circumstances and they’ve brought in two players already with others in the works. And him being in charge of the recruiting is only temporary till they find someone long term anyways. Azpilicueta and Ziyech seem like they won’t be there anyways, but I imagine Chelsea is more focused on incoming players first.
I don’t think you can be a good manager and have your players turn on you like that. He can be a good assistant, maybe. Pundit, probably. Coach, possibly. But manager? Nope.