Thomas Tuchel happy with Chelsea draw against Manchester United

According to Eurosport, Thomas Tuchel was relatively happy with his side’s draw against Manchester United. The Blues held to a 0-0 draw over United at Stamford Bridge as both sides failed to test each other in what was a very drab stalemate.

The draw ensured that Tuchel’s unbeaten run continued but with dropped points, the chasing pack are slowly closing in. However, Tuchel spoke out on the game and claimed that he was happy with how Chelsea put up with Manchester United.

“It was a high-quality game between two very strong teams. We suffered in the first half but overall it was an even game. In the second half, I thought we were really strong. I thought we were closer to winning it, but there was a lot of quality on the pitch. Performance-wise I’m satisfied. We defended very well in the last line and I’m very happy with that.”

The German tactician insisted that the team did not attack spaces as efficiently as he would have liked in the first period. However, he said he was happy to take a draw against Manchester United.

“We were not good enough in the first half to attack the spaces. We said at half-time not to worry. We changed to a 5-3-2 to have higher ball recoveries and to regain confidence, and the boys did that very well. We were very close to winning. We take what we got. I’m absolutely happy. Against a team like Man United you don’t get many chances.”

The talking point of the match was, however, a penalty call that required VAR intervention but Stuart Attwell deemed it to not be a penalty. Tuchel gave his say on the issue.

“How can this be a VAR intervention? The player in red plays the ball with the hand and then we are checking for a penalty? Why does the referee have to see this? I’ve seen it on the iPad, I don’t understand why the referee has to check it but I’m glad it was no penalty. That would make it even worse.”

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Chelsea will have another big test in the form of Liverpool. A vital clash by all means in the race for top-four, both sides are separated by just a point at 5th and 6th. A win there could go a long way in securing a coveted Champions League spot.

Thomas Tuchel reveals why Chelsea ace Timo Werner was benched against Manchester United

Speaking in an interview with Sky Sports (h/t Metro) before the game against Manchester United, Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel revealed that he decided to start Hakim Ziyech instead of Timo Werner because the German striker needed a breather.

The Blues started the game against the Red Devils with a few notable changes. Apart from Werner dropping out, Ben Chilwell started at left-back and N’Golo Kante started instead of Jorginho in midfield.

Playmaker Kai Havertz also made the bench after returning from injury, while Tammy Abraham was left out of the matchday squad. And Tuchel went on to reveal that the change up front was to give Werner a rest.

“It was the feeling to give Timo a little break, to have him from the bench, to have him again fresh also for the fixture against Liverpool.”

A much-needed rest

The former PSG manager explained that the German international needed a breather. He also implied that other players deserved a chance to start as well.

“He was also a bit tired. I felt he was a little bit tired after so many games in a row so I give him a rest and let the other guys perform who deserve that.”

Before the game against Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side, the ex-RB Leipzig striker had started in the last 5 Premier League games in a row. Werner. of course, came on with 12 minutes to go against United.

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He replaced Ziyech with the score still at 0-0, and that is how the game would go on to end. The draw means Chelsea are yet to lose under Thomas Tuchel, winning 4 and drawing 3 of his first 7 league games in charge.

Chelsea fans react as a goalless draw against Manchester United extends Tuchel’s unbeaten streak

Manchester United arrived at Stamford Bridge on Sunday with Chelsea on a great high under new manager Thomas Tuchel. The Blues hadn’t lost a single game since the former PSG manager took charge of the club.

And that run continued once the full-time whistle blew in London. The two giants of English football played out a goalless draw in a game where both sides looked more eager to avoid defeat than to win.

Chelsea made a few changes to the team for the game against Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side. Timo Werner dropped out for Hakim Ziyech, but later come on for the Moroccan with 12 minutes left on the clock.

Jorginho and Marcos Alonso were not in the starting XI, while Tammy Abraham did not even make the matchday squad. Nevertheless, the most intense moment of the game came in the first half.

Fans unhappy with performance

Blues winger Callum Hudson-Odoi looked like he handled the ball inside his own box. The incident, involving him and Mason Greenwood, was referred to VAR, but was not adjudged to be a penalty.

Chelsea threw on Christian Pulisic and Timo Werner during the second half but the game did not see a goal from either side. And fans seemed to be frustrated with the result despite the club extending their unbeaten run.

Others were critical of a number of individual performances. But largely, the wastefulness in the opposition box caused the most unrest while the defence was praised as they kept a clean sheet at the other end.

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Following the draw, Chelsea are a point below West Ham in fourth. Up next is another challenging fixture against Liverpool.

Chelsea want to offer a new contract to Thiago Silva

Italian journalist and transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has revealed that Chelsea are willing to keep Thiago Silva at Stamford Bridge for at least one more year by extending his contract.

The Blues defender was signed on a free transfer from Paris Saint-Germain last summer after he led his team to the UEFA Champions League final. He was initially offered a one-year deal at the club.

But that contract contains a clause whereby it can be extended by one more year. And, Chelsea are willing to activate it after the 36-year-old has impressed so far this season.

The talks are yet to begin but the club wants to open discussion with the player and his agent. Silva has appeared in 21 games for Chelsea in all competitions so far.

One more year for Silva?

The Brazil international has also held the captain’s armband on several occasions for the club. He is currently nursing an injury and would hence miss the game against Manchester United this Sunday.

Silva’s experience and leadership is visible on the pitch, and Chelsea look a far more secure side with him in the line-up. Chelsea have kept 9 league clean sheets out of the 17 games he has played in so far.

This is in stark contrast to the 2 clean sheets they have kept in the 8 Premier League games without him. It is, thus, no surprise that the club would want him to stay for a little longer. (h/t transfermarkt)

Silva has won trophies everywhere he has played and his winning mentality is just what the doctor would order for Chelsea. The veteran defender is still the captain of his international team, which shows his longevity.

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He would now be hoping to recover soon and spearhead Chelsea to a trophy this season.