Thomas Tuchel admits it will be tough for Chelsea to compete with Manchester City and Liverpool
Speaking in an interview ahead of Chelsea’s last Premier League clash of the season as quoted by the Daily Mail, Thomas Tuchel has admitted that even with reinforcements, it will be very difficult for the Blues to reach the levels of Manchester City and Liverpool next season.
Chelsea have had a season to forget this time around finishing the season with just the UEFA Super Cup and the FIFA Club World Cup to their name. They lost the finals in both the Carabao Cup and FA Cup, got knocked out to Real Madrid in the quarter-finals of the Champions League and are going to finish a distant third in the Premier League.
After a surreal start to life in Chelsea for Tuchel after taking over from Frank Lampard midway through last season where he went on to win the Champions League, this season has been somewhat of a reality check for the German manager.
When asked of his team’s chances next season, Tuchel was brutally honest claiming that it could be a long time before the Blues reach the levels of Manchester City and Liverpool. Given the standards the latter two have set in recent seasons, the German’s admission is somewhat understandable.
“It is going to be very difficult because even if we keep the team and have maybe the chance to add one or two key players it would already be difficult. Maybe even very difficult. Still we are not sure if we play the same season again”
Tuchel’s comments are not meant to be a dig at any player but rather a reflection of the ground that we need to make up. The Bleus have shown promise in recent months but need to convert that into performances over a sustained period of time.
“The numbers we produce from our offensive players don’t allow us to overperform and we need over-performance if we want to be anywhere nearer to the top two teams. I am not pointing fingers, I am not blaming anybody”
Off field controversy?
This season started off fairly well for the Blues and all seemed to be smooth sailing till the Club World Cup win back in February. However, since then it has been rather underwhelming.
Whilst there is no denying the fact that the Blues did not play their best football this season, off-field controversies and injuries have surely not helped the cause. The noise surrounding the club’s ownership has taken the focus away from the actual football.
The Blues are on the verge of completing a takeover and a new era is about to embark on Stamford Bridge. The new owners will have a huge task on their hands and investing in the transfer window is probably the first priority for those who are coming in.
Tuchel might say that it is difficult to overcome the dominance of City and Liverpool but that’s exactly what the Blues fans will be hoping for next season, if not every season. With the correct reinforcements and correct mentality, it might not be long before the Blues reach the summit of English football.
More Chelsea News
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- Potential new owner Todd Boehly is set to receive the Premier League all-clear for Chelsea takeover
A huge, tricky two month period awaits the Blues. A lot of players are on their way out and they will have to be replaced initially and improvements will have to be made to the existing squad. How Chelsea goes about it remains to be seen.