Thomas Tuchel, Chelsea’s head coach, has dismissed the belief that Chelsea must sign a new striker or midfielder before the transfer window closes.
The Blues’ discouraging 3-0 loss to Leeds at Elland Road after three games pushed Tuchel’s squad into the lower half of the Premier League table.
Raheem Sterling and Mason Mount were used by Tuchel on the flanks, with Kai Havertz acting as Chelsea’s false nine in an attacking three formation. However, they struggled miserably and were unable to find back of the net against Leeds.
When asked if the result of the match against Leeds proved the need for reinforcement in the forward lines, Tuchel answered, “No, no.”
Conor Gallagher, making his first Chelsea start, partnered Jorginho in the middle of the field during the dreadful loss, but both the Italian and the Englishman struggled and were eventually taken off by Tuchel.
Thomas Tuchel played a pivot of Jorginho and Gallagher against Arsenal during preseason and we conceded 4 goals
He played the same pivot today and we conced 3 goals
When will he learn?
— Chelsea Babe?? (@Boitumelo_MB) August 21, 2022
Tuchel said that his club has enough players in the middle when asked if the Blues will try to increase the depth of their midfield before the transfer window closed.
? “Another midfielder? We have Jorginho, N’Golo Kante, we have Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Conor Gallagher, Mateo Kovacic. They [Kovacic and Kante] are injured, yes, it’s a problem. But they will come back. They’ve not disappeared.” – Tuchel said.
Thomas Tuchel on needing another midfielder:
"Another midfielder? We have Jorginho, N’Golo Kante, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Conor Gallagher, Mateo Kovacic. They’re [Kante and Kovacic] injured, yes, it’s a problem. But they will come back. They’ve not disappeared.”
[via @AdamNewson]
— Absolute Chelsea (@AbsoluteChelsea) August 21, 2022
At some point in the second half, Leeds had traveled 11 kilometres more than Chelsea. Tuchel, though, shrugged off the idea that the Blues’ effort fell short of that of their hosts.
“We scored an own goal and gave an awfully cheap set-piece away and conceded from it,” added the German. This has nothing to do with pressing, running less kilometres, nothing to do with the style of Leeds. We should not confuse these things. We were able to cope with the style, able to be the better team, able to be one or two goals ahead, but we give an own goal away and the set-piece has nothing to do with anything.” – he said.
The Chelsea manager added that;
“From there it’s 2-0 and the belief for Leeds is on top level and our body language, even in the ten minutes before, was not what it was like in the last match.”