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https://www.chelseafc.com/en/news/2021/12/21/tuchel--our-problems-will-increase

Tuchel: Our problems will increase

21 Dec 2021


Thomas Tuchel believes his squad options can only get worse with every
game as he faces another fixture with severely depleted ranks due to Covid
and injury, admitting it may force him to protect his players by fielding
an inexperienced side against Brentford.


https://i.imgur.com/qUpOU4K.jpg


The toll the recent outbreak of Covid has taken within the Chelsea squad
was clear in our 0-0 draw at Wolverhampton Wanderers on Sunday, when the
Blues arrived with only 14 outfield players available for selection, three
of whom had been rushed back from injury earlier than Tuchel felt was
safe, as well as two players going off with injuries during the match.


That means our head coach is once again expecting to make the short trip
to Brentford on Wednesday evening for our Carabao Cup tie with a
drastically reduced squad, pointing out that the need to throw people
straight into the team after injury and inability to rest players when
fatigued means he is concerned for the health of players he does have at
his disposal, as well as those suffering from Covid – concerns that are
only going to grow as the situation continues.


'First of all it's 10 days out, it's not like having little injuries or a
little concern and you're out for one match,' explained Tuchel about the
problems caused by players being absent with Covid. 'The players are out
for 10 days and in these 10 days we have three matches and the problem is
still there.


'Our squad is a very strong squad but it's not the biggest squad and when
we miss nine players we have a problem. To have a team with 13 or 14
players, you can handle these situations for one match, we can do it and
we can fight, but then the problem is still there.


https://i.imgur.com/2cdHxhN.jpg


'We did it at Wolverhampton but we took huge risks with some of those
players and now we are paying for it. They cannot start three matches in
one week, it's simply not possible. So the problem will increase, the
situation will increase, and we cannot let players suffer because other
players are not there.


'So at some point it will catch us and it will backfire on us. It's a
given even if we try hard not to accept it. We will keep trying not to
accept it and we will fight against all odds and this is what we will do
tomorrow.'


While Tuchel insists his instincts – and those of his players – is to
fight to win every match in every competition, the current situation is
forcing him to reconsider his priorities. Having included a number of
Academy players in his training sessions over the last couple of days, he
confirmed he may need to play an inexperienced team at Brentford to
protect his senior squad members and keep them available for the games
which come after.


'We are just disappointed that we don't have the players to fulfil our
goals and to play competitive football on the highest level,' he
continued.


https://i.imgur.com/0QvqDBJ.jpg
Players from our Acdemy have joined Tuchel's training sessions ahead of
Brentford


'We are so competitive, that's why we work here. The players are so
competitive, that's why they signed for Chelsea, that's what made them
Chelsea players. So we are fighting for every competition and I absolutely
don't like judging the importance of games. This is totally against our
nature but maybe we are forced to do it and this makes me sad, because
this is not what sport is about and it is not what we are all about.


'But it could happen that tomorrow we prioritise the health, not the game
against Aston Villa, and do not take any risk for some of our players. We
have to protect our players and protect their health and that's why we
brought in the Academy. It's no secret and we think about playing with
them.'


However, the German conceded that even he can't be sure of what his plans
will be for the game against Brentford, as the daily wait to find out if
he has lost any more players to Covid makes it difficult to know who he
has available for the next training session, let alone matches.


'It is like a lottery. Every day we do flow tests, we do PCR tests, and
only then you are allowed to be in the building. So this is the first
lottery, you go to work but you don't know if you can actually make it to
your office. Which is good, because then it is safe at least for this day
and then the next day you get tested again, but you never know who else is
going to test positive and be out, which is the second lottery.


'We planned now with a squad and we had some plans with Lewis Baker from
the Academy and now he tested positive, so then we start from scratch, and
this is what we do now. Right now we prepare for the match to be played,
but even to plan training is pretty exciting because until the very last
hour you don't know how many players will arrive.'

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When it comes to a crisis, still keep on running.

You believe in power. It's mental power.


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