EXCLUSIVE : Romelu Lukaku, new look Champions League, Lille and injury updates the focal points as Thomas Tuchel provide answers in his latest prematch press conference
Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel on Monday afternoon had his pre match press conference as Chelsea entertain visiting French champions, Lille at the Stamford Bridge stadium on Tuesday evening.
Thomas Tuchel of Chelsea during a press conference at Chelsea Training Ground on February 18, 2022 in Cobham, England. (Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images)
The German talked about a hot of topics including Romelu Lukaku’s struggles at the club, the Champions League new rule, the opponents Lille, injury updates amongst other topics.
"What can I do? I don't know. Now we have to deal with it. The data speaks a certain language, he was not involved, it's sometimes like this with strikers."
"It's not what we or Romelu wants, it's also not the time to laugh and make jokes about him. We will protect him."
"There is even history of strikers struggling at Chelsea. It's not the easiest of places for strikers, I don't know why it's like this. We demand a lot of our strikers in defending."
When asked whether the Belgian is suffering without Reece James and wing-backs, Tuchel replied,
"Maybe both. Every style changes with long-term injuries of players. We played majority of games with wing-backs. Two of the key wing-backs - Reece and Chilwell - got injured at peak level."
"They have a huge impact defensively and offensive. Regarding Romelu, offensively, penetration and delivery. We are not the only team where players have a huge impact, wing-backs are a crucial position to influence the game."
"But still we can also play and win with any player. This is our job, this is what we try when we have injuries. It's on us, me to adapt, to find solutions. Romelu will always be part of the solution."
Thomas Tuchel on team news ahead of the Champions League meeting with Lille, "Azpi looks much better than Callum. Callum did not train yesterday. Mason did a very good training session [individual], but will try to come back to team training today. He could be involved in the squad. Reece James is still out, Ben Chilwell still out."
"We don't manage so much in the moment, for us it's to keep on going to find the rhythm which we struggle. It's strange to have two Premier League matches in six matches."
Thomas Tuchel on the outstanding games in the league, "It's nicer and familiar to think into a competition, there are so many different levels of games. Some teams have three matches more, it's a bit strange to understand the situation that we are in, in the league."
"It's nice because we are in a lot of competitions, which is pour targets and shoes we are competitive. Now is the moment to be super focused on every match..."
"[We] don't worry about the big picture because it will make us look at a lot of different pictures and environments. We have to adapt. In terms of team management, we don't think ahead."
Asked about the scrapping of the away goal rule in the Champions League, Thomas Tuchel responds;
"When we were asked at the meeting, I was the majority to vote for this change of rule [no away goals] to make it more understandable. I liked it because it gave it an extra edge. But at the same time, I never understood why a 3-1 should be better than a 2-0."
Asked about the opponent, LOSC Lille:
"They are reasons why they do. They have a fanatastic coach and group of players. They were very competitive when I was in Paris. You could feel they are a strong and emotional club. Quality of players and coach was exceptional."
"You could feel they could have a chance to fight constantly for a a place in the Champions League. From there [Champions of Ligue 1], they lost players and coach so it's a huge change."
"If the change is so big, there is a possibility that it takes time for it to settle. We know how physical the French league is, fast and brave in one-on-one challenges, always a threat on counters, disciplined on the ball."
"They have the chance to play this game as underdogs, where they have nothing to lose. We respect the game, opponent, we will prepare the team like we always do."
"Hopefully we will find out best performance, which we usually do in cup and knockout matches."
"We want to be a physical and hard working group, not shy to make it a physical and not just skillful game. That may play a part. We have many games where we created many chances where we struggled in conversion."
"Now we struggle to create many big chances for our strikers. This is a normal period in a long season, so we are well aware. Like always, it's not always one reason, it's a complex sport, and we try to keep on playing with faith and belief in the team effort." He added.
Author: Kehinde Hassan Afolabi
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