Pre-season is giving Chelsea players an opportunity to prove themselves and take the ‘big, big chance’ that is being given by head coach Thomas Tuchel, who has set out his demands.
The Chelsea squad are currently on their pre-season tour of the United States as they begin preparing for the 2022/23 season.
With games against Charlotte FC and Arsenal to come this week, the Blues started off pre-season on the right foot as they defeated Club America 2-1 thanks to a wonderful winner from Mason Mount in Las Vegas.
Advert
Tuchel was impressed with the performance from his players, as he fielded two different sides for each half.
Speaking to Chelsea TV the head coach touched upon the tough test the players had faced so far this pre-season.
He said: “It’s very challenging. Changing the third time our time zone. Totally different feeling of temperature, very, very demanding, players are struggling with the heat.
Advert
“We give maybe more time, space, time to drink, more breaks. We cannot hide from the fact we are in pre-season and have to somehow put time in our legs. We don’t adapt!”
New signings Raheem Sterling and Kalidou Koulibaly will be getting used to life under Tuchel and while they did not feature against Club America they could make their first appearances in the match against Charlotte FC in North Carolina.
Touching on the two signings, he detailed: “We wanted these two players and we got these two players. This is fantastic. It’s exactly what we believe we need.”
Advert
While it is important the two additions impress, Tuchel is also hoping there are other players who can make the most of pre-season.
Speaking on the pre-season squad as a whole and the demands set, Tuchel added: “The big part of it is the players here are a nice group, open group, make it very easy to feel welcome and show your best level.
"It is not always like this, it makes the group special.
Advert
“This is why the youngsters and players like Michy Batshuayi, who feel new in the group, have a big, big chance.
"They are responsible for what they make out of it. Now they give 100 per cent. This is what we demand.”
While pre-season is a very short period of time, a lot will be decided from it, players will be fighting for their places in the squad, including those returning from loan, those who played last season and the new signings as well
With only two summer signings made by the Blues so far, spots are definitely up for grabs among other players in the side.
Topics: Chelsea, Thomas Tuchel
Sam Collins