Chelsea head coach Thomas Tuchel is refusing to accept any excuses ahead of the new season, demanding that his side win from the start.
The German has overseen a tough period in Chelsea’s history after the club were restricted under Roman Abramovich’s ownership due to the Russian’s sanctioning in the United Kingdom.
Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital’s consortium completed a takeover of the Blues and are hard at work looking to add to Tuchel’s squad this summer.
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With Raheem Sterling already joining from Manchester City, Chelsea have now shifted their attention to central defensive signings.
Both Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen departed the club in the summer, leaving Tuchel with a much needed rebuild on his hands.
With the team being in transition, the head coach revealed that he is not going to use this as an excuse to not win in the 2022/23 season.
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Speaking to The Guardian, when asked if his side are in a transitional period, he said: “Hopefully not.
“I don’t want to use it now to put everything already in perspective. I want to be ready when we play Everton (in the first game of the season).
"I want to win and I will demand it from myself, my team and all my players. The team will be strong.
“I am not ready to use it as an excuse even though it is maybe true that we are in transition.
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"We can, I can focus, I think the team can focus on what makes us strong and we can take it step by step and work out how to win games.”
Chelsea are still in the market for several players, with Kalidou Koulibaly set to join the club.
The Senegal international has completed his medical ahead of a move to Stamford Bridge and is now expected to fly out to Los Angeles to join his new teammates.
Tuchel will be hoping that the 31-year-old can settle in to the squad with ease, already knowing Jorginho and Edouard Mendy from their time together at Napoli and Senegal.
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Furthermore, Chelsea are linked with Sevilla defender Jules Kounde, who could be set for a move to the Blues after being heavily rumoured for years.
Chelsea will be hoping that whoever arrives in the transfer window can perform instantly as they look to close the gap to Manchester City and Liverpool in the Premier League table.
The Blues fell to defeat to Jurgen Klopp’s side in both domestic cup finals last season and will be out for revenge, with Tuchel not accepting any excuses for his side underperforming, even if they are undergoing a transitional period.
Topics: Chelsea, Thomas Tuchel, Football, Premier League
Nick Emms