Chelsea Manager, Tuchel Raises Alarm over Schedule

Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel has called the Premier League schedule “not fair” and said his side “are struggling” after sustaining more injuries.

The Blues won 3-1 at Aston Villa yesterday, with Romelu Lukaku scoring a goal and winning a penalty in his first match back after a Covid-19 absence.

Chelsea had a request to have their 0-0 draw versus Wolves on 19 December rejected by the Premier League.

“It’s like it is – but this cannot be the right way,” said Tuchel.

While 15 top-flight matches have been postponed so far in December, Chelsea were playing their eighth game in all competitions in the month and have Brighton to come at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday.

Callum Hudson-Odoi and Lukaku have both missed games because of Covid-19, while forwards Kai Havertz and Timo Werner were still absent and defender Thiago Silva and midfielder N’Golo Kante picked up injuries in the win at Villa Park.

“It’s not fair,” added Tuchel. “We’ve all been in bed for 10 days and we play against teams who prepare with games postponed, and who prepare with one week for these matches.

“They make us play all the time, even if we have Covid. We have new injuries and it won’t stop. People at the green table, in offices, make these decisions.

“We are struggling, we’re pressing our players. I have maximum respect for what the players did. We do changes because of injuries. We don’t change for tactical reasons any more.”

Chelsea fought back from a goal down against Villa to win 3-1 thanks to two penalties from Jorginho and a goal from Lukaku.

The result leaves them six points behind leaders Manchester City at the halfway point of the season.

“I’m very impressed with my players but super concerned,” added Tuchel. “Maybe we made a big mistake letting players play after corona and one or two training sessions.

“But obviously they [the Premier League] made us play and so we play.”

Villa boss Steven Gerrard was absent for the game because of a positive Covid-19 test, while Crystal Palace manager Patrick Vieira also missed his side’s 3-0 loss at Tottenham for the same reason.

Southampton boss Ralph Hasenhuttl said his team will have to “make a miracle” to face Tottenham on Tuesday, scheduled just over 48 hours after their 3-2 victory over West Ham.

“We face a very strong side with two days’ rest and no chance for training. We have to have a good hand in picking the right players and hope that we do,” Hasenhuttl said.

“We have no time to prepare and we have to see who is fit, but this is what we have to do if you want something from the Premier League. We will fight again.”