Soccer

Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel describes Man City and Liverpool as Premier League's best ever


Thomas Tuchel describes Man City and Liverpool as ‘maybe the best to EVER play’ in the Premier League and says Chelsea ‘shouldn’t lose sleep’ over third-place finish given takeover uncertainty as German vows to return with ‘positive energy’ next season

  • Chelsea are likely to finish the Premier League season sitting in third position
  • They will end up a considerable distance between Man City and Liverpool
  • But Blues boss Thomas Tuchel says he ‘won’t lose sleep’ over the points gap
  • Their season was plunged into uncertainty by Roman Abramovich sanctions 
  • Tuchel says he will be back for next season powered up for another title push 

Thomas Tuchel has described Manchester City and Liverpool as ‘maybe the best teams to ever play’ in the Premier League but is pleased with Chelsea‘s progress this season.

The Blues will likely finish third in the final standings, albeit some way behind the two title challengers, but Tuchel expressed satisfaction given the sanctions imposed on the club as owner Roman Abramovich was ousted.

In addition to qualification for next season’s Champions League, Chelsea have reached both the Carabao Cup and FA Cup finals – losing both on penalties to Liverpool – and won the FIFA Club World Cup and the UEFA Super Cup.

Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel has described title challengers Manchester City and Liverpool as two of the 'best ever' teams in the Premier League

Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel has described title challengers Manchester City and Liverpool as two of the ‘best ever’ teams in the Premier League

Liverpool and Manchester City have set the standard for everyone to exceed this season

Liverpool and Manchester City have set the standard for everyone to exceed this season

Chelsea are likely to finish third in the Premier League given their extra game on Tottenham

Chelsea are likely to finish third in the Premier League given their extra game on Tottenham

But a cloud of uncertainty continues to hang over Stamford Bridge even if a £4.25billion takeover by American investor Todd Boehly and his consortium is inching closer to completion.

Asked to offer his assessment of Chelsea’s season ahead of their final two league fixtures against Leicester City and Watford, Tuchel said: ‘Hopefully we manage to come third and there is progression in it.

‘We have constantly been in the top three in the toughest league, we now compete with maybe the best teams to ever play in his league [City and Liverpool].

‘From there we go, put it into perspective and there is no need to lose sleep after this season but there is a lot of ambition in us that is not satisfied.

‘I think it is good to admit it, not to be too worried it that we don’t do this.

Chelsea are hopeful Todd Boehly's takeover will go through soon to remove the uncertainty

Chelsea are hopeful Todd Boehly’s takeover will go through soon to remove the uncertainty

Roman Abramovich gave up control of Chelsea under sanction after Russia invaded Ukraine

Roman Abramovich gave up control of Chelsea under sanction after Russia invaded Ukraine

‘It is at some level okay, maybe some level very good but there is always room for improvement. We will not relax and give in too early.’

After Tuchel led Chelsea to Champions League glory last season, they were fancied by many to mount a title challenge this time around, especially after the club record £98million signing of striker Romelu Lukaku.

They started very brightly, losing just once in their opening 14 Premier League games to top the standings at the beginning of December.

But as injuries and Covid issues piled up, not to mention Lukaku’s unhelpful criticism in a December television interview, Chelsea started to drop too many points and allowed City and Liverpool to pull away.

The Blues were eliminated from the Champions League at the quarter-final stage by Real Madrid but only after mounting a stunning second leg fightback.

Chelsea's players react after losing the penalty shoot out to Liverpool in the FA Cup final

Chelsea’s players react after losing the penalty shoot out to Liverpool in the FA Cup final

Looking ahead to next season, Tuchel added: ‘I don’t know where we are from day one. What I can promise is that I will be here – if I can promise that – and I will be here with full energy and positive energy no matter what.

‘We will still work for Chelsea and I refuse to think of negative scenarios. We will be competitive, on which level we will see.

‘On how the delay [completing the takeover] and sanctions will affect us, there is a risk.

‘It will be very difficult to make up for the disadvantage, given the situation of the other two teams: City and Liverpool, who are already improving their squads and set one benchmark after another in all aspects of the game.’





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