Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel provided a number of transfer updates surrounding his squad on Sunday afternoon. It comes after the Blues suffered a huge 3-0 defeat at the hands of Leeds United at Elland Road, leaving them on four points from a possible nine so far. According to Fabrizio Romano, the Blues have agreed personal terms with the Frenchman on a six-year deal but are yet to make another official bid at this stage. When pressed upon further backline transfers following the loss of Kalidou Koulibaly with a red card,
Thomas Tuchel said: “I don’t know. We need to wait. The transfer period is still open. It gets later and later, and we need to focus on what we have and what we can do. We can obviously play at a high level, but we lost track when there was no need. We were not forced to lose track. Everything was going well. We can win with this team in Leeds, everything was going well, and we had goalscoring opportunities. It went the other way, and I think it was more our fault than anyone else’s credit.”
Another issue for the manager to consider is depth in the midfield. A number of injuries have plagued the central ranks and has left them short of options early in the season. When asked about the possibility of further midfielders joining,
Thomas Tuchel said: “Another midfielder? We have Jorginho, N’Golo Kante, we have Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Conor Gallagher, Mateo Kovacic….”
It was then added that both N’Golo Kante and Mateo Kovacic are suffering with injuries at this current moment,
Thomas Tuchel replied: “They’re injured, yes, it’s a problem. But they will come back. They’ve not disappeared.”
With the days ticking down in the transfer window, it remains to be seen exactly how much business the Blues can get done before it shuts. Also, Thomas Tuchel has been charged by the FA for his comments about referee Anthony Taylor following the 2-2 draw against Tottenham Hotspur. Tuchel was left outraged by Taylor’s performance over a week ago. Two decisions went against the Blues that led to Spurs equalising on two separate occasions – neither of which were overturned by Mike Dean and VAR. After the game, Tuchel did not hide his frustration.
Thomas Tuchel said: “Not only the fans [who have an issue with Taylor]. You know the players, they know what’s going on when they are on the pitch. They know it. Maybe it would be better [if Taylor didn’t referee Chelsea games again]. But honestly, we also have VAR to help make the right decision. Since when can players be pulled by hair? Since when is that [not a foul]? If he does not see it, I do not blame him. I didn’t see it. But we have people at VAR who check this. Then you see it, and how can this not be a free kick and a red card? This doesn’t even had to do with the referee in this case. If he does not see something, that’s why we have people to check if there is a decisive error going on.”
The FA today confirmed that Tuchel has been charged with questioning the integrity of a match official and bringing the game into disrepute.
FA statement read: “Thomas Tuchel has been charged with a breach of FA Rule E3 in relation to comments that he made after Chelsea FC’s Premier League match against Tottenham Hotspur FC on Sunday 14 August 2022. It is alleged that the manager’s comments in his post-match press conference constitute improper conduct as contrary to FA Rule E3.1 they imply bias and/or question the integrity of the match referee, and/or bring the game into disrepute. Thomas Tuchel has until Thursday, 25 August 2022, to provide a response to this charge.”
The fresh charge is the second the German has received following the draw with Spurs, following a £35,000 fine and a – currently suspended – one-game touchline ban. Tuchel was in the dugout to witness his team suffer a 3-0 defeat at Leeds United, but it remains unclear whether the suspended ban will continue for Leicester City’s trip to Stamford Bridge. Brendan Rodgers’ men travel to the capital on Saturday afternoon (3pm), looking to earn their first win of the season.
