Armando Broja

#PLStories- Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel says loan player Unique Broja doing well at Saints #CHELSEAFC #SAINTSFC

CHELSEA boss Thomas Tuchel insists now is not the time to discuss Armando Broja's future, as he continues to impress at Saints. The striker is currently enjoying a season-long loan at St Mary's, and is the club's top goalscorer this campaign with seven goals. That form has led to calls for Saints to try and make a permanent move for Broja either in this transfer window or in the summer. A report today in the Evening Standard claims Chelsea will let Saints know this week whether or not they will entertain bids for the striker this month. The suggestion is Saints would have to pay at least £20million to sign the Albania international, and accept a buy-back clause as part of the deal, as they did with Tino Livramento in the summer. Asked if Broja will get a chance back at Chelsea next season, Blues boss Tuchel said: "He is our player and he is doing good. But at the same time it is only half a season. "He needs to continue to improve and to make his statement at Southampton. "We have a reason why they are our players. They have quality, they have mentality and now they are out there on their own in different environments, different clubs and proving themselves. "Armando is getting better and better. "He is a very unique player with very unique strengths in his game - his speed and robustness. And he is a goalscorer. "First of all, now is not the moment to discuss about the summer. Now is the moment for him to stay calm and keep on improving." Speaking recently on the possibility of Broja extending his stay at Saints, Ralph Hasenhuttl said: “Martin (Semmens) is in close contact with Marina (Granovskaia) and they will definitely find the right words and the right conversations. “Everyone has their interests, this is normal in this business, but we must find a decision that is best for everybody. "We will find a solution that is hopefully the best for the player and also for us. There are various options that you can talk about. “The most important thing is that the player knows what he has to do. I think that he knows very clear what he has with us at this club and that he feels super good here, everyone knows that. “He knows Tino (Livramento), he knows Dynel (Simeu) from Chelsea, he gets on well with Will (Smallbone) and Nathan Tella, it’s a young group. “This isn't about money, it is about feeling comfortable and getting a good atmosphere to develop your game and to get better and better.” He continued: “There are a lot of talks to be had but Martin is on this and Broja should concentrate on this game. “It’s a job for us as a club but also his people around him. I know that his family is very keen that he is with us and they have absolutely confirmed that he should stay longer with us. “Then it’s also about Chelsea and what they want.” The Athletic today reported “most probable outcome” for the 20-year-old frontman is that he leaves Chelsea on a permanent transfer in the summer, or competes for a starting spot at Stamford Bridge, as opposed to heading out on loan again. Broja, who featured during pre-season for Chelsea, scoring in a win at Bournemouth, spent last season on loan at Vitesse Arnhem in Holland. Before joining Saints in the summer, the 20-year-old signed a new five-year deal at Chelsea.
Thomas Tuchel

#PLStories- Thomas Tuchel unhappy with consecutive fixtures for Chelsea #CHELSEAFC

Thomas Tuchel says Albion have been handed a “huge” advantage - after complaining about a Tuesday night trip to the Amex. The Chelsea boss delivered a series of moans about scheduling and injury risk after his side drew with the Seagulls almost three weeks ago. This time he has argued the sides should meet on Wednesday rather than Tuesday. He believes Albion are helped by the fact they played on Friday evening and his own team were in action on Saturday lunchtime, when they lost 1-0 at Manchester City. Tomorrow’s match was shifted from February 8, when Chelsea will be at the Club World Cup in Abu Dhabi. Chelsea and Albion do not play until Sunday this coming weekend, something which has not gone un-noticed in West London. Tuchel said: “It is very hard to understand. It’s nothing to do with City, but there are three away games in a row. WHY GRAHAM POTTER IS SO HAPPY AT BRIGHTON "Both Brighton and we have our next game on Sunday, so there was no need to have it on a Tuesday. “Actually, Brighton played on Friday so it makes a huge difference (in their favour) also. We have the schedule that we have.
Thomas Tuchel

#PLStories- Chelsea boss fumes with referees after being denied penalty against Brighton #CHELSEAFC #BHAFC

CHELSEA manager Thomas Tuchel has hit out at referee Mike Dean for denying Chelsea a “100 per cent penalty” and also a possible goal for Mason Mount against Albion. Tuchel felt Christian Pulisic was definitely fouled in the box after a challenge from Albion defender Joel Veltman in the second half, while Mount rolled the ball into the empty net only to see play brought back for a foul on the Dutchman. He told media after the game: “We have a 100 per cent penalty against Christian Pulisic, a 50-50 challenge from Mason Mount right before their equaliser. Antonio Rudiger was lucky not to be given a red card “Why does he even need to whistle before the ball is over the line? We have VAR to check. Is he so sure or does he want to keep the tension up? “And the penalty, it’s a joke, honestly it’s a joke not to intervene from VAR.” Albion proved full value for their draw amid a madcap encounter, with ex-Arsenal striker Welbeck popping up with the leveller with just his seventh touch having climbed off the bench. Albion manager Graham Potter did not think that Chelsea should have had a penalty. He said: “I’d have to see it back, live I didn’t think it was. I guess that’s why they’ve got VAR. “If it was 100 per cent I think it would be given, I didn’t think it was at the time but I was quite a way away to be honest.” However, Albion were equally denied by the referee as Antonio Rudiger arguably could have seen red for a two-footed challenge on Tariq Lamptey. There was also an elbow from Romelu Lukaku on Neal Maupay which left him with a visibly swore nose in the build-up to the Chelsea goal.