TUCHEL’S EYES ON THE PRIZE
CHELSEA BOSS REFUSES TO BE DISTRACTED BY ARRIVAL OF LUKAKU AS HE TARGETS MORE EURO GLORY
GIVEN his status as one of Europe’s leading goal-getters, the proposed club record fee and the transformative impact he could have on Chelsea, the subject of Romelu Lukaku would have been an expected one for Thomas Tuchel.
There was a straight bat from the German when asked about the imminent £98million deal ahead of tonight’s UEFA Super Cup clash with Villarreal, though he had spoken glowingly about the Inter Milan striker earlier.
‘I’m absolutely not in a position to announce anything and I will refuse to talk about it because we are in a press conference before a European final,’ he said. ‘It’s clearly not the moment for personal discussions of our squad.’
Antonio Rudiger was also keen not to say too much about ‘someone who is not a Chelsea player’.
But having faced his future teammate as an opponent, the centre back said: ‘He is a top-class striker and obviously someone who loves to score goals.
‘He is very strong and he showed that in Italy in the past two years. He has done very well over there and also for his national team.’
Tuchel’s preference was to discuss the squad he has now and what they have to achieve before Lukaku returns to Stamford Bridge. Namely, winning the UEFA Super Cup for the second time when they face Europa League winners Villarreal in Belfast.
While the real stuff starts against Crystal Palace on Saturday, Tuchel was firm in how he will approach this match — with some of his stars, including Thiago Silva, Jorginho and Mason Mount, yet to feature in the Blues’ pre-season following the Euros.
‘It’s a competitive match,’ he said. ‘It’s not only about sharing minutes, it’s about the first title that we want to win.’
Winning the Champions League has given Tuchel’s group a taste of victory they want to sample again, as soon as possible.
Midfielder Mateo Kovacic said: ‘Chelsea are used to competing for trophies every year and this young team have shown that we can achieve great things.
‘We’re not going to stop there. We are hungry for titles and we need to compete for our first of the season.’
Chelsea’s clear upturn in form following Tuchel’s January arrival, capped by their Champions League triumph, has raised expectations of what they might be capable of this season.
‘It doesn’t feel like pressure because this is what we demand of ourselves,’ said Tuchel (right). ‘I demand to get better every day and be the best coach I can be.
‘I want to lead by example, to come into Cobham with energy, ready to continue the journey together. It has just started and hopefully it will be a long journey.
‘Does anybody have a recipe of how to do better after a Champions League victory? I don’t know. The courage now is to face the challenges, step up and keep on demanding.
‘We have to rebuild the same spirit that put us in the position to get these results. There are a lot of different tasks to fulfil and the most important is that we don’t lose sight by thinking too much about pressure and expectations.’
Managing all of his players — which he totalled at 42, including returning loanees — during preseason was initially a little complicated for Tuchel. In time, and with his thoughts expressed to the board, he hopes to be left with just the ones he needs. As well as one or two additions, like Lukaku, who can keep the competition in his squad at a level healthy enough to push Chelsea towards more silverware.
‘It is about what someone can bring to the group without disturbing them,’ Tuchel said.
‘At the same time keeping people on their toes, so they aren’t in the comfort zone. That stops people reaching their top level.
‘It’s about keeping everybody on the front foot and in a bit of a state of insecurity where everybody really has to fight for their place.’