Tuchel wary of team that can ‘hurt you in seconds’

CHELSEA MANAGER HIGHLIGHTS CITY’S FLUIDITY IN ATTACK

At their top level, Leicester City are a dangerous team to everybody

CHELSEA manager Thomas Tuchel is wary of a Leicester City side that can “hurt you in seconds” ahead of the clubs’ meeting at Stamford Bridge tonight.

Tuchel believes City have had a “very up and down season” but have rediscovered their form ahead of the game. Brendan Rodgers’ men have won six points and scored eight goals in their last two outings.

With Arsenal’s defeat to Newcastle on Monday night confirming Chelsea’s place in the Champions League for next season, there is nothing outstanding on the line for either club on Thursday. However, Tuchel is not losing sight of the challenge awaiting his team.

The German manager said at his press conference on Wednesday: “I am not sure I like the term open game so much but they have found their form back and score a lot lately. They had a very up and down season but at their top level, they are a dangerous team to everybody. They can hurt you in seconds with quality, speed, their mindset and fluidity in attack.

“We will prepare for the very best version of Leicester and we will need the very best version of us to be competitive. I don’t want to predict the game because I don’t know what’s coming. Let’s be open for everything. Hopefully we find answers.”

The game is a repeat of last season, when Chelsea and City faced each other in the penultimate game of the campaign at Stamford Bridge in the midweek before the finale, the

Blues winning 2-1.

Back then, it came just a few days after City had triumphed in the FA Cup over Chelsea, and Tuchel’s side again face Leicester having lost the showpiece, missing out on penalties to Liverpool at the weekend.

Tuchel said: “I feel different levels of disappointment after matches and after finals, losses in general. Everybody was very disappointed and sad at the same time. We again had the feeling we left everything out there so there is a different level of disappointment.

“Of course, we were so close.

Arguably, we deserve more in these two finals but Liverpool deserved it as well. We had no regrets again. I think this is a level of disappointment, a level of loss that we can get over quickly and continue because you are okay with yourself.

“That is what we demand of ourselves, of them. Let’s see for tomorrow. Yesterday’s training was good, with an atmosphere we want. We had two days off to digest it. We absolutely want to be ready tomorrow.”

Thomas Tuchel, pictured