Chelsea will host the Tottenham in the Premier League as Tuchel admits their London rival are ahead of the this season but admitsthe game could lift his team.
Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel has stated that the game against London rival Tottenham hotspurs came early this season but this could help lift the spirit of his team.
Chelsea will host Spurs Antonio Conte in the Premier League at the Stamford bridge later today following their victory over Everton in their opening game.
Tottenham seems to be a tough opponent this season following their recruitment in the transfer market this summer.
Spurs did a huge comeback against Southampton in their first game of the Premier League to win 4-1.
Speaking ahead of the game against Spurs with Chelsea media, Thomas Tuchel admits that the big game came early but this could help boost his team.
“I think coaches would prefer to play these games later but it’s very exciting at the same time because you feel the tension and the excitement. People will be excited to watch and follow, but in general we would like to have a bit more time, but we don’t,” Tuchel said.
“You don’t have time in football, so we need to be ready at the moment every week and very soon be ready twice a week to be competitive and live up to our own standards.
“They [Spurs] took advantage of the situation which is fair enough and which is what they do in this kind of league,” the German added.
“We try to find solutions to win this game and to be on our highest level. It can also help to have a big match like this very early, it lifts you up and gives you a push that is sometimes also needed.”
Tuchel’s Chelsea had an impressive record against Tottenham winning five from five across both the Premier League and Carabao Cup since arriving in January last year, without even conceding a goal.
It could be different this season following the type of squad Spurs have at hand and Tuchel believe that Conte’s men are ahead of them this season.
“They took advantage of their situation with a stable club, the ownership was clear and it’s clear that they reached Champions League and they took advantage to reinforce their squad very early, very direct and very straightforward,” he said.
“They had a calm pre-season, were on their system and the roles were clear, so it seems like they are a bit ahead of us from the start and out of the blocks, but it does not mean that you win the race just because you win the start.”
Meanwhile, Tuchel stated that the tean still need to be strenghten and also outlined the department that needs to be strenghtened but insists they need player of the club’s quality.
“We could strengthen our squad in depth in both areas [central defence and striker]. It is one thing to wish for it, another to see if it is possible. We are looking for top quality, personalities and characters that can compete on the highest level,” he said.
“We are calm and ambitious at the same time, and there are still some days to go until the end of the transfer period. Anything is possible until the end.”
There are severeal players that have been linked with the Blues but the Blues coach stated that the club will not panic buy as they want players that are of top quality.
“We will not panic and we will not try to sign players who we aren’t 100 per cent convinced by. All of our signings so far have helped us. It is a day-by-day business now, to coach the team and not lose your head as a coach about what could be.
“We are ambitious and we work hard to maybe strengthen our squad further, but we’re calm. All the energy goes into the group that is here [at Cobham]. We still have time.”
