Chelsea are preparing to host Brighton in the Premier League on Wednesday after having celebrated a 1-0 victory over Manchester City in the FA Cup semi-finals. The Blues will now face Leicester City in the FA Cup final on May 15.
Ahead of the game, the Blues head coach Thomas Tuchel has given a press conference, where he spoke out on European Super League, Jose Mourinho and more.
On European Super League
I've know since yesterday but I am here to be in the hardest competition, it's why I came here. To play the toughest competitions in Europe. As you know, I don't get around the subjects around us. I was hoping to talk about Man City and Brighton but it's not the case.
I am part of this club and I trust this club to make the right decisions. I think it's too early to judge everything and it's not my part. On my badge it says that everyone has to play their role. My role is to coach, be focused, and we've another game tomorrow.
On the reaction among players
There are a lot of comments, arguments and opinions out there and I don't want to get involved in it because I don't know the details. I've known the general details since yesterday. I trust my role.
I've not see the players today, we train later today. We wanted to give the players more recovery time after the game against Man City. The best thing is to stay calm and focus on our match which is maybe a little different than before.
On Jose Mourinho sacking
I am always a little bit surprised when it happens. We are all competitors and try to beat each other but in the end we hope a manager is in a good place to work. So when it happens, it never feels good as a manager. But it's not my job to comment but it is what it is.
Everyone fights hard for results and when a big decision comes, it was a surprised. I didn't see it coming but I wasn't focusing too much on their situation.
On Premier League results
It's better if our direct rivals don't win, yes. But we have to do what we can and influence. We have a crucial week coming up with Brighton and West Ham. So in all directions everything is possible. It's in our hands to make a huge step and we come from a very emotional and demanding week after games against Porto and Man City.
Today is the day to put the full focus on the Premier League and to hopefully take a huge step. It's a crucial week for us, there's no way I can deny this. We will be ready tomorrow.
On Tammy Abraham
We sometimes spend an hour after training trying to decide the team. Tammy has had these decisions a few time but it isn't personal. I hope he doesn't get lost in many thoughts and he knows from me that he doesn't have to be too concerned or have too many thoughts about his situation.
All he can do is stay focused, have belief, and for a striker the situation can change in minutes. I hope he isn't concerned about his future and the only thing he is focused on is his training.
It's my job to take these choices and sometimes they aren't far. Sometimes we have to find the mix for 18 players to find the right solutions in the game. So he has to keep his head up and trust himself.
On the reaction of the fans?
I clearly don't have the right to speak for the fans. Everyone is old enough to form their opinion, have the right to speak up, and support. Who am I to judge what the reaction would be from the fans tomorrow?
I am sad that we've got used to playing in empty stadiums. We play for our spectactors and our supporters. I wish they could be in the stadium tomorrow to support us. How can I judge what would be the reaction of the supporters, I simply don't know it.
I have trust in our club. Let's get some more details.
Chance of winning two trophies?
Right now we have nothing. We have qualified for the semi-finals and final but right now we have nothing. The truth is you have a title when you have your hands on it. Only when the referee blows the full-time whistle.
On team news, sympathy with Abraham?
I have a lot of sympathy for him and I understand if he's worried, sad or angry with me. What I appreciate with Tammy, and the others in the same situation, is the mentality and attitude he arrives with yesterday, today, the next day.
He never gets affected and that's the main point to be a top professional. And that's what we demand. If you sign up for Chelsea, in your dreams, he wants to be the number nine and start every game. It is a tough situation for him.
Players have to put their ego aside. This is what we demand. He gets a lot of credit from me because that's what he's doing. I can't be more proud of the reaction. Emerson, who hasn't played many games, is always playing with a smile. The reaction from Kepa is amazing.
I can demand this reaction but I know it's not easy. It's why we need to take care of players. We have a strong group and we have a lot of players and a lot of fixtures.
In terms of injuries, I expect Andreas to be back. He did a goot training session yesterday and I hope today. Thiago, it's different. It may be acute overload. He's not injured but we have to take care of his workload and see if he starts again. I hope it's only Kova who we have out with injury.
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