Here’s everything you need to know broken down for you from Thomas Tuchel’s post match press conference as the Blues beat Middlesborough to progress to the semi-finals of the FA Cup.
On the performance as the Blues progress to the Semi-Finals of the FA Cup :
“We were very focused, very serious from the beginning. Showed the quality in the decisive moments and scored two early goals to give us a comfortable leads. The effort was huge, never let Middlesbrough get a foot back. I’m very happy, it was a deserved win. We come from a period with a lot of matches in a short period of time. Full credit for the team. I’m very happy
We saw that they are brave, we saw their strengths and structure, they push up high. We adapted to that and decided to play a 4-1 in the build up, not our usual 3-2 shape. It’s impressive because the guys, it’s one thing to play according to plan, fulfil discipline and fulfil plan.
I’m super happy. We were very focused. We didn’t allow chances and were excellent against the ball. We defended and attacked as a team. On the ball, we were calm and controlled the match. We managed to find the gaps to find the high press, to create fast attacks, and control the match.”
On Kepa and Jorginho absences :
“Kepa is will and we gave Jorgi the chance to have a pause. I decided to give him a break.”
On the Chelsea fans :
“The players showed a very impressive attitude and spirit and it’s what we want. I demand it of myself and the players. They have huge talent and that comes with huge responsibility. They do it also for the fans and the people at Chelsea not in the spotlight. They also do it as a team. They are a special group of players at a special club.”
On what’s gone so well in recent weeks :
“We lacked luck [earlier in the season] and in the last 12 matches we didn’t always produce super good performances. We were lucky to escape in some matches, like Crystal Palace. It is sometimes like this. We struggled in December when the gap opened up to City and Liverpool with injuries and Corona. We arrived with 14 players at Wolves, when corona hit players and had to isolate for 10/12 days. The attitude was always there and at a high level. In a season, it’s like this.”
On Reece James call up :
The recommendation is that he does not go. He needs one more week of individual rehabilitation and it’s not the job of the national team to do this.
On Plans for the break :
“The players will recharge and disconnect from football because they deserve and I think it’s very important they have this chance to have a fresh mindset for the rest of the season. For the guys on international duty, I hope they have the success they want and come back not injured.”
