Thomas Tuchel insists Chelsea’s players need time off after Tuesday’s draw with Brighton.
The Blues laboured in the 1-1 draw which saw Adam Webster equalise for Brighton in the second-half.
It was Chelsea’s seventh game in 21 games across all competitions and Tuchel says his players have had enough.
He told BT Sport: “We looked tired and we are. It’s like this. We knew they were well prepared, had more time to prepare and you saw at the end that the stadium celebrated like it was a victory. That is what you face. We tried everything but you could see we were mentally and physically tired.
“We need some days off. The boys need some days off there is no other solution.
“I did not see many teams control Brighton over 90 minutes. They play brave and bring people to your box to create chances.
“Of course if you can take a half-chance for a second goal you can go out and win and this is what we normally would be up to. At the moment it is difficult to be too harsh on our players as I know what is going on.”
Thomas Tuchel also claimed that had no problems with Hakim Ziyech’s subdued celebration against Brighton on Tuesday.
The Moroccan opened the scoring for Chelsea after 28 minutes, but Brighton fought back to clinch a 1-1 draw.
Speaking to BT Sport after the match, Tuchel said of Ziyech: “I am happy. He can score 20 more and not celebrate I have no problem.
“It is normal that they talk, are not happy and don’t like it if we say we want more from them.
“Even in the reaction for the goal you can see they are tired. It is relief. That is my feeling of the team just now.”
The result sees Chelsea sit 12 points behind league leaders Manchester City, who have a game in hand.
