Thomas Tuchel recorded his first win against a Merseyside club on Saturday at Goodison Park as Chelsea earn a hard-fought 1-0 victory against Everton. Before Saturday’s match, the Blues had not recorded a win in their last seven games against Everton at Goodison Park.
Jorginho Penalty in the 45th minute plus of the first half after Ben Chilwell was brought down in the penalty box by Abdoulaye Doucoure was enough to earn Chelsea the needed three points.
The Chelsea player who rose to the occasion on Saturday at the Goodison Park against Everton was 37-year-old Thiago Silva who turns 38 years in September. Though not surprising to see Thiago Silva put on just an impressive Man of the Match performance but people still doubt if he is in need approaching 38 years old and looking at his fittest level.
Thomas Tuchel admitted after the game that the Brazilian international was the fittest player he has managed at his age.
What did Thomas Tuchel say about Thiago Silva?
Thomas told reporters after the game when asked if he has worked with a player so fit as Thiago Silva at his age, He said: “Maybe I never worked with a player in general that age, so he is the fittest one I’ve trained at that age. In general, all three of our players in the back three were in their thirties, the two number sixes are in their thirties, and we could see that we struggled a bit physically at the end of the match.
“We need to improve our physical level and we will improve. We can be confident we will improve and we are on it. Thiago is a key, key player in the middle of the defense right now but we need to move on the ball, not off the ball, to invest more physically with more runs. That will come with more training and more games.”
Thomas Tuchel reflected on their defeat to Everton last season and was happy Chelsea got the needed win.
Tuchel added: “It was a very tough fixture here last season and we made one mistake and that brought Everton a goal and then we could not score. Jordan Pickford was fantastic that day and when you drive home, you don’t know why it was necessary. Today it was the other way around.
“For us, it was important to get the opening goal. Everton defended very deep and if you play against the whole block with a lot of discipline and effort, it’s always difficult to find the chance. You need the one-on-ones, the quick accelerations, and full belief in your game.
“There are still things to improve but with a bit of luck, the right spirit, and passion, we managed to win, and to start with an away win was a fantastic result.”
Thiago Silva stat against Everton.
- 83 touches
- 62/71 passes completed
- 3/4 aerial duels won
- 3 interceptions
- 4 clearances
Chelsea’s next Premier League fixture will be against Tottenham at Stamford Bridge on Sunday 14 August.
