Chelsea lost 5-3 on penalties to Charlotte FC at Bank of Ghana in the early hours of Thursday. Christian Pulisic gave the visitors the lead in the 30th minute of the first half.
The MLS club found their way back in the game in the 90th minute through Daniel Rios’s Penalty after Trevoh Chalobah had handled the ball in his penalty box. The blues lost the game through a Penalty shot out after Conor Gallagher failed Panenka penalty.
Thomas Tuchel seems not happy with the output of his attackers and offensive players claiming they lacked precision and their final decision-making in the opponent box was lacking.
However, The Germain tactician was impressed with the performance and output of Chelsea’s new signing Raheem Sterling after he came on in the second half.
What did Thomas Tuchel say about Chelsea’s performance against Charlotte FC?
Thomas Tuchel told a reporter after the game, saying: “In general, I would say we played a good first half but unfortunately, only 80 meters of the pitch. The last 20 meters of the pitch were not good enough.
“We found a lot of spaces to accelerate and penetrate the box but we struggled with our decision-making and precision in the last 20 meters.
“This was simply not good enough for the effort and quality we showed in the first 80 meters of the pitch and the amount of space we had, and the number of attacks we created.
“Second half, it took us half an hour to show some quality, and then it was maybe for ten minutes, so it was not good at all.
“Not offensively, not structure-wise, not in effort, hunger to be the dominant team. It was not good enough.”
Thomas Tuchel was impressed with the performance of Raheem Sterling after The Chelsea new boy was introduced in the second half.
The German tactician continued: “The only thing that matters is what I see on the pitch. I saw four accelerations in the second half and they all came from Raheem.
“This is what he delivers and there is no need for major doubts or huge criticism, but it is never important what the manager has in his head before pre-season.
“It’s the reality that counts. Every day in training and matches like this count and from there we go.”
Thomas Tuchel also provided an update on the future of Timo Werner after the German missed the game through a hamstring injury.
The German tactician added: “I’m surprised, I would be very happy as a young guy having a contract at Chelsea Football Club.
“I would be one of the happiest people on the planet. He needs to get his game time by showing quality, taking your place, and defending your place.
“I would be one of the happiest people on the planet having a contract with Chelsea. If he said this, I do not understand.”
When Thomas Tuchel was asked whether the German international is part of his plans for next season, Thomas Tuchel replied: “Sure, he is our player, sure.”
Chelsea’s next pre-season game will be a London derby against Arsenal In the Florida Cup finals.
