Chelsea fans will be relieved by Thomas Tuchel transfer comments

Losing to a city rival is never an enjoyable experience, nor is it one to take lightly. Even if it is a friendly game that is played in another country. On a different continent, etcetera. Nevertheless, Chelsea fans were rightly dissatisfied with the performance and outcome versus Arsenal. But putting too much stock into the 0-4 result would also be mistake: the Blues team are a work in progress and have gone through major upheaval. And there shall almost certainly be further fresh arrivals at Stamford Bridge during this offseason and prior to the window closing in September. So don’t worry.

Integrating a new centreback and winger are just two current steps being undertaken, with more to come. Kalidou Koulibaly and Raheem Sterling will more than likely eventually gel with their similarly skilled teammates due to the quality of the athletes. Having an invested, knowledgeable and winning head coach to correctly deploy these stars is also a factor to reassure the CFC faithful. While feelings of disappointment and anger are natural in such defeat, we simply cannot judge these practice outings too drastically. Plus, Arsenal were desperate for any silverware – so they can have the Florida Cup!

Chelsea fans will be relieved by comments from Thomas Tuchel after a 4-0 friendly defeat to Arsenal

Some journalists and amateur experts alike are already hilariously suggesting that this is an indication the North Londoners might pip CFC to a top four place. To say that prediction is premature would be an understatement. Writing off Thomas Tuchel’s men – many of whom are the previous Champions League winners following Real Madrid’s 2022 triumph – is another inadvisable declaration. In spite of disarray in the second half of the 2021/22 season, Chelsea still managed to qualify for the upcoming UCL competition. Whilst we know where Mikel Arteta and his side finished at the end of the previous campaign.

Following the momentarily disheartening, eye-opening but pretty inconsequential loss to the Gunners, a concerned Thomas Tuchel spoke to media. The German appeared rather uncomfortable, certainly more than usual as he revealed that he was far from relaxed. He added that his players were simply not good enough, as well as being uncompetitive on the whole.

What I do appreciate about the manager is his absolute frankness in response. When he says mental and physical commitment didn’t match AFC’s – you know those aspects are to be addressed in training in the style of a drill sergeant! Being beaten is not necessarily a terrible thing if you pinpoint weaknesses. Though ‘deserving to lose’ – Tuchel’s words – is unacceptable for any Blues side, irrespective of uncompetitive fixtures.

Additionally, the gaffer appeared to make a type of indirect plea to chairman Todd Boehly. Requesting extra quality signings at the Bridge this summer was the most notable section of the quotes:

"“So we had an urgent appeal for quality players, a huge amount of quality players. We got two quality players but we are not competitive like this. Unfortunately you could see it today.”"

Pride of London envision another two or three premium CFC captures to come. Another pleasing element of the boss’s interview was the Blues Man of the Match. Tuchel proclaimed recent signing Koulibaly the “best player” on the day, who was “incredibly good”.